Search - Roberta Flack :: Blue Lights in the Basement

Sumptuous voice, pop light on the horizon, though

souldrummer | Washington, DC United States | 12/29/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Roberta Flack's voice is one of the treasures of black music. She blends folk, jazz, and R&B into a lovely sound that melds sophistication and soul. In many ways, Roberta Flack has had the same predicament that Nina Simone and other R&B artists have had. She can sing jazz and has some piano ability [not as much as Simone] and crafts songs. Yet Simone and Flack went down the opposite paths. Modest chart success empowered Simone to be an utterly uncompromising artist. Major chart success leads Flack to increasingly court the adult contemporary market. Not a problem for me as it gives more people the chance to hear her voice, but I prefer earlier Flack to late Flack. I enjoy this album for the Hathaway collaboration and "Move in With Me". But you also can smell the disco in "Move in With Me" and the adult pop contemporary production that slides into even these treasures. Roberta Flack's voice always shines and I can't give even her worst work less than 3 stars. This is above average Flack. Those seeking Roberta the artist would be wiser to start with "Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway" and then pick up her earlier albums where her voice was more present and the tunes highlighted what makes her such a unique treasure.3.5 stars"

Roberta Flack - Blue Lights . . .

J. Teton | Utah | 08/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you want an album for romantics this is it. Although most of the album you won't find on the greatest hits these tracks are all very good, blend well and will set the mood for many a night."