'Friends: Roberta Flack Sings Mariko Taka'
What The Critics Say
Flack's first collection of holiday recordings includes both standards ("Christmas Song," "We Three Kings of Orient Are," "Little Drummer Boy," "O Come All Ye Faithful"), plus newly-written tunes ("There's Still My Joy," "25th of Last December" and the Peabo Bryson duet "As Long As There's Christmas," which was featured in the direct-to-video Disney film, Beatuy and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas). For it's smooth sound and Flack's fine vocals, it is recommended to her fans. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
'Set the Night to Music'
What The Critics Say
By the '90s, Roberta Flack had completely immersed herself in the adult contemporary portion of the radio world, and this 1991 album is concrete proof of that. Largely based on collaborations with fellow adult radio singer Maxi Priest, Set the Night to Music is an odd assortment of standards with a few new compositions thrown in here and there for good measure. No doubt, the album's title track is the standout hit, and one of the biggest commercial successes in Flack's esteemed career. But there are also small surprises here and there on the album, including a stirring rendition of Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable" and the Bell-Creed Philly soul classic "You Make Me Feel Brand New." The production values and choice of instrumentation give this album a slightly dated feel, with a greater emphasis placed on polished synthesizers over the warm tones of a Fender Rhodes or grand piano, but all in all it's a strong album that presents Flack's classy, distinct vocal styling in a palatable fashion. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A Caribbean mood on title and "Shock to My System." ~ Bil Carpenter, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Includes movie-theme ballad, "Making Love." ~ Bil Carpenter, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
By the time the 1980s rolled around, Peabo Bryson was a bona fide R&B/quiet storm star, and Born to Love further solidified his place in the upper echelon of not only R&B, but pop music as well. A full album of duets with Roberta Flack (who has the knack of pairing herself with quality singing partners), the most obvious hit on the record was the opening track. "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" became a bona fide phenomenon on the R&B charts, became a highly requested wedding song, and has been licensed to numerous compilations over the years. There are some other quality songs on this record (the Bacharach/Bayer Sager penned "Blame It on Me" and the minor hit "You're Lookin' Like Love to Me"), but they all unquestionably remain in the giant shadow of "Tonight." Not an essential album by any means, but nonetheless an enjoyable listen. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
'Roberta Flack Featuring Donnie Hathaway'
What The Critics Say
The combination of Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack undeniably ranks atop the all-time great duet parings in the history of R&B. Any opportunity to have one guest on the other's recordings brought out a sensual energy not to be denied, similar to the magnetic duets between Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye for Motown during the '60s. This seven-song session didn't yield any timeless classics à la "The Closer I Get to You," but Flack's distinct and beautiful voice brings a level of class to this outing that few of her contemporaries were able to achieve. Two Stevie Wonder-penned compositions, "You Are My Heaven" and "Don't Make Me Wait Too Long," bring Wonder's unique arrangements together and give this album a more uptempo feel than most of the prior work of Flack and Hathaway, both as solo artists and as a team. The album's climatic piece, "Back Together Again," helps to conclude the album on an upbeat note before breaking it down again into a soft, gentle finale of calm, familiar waters. The realization that these tracks are some of the final recordings Hathaway would appear on before his tragic death brings an element of melancholy to the listening experience. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
