Forever with You
Phyllis Hyman · 1998
54 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A silky blend of jazz and soul, this album showcases Hyman's powerful vocals against polished, lush instrumentals.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Strength of a Woman — This track stands out for its empowering lyrics that celebrate female strength, showcasing Hyman's ability to convey deep emotion through her voice.
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Forever With You — As the title track, it encapsulates the romantic essence of the album with lush arrangements complementing Hyman's heartfelt delivery.
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Funny How Love Goes — This song features intricate melodies and lyrical wit that illustrate Hyman's unique perspective on love's complexities, making it a highlight of her discography.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong vocal performances and polished arrangements, creating a cohesive yet familiar jazz-soul experience.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow tempo and lush instrumentation, setting a smooth tone that persists through the majority of the album.
- Hyman's vocal delivery is consistently layered over rich instrumental arrangements, often featuring strings and soft percussion.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response elements between Hyman's vocals and the backing instruments, enhancing the emotional connection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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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7/10
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
- steady mid-tempo emotional flow
- heartfelt vocals for deep connection
- for intimate gatherings
- reflective moments with loved ones
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy party tracks
- need quick, catchy singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1998, Forever with You was Phyllis Hyman's final studio album, coming after her critically acclaimed work in the 1970s and 1980s. By this time, she had faced personal struggles and a fluctuating career but remained a beloved figure in the soul genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Angela Bofill· Lalah Hathaway· Chaka Khan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Forever With You 4:20
- 2 Funny How Love Goes 4:48
- 3 Come Right or Not at All 5:20
- 4 The Strength of a Woman 4:24
- 5 Hurry Up This Way Again 4:22
- 6 How Long 4:18
- 7 Someone to Love 4:03
- 8 Tell Me What You’re Gonna Do 4:38
- 9 The Kids 4:41
- 10 Set a Little Trap 4:20
- 11 No One but You 4:33
- 12 Souvenirs 4:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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