Toni Braxton said it best when she sang, “It’s just another sad love song rackin’ my brain like crazy,” and it perfectly describes the entire genre of R&B. It’s all about love songs, smooth grooves, and being suave. Interestingly, guys can do this just as well as girls. At least in song. One of the most beautiful R&B records of all time is Confessions, by Usher, because of its sheer honesty when describing relationships, and its raw passion. The albums below are similar to this ideal, so check them out.
1. Babyface – For the Cool in You
This was one of the first CDs I ever bought, just on the strength of hearing the title song on the radio one time. I went right out, bought it, and never looked back. From top to bottom, this album is smooth in all the right places. Sometimes an artist just hits the right combination at the right time, and this was that album for Babyface. He can write music like no other, and it shines on here. Standout song: Never Keeping Secrets.
2. Keyshia Cole – Just Like You
Where has this woman been my whole life? Honestly, she just puts voice to a lot of my own emotions in these songs. What a dynamic vocal range, an emotional tour de force, and hands down my favorite female R&B singer (sorry, Toni). I would recommend all of her albums, actually, but this was the first one I ever heard. I guess I decided to just go down memory lane with this 7 albums posting. Anyway, if you’re up for some great rhythms, Miss Cole is for you. Standout song: Heaven Sent.
3. R. Kelly – Love Letter
Everyone knows that R. Kelly has that baby-making music in him, but Love Letter is something entirely different. It’s R. at his most vulnerable, almost like he wrote a series of love letters to a special lady in his life. It’s sweet and it touches at a chord that we hardly ever hear anymore in modern music. Indeed, most of the record sounds like he stepped directly out of the ’50s with his vibe and the musical direction. My jaw dropped the first time I heard it, and yours will too. Standout song: Radio Message.
4. Ne-Yo – Year of the Gentleman
This new crop of soul singers can start to sound the same. People like Chris Brown, Jason DeRulo, Usher, and even Justin Timberlake on occasion. And that’s not a knock on them. They generally have the same producers, songwriters, etc., and they’re all good, but I have a special place in my heart for Ne-Yo. He takes that soul groove to another level, and this is his best album, in my opinion. He can make even a break-up song sound incredibly appealing. Year of the Gentleman is indeed chronicling just that, a wonderful year for a true gentleman of song. Standout song: Fade Into the Background.
5. Sade – Love Deluxe
Talk about the perfect combination coming together for a moment in time, for one album. Sade takes advantage of just this on Love Deluxe. Talk about your classic love album, this one moves along like one big wave, sweeping me along. It sets the most romantic mood, particularly through the first seven songs, but even through the ending. Even the album cover hints at the potential for lovemaking while listening to this record. Sade never lets me down, and this album is her best. Standout song: No Ordinary Love.
6. John Legend – Once Again
This one was a tossup, honestly, between Get Lifted and this, his second album. There’s something about the piano connection and the lyrical prowess that is missing on Evolver, John Legend’s third record. He captured lightning in a bottle, twice, with the two albums, and songs like Stereo, Ordinary People, and Let’s Get Lifted. It’s almost like you’re listening to him live, which is very difficult to do for an artist, and I hope he gets back to that with his next album. He’s got soul. Standout song: Save Room.
7. Jill Scott – The Real Thing: Words and Sounds, Vol. 3
This is my Philly girl! Such a natural voice and delivery makes Jill Scott stand out above all of the wannabes around. No one can make it sound so effortless, stay true to her roots, and create such vivid poetry set to vibrant beats that set it apart. Nothing out there is like her, and that’s what makes this a must add for any fan of R&B, or for any fan of music, because Jill Scott breaks barriers. Standout song: Celibacy Blues.
Sam
P.S. Honorable mention goes to Christina Aguilera’s Back to Basics. If I only had an 8 albums system…
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