What makes Lalah Hathaway by Lalah Hathaway notable?

Lalah Hathaway received critical acclaim upon its release, with particular praise for her vocal prowess. The album's singles charted on R&B charts, helping to establish her as a significant voice in contemporary soul music. When Lalah Hathaway released her self-titled debut album in 1990, she was stepping into the music scene as a fresh new artist, following her family legacy in music. The album marked her entrance into the industry, introducing her unique vocal style that would set the stage for her future work.

How many songs are on Lalah Hathaway?

Lalah Hathaway has 10 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Lalah Hathaway

Lalah Hathaway · 1990

45 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A lush blend of jazz and soul, showcasing smooth vocals over rich instrumentation and heartfelt lyricism.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Baby Don't Cry — This track highlights Hathaway's ability to convey deep emotion through her vocal delivery, blending elements of soul and jazz seamlessly.
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Heaven Knows — With its soaring melodies and intricate harmonies, this song encapsulates the essence of the album, showcasing Hathaway's range and artistry.
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Smile — The lyrical optimism paired with Hathaway's smooth vocals makes this track a standout moment that resonates with listeners seeking comfort and positivity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong vocal performances and rich instrumentation, establishing a solid foundation for Hathaway's career.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of lush string arrangements that complement the smooth vocal delivery throughout.
Each track typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with Hathaway's vocals taking center stage and often improvising over the instrumental sections.
Several songs incorporate call-and-response elements between Hathaway's voice and the backing instruments, enhancing the soulful feel.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Somethin' 3:38
2 Heaven Knows 5:17
3 Baby Don't Cry 4:04
4 Smile 4:55
5 U-Godit Gowin' On 3:28
6 I'm Coming Back 5:37
7 Stay Home Tonight 4:16
8 I Gotta Move On 4:46
9 Sentimental 3:42
10 Obvious 5:16

What to play next

Listen next

A Moment

1994

Full Lalah Hathaway discography Artists like Lalah Hathaway

jazz soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata