Where It All Begins
Lalah Hathaway · 2011
51 min · 12 tracks · jazz
Soulful melodies intertwine with jazz-inflected rhythms, showcasing Lalah Hathaway's powerful vocal range and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Strong Woman — The opening track sets an empowering tone, highlighting Hathaway’s rich vocal delivery while addressing themes of resilience and strength.
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Lie to Me — This song features emotional vulnerability paired with lush instrumentation, showcasing Hathaway's ability to convey deep feelings through her voice.
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I'm Coming Back — A standout ballad that reveals a journey of self-discovery, where Hathaway's vocal prowess shines through poignant lyrics and dynamic phrasing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal performances and intricate arrangements but lacks a cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response patterns between Hathaway's vocals and instrumental sections, creating a dynamic interplay.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, providing a reflective conclusion to the album.
- 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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7/10
- 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.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Lie to Me
In the bridge, the narrative shifts dramatically as the speaker confronts deception directly, revealing layers of hurt and longing.
This direct confrontation within the lyrics creates a sense of urgency and intimacy that deepens the emotional impact of the song.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Strong Woman 3:07
- 2 Where It All Begins 5:45
- 3 My Everything 4:12
- 4 Small of My Back 4:47
- 5 If You Want To 3:28
- 6 Always Love You 4:08
- 7 Lie to Me 4:33
- 8 This Could Be Love 4:52
- 9 Wrong Way 3:44
- 10 You Were Meant for Me 4:03
- 11 I'm Coming Back 6:57
- 12 Dreamland 2:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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