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 (41–50)
This Is How We Do ItMontell Jordan
It’s the debut single from his self-titled debut album released on the Def Jam label.
Sampling rapper Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story,” this danceable track, seasoned with hip-hop soul, held the top spot on the Billboard R&B chart for seven weeks in 1995.
Right HereSWV
It’s a classic that samples “Human Nature” from Michael Jackson’s album Thriller.
Released as the lead single from their debut album It’s About Time, it reached No.
16 on the R&B chart at the time.
Since then, the track has been beloved by many DJs, and today it can be considered their most famous song.
If You Love MeBrownstone
This is the second single from their album “From the Bottom Up,” released under Michael Jackson’s MJJ Music label.
Although they competed with TLC for Best R&B Performance at the 1996 Grammy Awards and narrowly missed out, the track became a massive hit for them, climbing to No.
2 on Billboard’s R&B chart.
Freak Like MeAdina Howard
An R&B song released as a single in 1995 from Michigan singer Adina Howard’s debut album, “Do You Wanna Ride?”.
It samples the hook and riff from Kool & the Gang’s 1974 hit “Summer Madness.”
No DiggityBlackstreet ft. Dr. Dre, Queen Pen
A track featuring Dr.
Dre and Teddy Riley, with a rap by Queen Pen.
Its acoustic guitar riff is sampled from Bill Withers’ song “Grandma’s Hands.” Released as a single in 1996, the song won a Grammy Award in 1997.
I Wanna Sex You UpColor Me Badd
A single released by Color Me Badd in 1991.
Its bassline is sampled from Betty Wright’s 1974 song “Tonight Is the Night.” The track was used in the 1991 film New Jack City, starring Wesley Snipes and Ice-T.
No One ElseTotal
This is a collaboration song with Sean “Puffy” Combs, the owner of Bad Boy Records.
Featuring female rapper Da Brat on the rap, the track boldly samples “South Bronx” from Boogie Down Productions’ album Criminal Minded, and it stunned the club scene at the time.