Gwen Guthrie needs no introduction really, with a string of classic disco bombs under her belt such as Seventh Heaven, Peanut Butter and of course the infectious Aint Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent, she will always be remembered as one of the finest ladies in Disco. Gwen started her career in the music industry back in 1974 performing backing vocals for the likes of the phenomenal Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Billy Joel to name just a few.

Gwen was also a very talented songwriter and musician who went on to write and produce songs made famous by artists such as Roberta Flack and Ben E King. All the above tracks were famously remixed and produced by Paradise Garage maestro Larry Levan and as her close working relationship with Larry developed throughout the eighties and early nineties, Gwen actually became dubbed as the ‘First lady of the Paradise Garage’ as most of her tracks became huge anthems there.

‘It Should Have Been You’ was Gwen’s first 12” that came out on Island Records back in 1982, it was produced and arranged by Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespear who were renowned for there dub influenced club cuts around that time. The track was in fact taken from her debut album ‘Gwen Guthrie’ of which Sly and Robbie were also heavily involved. It was after this album that Gwen hooked up with Larry Levan but for me this is one of her best moments regardless. Just listen when the track goes solo at around the 4 minute mark…