A classic R&B masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.
The genre “R&B” began to take hold around the 1970s.
Even though we call it R&B, its style has changed with each era, and by now I think it’s a genre with a rather fuzzy definition.
For this piece, I’ll define R&B as “groovy tracks packed with vocal techniques often used in R&B, like ad-libs and runs,” and introduce some classic R&B albums!
While I’m including a few major tracks, I’ve also picked out some extremely obscure songs that even hardcore R&B aficionados in Japan probably don’t know—so be sure to check them out!
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R&B Masterpieces: Must-Listen Recommended Albums (21–30)
Trop FreshMonsieur Nov
Monsieur Nov is an R&B singer from Vietnam.
I think very few people in Japan know him.
However, he is highly acclaimed in Europe and is known as a top-class R&B singer in France, where he is based.
His renowned masterpiece “Sans Dessus 2 Soul” is a full-fledged album packed with several high-quality R&B tracks.
This time, I’ve picked out an especially sophisticated song from the album: “Trop Fresh.”
Get Ur Freak OnMissy Elliott
It’s a song co-produced by her and Timbaland.
The Japanese lyrics at the beginning and the refrain played on the traditional Indian instrument, the tumbi, became a major topic in the club scene at the time.
It was her first track to make it into the top 10 on the charts.
CreepTLC
A song about a woman who isn’t satisfied with her boyfriend.
It was produced by Dallas Austin, a producer from Atlanta.
It samples Slick Rick’s 1988 track “Hey Young World.” This was the first song by TLC to reach No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Freek’N YouJodeci
This is the first single from Jodeci’s third album, The Show, The After Party, The Hotel.
The remix version produced by member Dalvin featured Wu-Tang Clan members Raekwon and Ghostface Killah.
LadyD’Angelo
The third single from D’Angelo’s album “Brown Sugar,” which pioneered the new genre of neo-soul.
The remix version featured the rapper AZ.
It became D’Angelo’s most successful song, reaching No.
10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It was also nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1997.
Say My NamDestiny’s Child
It was released as the third single from their second album, “The Writings on the Wall.” It was the group’s first collaboration with Rodney Jerkins, and it became the most successful song on the album.
There’s an anecdote that Beyoncé initially criticized the song as being “like a jungle with too much going on,” had it rewritten, and then gave it her approval.
All For YouJanet Jackson
It is the lead single from her seventh studio album, All for You.
It was produced by her together with Jam and Lewis.
As a dance-pop song that broke new ground for her, it electrified club floors.
The music video was nominated at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards.