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 (51–60)
So Into YouFabolous feat. Tamia
Fabolous, a rapper from Brooklyn, has built a long and successful career by combining melodic mainstream tracks with a series of mixtapes.
The music video for this track features KD Aubert, an American actress and former fashion model.
UndercoverKehlani
A track included on the debut album SweetSexySavage, released in 2017 by Kehlani, an American singer-songwriter and dancer.
The song is about keeping a relationship secret.
It features a sweet, acoustic guitar-driven beat.
I’m SprungT-Pain
This is the debut single from T-Pain’s first album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, released after being discovered by Akon.
The song is dedicated to his wife.
At the time, his melancholic vocals processed with Auto-Tune felt innovative and went on to inspire many followers.
It peaked at No.
8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
All That I Can SayMary J Blige
It’s the lead single from her fourth studio album, “Mary,” by the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.
The song was composed by Lauryn Hill of the Fugees, who were at the height of their popularity at the time.
There’s also a must-hear cover by jazz vocalist Gretchen Parlato that has a sophisticated, grown-up vibe.
R&B masterpieces: Must-listen recommended albums (61–70)
What’s Going OnMarvin Gaye
This is the title track from Marvin Gaye’s landmark studio album, What’s Going On.
The song was composed after Renaldo “Obie” Benson of the Four Tops, who were touring with Marvin, witnessed an anti-war demonstration and the violent actions of the police.
Inspired by his reaction—“What’s happening here? What’s going on?”—the song took shape.
Bump N’ GrindR. Kelly
The title “Bump N’ Grind” refers to sex.
From the early to mid-1990s, many R&B songs used titles that referenced sex.
This track was released by R.
Kelly in 1994 and reached No.
1 on the Hot R&B Songs chart.
That’s What’s UpAlicia Keys
A quiet, minimal song released by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys through her SoundCloud account on January 25, 2017, her 36th birthday.
It samples Kings Of Tomorrow’s 2005 track “So Alive.”