What makes The Voice by Bobby McFerrin notable?

The Voice received critical acclaim for its inventive approach to vocal music and reached number 1 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. Its success helped establish McFerrin as a leading figure in contemporary jazz, influencing numerous artists in the vocal genre. Released in 1984, The Voice is Bobby McFerrin's debut album, marking his entry into the jazz scene. At this time, he was transitioning from an aspiring musician to an innovative artist known for his unique vocal style, which set the stage for his future successes.

Who is The Voice for?

The Voice works well if you're into playful vocal improvisation moments, steady flow with joyful peaks and engaging sing-along participation.

How many songs are on The Voice?

The Voice has 10 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

The Voice

Bobby McFerrin · 1984

43 min · 10 tracks · classical music

A groundbreaking blend of jazz and a cappella showcasing vocal improvisation and rhythmic experimentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Blackbird — This track highlights McFerrin's ability to transform a classic song into a fluid exploration of vocal harmonies, showcasing his improvisational skills.
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I Feel Good — The upbeat energy and playful vocals exemplify McFerrin's joyful approach to music, turning simple phrases into a captivating performance.
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Medley: Donna Lee / Big Top / We’re in the Money — This medley showcases McFerrin's versatility and ability to seamlessly blend different musical genres while maintaining engaging rhythms through vocalizations.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

76 /100

Alpine

Higher than 98% of albums we've rated

McFerrin's debut album stands out for its innovative vocal techniques and improvisation, marking a unique entry into the jazz genre.

What we noticed

The album features extensive vocal layering, with McFerrin creating harmonies and rhythms entirely through his voice without instrumental accompaniment.
Several tracks incorporate improvisational elements, allowing McFerrin to explore different melodic ideas and rhythmic patterns spontaneously.
The track 'Medley: Donna Lee / Big Top / We’re in the Money' showcases a seamless transition between distinct musical themes, highlighting McFerrin's versatility.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

playful vocal improvisation moments
steady flow with joyful peaks
engaging sing-along participation
light-hearted atmosphere for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

seekers of heavy instrumentation
prefer structured song formats

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1984, The Voice is Bobby McFerrin's debut album, marking his entry into the jazz scene. At this time, he was transitioning from an aspiring musician to an innovative artist known for his unique vocal style, which set the stage for his future successes.
Stylistic neighbors: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones· Naturally 7· Pentatonix