Search - Roberta Flack :: I'm the One

"IT'S ABOUT LOVE"

L. Kelsey | Riverside, CA. United States | 07/31/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"and who better to express the sentiments of this album than Roberta. The lyrics, the melodies, the whole presentation invites you to put this on when you are with the one you love. I pride myself on being a realist most of the time, but this album touches my "sensitive side." It may be corny or sugary to some, but if you feel this way about the album, as Roberta says, you've "Never Loved Before." Roberta is assertive on "I'm The One," bold when talking about the "Ordinary Man," and understated on "Making Love." When she sings "Happiness," the feeling she conveys is heartfelt. This is one of those CD'S I put on in the car, and just SING TO, over and over. A wonderful album."

Roberta's Quiet Storm LP

J. Collins | 06/19/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Though this album was savaged by critics upon release in '80, it's hard to understand how anyone could resist the simple charms of "I'm The One." Perhaps that simplicity is what irked them...after all, Ms. Flack was (according to white Pop critics) supposed to be a SERIOUS artist, full of socio-political import if not just full of herself. Granted, her earliest albums were notable for their unique songs and the fact that there were few black female songwriters in Pop (or Soul) music at the time. But the fact that Ms. Flack chose to go a more commercial route than critics thought she should is hardly a reason to dismiss her later albums as "superficial.""I'm The One" is a lush collection of love songs and 'morning after' musical reflections, altogether seamless in it's romantic appeal. With the help of sidemen like Marcus Miller and Ralph MacDonald, this album is as sultry and sweet as a Summer night's kiss. There are also a handful of wistful takes on love gone wrong, like the beautiful and bittersweet "Making Love." As the musical theme from the ill-fated movie of the same name, "Making Love" is still one of Roberta's most recognizeable hits twenty years later.There are plenty of other highlights: the jaunty, boastful vibe of the title tune; the glorious and un-ashamedly lovestruck "Til The Morning Comes"; and the plain-spoken devotion and admiration that colors "Happiness."Ultimately, it shouldn't matter that the word "love" is repeated a zillion times on this album. The sincerity of the sentiments expressed is never a question, and the graceful way Roberta's vocals illustrate her passion creates an invitation to share in her romantic revelry...even for those who have "Never Loved Before."-Mic"

Bland MOR but has an understated charm lacking in later LPs

J. Collins | 03/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With the release of "I'm The One" in 1982, Roberta Flack's transformation from virtuoso performer to MOR artiste was complete. Trashed by critics for its non-descript but seamless and radio friendly blandness, "I'm The One" produced a couple of moderate sized R & B chart hits but was otherwise headed for oblivion. Produced by Ralph McDonald, Flack herself and a couple of others, the album doesn't seem all that bad with hindsight. Compared with the techno programmed music excess of "Set The Night To Music", there is an understated charm about it. The album opens up with the sweetly lilting title track and continues in much the same vein with a string of ballads until the Bacharach/Bayer Sager composed and produced "Making Love", easily the worst cut on the album. By then, Bacharach was a shadow of his former self. He was no longer writing memorable, timeless and breathtakingly beautiful ballads for 60s divas like Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield. In partnership with his then new wife, Carole Bayer Sager, he was only capable of churning out songs with pedestrian melodies like "Making Love". A real shame. It's also difficult to pick winners or highlights from an album whose main characteristic is eveness in terms of performance and production values. The only time I truly wish it were less blandly MOR is when Grover Washington Jr comes on with his Kenny G inspired soprano sax, turning basically decent songs like "In The Name of Love" and "My Love For You" into elevator muzak. "I'm The One" may not have been one of Roberta's prouder moments, but it sure beats some of her later efforts on which she is made completely subservient to the music of the times."