This will be a challenge, but not impossible.

Name ten Rhythm and Blues or Soul songs recorded between 2002 and 2011 that you deem "quintessential" or "classic."

Quintessential is officially defined as:

1. of the pure and essential essence of something.

2. of or pertaining to the most perfect embodiment of something.

See http://dictionary.referen...tessential

Classic is officially defined as:

12.

an artist of work of the first rank, especially one of demonstrably enduring quality.

15.

an artist or artistic production considered a standard.

16. a work that is honored as definitive in its field

[Edited 9/6/11 11:09am]

Without the benefit of my iPod, I will name ten, and I do trend more towards the traditional sound.

"Stop The World," Maxwell (2009)

"Time," Musiq (2002)

"Crazy In Love," Beyonce (2003)

"Say Yes," Floetry (2002)

"Golden," Jill Scott (2004) (among MANY JS songs available)

"Down Here In Hell," Van Hunt (2004)

"Closer," Corrine Bailey Rae (2010)

"Honey," Erykah Badu (2007/2008) (among MANY EB songs available)

"Be Easy," Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (2007)

"Maybe So, Maybe No," Mayer Hawthorne (2009)

Raphael Saadiq's last 2 albums have several candidates too. Looking forward to y'all telling me what I missed

Game on,

[Edited 9/6/11 11:31am]

I've picked some material from releases in the specified time frame that I like.
It runs the gamut from traditional to modern takes. From established artists to newer ones.

More into representative bands of the genre (who contribute greatly to the finished product) but did manage to come up with some vocal tracks.

Not sure if these will all meet the "popular" criteria based on current standards.
I do know they are popular amongst folks that I know.


Soulive...



...Back Again (w/Chaka Khan) & Comfort (w/Toussaint)

1st track: Breakout (2005)
2nd track: No Place Like Soul (2007)

You'll notice the band has no bass player.
The bass parts are handled by the SuperFreak keyboard player that is Neal Evans!

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Roachford...



...Everything & Tomorrow

Word of Mouth (2006)

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The Brand New Heavies...



...We've Got

Get Used To It (2006)

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The Family Stand...



...I Thought We Had & Getting Happy

Super Sol Nova (2007)

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Nathan Haines...



...Tell Me What You're Feeling (w/Vanessa Freeman) & Hold On (w/Tama Waipara)

Right Now (2008)

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Mofro...



...Dirtfloorcracker

Lochloosa (2004)

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Lettuce...



...Sam Huff's Flying Ragin' Machine

Rage! (2008)

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Mavis Staples...



...Down In Mississippi

We'll Never Turn Back (2007)

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The Bo-Keys...



...Spanish Delight & Gotta Get Back (w/Otis Clay)

1st track: The Royal Sessions (2004)
2nd track: Got To Get Back! (2011)

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Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

1. Prince - Lavaux

2. Prince - Love

3. Prince - Chelsae Rodgers

4. Jamiroquai - Starchild

5. Jamiroquai - Dynamite

6. Prince - Lolita

7. Denise LaSalle - Snap, Crackle, and Pop

8. Denise LaSalle - Lick It Before You Stick It

9. Prince - Somewhere Here On Earth

10. Prince - Walk In Sand

Cool thread idea, although just what R&B/Soul is is yet to be determined:

Donnie - Cloud 9

Raphael Saadiq -Oh Girl

Seun Kuti - Think Africa

Erykah Badu - I Want You

Musiq - Halfcrazy

Glenn Lewis - Take Me

Van Hunt - Blood From a Heart of Stone

J*Davey - Slooow

Bilal - All Matter

Anthony Hamilton - Do You Feel Me

duccichucka said:

Cool thread idea, although just what R&B/Soul is is yet to be determined:

Donnie - Cloud 9

Raphael Saadiq -Oh Girl

Seun Kuti - Think Africa

Erykah Badu - I Want You

Musiq - Halfcrazy

Glenn Lewis - Take Me

Van Hunt - Blood From a Heart of Stone

J*Davey - Slooow

Bilal - All Matter

Anthony Hamilton - Do You Feel Me

You're right. Can you suggest any definitions for R&B/Soul?

namepeace said:

duccichucka said:

Cool thread idea, although just what R&B/Soul is is yet to be determined:

Donnie - Cloud 9

Raphael Saadiq -Oh Girl

Seun Kuti - Think Africa

Erykah Badu - I Want You

Musiq - Halfcrazy

Glenn Lewis - Take Me

Van Hunt - Blood From a Heart of Stone

J*Davey - Slooow

Bilal - All Matter

Anthony Hamilton - Do You Feel Me

You're right. Can you suggest any definitions for R&B/Soul?

You got me! The only reason why I mentioned this is because how can we call something quintessential if we don't know what it is we are trying to describe? But as you can see,

I know how the word R&B/Soul is used and filled out my list. Nobody knows what R&B/Soul really means.

It's a great thread; I'm only being contrarian.

EDIT: for the sake of discussion, you're gonna have to qualify Beyonce being on your list, potna.

[Edited 9/7/11 13:28pm]

duccichucka said:

namepeace said:

You're right. Can you suggest any definitions for R&B/Soul?

You got me! The only reason why I mentioned this is because how can we call something quintessential if we don't know what it is we are trying to describe? But as you can see,

I know how the word R&B/Soul is used and filled out my list. Nobody knows what R&B/Soul really means.

It's a great thread; I'm only being contrarian.

EDIT: for the sake of discussion, you're gonna have to qualify Beyonce being on your list, potna.

[Edited 9/7/11 13:28pm]

I knew you weren't going to let Bey pass without comment.

I was compelled to include a song on my list that was the best representation of conventional R&B of the period in question. i.e., horn loop + catchy chorus/hook + guest 16 bars. Bey's cut was the best of that period.

Sue me. (wait . . .)

[Edited 9/7/11 20:28pm]

Too hard....... lemme think and come back

In no order:

Jill Scott - The Fact Is (I Need You)

Rahssan Patterson - The One For Me

Amel Larrieux - All I Got

Sa-Ra Creative Partners - Hollywood

Erykah Badu - Love

Bilal - White Turns to Grey

The Foreign Exchange - Authenticity

Joi - Another Rocket

Donnie - Impatient People

Joy Jones - Beautiful

.. there are many, many more but these came to mind.

I wouldn't say these songs has popular impact, but in their own way I think they serve the purpose of this thread, at least in my book In a sloppy order:

1. I Get Out - Lauryn Hill

2. Prototype - Andre 3000

3. Baby - Tweet

4. Not Really Lookin' - Truth Hurts

5. Silver Tongue - Prince

6. Sweet Sour You - Bilal & Sa-Ra Creative Partners

7. Subtle Invitation - Mariah Carey

8. Lucky Day - Faith Evans

9. High On Your Love - Kings Go Forth

10. You've Got The Love I Need - Al Green & Anthony Hamilton

I don't like the fact that my list has a pattern, but the time frame left me no choice. I'm sure this list will change drastically by next week.

Good thread BTW!

Harlepolis said:

I wouldn't say these songs has popular impact, but in their own way I think they serve the purpose of this thread, at least in my book In a sloppy order:

1. I Get Out - Lauryn Hill

2. Prototype - Andre 3000

3. Baby - Tweet

4. Not Really Lookin' - Truth Hurts

5. Silver Tongue - Prince

6. Sweet Sour You - Bilal & Sa-Ra Creative Partners

7. Subtle Invitation - Mariah Carey

8. Lucky Day - Faith Evans

9. High On Your Love - Kings Go Forth

10. You've Got The Love I Need - Al Green & Anthony Hamilton

I don't like the fact that my list has a pattern, but the time frame left me no choice. I'm sure this list will change drastically by next week.

Good thread BTW!

Many thanks, Harl . . . I'd be very hard pressed to doubt your judgment. The thread was jeidee's challenge from another thread and (s)he has YET to respond, though I'm looking forward to seeing what jeidee comes up with.

I tried to keep it contemporary.

Angie Stone - I Ain't Hearin' U
B. Slade - I.R.S.
Dwele - Find A Way
Eric Benet - Sometimes I Cry
Musiq - Sobeautiful
Vivian Green - Emotional Rollercoaster
Raheem DeVaughn - Cadillac
Jaheim - Ain't Leavin' Without You
Ryan Leslie - Wanna Be Good
Van Hunt - Hot Stage Lights

And let me tell y'all somethin'. . . or more accurately, confess somethin'.

This song is shooting up the list and will likely make it there. I confess I've been sleeping on it and the entire album, way too long.

namepeace said:

And let me tell y'all somethin'. . . or more accurately, confess somethin'.

This song is shooting up the list and will likely make it there. I confess I've been sleeping on it and the entire album, way too long.

My original list consisted of Ray Saadiq songs and production for other artists before I scrapped it I think he's to the 00s what Dallas Austin used to be in the 90s in the sense that both artists share the same versetality when it comes to giving the artists they produce individual songs that fit their sound.

I would love it if he collaporated with a lyricist to fit his music though, that would be the cherry on the cake, because Ray's songwriting leaves a WHOLE lot to be desired IMO.

[Edited 9/9/11 12:43pm]

Harlepolis said:

My original list consisted of Ray Saadiq songs and production for other artists before I scrapped it I think he's to the 00s what Dallas Austin used to be in the 90s in the sense that both artists share the same versetality when it comes to giving the artists they produce individual songs that fit their sound.

I would love it if he collaporated with a lyricists to fit his music though, that would've been the cherry on the cake, because Ray's songwriting leaves a WHOLE lot to be desired IMO.

: that's definitely food for thought.

I really have wanted to like RS' work, though it has left me really kind of wanting a little more. I have a few of his albuims including this one. But "Movin' On Down The Line" really fulfills the potential he's displayed, it's a fully formed song. Stone Rollin' is, imo, a confident step forward for him, even considering all he's done.

***wrong emoticon edit.

[Edited 9/9/11 12:47pm]

1. Rehab- Amy Winehouse

2. Spending Time With You- Janet Jackson

3. Love On Top- Beyonce

4. Love Is A Losing Game- Amy Winehouse

5. Rolling In The Deep- Adel

6. Fuck You!- Cee Lo Green

7. Love The Way You Lie (Part II)- Rihanna Feat. Eminem

8. Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down- Alicia Keys

9. One Nite Alone...-Prince

10. Moody's Mood For Love/Teo Licks- Amy Winehouse

[Edited 9/9/11 13:16pm]