Track Listing

1. Let Go
2. Breathe
3. On Your Own
4. For Always
5. That Was Then
6. Learning To Swim
7. 1 Mile
8. Little Girl
9. What Goes Around
10. Naked Truth
11. UDO
12. Tragic Inevitability

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29658 in Music
• Released on: 2008-08-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .23 pounds
• Running time: 57 minutes

CD Description
The daughter of the late 1970s R&B star Donnie Hathaway, Lalah Hathaway shares a family aptitude for a mellow, tender melody. Unlike many singers of her generation, Hathaway has been impacted by gospel, jazz, and pre-1960s pop music. Thesesounds, along with the contemporary influences of Rahsaan Petterson and Rex Rideout (both of whom lend their talents here), help make SELF PORTRAIT more than a just another chill-out disc of slow jams. The musical backdrop features deep bass lines and harmonious acoustic guitars, horns and finger-snapping, while Hathaway sings throughout with a rare mixtureof poignancy and humor.

Customer Reviews

it's the truth!
Self Portrait is Lalah's 4th album and she just keeps on getting better and better. The cover sticker calls it contemporary urban soul, whatever that is. Genre defying it certainly is. Rhythm n Bass it is not, neither is it neo soul - more a deep soul. If you must have a comparison......think along the lines of Anthony Hamilton.

Whatever. It's an excellent example of the art of songwriting, simple but sympathetic arrangements, wonderfully effective backing vocals, great musicianship and production. On top of all that is the voice. THE voice. Full, warm, earthy, full of soul. In fact, close your eyes and from time to time - particularly in the ad libs - you will swear that you are listening to Donny. I can give no higher compliment than that.

Every time I play this album I get taken back to the time when soul albums were events, got into your heart and mind and were played and played......and played. Not like the disposable output of much of today's sales-targeted product. It seems to have been made with no mind to whether or not it would sell - and it's much the better for it. There's the rub - it should sell in bucketloads. Lalah should be a household name, and not because of her father but because of her own true talent.

If you like your music honest, classy, great songs, great arrangements and musicianship, then this is for you. Buy with confidence.

So so
Late night background music of only moderate quality. Some of the tracks seem to consist entirely of into.

soul album
Lalah Hathaway has a mesmerising beautiful voice but the album is extremely slow and made up of lots of soulful ballads so don't expect a fast paced lively album as you will be disappointed. Her voice is stunning and I love listening to this album when I want to wind down so if that's what you are looking for then this is the album for you.