You Know How to Love Me was
Phyllis Hyman's most successful album and was carefully tailored to become the artist's crossover breakthrough, with prolific producer/songwriters
James Mtume and
Reggie Lucas on board. The end result is a carefully constructed blend of contemporary disco-styled songs and ballads, some better than others, and the more routine tracks are always rescued by
Hyman stellar pipes. The album never truly realized its full potential, but does include the song that would become one of
Hyman's signature tunes, "You Know How to Love Me." The song was never a blockbuster hit, but has grown into a classic, covered by artists such as
Lisa Stansfield and
Robin S. Other highlights include the excellent quiet storm of "Some Way," which allows
Hyman's husky voice to shine; the somber, sublime piano ballad "But I Love You"; and the jazzy saxophone ballad "Complete Me."
You Know How to Love Me is as close as
Hyman truly came to becoming a commercial force and is an important and essential chapter in this star's musical legacy. The album was re-released in 2002, boasting excellent liner notes by biographer
David Nathan, rare photos, and a bonus track, "You're the One," recorded in 1977, which blends in perfectly with the rest of the disc. This is the case of an album that was not a blockbuster upon initial release, but, like a great overlooked film, has grown into a classic whose importance will only increase with the passing of time. ~ Jose F. Promis