It's kind of jazzy and reminiscent of Joni Mitchell. It also reminds me of the early '90s for some reason. I love the sound and would love to hear more music like it. I am very unfamiliar with post-80s R&B so any recommendations no matter how obvious are very welcome. It doesn't have to be from after the '80s either.

Thanks very much in advance!

P.S. (Of course I'm talking about the first pre-rap section).

Perhaps it reminds you of early 90's R&B because it was released in the early 90's?

Find anyone from the 90's and listen. Johnny Gill, Montel Jordan, Michel'le, Naughty By Nature, Next, Mark Morrison, Karyn White, Babyface, Bell Biv Devoe, Bobby Brown, Boyz II Men, etc etc etc.

Also, check Wikipedia for "Year in Music - 1990", 1991, etc. It'll list top hits, albums released, bands formed, bands disbanded, and so forth.

I don't think the first part of Love to the 9's sounds anything like what was popular in the early 90's. Trust me, if you listen to Bobby Brown, Boys II Men and some of those other acts, expecting something like 2 the 9's, you'll be disappointed.

I'd recommend some other Prince songs from that time period, And God Created Woman, Strollin', She Spoke 2 Me, When the Lights Go Down, Damn U, ect. Those songs don't sound alike but they have the same vibe.

Other than that, maybe Steely Dan or certain songs by Sting, such as Englishman in New York. Or am I stretching?
[Edited 6/9/09 1:03am]

xpertluva said:

Not at all, I agree it doesn't really sounds like early 1990s r'n'b new swing. It has more 1960s 1970s 1980s pop, maybe even 50s harmony doo-wop elements and finger snaps in the first verse (the ta-dah type exclamation chords after each couple of lines)

You say that you love me like a river (ta-da-dah)
A river you say'll never run dry
I;d rather here you say forver (ta-da-dah)
Instead of a smile I'd rather see you cry

Romantic music is widespread...Everybody has something sweet and classy.

Babyface is good 4 that feeling. Plenty of girls have nice music too. I really love Vanessa Williams...All of her stuff is loving and romantic to me...Karyn White, too.