A Portrait of Melba
Melba Moore · 1977
36 min · 8 tracks · pop music
A seamless blend of disco rhythms and gospel-infused soul, showcasing Melba Moore’s powerful vocal range and emotional delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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You Are My River — This lead track showcases Moore's soaring vocals while blending elements of disco and soul, establishing an uplifting anthem that resonates throughout the album.
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Promised Land — With its powerful message and infectious groove, this song exemplifies Moore's ability to fuse spiritual themes with danceable rhythms, appealing to both body and soul.
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I Don’t Know No One Else to Turn To — This track highlights a more introspective side of Moore's artistry, featuring emotive lyrics paired with a soulful arrangement that deepens the album's emotional impact.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends disco and soul effectively but lacks a strong thematic cohesion across its tracks.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong disco track, 'You Are My River,' featuring a steady four-on-the-floor beat and prominent bass lines.
- Each song showcases Melba Moore's vocal range, often employing call-and-response techniques that echo gospel traditions.
- The production features lush arrangements with strings and horns, creating a rich soundscape that supports the vocal performances throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- uplifting danceable grooves
- heartfelt melodies for connection
- short bursts of joy
- celebratory anthems for gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long, introspective pieces
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1977, A Portrait of Melba was Melba Moore's third studio album, following her acclaimed work on Broadway and her hit single 'This Is It.' At this point in her career, she was transitioning from stage performer to a mainstream pop and R&B artist, gaining traction in the music industry with her dynamic vocal prowess.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Patti LaBelle· Chaka Khan· Gloria Gaynor
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 You Are My River 4:49
- 2 Promised Land 4:32
- 3 I Don’t Know No One Else to Turn To 5:36
- 4 Standing Right Here 3:53
- 5 Just Another Link 3:26
- 6 Living Free 4:59
- 7 Is This the End 4:04
- 8 Love and I Aren’t Strangers Anymore 5:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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