Latest Release
- FEB 14, 2024
- 5 Songs
- Donny Hathaway · 1971
- Blue Light In the Basement · 1977
- Never My Love: The Anthology · 1973
- Donny Hathaway · 1971
- A Donny Hathaway Collection · 1972
- Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway · 1972
- A Donny Hathaway Collection · 1973
- Never My Love: The Anthology · 1973
- A Donny Hathaway Collection · 1972
- Donny Hathaway · 1971
Essential Albums
- When Roberta Flack teamed up with old friend Donny Hathaway for their 1972 self-titled duet album, the two had already established themselves as solo artists. Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway brings together Flack’s quietly intense singing and piano-playing and Hathaway's gospel-influenced vocalizing and songwriting talents for an album of understated elegance and simmering passion. Roberta and Donny harken back to their church choir days for “For All We Know” and a stately reading of the hymn “Come Ye Disconsolate.” They turn up the funk quotient for “Baby I Love You” and luxuriate in a jazzy mood on “Where Love Has Grown.” Surprising interpretations of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin”” (reconceived as a slow-burning soul ballad) and “You’ve Got A Friend” (marrying R&B with folk) find them taking chances. “Mood” allows Flack to shine with a meditative, classically-derived instrumental. Most of all, there’s “Where Is The Love,” the bittersweet lovers’ plea that won them a Grammy. Dim the lights, get cozy and savor this album’s magic.
- On his 1970 debut, the late singer/songwriter dazzles us with his versatility. Hathaway proves himself to be an expert pianist who can improvise exuberantly on soul-jazz hit “The Ghetto” and just as easily lead a gospel chorus on the joyful, inspirational title track. The album’s nine cuts morph from blues and boogie-woogie to pop balladry. Then there’s Donny’s voice, and the way he communicates unspeakable sadness and undimmed optimism, particularly on “I Believe to My Soul.” Few long-players have so exquisitely expressed both the struggles and joys of their era.
Albums
Music Videos
- 2022
- 2020
Artist Playlists
- An underappreciated master of sweet '70s soul.
- Soul masterworks that have a spiritual tone.
- Their original tunes have been the source material for some of modern music’s biggest hits.
Live Albums
More To Hear
- Spotlighting the song that became a holiday staple for Black culture.
- Road-tested songs feat. The Rolling Stones, Ryan Adams and Beck.
- On new gospel, Chance the Rapper, and more.
About Donny Hathaway
Donny Hathaway’s emotive croon and expansive, gospel-reared artistry sparked a sea change in ’70s soul music. Born in Chicago in 1945, the St. Louis-raised singer-songwriter was a child prodigy, honing his vocal and piano gifts in the church. His short-lived studies at Howard University prompted him to commit to a music career, emerging as a prolific collaborator for the likes of Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Jerry Butler, and Roberta Flack. During soul music’s progressive period in the early ’70s, Hathaway brought a gospel-charged blend of Chicago soul, jazz, and blues to the fore of his landmark 1970 debut, Everything Is Everything. He followed it with other seminal works like 1971’s cover-heavy Donny Hathaway, 1972’s Live, and his adventurous 1973 swan song, Extension of a Man, which testified to the full breadth of his talents as an interpreter and composer. While his 1979 death is among music’s most tragic losses, his rich artistry is felt across R&B and gospel today.
- HOMETOWN
- Chicago, IL, United States
- BORN
- October 1, 1945
- GENRE
- R&B/Soul