Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - ROBERTA FLACK & DONNY HATHAWAY***

I (Who Have Nothing)/You've Got A Friend/Baby I Love You/Be Real Black For Me/You've Lost That Loving Feeling/For All We Know/Where Is The Love/When Love Has Grown/Come Ye Disconsolate/Mood

This was the first collaboration between soul artists Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. Some critics consider it to be too mawkish and ballad heavy that did not do full justice to their talents. Includes the US top 5 his single Where Is The Love. (US:3 UK:31)

“Where Is The Love is the only song that stands out to me, it has a great classic soul feel. The rest just don't come close sadly. Not terrible by any stretch, but hardly an album that deserves repeated listens.”

“I love Donny Hathaway's solo records, and I can tolerate Roberta Flack, but besides the pleasant, well executed vocals on this one, it leaves me cold. In hindsight, it could be argued that this album set a dangerous precedent for ballad heavy, somnolent soul. This is background music, as opposed to music that you can put on, absorb and enjoy.”

“I tried my best to like this record but with the exception of a couple of songs it's too mawkish. Although, there's nothing too bad about it, as both Hathaway and Flack are great performers, the line-up of musicians is above any reproach, the arrangements are quite interesting. All this suggests that this is an important soul record, but it's not.”

“If you're attracted to the silk-meets-grit and thoughtfulness of Hathaway's own records, beware, this is much lighter in tone and for the most part he's restricted to harmony vocals. That said, if it's a slightly gooey confection there's still something strangely appealing; partly it's the playing, which is both restrained and funky, and the gentle, wistful mood. Plus Where Is The Love, which has to be the most cheerful song about a bitter break-up ever.”

“Flack and Hathaway were born to sing together. Their voices blend perfectly here and their phrasing is perfectly matched. The material selected is very good as well, if a bit ballad heavy. It's a pity that they weren't able to do more work together. Recommended for anyone interested in '70s soul ballads.”