Released 50 years ago
Just a Matter of Time
Marlena Shaw · 1976
42 min · 10 tracks · soul
A blend of smooth soul melodies and emotive vocal performances wrapped in lush arrangements and heartfelt lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Time I'll Be Sweeter — The track highlights Shaw's impeccable vocal control and emotional depth, making it one of her signature songs that resonates with listeners across generations.
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Love Has Gone Away — This song features poignant lyrics about heartbreak and loss, showcasing Shaw's ability to convey vulnerability through her soulful delivery.
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Be for Real — The track stands out with its groovy rhythm and honest questioning of love's authenticity, reflecting Shaw's skillful blend of personal storytelling and catchy melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal performances and lush arrangements, though it follows familiar soul templates.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong mid-tempo track that sets a smooth groove, followed by a more upbeat brass-driven song.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and lush string arrangements, creating a rich sonic texture.
- The pacing shifts noticeably in the middle of the album, where slower ballads dominate before returning to more upbeat tempos towards the end.
- 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
- soulful melodies for intimate moments
- rich vocal expressiveness for reflection
- emotional depth in lyrical themes
- gentle rhythms for relaxed evenings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, energetic tracks
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 1976, Marlena Shaw released Just a Matter of Time as her fifth studio album, following the critically acclaimed Lookin' for a Love. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her reputation as a powerful soul vocalist, building on her successes from the early 70s while exploring deeper emotional themes through her music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Roberta Flack· Bill Withers· Nina Simone
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 It's Better Than Walkin' Out 4:20
- 2 Brass Band 3:40
- 3 This Time I'll Be Sweeter 4:57
- 4 Think About Me 4:30
- 5 You and Me 3:57
- 6 Love Has Gone Away 4:53
- 7 Sing to Me 4:00
- 8 Take My Body 4:53
- 9 Be for Real 4:59
- 10 No Hiding Place 2:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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