It's only July but here we are, halfway through the year. I'm wondering where the year went and why it's so darn hot out! A/C on blast, I digress. What makes the year without a good soundtrack to make the moments sweet, the days a little cooler and enhance the scenes that matter most to you in the epic adventure you call life?
While I love a lively beat and an even better M.C. to lyrically master it, I started thinking about the music that's been released in the realm of R&B/Soul and off the top of my head, I could only name like three albums that were worth the time. This list almost became "The Top 10 Singles of the Year So Far",but despite the fact that my own ipod seems to be stuck on two or three albums, there are actually a few more that were released that are worth a mention or 10.
Previously: Reviews: The BEST 5 Hip-Hop Albums And Or Mixtapes Of 2010 So Far
1. Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)
I wish more R&B/Soul artist followed the Mixtape model or at the very least the Series model. Granted, you would have to be an artist the people were yearning for more of. Erykah Badu (sans any creative urges to free herself and run with wild abandon down city streets) has this part down to a science. While New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War) was more political and left brained in it's approach, Part Two: appeals to the right. New Amerykah: Part Two is reminiscent of Erykah's first album Baduizm and leans more towards the matters of the heart. Cuts like "Window Seat" "20 Feet Tall" & the Green Eye-esque "Out My Mind, Just In Time" are enough to get any Badu fan drawn in and kept happy long enough until Part Three arrives, whenever Ms. Badu is ready for that to occur. This is one of the few albums I can listen to end to end without having to skip a track. Each song seems to lead into the other like a well weaved story.
I wish more R&B/Soul artist followed the Mixtape model or at the very least the Series model. Granted, you would have to be an artist the people were yearning for more of. Erykah Badu (sans any creative urges to free herself and run with wild abandon down city streets) has this part down to a science. While New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War) was more political and left brained in it's approach, Part Two: appeals to the right. New Amerykah: Part Two is reminiscent of Erykah's first album Baduizm and leans more towards the matters of the heart. Cuts like "Window Seat" "20 Feet Tall" & the Green Eye-esque "Out My Mind, Just In Time" are enough to get any Badu fan drawn in and kept happy long enough until Part Three arrives, whenever Ms. Badu is ready for that to occur. This is one of the few albums I can listen to end to end without having to skip a track. Each song seems to lead into the other like a well weaved story.2. Raheem Devaughn - The Love & War Masterpiece
Raheem Devaugh seems to have been present at the same meeting with Erykah Badu when they were telling artist if you wanted to keep your audience you had to keep their attention. For his third major label release Raheem gets assistance from Dr. Cornel West who steps in at intermittent times like an M.C. or a host DJ introducing the tracks and breaking down the concepts. Dr. West almost sounds like one of The Last Poets, it's a welcome voice and nice to hear (if I may say) the elders supporting a young artist's efforts. Tracks such as "Bulletproof" Featuring Ludacris, "The Greatness" with Wale and "Mr. Right" are worth a listen or two.
Raheem Devaugh seems to have been present at the same meeting with Erykah Badu when they were telling artist if you wanted to keep your audience you had to keep their attention. For his third major label release Raheem gets assistance from Dr. Cornel West who steps in at intermittent times like an M.C. or a host DJ introducing the tracks and breaking down the concepts. Dr. West almost sounds like one of The Last Poets, it's a welcome voice and nice to hear (if I may say) the elders supporting a young artist's efforts. Tracks such as "Bulletproof" Featuring Ludacris, "The Greatness" with Wale and "Mr. Right" are worth a listen or two.3. Usher - Raymond V. Raymond
I was a bit hesitant after Usher's last album and his subsequent divorce to pick this album up at first. Did you know that Vibe Magazine did a poll that showed the correlation between artist marriages vs. divorces and record sales? Some artist don't fare to well. But Mr. Raymond seems to have won the battle at least against himself and the last not-so-good album. Or maybe women were exited he was "free" again?
Every track released off this album has been worth a head nod and perhaps even a Michael Jackson knee twist and pelvic thrust or two. Songs such as "Hey Daddy", "There Goes My Baby", "Lil Freak" with Nicki Minaj and the will.i.am produced "OMG" are all tracks that let us know that Raymond may just be the man we thought he could sonically be. Maybe...
I was a bit hesitant after Usher's last album and his subsequent divorce to pick this album up at first. Did you know that Vibe Magazine did a poll that showed the correlation between artist marriages vs. divorces and record sales? Some artist don't fare to well. But Mr. Raymond seems to have won the battle at least against himself and the last not-so-good album. Or maybe women were exited he was "free" again?Every track released off this album has been worth a head nod and perhaps even a Michael Jackson knee twist and pelvic thrust or two. Songs such as "Hey Daddy", "There Goes My Baby", "Lil Freak" with Nicki Minaj and the will.i.am produced "OMG" are all tracks that let us know that Raymond may just be the man we thought he could sonically be. Maybe...
4. Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea
Am I the only person who waited for this album? No, even my brother in law wanted to know what would happen after the untimely death of Corinne Bailey Rae's husband Jason Rae in 2008. Fortunately, for you there is not one somber, tear jerker on this album. Even the songs that may hint at any sign of remorse "Are You Here" and "I Would Like To Call It Beauty" still shine light on a possible hope that exist even in the face of sorrow. Mrs. Rae does not disappoint with upbeat songs like "The Blackest Lilly" and "Closer" this is the subtle, yet profound Corinne Bailey Rae we have grown to slip right into and enjoy.
Am I the only person who waited for this album? No, even my brother in law wanted to know what would happen after the untimely death of Corinne Bailey Rae's husband Jason Rae in 2008. Fortunately, for you there is not one somber, tear jerker on this album. Even the songs that may hint at any sign of remorse "Are You Here" and "I Would Like To Call It Beauty" still shine light on a possible hope that exist even in the face of sorrow. Mrs. Rae does not disappoint with upbeat songs like "The Blackest Lilly" and "Closer" this is the subtle, yet profound Corinne Bailey Rae we have grown to slip right into and enjoy.5.Sade - Soldier of Love
Do I really need to say anything? It's Sade. Sade releases a new album ever 7.5 to 10 years, and while you have to be ready to sink into a Sade album, it is always welcome when one appears on the horizon. It's like awaiting sunrise or Hayley's comet or an eclipse or something else more mystical like unicorns. You enjoy it when it comes. Oooh and Ahh how someone who only releases an album infrequently retains a very loyal fan base and take furious notes if your an artist. Sade has a secret and someone should be documenting this!
Do I really need to say anything? It's Sade. Sade releases a new album ever 7.5 to 10 years, and while you have to be ready to sink into a Sade album, it is always welcome when one appears on the horizon. It's like awaiting sunrise or Hayley's comet or an eclipse or something else more mystical like unicorns. You enjoy it when it comes. Oooh and Ahh how someone who only releases an album infrequently retains a very loyal fan base and take furious notes if your an artist. Sade has a secret and someone should be documenting this!6. Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid: Suites II & III
Janelle is another one who doesn't need much said, you need to sit back watch and listen. Janelle is making moves and creating a slow rumble, but be aware, with cats like the Dungeon Family behind her Janelle is in great musical company. Sit back if you want to but I dare you to try and sit still while "Tightrope" is playing or while the video plays, I bet you can't!
Janelle is another one who doesn't need much said, you need to sit back watch and listen. Janelle is making moves and creating a slow rumble, but be aware, with cats like the Dungeon Family behind her Janelle is in great musical company. Sit back if you want to but I dare you to try and sit still while "Tightrope" is playing or while the video plays, I bet you can't!7. Monica - Still Standing
Monica gets a nod for using Deniece Williams's "Silly" in the Missy Produced Track "Everything To Me". The song hits you straight out the gate, but I think its reminiscent quality of the music from "Silly" that really draws old school R&B listeners in. Every producer knows if you can hook the audience with something familiar you've got the listeners ear, even if they can't remember the title of the original song.
Monica gets a nod for using Deniece Williams's "Silly" in the Missy Produced Track "Everything To Me". The song hits you straight out the gate, but I think its reminiscent quality of the music from "Silly" that really draws old school R&B listeners in. Every producer knows if you can hook the audience with something familiar you've got the listeners ear, even if they can't remember the title of the original song. 8. Alicia Keys - The Element of Freedom
Alicia gets on the list simply for "Un-thinkable". The Drake/Alicia penned song is undeniably hit. Some of the other songs fall kind of flat, I don't care too much for the Beyonce Single. The track "This Bed" has a nice Prince feel to it. But, besides the initial single, "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart" There is not much alluding to any elements of true musical freedom on this album.
Alicia gets on the list simply for "Un-thinkable". The Drake/Alicia penned song is undeniably hit. Some of the other songs fall kind of flat, I don't care too much for the Beyonce Single. The track "This Bed" has a nice Prince feel to it. But, besides the initial single, "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart" There is not much alluding to any elements of true musical freedom on this album.9. Jaheim - Another Round
I think people are sleeping on this album. Song like "Ain't Leavin' Without You" and "Finding My Way Back" got the attention of a listener who really wasn't on Team Jaheim. Anything is possible with good production and lyrics.
I think people are sleeping on this album. Song like "Ain't Leavin' Without You" and "Finding My Way Back" got the attention of a listener who really wasn't on Team Jaheim. Anything is possible with good production and lyrics.10. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way
I don't live in a major,major city, but Sharon Jones & her Kings have come through and performed twice before July this year alone! This former Riker's Island Corrections Officer gets more respect than Rick Ross in the right circles and can command a crowd in an amazing way. She is making music that sounds like it was created in the late 60s to Early 70s , but it's 2010! Real soul cannot be created in a lab and Sharon brings it straight from the depths of her soul. Some think she is the catalyst to reviving the funk/soul area.
Please feel free to let me know if I missed anything, or if there is an album you're really digging and I totally ignored it. Charge it to my ears and not to my heart.
I don't live in a major,major city, but Sharon Jones & her Kings have come through and performed twice before July this year alone! This former Riker's Island Corrections Officer gets more respect than Rick Ross in the right circles and can command a crowd in an amazing way. She is making music that sounds like it was created in the late 60s to Early 70s , but it's 2010! Real soul cannot be created in a lab and Sharon brings it straight from the depths of her soul. Some think she is the catalyst to reviving the funk/soul area.Please feel free to let me know if I missed anything, or if there is an album you're really digging and I totally ignored it. Charge it to my ears and not to my heart.
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