I'm officially an old fogey, I know lol...but I'm having one helluva time coming up with the names of popular R&B bands. I don't mean singing groups backed up by various session musicians, I'm talking about R&B/Soul/Whatever bands where members play instrument and have a lead singer.

The radio used to be crammed full with popular R&B bands--Earth, Wind & Fire, Parliament/Funkadelic, Rufus, Kool & The Gand, Commodores, Atlantic Starr, Heatwave, Isley Brothers, Ohio Players, WAR, Sly & The Family Stone, Rose Royce, Maze, etc, etc...Are there any groups like that now on the radio or getting albums in the top 10? I realize there might be since I don't listen to radio much anymore or follow Billboard. If so, who are they? Black Eyed Peas? lol..

Yeah but I doubt they're ever publicized. I hope that changes.

The most recent one is Mint Condition. That's about it. smh

Actualy when I first saw Black Eyes Peas on the Warped Tour in 1999, they had a live band and seemed to be trying to do something kind of like the Roots. They were cool, had a good band, decent hooks. I don't know what the fuck hapenned.

Alexandra & The Starlight Band are a decent white R&B band from LA, you might give them a shot.

The Black Eyed Peas are a ripoff act. They made it big ripping off Tribe and continue to rip off just about anything that would sell. I knew it was over at "Where is the love"... da fuq?

Will used to roll with Eazy E lol. Wonder what E would think of this clown now? He thought Dr. Dre was a sellout too.

Regarding R&B bands, we live in an era of music where one crappy song somehow gives the artist unlimited cash, Benzes, hoes, all that.

Why share the wealth? Computers can make all the music and you can pay session artists to pretend to care about what they play. There is no money in making music. There is money in making product. Thats why there are no 4 piece bands making soul music, who needs a drummer, guitarist, and bass player? You can make 400 tracks of nonsense. And keep the profit for yourself.

Til I find a righteous one, computer blew.

the Pop Ascension phenomena beginnning in 1987 began the process of ripping the core out of black authenticity in the realm of music and left it in shambles

R&B barely exists anymore, period!

Sad 2 report, but no. Gone are the days when bands like The Time, The S.O.S. Band, The Dazz Band, The Bar Kays, Cameo, Starpoint, Klymaxx, Parliament, Funkadelic, Stone City Band, B.B. & Q. Band, Change, High Fashion, Ebonee Webb, Fatback, etc...dominated the charts/R&B Scene.

p.s. Happy Holidays, every-1!

They like to separate him but I think Robert Glasper and his band is an R&B band so there you have it... the Roots are somewhat R&B-ish despite their ties to hip-hop.

Yeah, they still exist!

[img:$uid]http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r606/WKRP-FM/Untitled-2_zps8abd718b.jpg[/img:$uid]

G3000 said:

Yeah, they still exist!

[img:$uid]http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r606/WKRP-FM/Untitled-2_zps8abd718b.jpg[/img:$uid]

Anybody ever heard of Bad Rabbits? Looks like they're trying to do the R&B band thing.

and

What y'all think?

Yes, there's Mint Condition who are supreme live, and then there's the Robert Glasper Experiment which is a mixture of jazz and R&B.

Though Mint Condition has been around for 20+ years now, they don't get the credit that they well deserve. Stokely Williams sounds EXACTLY as he did in '91.

kitbradley said:

R&B barely exists anymore, period!

So the answer appears to be "no", then? lol...intersting that the Grammy category of Best R&B Performance by a duo or group has been made up almost entirely of duos over the past decade, rarely is there an actual group nominated.

Would Little Dragon count?

The real question is why have white and black musicians diverged in this way? Young white musicians still form bands and rehearse in garages. Blacks used to do the same thing (Prince emerged out of a whole scene of young black kids playing together), but either they're not doing it as much now or the ones who are doing it are being ignored. I suspect it's the former, not the latter.

That begs the question; why? The stock answer is just to say hip-hop killed it off, but it can't be that simple. There must be more to it.

midnightmover said:

The real question is why have white and black musicians diverged in this way? Young white musicians still form bands and rehearse in garages. Blacks used to do the same thing (Prince emerged out of a whole scene of young black kids playing together), but either they're not doing it as much now or the ones who are doing it are being ignored. I suspect it's the former, not the latter.

That begs the question; why? The stock answer is just to say hip-hop killed it off, but it can't be that simple. There must be more to it.

To put it in to terms of race is to sort of stray from the monetary issues that come with having a band.

I think if anything "black kids" are more into buying computers/"pro tools" and trying to be Weezie. Kids in general. It looks and sounds so easy. Easy to make crap computer music and easy to be a solo act as there is less to coordinate and less mouths to feed.

I've seen several soul/R&B acts with fully integrated bands recently, they just aren't "big" or signed. Hell if you visit the site for BB Kings or DROM you'll see mostly racially mixed bands.

[Edited 12/18/13 7:10am]

jeidee said:

midnightmover said:

The real question is why have white and black musicians diverged in this way? Young white musicians still form bands and rehearse in garages. Blacks used to do the same thing (Prince emerged out of a whole scene of young black kids playing together), but either they're not doing it as much now or the ones who are doing it are being ignored. I suspect it's the former, not the latter.

That begs the question; why? The stock answer is just to say hip-hop killed it off, but it can't be that simple. There must be more to it.

To put it in to terms of race is to sort of stray from the monetary issues that come with having a band.

I think if anything "black kids" are more into buying computers/"pro tools" and trying to be Weezie. Kids in general. It looks and sounds so easy. Easy to make crap computer music and easy to be a solo act as there is less to coordinate and less mouths to feed.

I've seen several soul/R&B acts with fully integrated bands recently, they just aren't "big" or signed. Hell if you visit the site for BB Kings or DROM you'll see mostly racially mixed bands.

[Edited 12/18/13 7:10am]

Confusing post this. Starts off like you're dismissing the race factor, then you go on to talk about it yourself, but you put the phrase "black kids" in inverted commas, almost as if "black kids" are a figment of my imagination, lol. Then you talk about soul "acts" with integrated bands. Are these "acts" just solo artists with bands backing them or are they bands in their own right? Are they covers bands? Your post is not very clear.

midnightmover said:

The real question is why have white and black musicians diverged in this way? Young white musicians still form bands and rehearse in garages. Blacks used to do the same thing (Prince emerged out of a whole scene of young black kids playing together), but either they're not doing it as much now or the ones who are doing it are being ignored. I suspect it's the former, not the latter.

That begs the question; why? The stock answer is just to say hip-hop killed it off, but it can't be that simple. There must be more to it.

This is what I'm saying...with the addition of whether or not record labels are actively chosing not to seek out R&B bands for monetary reasons (easier/cheaper to produce solo acts, maybe?). Or has R&B just strayed away from the band "genre" (so to speak) and is overwhelmingly a solo act genre now.

jeidee said:

midnightmover said:

The real question is why have white and black musicians diverged in this way? Young white musicians still form bands and rehearse in garages. Blacks used to do the same thing (Prince emerged out of a whole scene of young black kids playing together), but either they're not doing it as much now or the ones who are doing it are being ignored. I suspect it's the former, not the latter.

That begs the question; why? The stock answer is just to say hip-hop killed it off, but it can't be that simple. There must be more to it.

To put it in to terms of race is to sort of stray from the monetary issues that come with having a band.

I think if anything "black kids" are more into buying computers/"pro tools" and trying to be Weezie. Kids in general. It looks and sounds so easy. Easy to make crap computer music and easy to be a solo act as there is less to coordinate and less mouths to feed.

I've seen several soul/R&B acts with fully integrated bands recently, they just aren't "big" or signed. Hell if you visit the site for BB Kings or DROM you'll see mostly racially mixed bands.

[Edited 12/18/13 7:10am]

But why do you think that's not happening within rock like it is within R&B? Then again, you really don't have solo acts in rock, do you? lol...

charles bradley (w/ menahan street band)

sugarman 3

jc brooks and the uptown sound

orgone

Byron said:

jeidee said:

To put it in to terms of race is to sort of stray from the monetary issues that come with having a band.

I think if anything "black kids" are more into buying computers/"pro tools" and trying to be Weezie. Kids in general. It looks and sounds so easy. Easy to make crap computer music and easy to be a solo act as there is less to coordinate and less mouths to feed.

I've seen several soul/R&B acts with fully integrated bands recently, they just aren't "big" or signed. Hell if you visit the site for BB Kings or DROM you'll see mostly racially mixed bands.

[Edited 12/18/13 7:10am]

But why do you think that's not happening within rock like it is within R&B? Then again, you really don't have solo acts in rock, do you? lol...

Well, that's pretty easy. You don't create traditional rock music with computers. And even when you're able to play several instruments and could record music on your own, you still need people to play them for you, when you want to perform live, which is really the traditional way for a rock artist to "make it". Play live until you get a following, get noticed and hopefully get a record deal. Solo acts in the rock genre usually only stem from people being kicked out of a band or not getting along with the band mates and not being willing to compromise and rely on other people anymore. Of course you also have your rock solo acts that are disguised as a band, but really are more of a solo act, like Megadeth, Bon Jovi, Smashing Pumpkins, Danko Jones, Whitesnake, Soulfly and in it's current form GNR.

midnightmover said:

jeidee said:

To put it in to terms of race is to sort of stray from the monetary issues that come with having a band.

I think if anything "black kids" are more into buying computers/"pro tools" and trying to be Weezie. Kids in general. It looks and sounds so easy. Easy to make crap computer music and easy to be a solo act as there is less to coordinate and less mouths to feed.

I've seen several soul/R&B acts with fully integrated bands recently, they just aren't "big" or signed. Hell if you visit the site for BB Kings or DROM you'll see mostly racially mixed bands.

[Edited 12/18/13 7:10am]

Confusing post this. Starts off like you're dismissing the race factor, then you go on to talk about it yourself, but you put the phrase "black kids" in inverted commas, almost as if "black kids" are a figment of my imagination, lol. Then you talk about soul "acts" with integrated bands. Are these "acts" just solo artists with bands backing them or are they bands in their own right? Are they covers bands? Your post is not very clear.

I was dismissing the race factor. It is irrelevant as race is irrelevant to R&B music in 2013. R&B music is borderline irrelevant as a genre in 2013.

I was referring to the line "Blacks used to do the same thing (Prince emerged out of a whole scene of young black kids playing together)" in the previous post. I put the phrase in quotes as it seems all kids these days in general are more concerned with playing with themselves (pun intended in several ways) than each other.

The acts are bands. Lineups change. Life happens. Money happens. Look at Van Halen or P-Funk or even En Vogue and Destiny's Child.

jeidee said:

midnightmover said:

Confusing post this. Starts off like you're dismissing the race factor, then you go on to talk about it yourself, but you put the phrase "black kids" in inverted commas, almost as if "black kids" are a figment of my imagination, lol. Then you talk about soul "acts" with integrated bands. Are these "acts" just solo artists with bands backing them or are they bands in their own right? Are they covers bands? Your post is not very clear.

I was dismissing the race factor. It is irrelevant as race is irrelevant to R&B music in 2013. R&B music is borderline irrelevant as a genre in 2013.

I was referring to the line "Blacks used to do the same thing (Prince emerged out of a whole scene of young black kids playing together)" in the previous post. I put the phrase in quotes as it seems all kids these days in general are more concerned with playing with themselves (pun intended in several ways) than each other.

The acts are bands. Lineups change. Life happens. Money happens. Look at Van Halen or P-Funk or even En Vogue and Destiny's Child.

If you're dismissing the race factor then we can pretty much dismiss your post, as it's avoiding the issue. There is no shortage of young white bands, but where are the black bands? People are throwing names out like Mint Condition, but they're in their 40s at least. Other bands are either old or mostly white with black singers (Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings). What the fuck is going on? Why do so many blacks see it as weird to want to form a band?

[Edited 12/18/13 9:35am]

midnightmover said:

jeidee said:

I was dismissing the race factor. It is irrelevant as race is irrelevant to R&B music in 2013. R&B music is borderline irrelevant as a genre in 2013.

I was referring to the line "Blacks used to do the same thing (Prince emerged out of a whole scene of young black kids playing together)" in the previous post. I put the phrase in quotes as it seems all kids these days in general are more concerned with playing with themselves (pun intended in several ways) than each other.

The acts are bands. Lineups change. Life happens. Money happens. Look at Van Halen or P-Funk or even En Vogue and Destiny's Child.

If you're dismissing the race factor then we can pretty much dismiss your post, as it's avoiding the issue. There is no shortage of young white bands, but where are the black bands? People are throwing names out like Mint Condition, but they're in their 40s at least. Other bands are either old or mostly white with black singers (Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings). What the fuck is going on? Why do so many blacks see it as weird to want to form a band?

[Edited 12/18/13 9:35am]

Sorry I forgot the B in R&B stood for Black. You're true colors are showing, for lack of a better phrase.

This all started in the 80s when bands started replacing their horn sections and drums with synthesizers and drum machines. Prince was one of the major contributors to that outlook although he would later embrace live instrumentation. It brought a fresh and futuristic sound to music, but eventually became a crutch. By the end of the 80s, all or most of rnb was made with synths and drum machines. Remember when bands would fake like they were playing live instruments even though it was obvious it was recorded with synths.The rhythm guitar was the longest hold out and was eventually pushed out by the late 90s.

Alongside the computerization of rnb we had the rise of hip hop which brought in sampling and drum machines. Beat making or track making replaced songwriting. In the late 80s, new jack swing focused on traditional rnb melodies and chords over hip hop beats. By the early 90s, rnb was about singing over hip hop tracks that would otherwise serve as backing for a rapper. The need for musicians in the recording studio pretty much died off. Producers with one or two keyboardists could create everything themselves. The focus came on creating tracks with heavy bass on the kickdrum with floaty synth strings. If you needed distinctive guitar riffs or horns, just sample older music.

Most musicans today make their money as a backing band for Rnb singers on tour. Most of them are probably playing over backing tracks to give the live performance a bigger sound.

Of course, there are bands out there who aren't getting a lot of attention, but they are out there. I think a lot them need solid songwriting and an image that can capitivate a large demographic. Just because you play live instruments doesn't mean people are going to go crazy about you.

jeidee said:

midnightmover said:

If you're dismissing the race factor then we can pretty much dismiss your post, as it's avoiding the issue. There is no shortage of young white bands, but where are the black bands? People are throwing names out like Mint Condition, but they're in their 40s at least. Other bands are either old or mostly white with black singers (Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings). What the fuck is going on? Why do so many blacks see it as weird to want to form a band?

[Edited 12/18/13 9:35am]

Sorry I forgot the B in R&B stood for Black. You're true colors are showing, for lack of a better phrase.

I don't believe in glossing over uncomfortable issues. I'm interested in truth. Fact is, most rock artists are white and r&b is proportionately far more black. Sorry to break the news to you.

[Edited 12/18/13 12:47pm]