[Top 100 R&B/Soul Albums Of The Decade [100-91]

100. Kem

Kemistry (Motown, 2003)

An excellent easy listening mood setter. The smooth jazz/R&B vibe helped send the album from an indie project to Motown favorite.

“Love Calls”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

99. Eric Roberson

The Vault 1.5 (Lost A.R.T, 2004)

A rework of the Vault album, Roberson literally cleaned out the Vault and added a host of more polished songs to create one of the year’s best soul albums.

“She Ought To Know”

[audio:]

98. Amerie

All I Have (Sony, 2002)

More than a pretty face, Amerie jumped on the scene with a sultry hip-hop/soul debut that had everyone thinking she was the next big thing.

“Why Don’t We Fall In Love”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

97. Ciara

Goodies (Laface/Jive/Zomba, 2004)

The Princess of Crunk & B had the goods to turn her debut into a radio-friendly, multi-platinum success thanks to three ubiquitous singles.

“Oh”

[audio:]

96. Amel Larrieux

Bravebird (Bliss Life, 2004)

On her second solo album, Amel Larrieux’s heavenly vocals  fly sky high over a funky fusion of R&B, soul, hip-hop and jazz.

“For Real”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

95. Whitney Houston

I Look To You (Sony/BMG, 2009)

Whitney Houston made her much-anticipated return to the music arena, sans Bobby and the drama, to deliver this critically acclaimed effort.

“Million Dollar Bill”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

94. Monica

After The Storm (J Records, 2003)

The M&M combination of Monica and Missy Elliott worked wonderfully on this the first US release from the ATL diva since 1998′s The Boy Is Mine.

“So Gone”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

93. Tyrese

I Wanna Go There (J Records, 2002)

Before he transformed his career from a top flight R&B vocalist to a blockbuster Hollywood actor, Tyrese put out this album of good ole mid-tempo, baby-making music.

“How You Gonna Act Like That”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

92. Goapele

Even Closer (Skyblaze/Columbia, 2002)

Bay Area songstress, Goapele, held down her coast in the neo-soul genre after the mesmerizing re-worked version of her limited indie album, Closer.

“Closer”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

91. Donnie

The Colored Section (Giant Step, 2003)

Get to know the Atlanta-bred crooner on a first name basis as he recalls the social consciousness of Marvin with a heartfelt voice that sounds like Stevie on this racially charged soul album.

[audio:]

Kristinia DeBarge Soul Summary