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 (31–40)
Ready or NotThe Fugees
The title and chorus were inspired by the Delfonics’ 1968 song “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love).” Released as a single in 1996, it reached No.
1 on the UK charts.
It is also known as a favorite song of former U.
S.
President Barack Obama.
Rock With YouMichael Jackson
It’s a classic released in 1979, produced by Quincy Jones.
As the second single from the album Off the Wall, Billboard has praised it as one of the four greatest songs of the 1980s and an important track that bridges the disco era and the ’80s.
PrivacyChris Brown
A single released in 2017 by Chris Brown, an American R&B singer-songwriter and dancer.
The first line of the chorus was inspired by Jamaican singer Red Rat’s 1997 reggae song “Tight Up Skirt.”
DrugsAugust Alsina
It’s the title track from the third album by August Alsina, an artist from New Orleans, released in 2017.
The song compares his love for an alluring woman to the “addictive” nature of being hooked on drugs.
PoisonBell Biv DeVoe
The debut single released in 1990 by Bell Biv DeVoe, a spin-off group of New Edition.
The song is about a dangerous and deceitful woman.
It has been used in many forms of media, including the film “Mo’ Money,” as well as television dramas and video games.
R&B Masterpieces: Must-Listen Recommended Albums (41–50)
My BooGhost Town DJs
This is the debut single by Ghost Town DJs, a hip-hop group based in Atlanta active from 1995 to 1997.
The song is about a woman’s desire for a man.
It was released on Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def label and reached No.
31 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Loungin (Who Do Ya Luv)LL Cool J ft. Total
A single from the 1995 album Mr.
Smith by American rapper and actor LL Cool J.
It features vocals by the R&B girl group Total.
The track reached No.
3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.