Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis Hyman was an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her powerful contralto voice and soulful R&B hits. Born on July 6, 1949, in Philadelphia and raised in Pittsburgh as the eldest of seven children, she tragically died by suicide on June 30, 1995, at age 45 in New York City.
Hyman received early music training via a scholarship at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh but dropped out after one year. Her father Philip was a World War II veteran, and her mother Louise worked as a waitress; she began performing professionally with groups like New Direction, All the People, and The Hondo Beat.
She debuted solo with her 1977 self-titled album on Buddah Records, featuring tracks like "Loving You" and "I Don't Wanna Lose You." After moving to Arista, key releases included Somewhere in My Lifetime (1978), You Know How to Love Me (1979), Can't We Fall in Love Again? (1981), and Goddess of Love (1983), with hits like "You Know How to Love Me" and "Living All Alone."
Her biggest success came with 1991's The Prime of My Life on Philadelphia International Records, yielding her first R&B No. 1 "Don't Wanna Change the World" and a gold certification. Posthumous albums were I Refuse to Be Lonely (1995) and Forever with You (1998).
Hyman made her film debut in Lenny (1974) and shone on Broadway in Sophisticated Ladies (1981–1983), earning a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and a Theatre World Award. She stood at 6'0½" and was nicknamed the "Sophisticated Lady."
Married briefly to manager Larry Alexander (1978–divorced), Hyman had no children and battled bipolar disorder, depression, alcohol, and cocaine issues amid career pressures. These challenges contributed to her suicide just before her 46th birthday.
In Between The Heartaches - The Soul of a Diva
2 If You Ever Change Your Mind (David Batteau, Richard Calhoun, Scott Shelley 2:58)
3 Hottest Love Around (D. James, S. Shifrin 4:30)
4 Do You Love Him (Fast Version) (Morr, Matthas 3:26)
5 Sleep On It (Andrew Kastner, Larry McNally 3:20)
6 Can't Live Without You (T. Wright 3:14)
7 Soon Come Again (Extended Mix) (Larry Alexander, Sandy Torano 6:22)
8 In Between The Heartaches (Burt Bacharach, Hal David 3:45)
9 In Search Of My Heart (McCoy Tyner 7:06)
10 Sacred Kind Of Love Featuring Grover Washington, Jr. (K.C. Porter, K. Rybar, S. McKinney 5:39)
11 Magic Mona (Casey James, Jack Robinson, Leroy M. Bell, Thom Bell 3:27)
12 Don't Tell Me, Tell Her (Doug James, Sandy Linzer 6:11)
13 Be One (Bill Lee Sr. 4:34)
14 Everything I Have Is Good (Pam McDonald, Pharoah Sanders 6:00)
15 Springs Arrival (Jon Lucien 2:56)
16 I'll Be Around (McCoy Tyner, S. Clarke 6:12)
Label: Expansion – CD EXCL 6
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: UK
Released: 2003
Genre: R&B Soul, Jazz
Style: Soul, Jazz-Funk
In Between The Heartaches is a well-regarded compilation album that features a mix of previously unreleased songs, collaborations, and obscure cuts, primarily from the earlier part of Phyllis Hyman's career. It is particularly prized by fans for shedding light on the "missing pieces" of her musical legacy and showcasing her versatility across soul, jazz, R&B, and funk genres.
The album gathers material from her time with various labels and producers, including tracks from her collaborations with jazz artists like McCoy Tyner, Norman Connors, Pharoah Sanders, and Grover Washington Jr.. It also includes soundtrack contributions like "Magic Mona" and several tracks that were shelved by her label, Arista, at the time.
Critics and fans consistently praise Hyman's vocal prowess, describing her voice as unique, powerful, sensual, and emotionally expressive. Reviewers note her ability to infuse deep feeling into every song, making the listening experience often "mesmerizing" and poignant.
The album offers a diverse range of styles, highlighting Hyman as a "renaissance woman" who could handle everything from jazz-inflected ballads to funk and gospel. The compilation helps illustrate the breadth of her talent beyond her more mainstream R&B hits.
Overall, the album is a strong addition to a Hyman fan's collection, although some minor criticisms exist regarding the inclusion of a few tracks that some feel don't match the quality of her best work. A common point of concern is that some tracks suffer from "sub-par 70's quality" production and lack proper re-mastering, which can affect the overall listening experience.
The album is considered an essential item for serious collectors and fans as it provides access to material that might have otherwise remained in the vaults, further cementing her legacy as a formidable and underappreciated vocalist. In short, In Between The Heartaches is a valuable compilation that provides a deeper look into the artistry of Phyllis Hyman, offering a rich listening experience for those who appreciate her powerful voice and diverse musical talents.
Phyllis Hyman
Written-By, Composed By – T. Bell
7:41
A2 No One Can Love You More
Written-By, Composed By, Keyboards – Skip Scarborough
4:20
A3 One Thing On My Mind
Written-By – Evie Sands, Richard Germinaro
5:30
A4 I Don't Want To Lose You
Written-By – Linda Creed, Thom Bell
5:31
B1 Deliver The Love
Written-By – Ausar Sahw, Rachim
Written-By, Piano – Onaje Allan Gumbs
4:02
B2 Was Yesterday Such A Long Time Ago
Written-By – B. Scott, M. Goode
4:55
B3 The Night Bird Gets The Love
Written-By – C. Carter, M. Shakoor
5:20
B4 Beautiful Man Of Mine
Written-By, Composed By – Larry Alexander
6:56
B5 Children Of The World
Composed By, Piano, Synthesizer [Moog Bass Arp], Written-By – H. Eaves
2:55
Label: Buddah Records – BDS 5681
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul, Jazz
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Phyllis Hyman's 1977 self-titled debut on Buddah Records is a highly regarded, sophisticated soul-jazz album featuring her rich, mature contralto vocals. Showcasing standout tracks like "No One Can Love You More" and "Loving You, Losing You," the album established her as an emotive interpreter, despite minor inconsistencies in material.
Critics praise the album for showcasing Hyman's incredible range and emotional maturity, often described as a blend of sensuality and dramatic flair.
The album is a mix of mainstream soul and relaxed jazz tones, with production by Skip Scarborough, Thom Bell, and Linda Creed.
Key Tracks:- "No One Can Love You More": Highlighted for its lush, fluid sound and sensual charm; "Loving You, Losing You": A vibrant, filmic track that gained notice for its, deep, soulful rhythm; "I Don't Want to Lose You": Noted as a classic, emotional, and melodic performance; "Betcha by Golly Wow": A notable, well-executed cover.
The album is considered a strong, 5-star debut that introduced her as a major talent, although some reviews suggest the material varies from classic to unformed.
The album solidified her reputation as a formidable singer-songwriter in the late 70s, setting the stage for her subsequent success at Arista Records. The album peaked at #107 on the Billboard 200 and #49 on the R&B charts.
Contemporary user reviews are highly positive, with average ratings typically between 4.3 and 4.7 out of 5 on platforms like Discogs. Critics often highlight Hyman's "uncommon maturity"—she was only in her mid-20s during recording—and her ability to glide through complex material with "sensual charm".
Sing A Song
A2 Sweet Music (Al Martinez 3:50)
A3 The Answer Is You (Mark Radice 5:09)
A4 Love Is Free (Mark Radice 3:51)
B1 Sing A Song (Ernest Straughter, Philip Bailey 3:40)
B2 Gonna Make Changes (Phyllis Hyman 3:58)
B3 Soon Come Again (Larry Alexander, Sandy Torano 3:33)
B4 Be Careful (How You Treat My Love) (Glenn 4:12)
B5 Here's That Rainy Day (James Van Heusen, Johnny Burke 3:00)
Label: Buddah Records – BDLP 4058
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Sing a Song is the second studio album by American singer Phyllis Hyman, released in 1978 on Buddah Records. It primarily features sophisticated soul, quiet storm, smooth soul, and jazz-infused R&B tracks, showcasing Hyman's warm, flowing vocals and expansive contralto range.
The album had a complex release history due to Buddah Records being acquired by Arista Records shortly after its completion. Arista head Clive Davis reportedly deemed the album "uncommercial," so Sing a Song was released internationally (outside the US) as its own project. Many of the songs were subsequently included on Hyman's retooled US album, Somewhere in My Lifetime, released later in 1978 as her Arista debut.
The album is characterized by a blend of R&B and jazz idioms, with jazzy and funky elements woven into the arrangements. The instrumentation often includes keyboards and mellow rhythms that complement Hyman's powerful and emotive vocal style.