Contact
Freda Payne · 1971
39 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of soul and pop, infused with poignant storytelling and rich instrumentation that captures the era's emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bring the Boys Home — This track stands out as a powerful protest song addressing the Vietnam War, resonating deeply with listeners yearning for peace and justice.
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You've Got to Love Somebody (Let It Be Me) — With its heartfelt lyrics and lush arrangement, this song embodies Payne's ability to convey vulnerability and longing through her dynamic vocals.
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I Shall Not Be Moved — This track showcases a strong message of resilience and determination, highlighting Payne's commanding vocal delivery against a backdrop of soulful instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong instrumentation and varied pacing but lacks a cohesive thematic arc.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate rich orchestration, layering strings and horns to enhance emotional impact.
- The pacing varies significantly, with some tracks maintaining a steady groove while others shift to more reflective tempos.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- poignant storytelling with rich instrumentation
- uplifting tracks for reflective moments
- vibrant energy for intimate gatherings
- catchy melodies that invite singing
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek purely instrumental experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1971, Contact marked Freda Payne's fourth studio album, following her successful hit 'Band of Gold'. At this point in her career, Payne was solidifying her presence in the music industry, aiming to diversify her sound while maintaining her soulful roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Roberta Flack· Nancy Wilson· Aretha Franklin
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I'm Not Getting Any Better 6:16
- 2 Suddenly It's Yesterday 4:57
- 3 You Brought the Joy 2:57
- 4 Bring the Boys Home 3:25
- 5 You've Got to Love Somebody (Let It Be Me) 3:03
- 6 Instrumental Prelude 0:54
- 7 The Road We Didn't Take 4:16
- 8 Odds and Ends 3:48
- 9 Cherish What Is Dear to You (While It's Near to You) 3:58
- 10 I Shall Not Be Moved 2:45
- 11 Mama's Gone 3:28
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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