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Roberta Flack's debut arrives with a sense of deliberateness that sets it apart from most first albums of the era. First Take draws from folk, soul, jazz, and pop sources, but its cohesion comes from Flack's interpretive priorities rather than stylistic unity. She favors slower tempos and careful phrasing, deftly using time and space to clarify lyric and structure. Songs by Leonard Cohen ("Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye"), Ewan MacColl ("The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"), and her longtime muse, Eugene McDaniels (the chilled funk of "Compared To What") are approached with the same level of scrutiny, treated as material to be shaped rather than embellished.
The album's sound reflects that restraint. Arrangements are centered on Flack's piano, supported by a small rhythm section and light orchestration arranged by William S. Fischer. There is little in the way of studio flourish; instead, the focus is balance and transparency. Although "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" would not become a hit until several years later, First Take stands as a debut that defines an artistic method with unusual clarity and confidence. © Jason Ferguson/Qobuz
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John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, Horns Arranger, Strings Arranger - Frank Wess, Tenor Saxophone - Joe Newman, Trumpet - Seldon Powell, Baritone Saxophone - Jimmy Nottingham, Trumpet - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Gene McDaniels, Writer - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Bennie Powell, Trombone - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, Strings Conductor, Strings Arranger - Charles McCracken, Cello - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Manuel Alvarez Maciste, Writer - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, Strings Conductor, Strings Arranger - Charles McCracken, Cello - Donny Hathaway, Writer - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Robert Ayers, Writer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, Conductor, Horns Arranger, Strings Conductor, Strings Arranger - Charles McCracken, Cello - Traditional, Writer - Frank Wess, Tenor Saxophone - Joe Newman, Trumpet - Seldon Powell, Baritone Saxophone - Jimmy Nottingham, Trumpet - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Arranger, Piano, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Bennie Powell, Trombone - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, Strings Conductor, Strings Arranger - Charles McCracken, Cello - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - Leonard Cohen, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, Strings Conductor, Strings Arranger - Charles McCracken, Cello - Ewan MacColl, Writer - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
John Pizzarelli, Guitar - Donny Hathaway, Writer - Leroy Hutson, Writer - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Frances Landesman, Writer - Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, Strings Conductor, Strings Arranger - Charles McCracken, Cello - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - Tommy Wolf, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, Horns Arranger, Strings Arranger - Frank Wess, Tenor Saxophone - Joe Newman, Trumpet - Seldon Powell, Baritone Saxophone - Jimmy Nottingham, Trumpet - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Gene McDaniels, Writer - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Bennie Powell, Trombone - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, Strings Conductor, Strings Arranger - Charles McCracken, Cello - Ewan MacColl, Writer - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
William Salter, Writer - Ralph MacDonald, Writer - William Eaton, VocalArranger, Strings Arranger - Gene Orloff, Violin - George Ricci, Cello - John Pizzarelli, Guitar - William Fischer, Strings Conductor, Strings Arranger - Charles McCracken, Cello - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Arranger, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Ron Carter, Bass - Ray Lucas, Drums, Percussion - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Theodore Israel, Viola - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Alfred Brown, Viola - Emanuel Green, Violin - Selwart Clarke, Viola - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
DISC 2
Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Sammy Cahn, Writer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Les Mccann, RecordingEngineer - Scott Levitin, Remastering Engineer - Jimmy Van Heusen, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Mike Smith, Bass - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer - Louis Powers, Drums
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - Steve Allen, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Jimmy Cox, Writer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Traditional, Writer - Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Arranger, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Oscar Brown Jr., Writer - Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Mongo Santamaria, Writer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Les Mccann, Writer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Vicki Arnold, Writer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Traditional, Writer - Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Arranger, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - Frederick Loewe, Writer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Al Lerner, Writer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Paul Stookey, Writer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Robert Bannard, Writer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - NICKOLAS ASHFORD, Writer - Valerie Simpson, Writer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Paul Stookey, Writer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - Peter Yarrow, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - David Dixon, Writer - MARY TRAVERS, Writer - Richard Kniss, Writer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Mark London, Writer - Marshall Hawkins, Bass - Patrick Milligan, ReissueProducer - Roberta Flack, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist - Joel Dorn, Producer - Scott Levitin, MasteringEngineer - Don Black, Writer - David Nathan, ReissueProducer - William Arlt, RecordingEngineer - Bob Liftin, RemixingEngineer - Joan Martin, ReissueProducer - Matt Block, ReissueProducer - Bernard Sweetney, Drums - Suzanne Koga, ReissueProducer
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 1970 Atlantic Recording Corporation. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
Review: Roberta Flack - First Take
Roberta Flack's debut arrives with a sense of deliberateness that sets it apart from most first albums of the era. First Take draws from folk, soul, jazz, and pop sources, but its cohesion comes from Flack's interpretive priorities rather than stylistic unity. She favors slower tempos and careful phrasing, deftly using time and space to clarify lyric and structure. Songs by Leonard Cohen ("Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye"), Ewan MacColl ("The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"), and her longtime muse, Eugene McDaniels (the chilled funk of "Compared To What") are approached with the same level of scrutiny, treated as material to be shaped rather than embellished.
The album's sound reflects that restraint. Arrangements are centered on Flack's piano, supported by a small rhythm section and light orchestration arranged by William S. Fischer. There is little in the way of studio flourish; instead, the focus is balance and transparency. Although "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" would not become a hit until several years later, First Take stands as a debut that defines an artistic method with unusual clarity and confidence. © Jason Ferguson/Qobuz
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 24 track(s)
- Total length: 02:13:14
- Main artists: Roberta Flack
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Rhino Atlantic
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B Soul
Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company., © 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation. ℗ 2020 Atlantic Recording Corporation.
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