The year in R&B and soul brought brilliant returns from music legends alongside artists pushing the boundaries of R&B past any limits. It's a genre where retro and futurism nestle cozily side by side. Here are the 15 best.
This archival gospel soul release never flags, as Elizabeth King fulfills a true calling.
With their gospel soul, the Sensational Barnes Brothers kick off a new label with an old sound, providing good news for everyone.
The Souljazz Orchestra confront current political realities with a mix of reggae, ska, disco, and punk -- plus some jazz and soul, of course -- on Chaos Theories.
Atlanta's Sequoyah Murray has delivered one of the best albums of 2019 with his extraordinary debut Before You Begin.
Grammy-winner Billy Vera spent years working in the Speciality Records vaults and remains close to label founder Art Rupe. "Specialty is right up there with Atlantic, Chess, and Sun in terms of being important." Enjoy an interview with the author and an exclusive book excerpt.
Even before Sister Sledge met Chic, they were making records and appearing on Soul Train. A new collection pulls together the best of Sister Sledge's early years.
There are no half-measures for Kaleta and Super Yamba Band on searing Afrofunk album, Mèdaho.
On her first full album Athena, Sudan Archives is soulful, surreal, and makes music on her own distinct and magnificent terms.
Hannah Williams & the Affirmations, given a boost by Jay-Z, successfully negotiate the hazards of retro-soul on 50 Foot Woman.
While fans of a certain high-profile star are patiently awaiting his much-delayed gospel album, the Harlem Gospel Travelers have arrived just in time with He's on Time.
The mastermind of the Ghost Funk Orchestrahonors the spirit of his grandfather -- and the spirit of Isaac Hayes -- on A Song for Paul.
A new three-disc box set gives listeners a convenient way to collect all of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' Philadelphia International albums. That is, if you don't own them by now.
On "Changes", Chicago's Neal Francis embodies the spirit of classic New Orleans artists such as Dr. John, the Meters, Allen Toussaint as well as the deep and mysterious roots music of Leon Russell.
Sampa the Great's The Return is both a willfully enigmatic and deeply revealing album. It serves as a dazzling celebration of her cultural and musical heritage that will resonate for years to come.
Solid Bronze deliver animated funk, laid-back soul, and sauntering instrumentals on their debut The Fruit Basket.
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