Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (studio album) by Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

From Jameth 07/13/2020 00:43

Flack and Hathaway both have amazing voices, so it’s really disappointing to see their talent lost in a slog of so-so, mushy material. “Where Is The Love” was a big hit and the best track here, but I wouldn’t exactly call it indispensable. “Mood” is a pretty thing, but being an instrumental it frustratingly fails to capitalize on the vocal talent on hand.

From Mercury 05/06/2017 19:36

Listening to this album for the first time now. I'm struck by how incredibly crisp and clear the production is. Every guitar part rings out with a clarity and warmth which is breathtaking. The piano chords are like a soothing balm. The vocals, obviously, are sweet and intertwined and loving. Some of these harmonies are just melting my heart. I get all warm inside hearing these songs.

Also, it's beautiful to hear these 2 absolute pros work off each other. The collaboration is so beautifully realized. I love both Donny and Roberta's singing styles and musical backgrounds. They come together incredibly organically.

The songs are chosen carefully. The second track, "You've Got A Friend", sounds completely natural and authentic. These 2 really do sound like they are each others' closest friend. Every line just emits utter love and devotion. Not gonna lie, that song had me in some real emotional fits. Just so goddamn pure it cut through my cynicism instantaneously.

The tracks all breathe, nothing is rushed, all the soul is mined and explored. The strings and horns and the guitar solos weep and sweep and soar out for long, soulful stretches.

Happy that the first day of this project let me stumble across this gem. Cuz honestly I looked at the anniversaries and I was disappointed at first. There were no real headliners. So I "settled" on this beauty by default. An album I'd never had much thought for beyond a VERY mild curiosity. Now i'm drinking it in and realizing I may have found a new all-timer. The sweet tunes here are timeless. And now, as I listen to the absolutely heartbreaking emotional torment of track 6 "For All We Know", I'm sitting here stunned by its beauty. Donny has a voice as soaringly gorgeous as Stevie or Marvin. And damn this song ends with these minimal, emotive, piano notes and sad strings, absolutely tear-inducing. Then it effortlessly segues right into one of the more upbeat, sunny, popular songs on the album "Where is the Love". Holy shit! This album is incredible!

Oh man! now I'm on the second to last track, track 9, "Come Ye Disconsolate". It's pure gospel perfection. Roberta's piano chords are so certain and consoling (of course), her vocals so faithful and loving, and spiritual. Before Donny comes in to offer his pipes, somehow equally mesmerizing. All the while the drums and the gorgeous restrained bass moves along at a deliberate pace. Every beat and note simple, accurate, in full support of the escalatingly holy vocals. Bravo!

As for the closing track, "Mood", its great. Like really great. It's a 7 minute instrumental, just gorgeous piano chords and notes and a very minimal contribution from other instruments. Ruminations on love, life, God, and the eternal spring to my mind as I hear some of the best piano on a soul record I've ever heard. This arrangement is so inspired, true and beautiful. How did this album go under my radar. "Mood" starts with some seriously bold artistic choices. It completely takes a left turn. This is not a cookie cutter ending to an album. This is not at all a by-the-numbers pop-soul duets album. There are serious artistic moves being made here. It's an incredibly impressive closer to an incredibly impressive achievement of an album.

Grade: Fuck grades. I have a hard time thinking that way. Especially now as I am all gushy about the album. I'm tempted to knee jerk give it an A+ or 10/10 score. It's that eye-opening.