The Songstress

Sound DNA

• Soul & Funk
• Contemporary R&B

• velvety
• intimate
• smoky

About

After her 1983 departure from Chapter 8, which had scored one Top Forty R&B hit (“Ready for Your Love”), Anita Baker moved closer to stardom with <i>The Songstress</i>, her first solo effort. Though the real giant step would come with <i>Rapture</i> three years later, this album set the template for Baker’s torchy version of post-midnight soul. “Angel” set the tone both for the album and all the later, softly assuring declarations of love to come. Of course, <i>The Songstress</i> isn’t all paeans to steadiness. “Feel the Need” is a plea for attention from a wished-for lover; “No More Tears” is a sad but certain vow to let a failing romance die. The beginnings of a style with wide appeal to fans of Quiet Storm, smooth jazz and light pop — none of whom missed noticing Baker’s distinctive pipes — are right here.

via Apple Music

Tracklist

Credits