Rapture

It puts you in a mood, for sure

Great music for the right mood, I’m not always in the moods for this music, however. Glad to see another woman representing.

"Rapture" is the second album by American vocalist Anita Baker. Baker teamed up with Chapter 8 bandmate Michael Powell who produced this, her Elektra debut. R&B, soul and quiet storm are the listed genres. I had to look up quiet storm which is both a radio format and a genre of R&B with a smooth, romantic and jazz-influenced style and based a 1975 Smokey Robinson album. It was her breakout album garnering her two Grammy's. Commercially, it hit #11 in the US and #13 in the UK. "Sweet Love" opens with piano and drums. This is smooth and jazzy with the keyboards added. Baker has a soothing voice which goes loud to emphasize her sweet love. The second single "Caught Up in the Rapture" is slower with a R&B beat. A very light and airy vibe with the dreamy keyboards. The keyboards are again front and center in "No One in this World." They're very 80's sounding with a shimmering echo. Baker shows off her voice and actually croons. A nice touch with the female backing vocals. Horns lead off the album closer "Watch Your Step." This has a nice groove. A catchy chorus with the female backing vocals. For some reason, Baker's voice reminded me of Alison Moyet. Wow, this took me back to the 80's. Of course, I thought of Billy Ocean. However, this is a fine album. Her voice is great: romantic, smooth. The production is very glossy. I kind of got what I expected but it had been awhile. If you want a trip down to the 80's memory lane, this is a good place start.

Lovely

Lovely!

Jättebra

That little lady makes some good songs

Look, like it or not, your parents and/or grandparents (depending on your age) definitely got busy to this record. There's a good chance you wouldn't even exist without Anita Baker. Show some respect!

This album was really solid. Definitely heard Anita baker before but probably the first time I’ve done a whole album. Her sound is splendid R&B done soulfully and with energy. Several songs on this album you can feel the emotion she has singing. This is good music and one the list got right. Everyone should listen to this. 8.0/10

One of the great R&B voices of all time and a classic record.

Love it

Beautiful vocals on display!

som muito agradável, romantico, boa instrumentação

This is classic territory here.

Lovely stuff.

Sweet Love, You Bring Me Joy (great sax solo), Caught Up in the Rapture, Been So Long, Mystery. Every song was enjoyable and really enjoyed her voice. Catchy and I could definitely listen to it again.

Smooooth

Marco said it sounds like an AI. I liked it. It was energetic but melancholic.

Sweet Love was sweet. Been So Long probably refers to the start of the song, no idea why that song had to be so long, felt like an eternity. Overall a very good voice and songs that are pleasant to listen to. I'm just a little too lonely to give this 5 stars.

I remember a few of these tracks from the 80s when she and this album were very popular. I didn't pay much attention to her music at the time because it was out of my usual listening lane, so I'm glad this project served it up today. Holy Schneikies, that VOICE! She is fantastic as a vocalist and performer. I am not trained or experienced enough in music to identify specifics, but I could hear how wide and rich her range is and according to the main Wikipedia article on her, "Baker is a contralto with a range of nearly three octaves." Musically, another reason I'm glad to have listened to this album is to hear how the songs are more interesting, layered, and complex than I would have guessed. I wish I had a deeper appreciation for music back then, but obviously there's nothing I can do about that, so it's wonderful to embrace new music now or revisit music I missed or overlooked, and hear things in the music I used to ignore from my closed-mindedness. She is incredible.

Exceptional 4/5

fav tracks: caught up in the rapture 💙💙, sweet love, mystery, watch your step, same old love

Classy

A little Anita will definitely set this party off right.

I think I’ve heard of Anita Baker, but never actually listened to any of her stuff. So color me surprised when I liked this a good bit. She has a raspy yet emotive voice and delivers everything incredibly, even when the production is kind of cheesy. Definitely here for it. B

What a great voice, lovely album

I couldn’t find the album on Spotify but I found it on YouTube. This is definitely what inspired city pop, the bass is so good, the songs are catchy and easy to listen too. It’s all about love and Anita’s voice is so sweet.

Her hits are amazing, and the rest of the album is a master class in soulful R&B.

Soul and R&B saved '80s music.

Lekker!

Not a style that I'm really into but still mostly enjoyed this album. She's an incredible musician and has a fantastic voice in my opinion.

Amazing voice, under-remembered.

A really enjoyable album with some great tunes

Fubn listen, amazing voice!

Si vous êtes nouveau sur le générateur et que vous vous demandez pourquoi une si belle voix et une musique de si bon goût peut avoir une note moyenne générale aussi basse, dites-vous bien qu'une grosse partie de la communauté du générateur est constituée de punks à chien ne jurant que par les germs et les minutemerde.

Cet album nous présente Anita Baker, une diva à la voix sublime, qui vient nous enchanter tout au long de l'album. Malheureusement, comme les mots clés "diva" et "voix sublime" ont été utilisé, le correcteur automatique du générateur doit lui attribuer une note moyenne inférieure à 3. J'ai contacté Robert au sujet de ce correcteur que je trouve personellement défaillant. Je vous tiendrai au courant de sa réponse dans un prochain review.

Got a little bored 7/10

pretty good, had heard the album before and enjoyed it.

Great and good

Had never heard of Anita Baker but was pleasantly surprised, Sweet Love was a bop and the album was nice to chill out to

Вот этот соул точно по душе: музыка ближе к нью-вейву, альбом бы переслушал.

Classic. Brings me back to my childhood riding in my folks car.

Soultastic. She'd a lovely voice, and were I trying to seduce a woman in the 1980s I might even have put this on the stereo. Instead, it is the 2020s, and such things are probably "a bit cringe". So I'll listen to it once. Appreciate her voice and then move on with my life.

So cool and sensual

4/5. Hard not to fall in love with this album. Smooth and amazing.

nice, pop-y, I like it. short album as well so an easy listen.

franchement un kiff sauf à la fin

Beautiful voice

Very cool. I’ve heard so many of these songs before as a youth. Same Ole Love is a hidden banger.

This brought me back to my days of working as an office temp in the early 90s with smooth adult contemporary radio stations so often playing in the background. "Spending the workday with your favorites from the seventies, eighties, and today!" It was never music I chose, but it was always music that was there. And today I realized I kind of miss it. Although it's never been in my nostalgia collections, it's been long enough that it was a pleasure to listen to and it took me back in time in a good way. It feels like a lavish 80s soap opera with elegant ladies in sparkling evening dresses. It's a grown-uppy kind of thing our society doesn't seem to do anymore. Is there still sumptuous music like this being made nowadays? Although this was yesterday's background music, this album has stood out in this project as something special!

This album was familiar and soothing. Anita Baker’s voice is a treat and the easy-listening style of the music felt like a gentle massage. I think I prefer this silky delight mixed with some variety of other artists, as the album as a whole felt just a little under-seasoned for me.

I bought this at the time and enjoyed it a great deal at the time. I rarely feel the urge to hear it these days but it's still a good album with plenty to offer if you're in the mood. One of those One Album Artists, though, at least in terms of commercial success in the UK.

Beautiful voice, soulful music. Good album!

Wow. Still a winner

This album was everywhere in ~1987 - as a teen into hard rock at the time it's safe to say I ignored it. :) ...and while it's still not necessarily my favourite [it's a bit smooth for my personal tastes] for what it is, it does sound freaking fantastic. Anita Baker is a great singer who didn't necessarily sound like anyone else but still was very accessible. Maybe it was her slightly-lower register or husky timbre; it definitely sits above others for me in the genre (contrast with wailing soprano vocalists of the day that I definitely still don't care for) and despite a general same-ness to the album, it's short enough (~38 minutes) to not really drag much at all. Again on a personal level, it would have been nice overall to hear more of the musicians/instruments reaching a bit - it's a very "safe" album musically which no doubt was the intent. If you're more into any instrumental flights of fancy over vocals, like me you might knock it down a few pegs. Having said that, this is objectively an excellent soft-soul album. 7/10 4 stars

Always enjoy her voice great collection of songs

“An acquired but enduring taste.” Smooth.

Ahhh 80s-90s sex music. Nothing bad to say about it except that the full album wasn't on spotify and out of order on youtube so I probably didn't get the intended listening experience

Dance floors and neon lights, Anita Baker's 'Rapture' is soulful pop with a tinge of R&B. 1980s pop production called for reverb-heavy drums and hall vocals, all accompanied by a simple 4/4 beat - this album delivers just that, providing some predictability. However, Baker's vocals is graceful and soulful, fitting the musical description of what the music wishes.

Great voice and Sweet Love is a brilliant song. Much of the rest of the album washed over me. No standouts but I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars. I'll round up to 4

What a voice.

TIL: Quiet storm is a subgenre of R&B — and I’m lovin’ every minute of it.

Definitely a solid pop album

Really beautiful album. I will give Anita Baker more of a listen.

Gran voz, gran instrumentación y duración corta. En cuanto lo escuchas, percibes los 80. Mood: mellow

July 20, 2021 Her voice is beautiful, and there are songs I like on here. An easy listen, although not my preferred genre(s). Great ambiance.

When I was 15, my uncle gave me a cassette of this album for Christmas. As a proper Smiths-listening weirdo of the mid ‘80s, I really didn’t get it, nor did I have an interest in getting it. I obviously wasn’t mature enough for this kind of music at the time, but I can say that I appreciate it now. This is classic R&B mood music of the old school. Baker’s vocals are immaculate and the production is flawless. This is a great album to relax with. Favorite tracks: “Sweet Love,” and “Caught Up in the Rapture.”

Great

most of it was not on spotofy but liked what I heard

I really liked this one. Not my genre but like Isaac Hayes I learned maybe it is.

good 80s r&b. 8/10

Not gonna lie I didn't pay that much attention to this. But it was pretty good. 7

Classic. So good.

Classic R&B sound. I didn't really listen to this in the "idea" setting (I was at work), but Baker's powerful voice and the songs' melodies still were readily apparent to me.

Un bon album qui s’ecoute bien en background. Elle a une belle voix 4*

Fav: Sweet Song, Been So Long

Beautiful voice, I wish that I had paid more attention in the 80's

Really fun, should check out some her other stuff

Elevator music. Generic romcom music from the 80s.

Boring album, but great vocals.

Pretty standard 80's pop/soul. I was surprised to have never heard of her before. It was ok.

pretty nice if i get myself into it

Good album!

It's a great set of tracks, beautifully delivered. The opener is particularly beautiful and won me over immediately. Favourites: Sweet Love Caught Up in a Rapture Watch Your Step

2.5

Que buena voz la de Anita.

An album that sounds very much of this time. I don't think I've ever heard an album sound so exactly like the first half of 1986 like this one does. Ms. Baker is, of course, the primary attraction of this release, and she brings her incredible voice in SPADES on this thing. She belts, riffs, modulates, and sirens up and down the otherwise very beige, pedestrian instrumentals. She is, deliberately so, the only noteworthy part of this album. Musically and thematically, this is yet another album to stack onto the landfill-sized pile of adult contemporary soft R&B balladry that slowly but surely swallowed up the entire 80s. Despite the wide influence of Ms. Baker on the R&B that followed her, I would argue the most influential, integral part of this album is its format: it was the breakout release not only for its central singer, but also for the ballads-and-bops-fronted-by-a-powerhouse-diva format that brought us Whitney (despite her being a contemporary,) Mariah, Celine, and many, many more whose stars shone tackling material like this. The Revolver of supermarket music. Key Tracks: Sweet Love, Mystery, No One in the World

it's not on spotify so i had to listen to a youtube playlist... the banking and mayonnaise commercials really ... ad... to the ambience. the music is good. so incredibly '80s. not sure i've ever heard something *more* '80s. actually, that's not true: leonard cohen first we take manhattan is slightly more '80s than this. i enjoyed listening to the album, but musically it doesn't really stand out *that* much. solid flow, solid arrangements and instrumental backups. baker's voice is great, but it didn't feel like she showed off her voice as much as she should've. i'm putting this in the 3.5 range. i think in terms of enjoyment listening, i'm approaching a 4/5, but in terms as a stand out album, it's really only a 3/5

Fine bit of 80s soul. Not much else. Im not super into it but not offended in any way. It goes down pretty smooth. Just doesnt leave me with much. Mystery was the one exception. For some reason or another that one got to me. But thays kinda it. Not bad just not for me

*Rapture* Definitely an album that wanted you to go toe to toe dancing very close, barely breathing almost comatose... Wait wrong "Rapture", but apt description of this album. Dare I say that quiet storm is Yacht Rock for people who aren't white. I do have some interesting kind of historical context for this album this is definitely the missing link between Quincy Jones the dude production and (what Todd in the Shadows called in the "Piano in the Dark" video) "late 80s gloop". Glossy piano keyboard tones arent everywhere on this album, but they sure are making a presence. And I guess one thing I never noticed before is how much Mariah Carey debut album was inspired by Anita Baker's vocal runs. Granted Anita doesn't go soaring into the stratosphere but definitely the cadence structure is there. I really can't say I dislike this album in any way shape or fashion but it's also nothing that I'd find myself returning to. Soft AC is something you couldn't get away from in the early to mid 80s and this isn't the worst example. (6.3)

I don't really have anything to say about this one. It's fine.

Not much to say for this apart from sweet love being an absolute banger and the great voice. Rather middling apart from that

It’s perfectly fine music to pick up your prescriptions to. She has a great voice. But I’m not sure why it’s here. It’s not innovative or groundbreaking or influential in any way.

Анита Цой

I’m a bit biased as I’m from Detroit, but I love this song and this woman’s voice. Such a nostalgic album for me.

They played this stuff a lot on local radio in the 90s

Nice background music but I don't think I'll be adding it to my playlist.

With the fantastic 'Sweet Love' this album starts very strongly, but the rest of the album doesn't live up to the same quality. This is smooth R&B, with glossy 80s production that is pleasant to listen to, if not always that interesting. The production style does date it a bit, but it works well enough for some songs. 'Sweet Love' is elevated by glistening synths that give it a sense of grandeur. 'Caught Up in the Rapture' and 'Watch Your Step' are best of the other tracks. With the exception of the songs already mentioned, its not an album I'm likely to go back to regularly.

If anyone has a voice to elevate the music of The Weather Channel into a marketable album, Anita Baker is certainly that person. These songs performed by someone else would be an album offered by a local R&B/gospel singer that plays the church circuit. The production is crisp, the vocals are perfect, but the music severely dates Rapture, preventing it from the "timeless" moniker Baker's voice deserves. I do remember it being played by my Mom on the record player as a kid, so it still gets nostalgia points.

En el foro de reddit alguien habló muy bien de este disco, pero para mí ha pasado sin destacar. Le daré 3 estrellas ya que subí el liston con las 2 de Captain Beefheart.

Not my style at all but her voice was good and I can only imagine it's a Standout in the genre. 8 songs feels like a short album.

It's ok. R&B is always hit and miss with me. this was more on the miss side for me.

Not a bad listen

Really good, easy listening for the day. Reminds me of car rides home from school in the 90s and genuinely good music coming over the airwaves on a regular basis. Would be pleased to hear this album again if it came up on rotation and I'm sorry to say that I didn't know who this artist was previously.

This was solid. Some good sounds. A 3.5 but on the 3 side.

Your typical 80s runofthemill emotional pop album. Not bad, but no clue why it's on this list.

Some nice, laid back, luxurious R&B. Just like I like. Folks giving it mid reviews because it isn't "revolutionary" or whatever, who cares. It's great. Not every album on this list isn't going to start a movement. It's still great music.

Prýðileg söngkona en lögin á plötunni leyfa henni bara ekki að skína því þau eru öll mjög svipuð án þess að vera eitthvað sérstök. Það vantar sárlega tilbreytingu en kannski er ég bara ekki rómantískur

Good…

Medium soul

It’s always fun when you see the inspiration in other music you listen to like this with MF Doom or Coldcut with Beck. It’s good but probably not inclined to go out of my way for again

Her name didn't register, but have definitely heard that first song before. Pleasantly surprised, but it does fade into the background in that 80s production way. Nice and short too. 3 Heard before? Some Owned: Yes: 72/288 (25%) Will I get: No

Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: Sweet Love, Mystery Strong start with Sweet Love, which I immediately recognized as being sampled in Hoe Cakes by MF Doom. This kind of music isn't really my style... at all, but I can't say its bad or I dislike it. What's there to say? She has a nice voice. The music is super smooth. It's a fine album.

Nice contemporary soul.

It's not always completely bad when an album sounds dated, or very much "of its time." This album (which I still have, on CD) takes me back to the late 80s and early 90s. It's solid throughout, a solid 3, at least. Not sure I can quite give it a 4 - though it's tempting. In a roundabout way, it's a testament to the strength of this album that I like it at all, since I generally don't like this kind of music (romantic ballads, I guess). A solid 3 stars, for a solid album.

good vocalist, standard songs I like the production, but the sound is almost too clean to the point of soulless. The lyrics are generic pop vagueness about love

Anita’s baking some shit, brother man

Beautiful voice but not a style of music I love. Quite enjoyed it but probably won't ever listen to it again.

Absolutely stunning voice. Truthfully wasn’t blown away by the composition but it’s not really about that either.

Really enjoyed listening to this even though there was absolutely no sex involved.

Samples that I recognize

Somewhere, there is a vapor wave producer that is very happy they found this album. I enjoyed this. Very smooth, and Anita has a great voice.

Nice pop album. Romantic and lovely. Anita Baker has a voice like no other. Not a style of music I choose first, but a superior example of that style.

It's great but it's also so goddamn eighties. Calling something "seventies" or "nineties" would be a compliment, but if something is too "eighties" then it is not a great thing.

the soul was soulful certainly

Classy. I love Anita's voice.

Not sure what genre you put this in, there seemed to be a lot of it around in the 80s. Not really my sort of thing. The best I can say about it is that it is nice and short. Not awful, but not great

So 80’s. Extra star for the nostalgic sound

This was an ok album, nothing crazy but not bad

Better than Coldplay

Not great, Not terrible

At first I was like: damn another genre I don't like. But then again like with Nina Simone (I know they have nothing in common) it surprised me. Very fun in a Stevie Wonder/Marvin Gaye (in some albums) way. Great vocals, great instrumentation (the synths were crazy in Caught Up in the Rapture), nothing to complain about. Maybe it's not getting a 4 or a 5 because I wasn't captivated enough, that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the album 100% of the way. I'm just trynna be tough with the scores because I know there are some bangers coming my way. Also, Nina has one star more because she's just built different. Enough said!

This was perfectly pleasant, but I've no idea why it is on the list. It could have been any of a dozen other singers from the same era who sound pretty much the same.

soulful, emotional, but not that interesting

it was nice but it didn't grip me.

An inoffensive if largely bland collection of light jazz influenced R&B tunes. In the right situation or mood this can be enjoyable, and there are a few strong tracks like the lead single "Sweet Love", but on the whole its its a bit too antiseptic.

Nice jams, listened to well starting of Beale Street Could Talk

3/5

Pleasant.

Kolejna gładka jak masełko płyta, która nie wzbudza we mnie żadnych emocji. Głos jak dzwon, ale te kompozycje, chociaż przyjemne są pozbawione emocjonalnej iskry. Nic nie czułam. 6/10.

Enjoyable 80s R&B. A bit repetitive but was feeling the smooth jazzy grooves.

It's a shame the full album isn't on Spotify as there's a couple songs I wanted to save. Good album overall

Decent background R&B but no one was breaking much ground in the 80s

Contemporary R&B is not a genre I am particularly fond of. That said, she has an incredibly powerful and pleasing voice. You bring me joy was quite incredible. I remember Caught up in the rapture from junior school. On the whole, it was ok. Nothing crazy and amazing. standard 3 stars

it's a crime it's not on Spotify

On the one hand, a smooth listen. On the other hand, not something I'd reach for again.

The definition of solid

Fine, but not my scene

It was alright I suppose, this is an album where (to me) nothing stands out too far to really comment on. The production doesn't stand out either - it's just typical 80s production - but some days safe, 80s-proudced, predictable albums/songs are good as a refresher after listening to some awful releases that list decides to chuck at you. Highlight Song/s: "Caught Up in the Rapture" and "Mystery"

She has an incredible voice and while the music isn't for me it's still worth listening to.

Only know Sweet Love which is nice. This is pleasant enough, easy to listen to, soulful music. And she can really sing. Apparently in 1986 this was NME's second best album of the year, after Parade. I can't see it myself, but also in the top 10 were Control by Janet Jackson, Evol by Sonic Youth, Word Up by Cameo, Graceland, Bend Sinister by The Fall, Raisin' Hell by Run DMC, The Queen Is Dead and Mantronix. Weird list.

casual and smooth, but so heavily polished it becomes monotonous. Baker is clearly talented but is making a lot of poppy stylistic choices i'm not a fan of.

14/20 L'album s'écoute bien Sans forcément révolutionner la musique, ça reste plutôt agréable a écouter

Perfectly fine, great voice, but nothing stands out as excellent

I listened

Pretty standard, distinctly-80's production wraps up this nice package of beautiful singing.

Better than I remembered. This was a big hit with my parents. Decent album.

Good love songs and Anita Baker has a wonderful voice while still feeling powerful. Not really my taste in music, but still feels good.

She certainly had her moment during the 80’s. Then largely disappeared from the forefront of culture.

So smooth it slides off my smooth brain

Pleasent listen with nice grooves and lovely singing. Solid 3.

Competent R and B music, and interesting contrast with FKA twigs later this week, Ms Baker really puts her chest in the singing.

Easy listen

Sweet Love Caught Up in the Rapture

A lovely voice and an album that fits the ’80s perfectly. Smooth, polished, and full of that classic pop–soul sound the decade did so well. If you’re a fan of ’80s pop, you’d probably enjoy this quite a bit.

This was ok. 2.5 rounded up.

Favorite Track: Sweet Love

What Kendrick was listening to in the tape deck

Smoooooth. But a bit same-y.

decent

I preface this with - I have had two pints and I’m on the train back home after a night way with work. Oooh that’s that track. That’s nice. Dammmmmnnn this is like the slinkiest stuff to ever slink. At least the kind of stuff that has that very 80s edge. I think I like it. It’s very situational. And let’s face it, that situation is very sexual … but I think I like it.

Very easy listening I actually really enjoyed this while I was cleaning my house

It feels like an important album but I am realizing that 80s R&B isn't really for me. Too many wind chimes, sexy baselines, synthy trills and acrobatic vocal moments for me. 5/10

Sweet Love is absolute killer. But after that I gotta agree with the 70's/80's production complaints here. She's putting in genius performances but with that big anonymous sounding arrangements and wall of sound on every track, I really want to hear her sing with a stripped back band. Some digging to do.

This was nice enough, but sounds so generically 80s.

I went from thinking this was alright, to liking it, to thinking it was alright again. I think it has its moments, but it all felt very similar to me. Only thing that was changing was the tempo. Something happened in the transition from Arethas genre of soul to this 80s sounding type of soul, it lost something along the way. Or maybe it just gained that 80s feel... This isn't bad, but I just think theres a lot better soul music out there. 6.5/10

3.5

Excellent discovery, just not my favourite genre. Good voice though! 3/5

Good background music with a couple of tracks that you have to stop and sing along with.

Gentle and smooth

Enjoy the mid 80s sweet jazz-ish.

This was loosely based on a song written by Houmous & Chutney for Chester Zoo. 2.5 1/8 Sweet Love

I've got some history with this one, enjoyed it again this morning.

Love her voice but the production is too glossy and it's pretty boring.

Smooth. 3/5

This is an album I would have never heard without this project. It’s just part of a genre that have little understanding of, and honestly feel under qualified to review. Anita has a powerful and charming voice, and the songs and arrangements on this album play well into that. I wish I had better or more in-depth thoughts, but I think this album mostly stood to show a blind spot in my music knowledge.

Very jazzy/blues album dedicated to love (the rapture)

nice voice

Only half of the album was available for me on Spotify for some reason. Great voice, didn’t love the arrangements

This album is not made for a 35 year old white man, but there were moments I actually enjoyed a lot. This soft, focused production style isn’t something I really return too, but is clearly intentional and makes for an interesting comparison point.

Not a fan of pop soul, but this wasn't really bad. Don't like that kind of 80s production, a bit boring for my taste, but her voice makes it up a bit

Gooood. Pretty monotone but somehow in a good way.

My superpower is my deep knowledge of eighties easy listening music, earned from years of long drives down interstate 10 to and from elementary school, listening to Sunny 99.1 in my mom’s minivan. Thus, the two hits from this album are deeply embedded in my psyche. They have powerful melodic sensibilities and it’s easy to get lost in Baker’s oddly nasal, yet powerful and alluring vocals. Yes, the production is corny and dated, but it also has real personality. Recent divas like Adele, with their dry, anonymous backdrops, would do well to study Baker’s example. Favorite song: Caught up in the rapture

Vibes: 4 Instruments: 2 Production: 3 Emotional Value: 4 Storytelling: 1 AC: +0 Stand Outs: Sweet Love, Caught Up in the Rapture Overall: 2.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There were a few catchy songs, but other than that I was almost falling asleep. It's nice background music.

#819. She has an undeniably fantastic voice, but for some reason this album doesn't really bring me joy. 3/5: acceptable

Smooth pop de los 80 que pasa sin pena ni gloria pero que se deja escuchar

Baker's got a set of pipes on her but the album isn't really anything special

Føles som kneppemusik? Lidt sade agtig på en eller anden måde. I guess det er en form for RnB soul pop agtigt. Men jeg slår det op og det er meget mere. Det kaldes åbenbart Quiet Storm som er varme baslinjer, langsomme tempi, bløde Keys og sensuel kontrolleret vokal. Det har jeg ikke hørt om før. Udover det er det sophisti-pop/adult contemporary soul som stadig har den varme lyd og jazzakkorder. Det er sgu meget sensuelt og intimt og til rolige aftenerne. det kan altså virkelig sætte en stemning til en god aften med en sød pige. Det er ikke fordi det siger mig vanvittig meget, men jeg synes egentlig det er godt.

To preface this review, I would like to say how talented she is as a vocalist, as her voice is beautiful and she has a wide dynamic range. The soul element with it all wasn't so special compared with the amount of incredible soul albums on this list. It is a nice listen, but at no point was I blown away by anything on this.

nice voice pleasantly surprised

It’s pretty solid. Her voice is stellar and I love 80’s jams, but compared to what other artists were doing it is missing a little sauce

Great voice, but not my kind of tunes.

Very 80s. Not bad but nothing that really sticks out to me either.

Not bad

Toni Braxton ripped this off.

Que bueno un poquito de soul de los ‘80 para un sábado, sábadete. Con este frío hace para pásarlo en el sofà, bajo la mantita y hacer piececitos. Me corto las uñas vale cariño? Firmado: Frodo

Not at all my wheelhouse. I recognized and sang along with "Sweet Love," but the rest just made me nostalgic for easy listening radio from my childhood (which I never liked). I am sure it is great, but not my cup of tea,

Great voice for sure. Not precisely my jam fully. But wouldn’t be mad if someone played this. 3.5/5

It's alright. The kind of music you'd listen to after you put the kids to bed and you have the house and a bottle of wine to yourself. Like the sax and other instrumentals, but the songs sound roughly the same. 3.5

Seemed messed up on spotify

Really good.

Syrupy quiet storm love songs (3.5)

Good album, fun r&b record I tapped my feet too. I understand why this album is on the list and why she was popular in the 80s. 3

Smooth, effective. A little too much scat singing for my taste.

Nice good singing that sounded very 80s. Definitely felt like I knew the first song.

This pretty decent. Very reminiscent of stuff like Whitney Houston and Tina Turner. She sounded great but it just got a bit bland

I own this on vinyl but forgot o had it! It’s a very pleasant if unchallenging listen but that’s not always a bad thing. Great voice.

Solides aber unspektakuläres Soul Album.

i would probably love this if it had been made 10 years earlier or even 10 years later, but there's too much 80s stink on it. Anita's voice and performance is fantastic but that can only go so far when accompanied by this limp, weightless faux jazzy soft-rock. imagine if this had been made in the 70s with some real funk and jazz backing her up and some decent production; now that's an album. my main takeaway here is that there's perhaps an Anita Baker album out there for me but it ain't this one

The first song Sweet Love transported me back to the 80s but during that decade I was too busy listening to 60s and 70s music and this album largely passed me by. Normally when I get an album generated, I either clap excitedly or groan, but this was met with why? It’s a nice soul album to listen to but I do not think it is very innovative. The tracks are written by a team of songwriters including Rod Temperton who wrote Boogie Nights and the tremendous Thriller and even his song here is quite boring. That’s when something is wrong, when you don’t even use Rod to great effect.

A really lovely soulful album. Definitely one for late night listening.

= the Beatles Perfectly fine

Yet another album and artist that I've never heard of. Who would have thunky wunky? I've super, ultra no clue what to expect from this album cover (my grammar just committed suicide). The eighties was the most ethnically White music decade I can think of, so it's a surprise to see a balack wahmen of power make the cut for this decade. Ahhh, fuck. Soul? I'm really spitballing genre predictions here. Hell yeah, soul. I'm on a roll. I normally have a difficult time getting along with soul, though this album was pretty alright. Very easygoing and accessible with some solid, of-the-time 80s tunes. It's difficult to articulate, but I like the background ambience in this make of music, especially in the keyboard (I think) department. I'm talking about the vaguely piano-organ sounding instrument which is present on just about every song of this album - I'm not sure what it is. I've said it about a lot of the albums I've listened to recently, though for I truly enjoyed listening to something which was relaxing with this one. I had a good time kicking back to this album, even if it does blend together and lose me a little. "Sweet Love" has a familiar vocal melody. Pretty good song. Those aforementioned vocals are the highlight, though I also quite like the piano. "Caught Up in the Rapture" is a classic 80s jig, though it's a pretty good song. The rhythm and atmospheric sound is quite good, and I enjoy the smaller musical embellishments in the background - especially in the funky synth and bass guitar department. Book time. Good production. Sweet Love was a hit. A lot of yapping about how the album is simultaneously radio-friendly and artistically strong. Came and went in the public conscience very quickly. Yeah, this doesn't give me much confidence. Wikipedia says that this album sold very well, won two awards and has a modest critical backing. My axe has been begging me to cleave some skulls with all of the subpar picks I've been sparing lately, and this grace period shall sadly continue. If I had a larger catalogue of replacement albums it would be a proper bloodshed right now, though I sadly don't know how many I have left. Maybe I oughta draw up a list sometime. Anyways, this was a decent listen. I cosign the inclusion.

I don't think I can get behind this genre.

All very pleasant and Sunday afternoon-ish, but quite forgettable apart from Sweet Love

It may be because of the age I was in 1986, but this just feels like such old lady music. But I can appreciate that these are really great, soulful, songs. Maybe because I'm an old lady now haha.

Not usually a fan of this style, but it won't me over by the end.

beguiling, seductive, smooth

Anita Baker has a silky smooth voice. One of the best jazz/soul voices of the 80s for sure, along with Sade. That being said, I grew up in the 80s listening to metal and punk. So this is a little too slick for my tastes. Nothing at all wrong with this album other than it doesn't suit my musical tastes. I would recommend it to anyone who might have interest in this type of music though. 3/5 #210

ok easy ls

As I was listening to Rapture, the thought hit me: on this album, Anita Baker is the female Michael McDonald.

Good, but not totally my vibe.

Good

prob a 3.5 for me

Pretty much every song is good though none of it is GREAT Fav song: Caught Up in the Rapture maybe?

sweet love kenntmer glaub? sehr schön und romaaaantisch aber au chli uf de seichte siite mE HAHAHAHAHA sorryyy aber s saxophon uf you bring me joy isch ja SOOO CHEESY aso es isch schön und alles aber fast scho e karikatur vo dere art vo r&b/soul caught up in the rapture kenni au! sehr offesichtlich scho recht es krasses album, ich los so musig ja würkli nöd aktiv joo scho fertig. sehr schön gsunge und alles aber für min gschmack doch seeeer schnulzig und seicht. guets 3 (wenni vorher nöd gad ledz es 3 geh hetti, wär das vlt au es knapps 4i worde)

In one ear out the other

This was okay. She’s a great singer, the music sounded a bit artificial. Well, it’s the 80s.

It was predictable and peaceful, I probably won't listen again

It's halfway between Sade and Whitney, it's dated, but it's enjoyable

She definitely has a powerful, beautiful voice

Not my taste but she’s talented. The opening instrumental part is a famous sample by MF DOOM

Love her voice. Amazing tone & control. You Give Me Joy is my fave. Just not a fan of every song being a hyper emotional love song.

7/10 Favourite: Sweet Love Least Favourite: Mystery

Album, das von ihrer mächtigen Stimme lebt. Es ist schön, leider nicht so meins

Sweet Love is a great 80s pop track and the last track Watch Your Step was good too, everything in between was pretty boring and generic but she has a good voice so it's fine to listen to, albeit not memorable.

not quite sophisticated enough for sophistipop

Pleasant! Very 80's in production and style of R&B, but it doesn't detract from the great tunes here. I honestly don't have a lot to say about this one, except the record company should give her the masters/rights back! Having it missing from streaming is terrible! 3.5

I enjoyed

Lovely to listen to.

Technically beautiful but mostly forgettable. Production is late 80’s so sounds like everything else that was put out during that time. Glad to re-live it, but I’ve moved on.

Very nice, as borat would say

Don’t quite know how to rate this one, there was definitely good things but on the whole it felt kinda a bit meh honestly. So I guess 3 stars

Tuvo bonito me robé una canción

It was fun tho it didn't stand out much

Very solid soul album

If 80s schmaltzy ballads are your thing then this would be a good album to listen to. If not then it’s ok

Very smooth, to the point that there wasn't much for me to grasp onto. It was well performed but I probably won't return. Mediocre ultimately.

Starts strong, midway is awful. Last 4 songs are strong.It is of its time but that's not a bad thing. Some tracks I will listen to again.

Sweet Love is the only track I was familiar with going into this album, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was indicative of the quality of the rest of the record. Anita Baker's voice is of course powerful and one of a kind, driving pretty much every song. Beyond that, there are lots of really clever and enjoyable moments in the arrangements - I particularly liked the sparse but extremely effective backup harmonies on 'You Bring Me Joy' - and there are cool bass/keyboard/guitar parts sprinkled throughout. There's a lot of harmonic depth to the music, as well; we're far out of three-chord pop music territory. However, the 80's synth sounds just haven't aged well to my ears, nor has the overly produced mix - the reverb drenched vocals seem very lonely, almost like the album was performed in an empty stadium. I'd really love to hear Baker in a more stripped down setting, or even with some sort of jazz ensemble (the scatting near the end of 'Been so Long' indicates she has the chops), not this sterile, corporate sounding environment.

An enjoyable, pleasant listen. But not much more than that. Felt quite safe and middle of the road in terms of the soul style it draws on. Still, recognised a few of the songs on it.

Hon har en fantastisk pipa och det börjar bra, men det lyfter inte riktigt för mig därefter. Det är lite för slätstruket, även om det fortfarande är bra. En stabil trea.

Chill easy little quicky.

baszos zene

What a lovely voice, what a very 1980s ballads album. It’s huge, romantic, glossy, and fun to listen to, but also homogeneous in tone and production. It has its moments and I appreciated my listen, but I didn’t find anything revelatory in it.

decent

Per tornar a escoltar. No és el meu estil però és molt bona música i jo ho gaudeixo.

There are parts that sound a bit dated (duh it was made in the 80s) but some gems on here too. 7/10

First song got me excited but what followed was a little too screamish for me. Like the instrumentals though

Great voice, some decent beats, easy listen, just not a re listen

I feel like this would be popular today, if it was a Japanese lady singing in Japanese, riding this fake japano 80s retro nostalgia. However, this is actual authentic jazzy City-Pop Soul from America. Lovely, but forgettable.

Album No. 0011 on my list. Before listening to this album, I had never heard of Anita Baker. Overall, I enjoyed listening to this album, so this was a nice new discovery. Baker’s voice is very good. It reminded my amateur, not very jazz-familiar ear of Whitney Houston, but with a more mature, dark, and jazzy (whatever that means) touch. Beyond this, I found this to be an album with solid, decent songs on it. Some (“Caught in the rapture”, “Been so long”) I liked more than others. But none of the songs were really outstanding to me (also, again compared to Whitney’s first album). Because Baker’s voice is so great, it’s still 3/5 stars for me.

Beautiful voice. Easy to listen to this music.

The windchimes, the soft yet powerful voices, the chill vibes… All of this reminds me of the adult contemporary that my dad always put on (and still does) during a lazy afternoon. Usually a candle would be lit, flickering somewhere. In a way, this is the sound of my childhood. I’m not sure if this particular collection of songs are necessarily stunning or memorable or anything, but they are pleasant. Not sure I had to listen to this before death, but I’m not upset about it.

I feel like this wasn't made to pay attention to? Like it's good music, but it doesn't work well as the main focus, more as a backing track, and admittedly a good one.

Thought it was groovy. Hanna hated it. Need to give it another closer listen

Amazing for what it is, just not sure I'd play it again.

++: Sweet Love, You Bring Me Joy, Been So Long, Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year), Watch Your Step +: Caught Up in the Rapture +-: Mystery, No One in the World 7,7/10

Love the smooth jazz vibes. Good after work listen. Good songs to vibe to, but a bit too upbeat for my liking.

8/11/2025 - Very classic 80's R&B record. Enjoyed my listen. 7/10

Holy pipes

★★★½

Great voice, not really my kind of music.

“I mean…I guess I’m ok with it.” - John H.

strong start, beautiful vocal performance

What can I say. Smooth, classy; Anita Baker. Great album. Maybe a bit too smooth for me tho

I liked this album. Her voice is really great and the instrumentation keeps a smooth style throughout. Especially the bass and the use of saxophone. Nothing super groundbreaking and not as good as something like Sade but still solid 80’s soul/R&B. Favorites were Sweet Love, Same Ole Love, and Watch Your Step.

It's nice to know her music and found this to be pleasant. Does it wow me? No, but it's hardly bad. Just raises the question as to why this was so impactful that it had to be part of this list. 6/10.

1986 pop and R&B - miss those days

I love song 1 and 7

Pretty goof

Not gonna lie I was cleaning so i could not hear it that well

Favorite Track: You Bring Me Joy

Spotify only has 4 of the 8 songs on the album, but it seems pretty soulful. Great vocalist

This variation of soul music generally doesn’t do much for me. I did find myself wondering at times when the album would end, because it didn’t really get me excited or catch my attention much. That being said, I’m pretty sure that Sweet Love was the song played at my parents’ wedding, so I couldn’t help enjoy that one. It got a bonus point for that.

Very smooth and nice but I don't think it's likely that I will remember it and return to it ever on purpose Standouts Caught Up in the Rapture No One in the World 3/5

started with an MF DOOM sample

It's alright

She has a great voice but the songs all kind of sound the same.

Nice voice