The Best of Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack · 1981
43 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A smooth blend of soulful melodies and poignant storytelling, capturing the essence of classic adult contemporary music.
Top tracks — play these first
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Killing Me Softly With His Song Start here — This track is emblematic of Flack's emotive vocal delivery and storytelling prowess, becoming her signature song and a defining moment in 1970s music.
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The Closer I Get to You — A duet with Donny Hathaway that captures the intimacy of love through lush harmonies and soft instrumentation, showcasing Flack’s versatility.
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Feel Like Makin’ Love — This track stands out for its sensual lyrics and smooth melody, illustrating Flack's ability to convey deep emotion through her singing.
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Where Is the Love — The socially conscious lyrics paired with Flack's soulful interpretation make this track both impactful and thought-provoking, reflecting societal issues.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks the depth to stand out significantly in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush string arrangements that complement Flack's vocal delivery across nearly all tracks.
- Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, allowing for emotional crescendos that highlight the lyrical content.
- The tempo varies slightly but maintains a smooth, laid-back feel throughout, with only a few tracks introducing more rhythmic complexity.
- 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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5/10
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 pacing for relaxed listening
- smooth melodies for intimate moments
- emotional depth in every track
- for romantic evenings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, energetic music
- seek experimental and unpredictable sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Starting Point — A comprehensive compilation that highlights her signature sound and major hits.
- Career context
- By 1981, Roberta Flack was already an established artist with multiple Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year for 'Killing Me Softly With His Song'. This compilation album came at a time when she was transitioning from her peak commercial success in the early 1970s to a new phase of her career, showcasing her most beloved tracks and solidifying her status as a musical icon.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nina Simone· Bill Withers· Aretha Franklin
Tracklist
- 1 Killing Me Softly With His Song Start here 4:48
- 2 The Closer I Get to You 4:38
- 3 You’ve Got a Friend 3:25
- 4 Feel Like Makin’ Love 2:55
- 5 Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow 4:03
- 6 Where Is the Love 2:44
- 7 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 4:18
- 8 Back Together Again 4:45
- 9 You Are My Heaven 4:12
- 10 If Ever I See You Again 3:33
- 11 Jesse 3:58
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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