{"product_id":"roberta-flack-first-take","title":"Roberta Flack – First Take","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoberta Flack – First Take\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoberta Flack’s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirst Take\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a landmark debut that established her as one of the most distinctive voices in soul, jazz and folk-infused R\u0026amp;B. Originally released by Atlantic Records in 1969, the album combines Flack’s understated piano playing and intimate vocals with sophisticated arrangements, creating a deeply atmospheric record that remains essential listening for fans of classic soul, jazz and singer-songwriter music.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecorded at Atlantic Studios in New York in February 1969 in an remarkably short ten-hour session, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eFirst Take\u003c\/em\u003e captures Flack and her musicians performing with an immediacy that gives the album much of its enduring power. Her backing musicians included legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter, guitarist John Pizzarelli and drummer Ray Lucas, with additional horn and string arrangements adding depth to Flack’s spacious, emotionally charged performances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe album opens with the politically charged Compared To What, a Gene McDaniels composition delivered with a striking combination of jazz, soul and gospel-inspired intensity. Other highlights include the haunting Angelitos Negros, the Leonard Cohen composition Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye, and the beautiful Tryin' Times, co-written by Donny Hathaway and Leroy Hutson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe defining moment is undoubtedly Flack’s extraordinary interpretation of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Although the original album initially made little commercial impact, the song was later featured in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 film \u003cem\u003ePlay Misty for Me\u003c\/em\u003e. Its subsequent release as a single transformed the song into a worldwide hit, sending it to number one in the US and helping \u003cem\u003eFirst Take\u003c\/em\u003e itself reach the top of both the Billboard album and R\u0026amp;B charts in 1972.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eWith its blend of soul, jazz, folk, blues and R\u0026amp;B, \u003cem\u003eFirst Take\u003c\/em\u003e is a sophisticated and deeply soulful vinyl classic. Essential for fans of Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Nina Simone, Etta James and classic Atlantic soul, this is an outstanding addition to any 1960s soul, jazz or R\u0026amp;B vinyl collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTracklist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide A\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCompared To What – 5:15\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAngelitos Negros – 6:55\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOur Ages Or Our Hearts – 6:09\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI Told Jesus – 6:08\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide B\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye – 4:07\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – 5:21\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTryin' Times – 5:07\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBallad Of The Sad Young Men – 7:03\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wDUk9Lsy_yQ?si=6PjAq6GXwUUV8Qqh\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Atlantic Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55103048909142,"sku":"K 40040","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1009\/1013\/7686\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_79b21b5a-a415-4788-b98d-a6dbd61b318b.jpg?v=1787738990","url":"https:\/\/www.sounds-grounds.co.uk\/products\/roberta-flack-first-take","provider":"Sounds + Grounds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}