What makes The Voice by Mavis Staples notable?

The Voice received critical acclaim upon its release, with notable praise from publications like Rolling Stone. It helped solidify Staples' position as a significant figure in the soul genre, influencing future artists and contributing to the resurgence of classic R&B sounds in the early '90s. Released in 1993, The Voice was Mavis Staples' first album for the Alligator Records label after a successful career with The Staple Singers. This album marked her return to solo artistry following a hiatus and showcased her evolution as an artist, blending traditional gospel influences with contemporary soul and blues.

Who is The Voice for?

The Voice works well if you're into steady emotional progression throughout, powerful vocals that uplift and reflective moments of introspection.

How many songs are on The Voice?

The Voice has 12 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

The Voice

Mavis Staples · 1993

53 min · 12 tracks · blues

Soulful rhythms intertwine with heartfelt storytelling, showcasing Mavis Staples' powerful voice and deep emotional resonance.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Voice — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's themes of empowerment and resilience, highlighting Staples' rich vocal delivery and emotional depth.
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You Will Be Moved — This track stands out with its uplifting message and infectious groove, showcasing Staples' ability to inspire listeners through music.
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A Man Called Jesus — Combining spiritual lyrics with soulful instrumentation, this song reflects Staples' gospel roots while appealing to modern sensibilities.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Mavis Staples' powerful vocals and strong songwriting create a distinctive blend of blues and soul.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a slow build, layering instruments gradually before Staples' voice enters powerfully.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response elements, emphasizing the communal aspect of the music and engaging the listener.
The last three tracks feature a noticeable shift in tempo and mood, creating a reflective conclusion to the album.

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: 8/10
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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady emotional progression throughout
powerful vocals that uplift
reflective moments of introspection
soulful resonance for connection
cathartic release in each track

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced listening experiences
seek standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1993, The Voice was Mavis Staples' first album for the Alligator Records label after a successful career with The Staple Singers. This album marked her return to solo artistry following a hiatus and showcased her evolution as an artist, blending traditional gospel influences with contemporary soul and blues.
Stylistic neighbors: Aretha Franklin· Tina Turner· Etta James