Goddess of Love
Phyllis Hyman · 1983
40 min · 9 tracks · jazz
A lush blend of soul and jazz, adorned with Phyllis Hyman's powerful vocals and emotive storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Goddess of Love — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of desire and self-empowerment, featuring Hyman's soaring vocals that elevate the lush instrumental backdrop.
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Why Did You Turn Me On — This track showcases Hyman's emotional range and vulnerability, with lyrics that delve into the complexities of romantic relationships against a smooth groove.
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Let Somebody Love You — Offering a message of openness to love, this song emphasizes Hyman's ability to convey deep emotions through her nuanced vocal performance and heartfelt lyrics.
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 rich arrangements, though it doesn't fully stand out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that features layered instrumentation, setting a lush sonic backdrop for Hyman's vocals.
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections, allowing the arrangement to breathe and showcase the musicianship.
- The last two tracks slow down significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the more upbeat songs earlier in the album.
- 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 romantic vibes
- heartfelt emotional vocal delivery
- for intimate evenings
- soothing melodies for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced energetic tracks
- avoid long song durations
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on May 9, 1983, 'Goddess of Love' was Phyllis Hyman's third studio album, following her acclaimed self-titled debut in 1977. By this time, she had solidified her presence in the R&B and jazz scenes, showcasing her vocal prowess and lyrical depth. The album signified a continuation of her exploration into themes of love and longing, building on the successes of her earlier works.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Angela Bofill· Lalah Hathaway· Chaka Khan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Riding the Tiger 6:20
- 2 Goddess of Love 5:51
- 3 Why Did You Turn Me On 4:11
- 4 Your Move, My Heart 4:40
- 5 Let Somebody Love You 4:45
- 6 Falling Star 3:47
- 7 We Should Be Lovers 3:56
- 8 Just Me and You 4:37
- 9 Just Twenty Five Miles to Anywhere 2:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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