In the 1970s, R&B came to be dominated by glossy production, lending the music a slick, processed sound. Albums like 1972's ROBERTA FLACK & DONNY HATHAWAY, however, have an organic feel more closely tied to the rootsy soul traditions of the '60s. Flack was arguably the era's greatest practitioner of this strain of soulful, reflective R&B (check out her remarkable '69 debut, FIRST TAKE), and her first collaboration with keyboardist and vocalist Donny Hathaway is one of her finest efforts.
The rich, elastic voices of the duo are perfectly matched--they sing in close-knit harmony throughout the set, and their chemistry is intimate and full of strong emotion. Moods range subtly but distinctly--a funky version of "Baby I Love You" simmers along in a mellow groove, while the opener, "I (Who Have Nothing)," is a stirring, romantic ballad. Though a near-definitive version of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend" is one of the highlights, the breezy "Where Is the Love," which became a runaway chart hit, steals the spotlight. This classic R&B record blends soul, folk, jazz, and blues with an earthy flair.
Professional Reviews
Rolling Stone (8/17/72, p.49) - "...Roberta manages to add some lightness to Donny's unremittingly tortured vocal style, while Hathaway, with his long background as an arranger and sideman on soul sessions, contributes a little flair..."
