Phyllis didn't achieve the crossover success that was expected with this release in 1979, but all the ingredients for success are here. The title track and "Under Your Spell" are just as infectious as similar hits Mtume and Lucas crafted for Stephanie Mills, and "Some Way" is one of the best quiet storm tracks Phyllis recorded. A couple of songs on the second half of the album sound like rote disco tunes of the day, but Phyllis is in fine voice throughout. The previously unreleased bonus track, "You're The One," is actually from 1977. However, it fits in just fine with the rest of the record.

This CD was not mastered very loudly, so you may have to turn up your volume knob a little higher than usual. It's a relatively small complaint, considering all the pluses of this CD: it has an exclusive bonus track, it's [less expensive] than the Japanese import, there are additional photos included in the booklet that did not appear in the original album art, and the liner notes are quite revealing in their details of the events surrounding the album sessions. James Mtume himself was interviewed for the liner notes. All in all, BMG Heritage put together a fine package, and hopefully they will give the same treatment to other Hyman recordings in the future.


Just Excellent   December 15, 2003
June Evans (Pleasant hill, CA United States)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

You simply can't wrong in regards to Miss Hyman's vocal prowess. She was one of the best singers this world as known; I just wish she was still around to grace us with more songs and her tremendous talent. I have seen her perform live several times and she always gave a great show as she had a wonderful personality. This album/cd is arguably her best and I think it's because of the teaming with James Mtume as her prodcuer. He must have known that he was dealing with a heavyweight vocalist. Her vocals are so clear and powerful and seductive. She was a true Queen and sorely missed.


Classic   January 10, 2003
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

"You Know How to Love Me" was Phyllis Hyman's best song ever. This album showcases some of her best work. A jewel!


Torch songs were this artist's true calling   February 22, 2003
Reginald D. Garrard (Camilla, GA USA)
5 out of 8 found this review helpful

If all the fast selections on this release were as good as the title cut, Hyman would've given contemporary Donna Summer a run for her money in the "disco diva" department. However, the remaining uptempo tracks could have been performed by any session singer of the time. The latter statement in no way is intended to degrade Hyman as a singer; it's just that the songs lack the signature Hyman sound and power.

On the slower tracks, however, Hyman gets to do what she does best: be passionate, evocative, and downright soulfully chilling one to the core. The cuts "But I Love You", "Give A Little More", and "Complete Me" are true Hyman and belong in the eventual COMPREHENSIVE "greatest hits" package.

While the overall album is sub-par Hyman, it is still a necessary addition for anyone that is a fan of one of music's most gifted and tragic figures.


Phyllis' 1979 groundbreaking album.   December 1, 2004
Justo Roteta (Los Angeles, California United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This excellent 1979 release provided Phyllis with a huge hit single in the form of the classic title track. Although five out of the original album's nine tracks were disco numbers they were as classy, elegant and sophisticated as could be. The Quiet Storm ballads "Some Way", "Complete Me", "But I Love You" and "This Feeling Must Be Love" let Phyllis stretch out vocally and (in retrospect) point toward the direction her subsequent releases would go. "You Know How To Love Me" was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and important albums of its time.