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Speaking of black music’s last (hip-hop) band standing,
their most recent critically acclaimed work was actually an
R&B soul release with John Legend.
By most accounts the R&B side of black music has only been
slightly more enjoyable than rap music in recent years. The
subject matter has become one dimensional, and the music
itself bears such resemblance to hardcore rap or pop, that
it’s hard to even say what R&B is these days. But it if it’s
about soulful, melodic audible feelings of love and all that
it entails I would have to take the same stance I did last
week by saying that quality R&B music made a come up this
past year as well.
BEST R&B ALBUM OF 2011
Beyonce 4
Chris Brown: F.A.M.E.
Marsha Ambrosious Late Night, Early Morning
Adele 21
Jennifer Hudson I Remember Me
Rihanna Talk That Talk
Mary J. Blige My Life pt 2.
Overall Summary:
Breezy winning all those B.E.T. hip-hop awards for Look
At Me Now still doesn’t negate the fact that his latest
release features some of the best male vocals the game has
to offer. Production is outstanding, and even the slow songs
feel like R&B we used to have.
And if anyone has any problem with Adele being on this list,
you probably should just stop reading right now.
Jennifer Hudson wasn’t necessarily a mainstay on 106&Park
but giving urban music listeners an adult contemporary sound
showed maturity for her this year. Her lead single “Where
You At” proved R. Kelly can still produce a hit for a female
artist and that she doesn’t have to belt at full voice to
prove she can sing.
I haven’t got my hands on Mary J’s re-incarnation of her
epic My Life album.
Making a part two to something so groundbreaking is almost
certainly an impossible feat, but talking to two music
lovers I trust I’ve heard good things. The buzz was crazy
enough.
Speaking of buzz, Rihanna’s career has quietly become one of
the most bankable of any recent black singer. Some would
argue that her music isn’t “black music,” but I love her Pop
N B mashup style. She’s actually taking her fans and
throwing them together in one pot, instead of just boxing
herself in.
“We Found Love” is a hot single, and if her last album is
any indication of what to expect, than her latest chart
topper is sure to please.
This last Beyonce album reminds of B Day, because it
sincerely had to grow on me.
Everything except “Party,” really had to grow on me.
But besides her aggressive if not insane commitment to shoot
a video for damn near every song on the disc while also
carrying a growing human being inside her womb, this album
is a testament to courage.
“Girls (Run The World)” had one of the dopest instrumentals
yet wackest lyrics ever placed in one space at the same
time, but because it was Beyonce…it still didn’t suck
totally. My favorite songs on the album are “Start Over” and
“1+1”, and even if we just talk vocals…it doesn’t get much
better than B.
Wait, did I just say that?
Vocal talent, raw emotion and impossible skill aren’t just
limited to Mrs. Shawn Carter.
Marsha Ambrosious delivered the type of music this year that
created a buzz I haven’t seen since Jill Scott’s debut.
Every where I went, people were asking if I heard it.
As if it was vital. As if it was some of the best music ever
and demanded to be shared.
Having this album, and playing it as much as I do… I
couldn’t agree more.
Late Night, Early Mornings
is a brilliant balance of Marsha’s neo soul roots and
quality R&B. The concepts, the production, … this album wins
on every level.
But mostly, it’s that woman’s voice. You can’t help but be
moved.
So there you have it, the year in R&B. Feel free to discuss.
Once again… maybe if we stop complaining about how wack our
music is we will enjoy some of it, because there’s certainly
been a turning of the tide.
Just gotta pay attention.
(from last week)
BEST RAP ALBUM OF 2011:
LUPE FIASCO:
L.A.S.E.R.S
WIZ KHALIFA:
ROLLING PAPERS
J. COLE COLE WORLD: THE SIDELINE
STORY
LIL WAYNE CARTER IV
DRAKE TAKE CARE
JAY Z / KANYE WEST WATCH THE THRONE
P.S., no jokes about how Drake’s TAKE CARE should be on the
R&B list..
Peace.
Email or facebook search :
glasscitytruth@yahoo.com
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