Few singers have a voice that sounds unreal or otherworldly, that enters your ear in a way that evokes a physical response. A stop and pause reaction. Or you instantly sit back and feel transported to a warm, fuzzy place with many soft surfaces. Roberta Flack was an artist who yielded this power in spades. I dare you not to have a reaction to the beginning of "The Closer I Get to You". Her voice comes in like silk and cream. Don't get me wrong, this duet with Donny Hathaway is also amazing because of Hathaway's contribution. His voice is fantastic and their duets are legendary. But, man, Flack's voice is unreal.
You may know Flack from the Fugees cover of her soul-stirring "Killing Me Softly With His Song". If you're not familiar with her version, get out now. Seriously, stop reading this and go take care of yourself and ask your Mom why she raised you to be ridiculous.
Flack was not just an incredible vocalist but a talented classical pianist, earning her a full scholarship to Howard University. She was one of the youngest students at 15 to enroll. After college, Flack was a music teacher and began performing in nightclubs in Washington, DC. Despite her talent, being picked up by Atlantic Records, and multiple opportunities, her career did not initially skyrocket. It wasn't until Clint Eastwood chose one of her tracks from her debut album, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" for the film Play Misty for Me. The song was the biggest hit in 1972, spending six consecutive weeks at No. 1. The album was awarded a Grammy in 1973. Flack continued to achieve success and become a household name, charting until the 1990s.
As a songwriter, Flack was just as talented as she was a vocalist and composer. Rev. Jesse Jackson once described her as "socially relevant and politically unafraid" for her artful way of addressing important issues, particularly to the African American community, in her songs. She had a way of getting her point across in a way that was wholly disarming. The 1969 song Tryin' Times is a great example, "We are not satisfied. and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream."
If you wish to go down a fun rabbit hole, look up 'Quiet Storm radio format,' a genre that Flack helped to define. If you're of a certain age, you know exactly what I am referring to.
Aside from her music career, Flack advocated for music artists' rights to their work and animal rights and was an ally for the LGBTQ community. She was an instrumental figure in pushing for greater representation of African Americans in the arts, and through her work, she became an important voice in the civil rights movement. Flack also founded the Roberta Flack School of Music to provide underprivileged students free music education.
Sadly, the Queen of Quiet Storm lost her battle with ALS this week.
Flack has garnered many accolades in her storied career and left us with a library of recorded music. We were lucky to have her. So, tonight's cocktail is inspired by the timeless voice of the one and only Roberta Flack.
I will admit, I struggled with this cocktail. I could have taken flavor notes in many directions to match Flack's incredible voice. Eventually, I chose to combine flavors that are evocative of Flack's soulful, sweet, smoky, smooth, and sophisticated voice.
Soul Stir
1.5 oz Martingale Cognac
.5 oz orange liqueur
.5 oz Accompani Coffee Liqueur
2 dashes orange bitters
2 dashes Hella Mexican Chocolate bitters
4 dashes Fee Brothers Fee Foam
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with cubed ice. Shake well until the shaker is cold. Strain into a Nick & Nora glass. No garnish needed.
The Playlist:
The Closer I Get to You
The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face
Killing Me Softly With His Song
Feel Like Making Love
Oasis
Don't Make Me Wait Too Long
And So it Goes
Commentaires