Roberta Flack
Roberta Cleopatra Flack was born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and raised in Arlington, Virginia. A musical prodigy, she started playing piano at a young age, influenced by church spirituals, and earned a scholarship to Howard University at 15, graduating with a music education degree in 1958. She briefly taught school before pursuing performance.
Flack worked as a nightclub pianist and singer in Washington, D.C., where jazz musician Les McCann discovered her at Mr. Henry's club in 1968, leading to a deal with Atlantic Records. Her 1969 debut album First Take gained traction years later, but her 1972 breakthrough came with First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, which topped charts and won a Grammy.
In 1973, Flack released Killing Me Softly with His Song, another No. 1 hit and Grammy winner, cementing her in the Quiet Storm genre blending soul, jazz, folk, and pop. Other successes included "Feel Like Makin' Love" (1974, No. 1 hit), duets with Donny Hathaway like "The Closer I Get to You," and 15 albums total.
Flack received five Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, and an honorary doctorate from Howard. Diagnosed with ALS in 2022, she passed away on February 24, 2025, at age 88 from cardiac arrest while en route to a hospital in Manhattan.
Blue Lights In The Basement
Written-By – Eugene McDaniels
4:51
A2 The Closer I Get To You
Vocals – Donny Hathaway
Written-By – J. Mtume, Reggie Lucas
4:39
A3 Fine, Fine Day
Written-By – Rachel Perry
4:49
A4 This Time I'll Be Sweeter
Written-By – Gwen Guthrie, Pat Grant
4:23
A5 25th Of Last December
Written-By – Eugene McDaniels
4:31
B1 After You
Written-By – Michael Messer, Ronald Miller
3:55
B2 I'd Like To Be Baby To You
Written-By – Morgan Ames
4:27
B3 Soul Deep
Written-By – Wayne Carson
2:22
B4 Love Is The Healing
Written-By – Eugene McDaniels
3:42
B5 Where I'll Find You
Soloist, Oboe – Michael Kamen
Written-By – David McHugh
3:10
Label: Atlantic – SD 19149
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Bustin' Loose SoundtrackBustin Loose
Written-By – Eric Mercury, Roberta Flack
4:48
A2 Qual E Malindrinho (Why Are You So Bad)
Written-By – Dwight Watkins, Roberta Flack
4:47
A3 You Stopped Loving Me
Written-By – Luther Vandross
4:32
A4 Love (Always Commands)
Written-By – Eric Mercury, Roberta Flack
6:27
B1 Rollin' On
Written-By – Buddy Williams, Roberta Flack
4:17
B2 Hiitin' Me Where It Hurts
Written-By – William D. Smith
3:43
B3 Children's Song
Backing Vocals – Jamie Murphy, Judson Dean, Michelle Lewis, Tisha Campbell
Written-By – Barry Miles, Dwight Watkins, Roberta Flack
4:44
B4 Ballad For D
Vocals – Peabo Bryson
Written-By – Buddy Williams, Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack
3:35
B5 Lovin' You (Is Such An Easy Thang To Do)
Written-By – Marcus Miller
5:57
Label:
MCA Records – MCA-5141
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco
Chapter Two
Written-By – Eugene McDaniels
4:31
A2 Do What You Gotta Do
Written-By – Jim Webb
4:09
A3 Just Like A Woman
Written-By – Bob Dylan
6:14
A4 Let It Be Me
Written-By – Gilbert Becaud, Mann Curtis, Pierre Delanoë
5:00
B1 Gone Away
Written-By – Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Leroy Hutson
5:16
B2 Until It's Time For You To Go
Written-By – Buffy St. Marie
4:57
B3 The Impossible Dream
Written-By – Joe Darion, Mitch Leigh
4:42
B4 Business Goes On As Usual
Written-By – Fran Minkoff, Fred Hellerman
3:30
Label: Atlantic – SD 1569
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1970
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
First Take
Written-By – Eugene McDaniels
5:15
A2 Angelitos Negros
Written-By – Blanco, Manuel Alvarez Maciste
6:55
A3 Our Ages Or Our Hearts
Written-By – Donny Hathaway, Robert Ayers
6:09
A4 I Told Jesus
Arranged By – Roberta Flack
Written By – Traditional
6:08
B1 Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye
Written-By – Leonard Cohen
4:07
B2 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Written-By – Ewan MacColl
5:21
B3 Tryin' Times
Written-By – Donny Hathaway, Leroy Hutson
5:07
B4 Ballad Of The Sad Young Men
Written-By – Frances Landesman, Thomas J. Wolf Jr.
7:03
Label: Atlantic – K 40040
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
I'm The One
Written-By – Ralph MacDonald, William Eaton, William Salter
4:05
A2 'Till The Morning Comes
Written-By – Casey Daniels, Ralph MacDonald, William Salter
3:54
A3 Love And Let Love
Written-By – Ralph MacDonald, William Eaton, William Salter
4:34
A4 Never Loved Before
Drums – Buddy Williams
Written-By – Bobby Caldwell, Henry Marx
3:58
B1 In The Name Of Love
Soloist, Soprano Saxophone – Grover Washington, Jr.
Written-By – Bill Withers, Ralph MacDonald, William Salter
4:00
B2 Ordinary Man
Written-By – Peabo Bryson
4:26
B3 Making Love
Written-By – Bruce Roberts, Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager
3:43
B4 Happiness
Written-By – Harriet Schock, William D. Smith
3:22
B5 My Love For You
Soloist, Soprano Saxophone – Grover Washington, Jr.
Written-By – Brenda Russell, William D. Smith
3:22
Label: Atlantic – SD 19354
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul
Killing Me Softly
Engineer [Recording & Re-mix Engineer] – Gene Paul
Written-By – Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel
4:46
A2 Jesse
Arranged By [Strings] – Eumir Deodato
Written-By – Janis Ian
4:00
A3 No Tears (In The End)
Arranged By [Horns] – Alfred Ellis
Written-By – R. MacDonald, W. Salter
4:56
A4 I'm The Girl
Arranged By [Cello] – Kermit Moore
Written-By – James Shelton
4:52
B1 River
Arranged By [Horns] – William Eaton
Written-By – Eugene McDaniels
5:00
B2 Conversation Love
Arranged By [Strings & Horns] – Don Sebesky
Written-By – Bill Seighman, Terry Plumeri
3:38
B3 When You Smile
Arranged By [Horns] – William Eaton
Written-By – R. MacDonald, W. Salter
3:42
B4 Suzanne
Arranged By [Strings] – Eumir Deodato
Written-By – Leonard Cohen
9:45
Label: Atlantic – SD 7271
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Quiet Fire
Backing Vocals – Arif Mardin, Jim Bailey, Joel Dorn, Ronald Bright, Sammy Turner
Bass – Chuck Rainey
Congas – Ralph McDonald
Drums – Bernard Purdie
Guitar – Hugh McCracken
Organ – Richard Tee
Percussion – Grady Tate
Written-By – Joel Dorn, Jesse Jackson, Roberta Flack 5:20
A2 Bridge Over Troubled Water
Arranged By [String & Voice] – Eumir Deodato
Backing Vocals – Cissy Houston, The Newark Boys Chorus
Cello – George Ricci, Kermit Moore, Seymour Barab, Ted Hoyle
Written-By – Paul Simon 7:13
A3 Sunday And Sister Jones
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Joe Farrell
Arranged By [Horns] – William Eaton
Bass – Chuck Rainey
Bassoon – Wally Kane
Drums – Bernard Purdie
Guitar – Hugh McCracken
Harmonica – Buddy Lucas
Percussion – Ralph McDonald
Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Romeo Penqué
Tenor Saxophone – Seldon Powell
Written-By – Eugene McDaniels 4:48
A4 See You Then
Arranged By [String & Flute] – Arif Mardin
Bass – Chuck Rainey
Drums – Bernard Purdie
Flute – Hubert Laws, Joe Farrell, Billy Slapin
Guitar – Hugh McCracken
Harp – Corky Hale
Percussion – Ralph McDonald
Written-By – Jim Webb 3:40
B1 Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Arranged By [Strings] – William Eaton
Bass – Ron Carter
Written-By – Carole King & Gerry Goffin 3:59
B2 To Love Somebody
Backing Vocals – Eugene McDaniels, Hilda Harris, Joshie Armstead, Les McCann, Tasha Thomas
Bass – Chuck Rainey
Drums – Bernard Purdie
Guitar – Hugh McCracken
Organ – Richard Tee
Written-By – Maurice, Robin & Barry Gibb 6:41
B3 Let Them Talk
Acoustic Bass – Terry Plumeri
Drums – Grady Tate
Electric Bass – Chuck Rainey
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Farrell
Vibraphone – David Carey
Written-By – Sonny Thompson 3:50
B4 Sweet Bitter Love
Arranged By [Strings] – William Eaton
Written-By – Van McCoy 6:06
Label: Atlantic – SD 1594
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Roberta Flack's Quiet Fire (1971) is a highly acclaimed soul album, praised for its "measured intensity," stunning vocal performances, gospel undertones, and seamless production, particularly highlighting her iconic cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and other gems like "See You Then" and "Sweet Bitter Love". While some contemporary critics found it overly gentle, retrospective reviews and fans laud it as a masterful showcase of Flack's talent, balancing deep emotion with sophisticated musicianship.
The album leans heavily into gospel influences, providing uplifting and reflective moments.
Flack uses her voice to convey deep feeling through "sighing, elongated phrases" rather than full-throttle belting, creating a unique power.
The varied tracks blend smoothly, creating a cohesive listening experience, notes AllMusic.
Standout Tracks
"Bridge Over Troubled Water": A fan-favorite, this extended cover is often cited as a definitive, goosebump-inducing rendition.
"See You Then": A beautiful Jimmy Webb ballad showcasing Flack's pure vocal talent.
"Sweet Bitter Love": Described as pushing the album to another level.
"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow": A recognizable and soulful take on the Carole King classic.
AllMusic calls it "one of Flack's best," while fans call it "stunning" and "a must for any fan of good music".
Quiet Fire is considered a classic of 70s soul, a testament to Roberta Flack's artistry, and a must-listen for lovers of quality vocal performances and emotional depth.
Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway
Featuring, Backing Vocals – Eric Mercury
Written-By – Eric Mercury, Roberta Flack
4:03
A2 God Don't Like Ugly 4:34
Written-By – Gwen Guthrie
A3 You Are My Heaven
Featuring, Vocals – Donny Hathaway
Featuring, Backing Vocals – Eleanore Mills
Written-By – Eric Mercury, Stevie Wonder
4:10
A4 Disguises
Arranged By – Roberta Flack
Written-By – Stuart Scharf
2:24
B1 Don't Make Me Wait Too Long
Arranged By [String] – Paul Riser
Written-By – Stevie Wonder
7:45
B2 Back Together Again
Arranged By, Written-By – J. Mtume
Featuring, Vocals – Donny Hathaway
Written-By – R. Lucas
9:45
B3 Stay With Me
Arranged By [Basic Tracks] – Arif Mardin
Written-By – Gerry Goffin, Michael Masser
3:47
Label: Atlantic – K 450696
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK & Europe
Released: 1980
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco