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The Legacy of

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I can't imagine going without a single title in my Phyllis Hyman collection. But if you put a gun to my head and told me I could own only one PH work, obviously I'd choose this one.

For a taste of PH that spans her vast yet underappreciated catalog, then the answer is "The Legacy of Phyllis Hyman" -- a dual-disc timeline of a 30-year recording career.

This 28-song compilation samples a range of tastes, from light soul-pop to smooth R&B jazz. It also includes a killer turn at the Duke Ellington classic, "In A Sentimental Mood" -- from the Broadway production of "Sophisticated Ladies," starring Phyllis Hyman in a performance that netted her a Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical and the Theatre World Award for Best Newcomer.

The collection includes an excerpt from the Norman Connors Quiet-Storm Training Academy (or the "You Are My Starship" album) with "We Both Need Each Other," her duet with Michael Henderson, and "Betcha By Golly, Wow" -- an otherwise sappy tune, but Hyman's vocal dexterity made millions fall in love with her.

Her 1977 Buddah debut "Phyllis Hyman" yields three old-school gems: "Loving You, Losing You" and quiet-storm favorites "No One Can Love You More" and "I Don't Wanna Lose You."

From her four Arista outings we see Hyman in all her late'70s/early '80s exuberance with such favorites as '"Somewhere In My Lifetime," "The Answer Is You," "Tonight You And Me," "Can't We Fall In Love Again" (another powerful duet with Henderson) and her signature dance tune "You Know How To Love Me."

This collection is also special because it includes numbers from her last Arista offering, 1983's "Goddess Of Love." Despite some experimentation not all that well-received, "Goddess" still contains some excellent cuts, five of them included here.

Four tunes represent the sophisticated and hypnotic, silky smooth and sensuously soulful maturity and introspection of an artistic force: "Old Friend" and "Living All Alone" (the title tune of her Philly label debut); and from the chart-topping "Prime Of My Life" CD, "When I Give My Love (This Time)" and the emotionally wrenching "Living In Confusion."

Twenty-eight songs aren't enough to suit your average Phyllis Hyman fan-addict. But if you truly value good music and have only one opportunity to experience this musical PHenom, "The Legacy Of Phyllis Hyman" is the best way to go.

For the truly passionate Phyllis Hyman aficionado, there is The Legacy.....as close to her greatest hits that is currently available. This 2 disc joint contains most of her poignant tunes from her repertoire sans a few overlooked gems.

Phyllis Hyman was a true vocalist who gravitated towards many musical genres and refused to be typecast. She was a singer's singer. In any event, no matter which genre of music you prefer her to sing, there is something for everyone here: Quiet Storm, old school R&B, Disco and Jazz. Give a listen to the Sophisticated Lady croon "No One Can Love You More" and lose yourself in its lushly divine melody. A perennial Quiet Storm favorite, "The Answer Is You," was recently featured in the film, "Set It Off'," and remained a personal favorite of Phyllis.

An added delight to this compilation is two duets Phyllis performed with vocalist Michael Henderson. "We Both Need Each Other" (Phyllis' fourth released single) and the R&B top ten hit, "Can't We Fall In Love Again," demonstrate how effectively their voices compliment each other. "I Don't Want To Lose You," and the torch-song flavored "When I Give My Love (This Time)" are included here as well as "Old Friend." When compared to the version on "Prime Of My Life," "When I Give My Love (This Time)" sounds even more vibrant and remastered, especially towards the conclusion of the song as Phyllis' croons "...forever...and ever. Last forever...and ever." Of course, no collection is complete without her dramatic signature song "Living All Alone." It's chorus may be simple, however, it will haunt you, especially with Phyllis' conviction.

Conversely, on her upbeat side, there's "Living Inside Your Love," complete with its jazzy scat, the mid-tempo, Brazilian-influenced "Let Somebody Love You," the sing along disco ditty "Under Your Spell," and her disco signature tune "You Know How To Love Me." The Goddess Of Love's jazz fans will relish her rendition of the Duke Ellington track "In A Sentimental Mood" from the broadway stage play "Sophisticated Ladies" (which Phyllis portrayed "Ella"). Lastly, the Barry Manilow produced "Somewhere In My Lifetime" reminds one of the big band era. A better-than-most and highly comprehensive release.

As an addendum to this review, the Estate of Phyllis Hyman has announced that an all-inclusive comprehensive set of Phyllis' recordings is in progress. Until then, "The Legacy of Phyllis Hyman" is the next best thing.

true talent is recognized or heard even if you haven't seen a visual. If you love beautiful jazzy pop vocals,this phyllis hyman complilation is a must have. unlike the music today where few vocalists understand their lyrics,phyllis makes you feel every lyric. a true escape is listening to this wonderfully produced body of songs. the duets with micheal henderson are some of the best because she was a true singer who complemented her partner unlike some of the belters today....The beautiful orchestration of ellington's sophisicated ladies music seemed to personify phyllis perfectly. I knew she had a wonderful instrument but when you hear her swing and bebop like ella on "take the A train" or her smoldering stylings of "in a sentimental mood, you realize she had such a command of music.and to top it all off,this compliation even includes the dance anthem of "you know how to love me",that's still remixed continuously at dance clubs today.i heard and seen all the hyman hits collections, and they all is missing one, two or many of her classics. THIS IS THE COMPLIATION that features her best recordings .. a must have!!!!!!!!!! ....... now if they can only rerelease columbia's 1982 hyman's brilliant set of "looking out",with mccoy tyner, carlos santana and stanley clark....

The depth and range of Phillys Hyman's talent is immeasurable. Her songs were the soundtrack to heartache and longing and came from a bruised soul that longed to love and be loved. Hyman is no longer with us, but her spirit and legacy endure, as evidenced on this well-assembled double disc retrospective of her hits. Often following either mellowed-out r&b or jazz, the songs on this collection are nothing short of excellent. A quick read of the titles is all it takes to know what's been on Hyman's mind: "Living All Alone," "Be Careful (How You Treat My Love)," "Loving You, Losing You." Hyman gave nothing less than 100% of herself into these songs, and her singing had a quiet elegance you don't find in other singers today. The song that comes closest to my heart is the arrow-to-the-heart "No One Can Love You More." It's a gentle ballad that's also tough enough to make a grown man cry. Getting Hyman's entire discography may be a tricky undertaking, as not all of her output is still in print. But if you're a new listener who wants a good place to start, this disc is it.

Some might say that I have an "old soul" for a 23 year old young lady. I grew up listening to Soul Sistas like Phyllis, Anita, Regina,Etta,Chaka and countless others that escape my brain. When I plopped in this CD for the very first time, I fell in love with it. I do suggest NOT to make the mistake that I did and listen to this CD while you are getting ready for a party or something like that. Phyllis can take you through an emotional rollercoaster... But that is why I love her. I am so disappointed that her demons got the best of her thus taking her own life. We would have more of this great music from legendary diva.

I truly adore Miss Hyman. She was a trully gifted singer. She could reach the highiest of highs and the lowest of lows. Her voice was trully amazing .She was a true singer because she could sing r&b,disco,and jazz. She was trully gifted and so beautiful. Her music was so amazing. Her songs talk to me in such a way. They really reach my inner core. Songs like "becareful how you treat my love" tells a great story. That's what I like that Phyllis music tells a story Her music also makes you want to grove,"Loving You Losing You" is one of my favorite songs by her. The song that really get's me is "Somewhere in my lifetime" I just love that record. It's sad that some who touched the world with their music and beauty never saw themseleves for what they were...amazing. It's also sad that she never got the same recgonizanition as Whitney Houston or Janet Jackson. It's sad because she IS a true LEGEND!!!

This 2 CD set proves why Phyllis Hyman will always be the diva of the highest order. Each song showcases her voice in remarkable ways and her talent reigns supreme. Her ability to sing a song and make you feel every note is an art that is missing from a lot of today's vocalists, both male and female. Some of these so-called "stars" could learn a lesson or two just by listening to her songs of love, pain, joy, and heartache. This compilation only proves that Phyllis Hyman is a vocalist that will live on after her death, and she will never be forgotten.

Phyllis Hyman had a voice that could hold your soul captive! Philadelphia Records had the ability to capture the purity of a soul singer's voice. The team of musicians at Philly knew how to put rich, sweeping, yet jazzy arrangements together for their artists. This 2 disc set from the Grand Diva of Philly Records is a classic journey into a musical heaven!

The opening song on disc one, "Be Careful (How You Treat My Love)" is a very fine intro into this collection! "Betcha By Golly Wow" is hypnotic. From the bluesy arrangement to the sweet vocal, this one is a total classic from beginning to end! Phyllis' vocal on "No One Could Love You More" has an enticing quality about it. "Living Inside Your Love" is a hot cooker with a driving rhythm and a sultry vocal that makes you beg for more! And at over six minutes long that is remarkable! Phyllis hits velvet depths in "Gonna Make Changes". "The Answer Is You" is a very fine ballad. "Loving You, Losing You" is a majestic song that builds into an anthem. Phyllis' voice soars on "We Should Be Lovers". There are some disco style songs mixed in that are fun and funky. Settling into the full-bodied standard "In A Sentimental Mood", Phyllis' voice has beautiful rich tones. The last song on this disc, "Somewhere In My Lifetime" has no peers. It is a gorgeous ballad that is very fine.

Disc two begins with a brilliant duet with Phyllis Hyman and Michael Henderson, "Can't We Fall In Love Again". Hot and cooking is "Don't Tell Me, Tell Her". Phyllis is incomparable on this one! There are more fun uptempo disco-style songs on this disc as well. "Let Somebody Love You" has Caribbean tones in the opening, but the magic of paradise is all Phyllis! And then there is "When I Give My Love This Time"...this is a journey deep into the soul which only Phyllis can deliver with satisfaction! There are many very fine ballads too numerous to touch on, but all worthy of noting. And beyond that is "Living In Confusion" that will not only take the top of your head off, but will capture your being! This is a seven minute journey to musical ecstacy! Phyllis ' vocal is raw, edgy, and craving. There is a sweetness to "I Don't Want To Lose You" that is like none other. "Old Friend" is a grand tribute to that special person who is welcomed home. The finale of this whole set is "Living All Alone". This is a sweeping, magnificent ballad with a powerful vocal.

This two cd set has many moods. A must for those who love Phyllis or who love The Sound of Philadelphia artists. It truly captures the artistry of one of the greatest soul singers ever recorded!!!

Phyllis' individual albums may have been a little spotty, but this collection is a wonderful introduction to those who are only now getting to know her music. Phyllis was more than an R&B singer, a jazz singer, a pop singer--she was just a SINGER, which is what makes her so classic, and so appreciated by fans of all types of music. This collection includes quiet storm, R&B, pop ballads, standards and disco. It closes with some of Phyllis' signature songs--those sad songs which so adequately portray the woman: "Living In Confusion" and "Living All Alone." Only complaint is that some tracks are missing, such as "Riding The Tiger," and, unfortunately, her biggest hit, the #1 R&B smash from 1990 "Don't Wanna Change The World," which bordered on house music, and would definately have added another dimension to this wonderful set. Either way, this is top notch material from one of the 20th century's most interesting and underappreciated (although that is changing) North American singers.

What makes this anthology so special is the inclusion of so many LP-only tracks ("Let Somebody Love You", "Falling Star", "Why Did You Turn Me On?", "The Sunshine In My Life", "Be Careful",etc.). Most of Phyllis' best songs were not released as singles and this double-CD package thankfully reissues most of them. Of course, no one collection can do a diva of Phyllis' greatness full justice but this one comes quite close.