About.com R & B

R. Kelly is Still "Number One"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:09:01 +0000

Alright, the official word came down earlier this week: R. Kelly's tenth studio album, Untitled, drops Dec. 1, 2009. And in order to give Untitled a fresh sound, Kellz worked with a crew of up-and-coming producers, plus recorded some songs in Atlanta instead�of doing everything in�his hometown of Chicago, like he's always done in the past.�You might�be familiar with the album's first official single, "Number One," since it's already a top 10 hit and has been all over VH1 Soul for weeks. But in case you haven't heard this braggadocious sexual duet, which�features Keri Hilson, you can stream it by clicking the link below.

"Number One" feat. Keri Hilson audio (MP3)

R. Kelly is Still "Number One" originally appeared on About.com R & B on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 20:09:01.

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Seal Says "I Am Your Man"

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:10:30 +0000

Seal is about to release a greatest hits album on Dec. 8 called - wait for it - Hits. Hits will span his 20-year career as a singer-songwriter and will have 16 of his�biggest hit songs, plus two brand new ones. The 'new' recordings, though, are actually remakes; one is "I Am Your Man" written by Ashford & Simpson and originally recorded by Bobby Taylor. The other is Sly and The Family Stone's classic "Thank You." Seal's currently in the studio recording an all-new album of original material for 2010 release, but for now, you can stream his version of "I Am Your Man" by clicking the link below.

"I Am Your Man" audio stream (Windows Media)

Seal Says "I Am Your Man" originally appeared on About.com R & B on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 18:10:30.

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Recommended R&B Christmas Albums

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:31:18 +0000

R&B albums featuring new and/or classic holiday songs is a tradition that dates back almost as far as R&B itself. Over the years there's been literally hundreds of R&B and Soul artists who've remade traditional Christmas and holiday songs, including Brian McKnight, Mariah Carey and the Jackson 5, among others. And there's also been tens of dozens of Christmas albums recorded with an R&B twist. While we can't go back and revisit every great R&B Christmas album of the past 50 years, this list of a dozen recommended R&B Christmas Albums is dedicated to some of the best R&B-flavored Christmas and holiday albums of the�1990s and 2000s.

Recommended R&B Christmas Albums originally appeared on About.com R & B on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 14:31:18.

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Overdue Review: K'Jon - I Get Around

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:55:15 +0000

Usually�whenever I miss out on reviewing a CD, I just let go and move on. After all, there's lots of new music coming out every month and I can't get to everything that comes along. But about a week ago, I was listening to K'Jon's stellar major-label debut, I Get Around, and remembered that I never reviewed it when it came out three months ago. But the album's so good that it deserves more recognition than it's gotten so far. So with that said, here's your Guide to R&B's highly overdue review of K'Jon's I Get Around.

Overdue Review: K'Jon - I Get Around originally appeared on About.com R & B on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 13:55:15.

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R&B News N Rumors: 11/14/09 Edition

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:55:14 +0000

Some of the more interesting news and rumors from the past week:

ABC will air a special called "Beyonc�: I Am ... Yours" on Thanksgiving night. The show will feature a performance from her "I Am" tour, plus behind-the-scenes footage and a rarely-seen look into her professional life on the road.
Brandy will not be going to a civil trial over her December 2006 car crash - she has reached a settlement with the last remaining plaintiffs.
Janet Jackson will be the opening act for the 2009 American Music Awards on Nov. 22.
Usher's next album, Raymond Vs. Raymond, has been pushed up to December.
Looking for a holiday gift for an R&B/Soul fan? We've got some suggestions.
Rihanna has been named one of Glamour magazine's Women of the Year.
Which men have the worst haircuts in R&B?

R&B News N Rumors: 11/14/09 Edition originally appeared on About.com R & B on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 01:55:14.

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Artist Profile: Angie Stone

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:01:14 +0000

If you've already seen the About R&B/Soul list of the most noteworthy R&B and Soul albums coming out in Nov. '09, then you probably already know that sweet Soul sista Angie Stone is gearing up for the release of her fifth studio album, Unexpected, on Nov. 24. A review of the album will be posted here on this site a few days before the album drops,�but�in the meantime, if�you're not familiar with Ms. Stone or her music, check out your Guide to R&B's mini-bio of Angie to get up to speed.

Album cover � Stax Records.

Artist Profile: Angie Stone originally appeared on About.com R & B on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 11:01:14.

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Best Country/Soul Crossovers

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:55:41 +0000

Believe it or not, although they seem like pretty distant relatives now, R&B and Country used to be close musical cousins back in the day. In the 1960s and '70s many R&B artists, particularly ones from the South, used to remake Country songs and�inject them with a healthy dose of R&B. There's even a name for the mixed genre: Country-Soul. And although you wouldn't know it by looking at contemporary music charts, new Country-Soul albums are still released to this very day.�And with that in mind,�this list celebrates the best Country/Soul collaborations, crossovers and cover songs from over the years.

R&B/Country Crossovers, Covers & Collaborations

Album cover � Liz Toussaint.

Best Country/Soul Crossovers originally appeared on About.com R & B on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 14:55:41.

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2009 Holiday Gift Guide for R&B Fans

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:04:57 +0000

If you're looking for a present for that special R&B/Soul music lover, you're not alone. Unfortunately, one item that would have been a great gift, the DVD of the Michael Jackson documentary This Is It, has been pushed back to 2010. But the good news is, there's still plenty of good stuff out there to give as gifts, some of which you might not even have thought of. So with a few gift ideas for you, here's the About.com 2009 Holiday Gift Guide for R&B and Soul music lovers.

2009 Holiday Gift Guide for R&B Fans originally appeared on About.com R & B on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 02:04:57.

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Album Review: Melanie Fiona - The Bridge

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:01:14 +0000

Thanks to studio wizardry these days, pretty much anyone can put out a hit single. All it takes is a little vocal ability, some self confidence and good producers to tweak the product until it sounds just right. And so any new R&B singer coming out these days is bound to face questions about whether they can really sing. Well, on her debut album,�The Bridge,�which was released via iTunes on Oct. 20, 2009 and will be available everywhere else Nov. 10, Toronto singer Melanie Fiona shows us that although her first hit single,�"Give it to Me Right" benefits from great production, her voice is the true star of the show. For more, check out the full review of Melanie Fiona's The Bridge.

Album Review: Melanie Fiona - The Bridge originally appeared on About.com R & B on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 00:01:14.

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R&B News N Rumors: 11/08/09 Edition

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:55:20 +0000

Some of the more interestin news and rumors from the past week:

Rihanna has broke her silence about the night Chris Brown attacked her, saying he bit her, put her in a headlock and left her bleeding and swollen.
Chris is also talking about that fateful night, telling MTV that the details of what happened "should remain a private matter."
If you bought tickets to Eric Benet's Sexy Soul Tour, it's time to get a refund; the entire tour has been cancelled.
The reborn Soul Train Awards were held in Atlanta last week.
Usher's divorce from Tameka Raymond is now final.
Speaking of divorces, is Toni Braxton next?

R&B News N Rumors: 11/08/09 Edition originally appeared on About.com R & B on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 04:55:20.

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