Roberta Flack – First Take

My copy appears identical to this - but does not have the small letter V on Side B label - under cat no. K40040 B

This version is in my collection, having been originally purchased new by my dad. All media details (including deadwax/runout numbers) are identical. Sounds great for a near 50 year old record - I have the CD but prefer to play the vinyl. However the sleeve does not match. My sleeve is almost identical in all respects to this one, except printing is credited not to E J Day Group, but to Gothic Print Finishers Ltd, London. In short the media matches this version but the sleeve matches the other UK 1970s version, Roberta Flack - First Take. Either it was switched at the plant (my dad couldn't have switched it, he did not have a second copy) or there is a third hybrid version, not yet recorded.

Incredible sounding LP, with an astoundingly wide & 3-D stereo soundstage. Must be the US stamper from CTH transmitting the inherit beauty of the recording itself. Amazing...

This is a wonderful release by Roberta Flack. A nice array of songs showing off her strong voice and touching interpretations.

The recording is great, well balanced and vocal-forward. Ron Carter and Bucky Pizzarelli on bass and guitar duties, respectively. You can't argue with that. I'm gathering from some of the reviews, that the reissues are suffering from poor source tapes. Just grab one of these early pressings and be done with it.

Pressing is excellent. Recommended.

The performance and music are superb, the sound quality is awful.

The best version of this album although that doesn't mean much as the original master tapes are lo-fi. This is one of the worst sounding albums I own. There is no doubting the awesome talents of Roberta Flack but the sound quality is truly awful- as if it was recorded on an old cassette tape.

Still available from the SoulMusic website at list price https://store.soulmusic.com/first-take-50th-anniversary-deluxe-edition-1.html

Overall this is a nice book-style release of a classic soul album. The remastered recording sounds good. There is a feeling of a bit much compression on some of the tracks. Note to producers: BACK OFF ON THE GODDAMN COMPRESSION when mastering to vinyl. The loss of dynamic range sucks the soul out of a recording like this. This was not a big budget recording as it was Ms. Flack's first record. It is however, an essential record. There is nothing else quite like it. A blend of soul, jazz, gospel, and other elements-- again, like no other.

In 1969, Roberta Flack arrived in an ever-evolving music climate with her arresting blend of soul, gospel, folk, and jazz. Flack's sophisticated voice and an unparalleled gift for interpreting songs positioned her as one of popular music's distinctive talents. However, beyond her underground audience that clamored over her sound, she hadn't gained mainstream success yet. Her 1969 debut album, First Take is not only one of the finest works of her discography, but one of the most impassionated debut albums ever made, in any genre. While it's beyond criminal that she's merely recognized today for her enduring, Grammy-smash 1973 cover of "Killing Me Softy With His Song" and her popular duet work with soul legend Donny Hathaway, First Take more than illustrated why Flack was such a rare, uncompromising talent among others, whose work deserves proper context and greater recognition.

This 1972 UK pressing is superior to the George Piros-cut USA Atlantic pressing. Much quieter playing surface and full of dynamics. Suits the subtleties of this timeless classic well. In fact, it bests every other version I've heard of this album. The 1995 Atlantic CD reissue is nice, but nothing comes close to this.

This is one record you cannot listen to even if has the slightest bit of crackle or pops.