Although remembered for her 1973 hit “Killing Me Softly” - its Roberta Flacks’s debut 1969 album that packs an emotional punch.

Traversing gospel, blues, soul and jazz her intensity is apparent as she interprets the songs.

The album kicks off with “Compared To What” the non- compromising vocal delivery pulls you in as she sings about the social realism and inequality that resonates to this day.

Ron Carter’s syncopated bass line is sublime and is a lesson for all musicians about being in the pocket.

Stabbing horns accent the track as it builds and tells the story.

“I Told Jesus” is a traditional song arranged by Roberta and has a bluesy intensity that is both intimate and strong all at the same time.

It’s a song of hope and finding strength in faith.

Tackling tunes by British folk singer Ewan McCall - as well as Leonard Cohens “Hey,That’s No way To Say Goodbye” - shows her versatility in taking the tunes away from folk roots to a place where the meaning is stripped down to the core and delivered with passion .

The delicate arrangement led by her melodic piano and John Pizzarelli tasty guitar arpeggios make you sit down and listen - instead of consuming music on the move or in the background. 

The listening experience is too profound to be half listened to!

Sometimes a debut album can really show the core of an artist - as a second album can be harder to make when the ideas are exhausted in the first release.

This album is extremely vital -and in an era today where artists follow trends - in 1969 Roberta Flack was starting her career and blazing a trail on her terms.

Highly recommended!