Roberta cover

Roberta

Roberta Flack · 1994

73 min · 15 tracks · jazz

Smooth jazz-inflected melodies intertwine with soulful vocals, creating an intimate atmosphere throughout the album.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Let's Stay Together Start here — Flack's rendition of this Al Green classic brings a fresh yet nostalgic touch, emphasizing her ability to reinterpret timeless love songs with emotional depth.
  • →
    In a Sentimental Mood — This track showcases Flack's smooth vocal delivery over lush instrumentation, perfectly capturing the essence of romance and nostalgia inherent in the piece.
  • →
    The Thrill Is Gone — A poignant interpretation of the blues standard, Flack's version melds her soulful voice with a haunting arrangement that evokes deep emotion and longing.
  • →
    Angel Eyes — Flack imbues this track with a sense of yearning and vulnerability, demonstrating her skill in conveying complex emotions through song.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Flack's vocal talent within smooth jazz arrangements but lacks standout compositions.

What we noticed

  • Flack's vocals are often layered with soft instrumental arrangements, creating a lush, intimate soundscape.
  • The track 'Prelude to a Kiss' includes an intro that sets a reflective mood before the main piece begins.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic peaks and valleys
  • intimate evening listening experience
  • emotive vocal explorations
  • soulful reflections on love
  • gentle background for conversation

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking upbeat dance tracks
  • prefer shorter, standalone songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Showcases Flack's enduring talent after a long hiatus, highlighting her return.
Career context
By 1994, Roberta Flack was already an established artist, known for her prowess in soul and jazz. This album came nearly a decade after her last studio release, marking a return to the recording scene as she explored classic standards and contemporary songs, reconnecting with her roots in adult contemporary music.
Stylistic neighbors
Nina Simone· Bill Withers· Aretha Franklin

Tracklist

  • 1 Let's Stay Together Start here 4:56
  • 2 Sweet Georgia Brown 5:14
  • 3 Thrill Is Gone 5:44
  • 4 It Might Be You 10:02
  • 5 In a Sentimental Mood 3:08
  • 6 Looking for Another Pure Love 4:50
  • 7 I Don't Care Who Knows (Baby I'm Yours) 4:07
  • 8 Prelude to a Kiss (Intro) 0:43
  • 9 Prelude to a Kiss 4:28
  • 10 Angel Eyes 6:35
  • 11 Tenderly 3:49
  • 12 Cottage for Sale 4:37
  • 13 Isn't It Romantic? 3:43
  • 14 My Romance 5:39
  • 15 You'll Never Know ('Til You Let Go) 5:22

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata