In an age where musical genres blend with ease, it’s easy to overlook that this wasn’t always the case. A deep dive into the career of Roberta Flack serves as a reminder of a time when the music industry was less fluid. Flack, whose gentle yet powerful vocal presence made her one of the leading artists of the 1970s and kept her influential for years after, passed away on Monday. Her legacy is a diverse array of music that defies easy classification. Her inaugural album, “First Take,” skillfully combines soul, jazz, flamenco, gospel, and folk into a groundbreaking collection, both forward-thinking and poised in its delivery.
Roberta Flack’s legacy is cemented by her timeless classics like “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song.” While these songs are certainly highlights, her artistry spans far beyond these well-known tracks.
Her debut album, released in 1969, contained gems like “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye.” This track—a reimagined version of Leonard Cohen’s original—showcased her unique vocal interpretation of Cohen’s poignant lyrics. It’s incredible to think that this album was recorded in just 10 hours at Atlantic Studios in New York.
Another standout from “First Take” is “Angelitos Negros,” sung entirely in Spanish. This track is adapted from a poem by Venezuelan poet Andrés Eloy Blanco, dealing with themes of racial discrimination. Supported by flowing string arrangements, Flack’s performance here is both a testament to her vocal prowess and her ability to bridge cultural divides.
Her breakthrough came with the song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which achieved substantial fame following its inclusion in a memorable scene of the 1971 film “Play Misty for Me.” The track soared to the top of the Billboard pop chart in 1972, earning Flack a Grammy for Record of the Year. Her deep connection and prior familiarity with the song, having taught it as an educator, contributed to its profound impact.
Roberta Flack’s interpretation of Lori Lieberman’s “Killing Me Softly with His Song” became an iconic love ballad. First encountered on a flight, she immediately resonated with the track. Her rendition went on to capture audiences worldwide, ultimately winning the Grammy and setting a record for consecutive wins for best record. The track was revitalized in the 1990s when hip-hop group the Fugees offered their unique take on it.
“Feel Like Makin’ Love,” her third chart-topping hit, is another testament to her command of R&B and jazz. With its smooth, seductive delivery, Flack brought the lyrics alive, capturing the essence of love in her evocative performance.
Soulful collaboration is exemplified in “The Closer I Get to You,” a duet with Donny Hathaway that remains a poignant romantic tune. Despite its success, the song’s history is clouded by tragedy, as Hathaway’s life was cut short during the period of recording their duets album.
Flack’s adaptability is evident in her work throughout the ’80s, particularly in “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,” a soft rock track performed with Peabo Bryson. This song blends genres and stands the test of time, touching on themes familiar to Flack’s oeuvre but with a modern twist.
The 1991 track “Set the Night to Music,” a collaboration with Maxi Priest, highlights her continued relevance in the music scene. It was the title track of an album featuring other notable works, such as a cover of The Stylistics’ “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” demonstrating her versatility and enduring impact on contemporary music.
