AllMusic 2014 Year in Review
Favorite R&B Albums
While D'Angelo stole the R&B spotlight at the tail end of 2014, there were plenty of other worthy R&B albums released this year, including Pharrell's monster record, K. Michelle's excellent sophomore album, and new sets from Mary J. Blige and Sharon Jones.
The mature R&B singer and songwriter's second album has much more to offer than her merely enjoyable 2008 debut.
Excellent, often grim full-length debut from one of the most exciting young artists in 2010s contemporary R&B.
A satisfying set of classic-style soul with a modern edge, with outstanding vocals and lean, rock-influenced arrangements.
An impressive proper debut from this Manchester, England-based R&B singer and songwriter involves Pharrell Williams, Bernard Butler, and Marsha Ambrosius.
Chicago Winds...The Saga Continues
A fine return to secular R&B, produced and written almost entirely by Warryn Campbell and Eric Dawkins.
Dionne Farris / Charlie Hunter
An inspired collaboration as well as a deeply heartfelt homage to one of R&B's legends.
Another satisfying clutch of mature R&B songs, with guests including Dave Hollister, Pharoahe Monch, and Tracey Lee.
The multi-talented artist's first full-length expands on her innovative sounds and bittersweet sensuality.
Sophomore album of inspired instrumental soul from these Afro-funk revivalists.
Another high-quality, double-length set from the U.K.'s premier jazz-R&B group, featuring a cover of Atlantic Starr's "Silver Shadow."
The singer's predominantly uptempo third album features three collaborations with Pharrell Williams and other neo-disco moves.
Chiefly produced by Machine Drum, this offers the best yet from the poetic, breathy-voiced alternative R&B gallant.
Boosted by a handful of full-bodied grooves that recall late-'70s and early-'80s R&B, this is one of the genre veteran's best albums.
The ambitious singer and songwriter melds soul, jazz, funk, and rock to create a dizzying, provocative new collection.
Even better than the R&B singer and songwriter's debut, additional proof that she's simultaneously larger than life and 100-percent real.
Karl Denson / Karl Denson's Tiny Universe
Containing exploitation film cues, rock and funk covers, and jazz-funk originals, this is the band's most adventurous set to date.
The certified chef's sixth studio album is one of her best releases, a fruitful alliance with TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek.
Aja Graydon and Fatin Dantzler's fifth album of relatable adult R&B, pleasingly short on guest vocal appearances, is among their best work.
This succinct, largely upbeat, wholly R&B set from one of the genre's most consistent voices features guest appearances from...nobody.
Lee Fields / Lee Fields & the Expressions
The singer and his band evolve their brand of gritty retro-soul into one that distinctively bears their own signature.
More quiet, carnal fire from the Grammy-nominated R&B singer, songwriter, and producer.
The queen of hip-hop soul and Rodney Jerkins work with emerging U.K. talent for a mix of aching ballads and substantive dance tracks.
Musically and emotionally a subdued continuation of Devil's Halo and Weather, this involves some of the underappreciated artist's rawest songwriting.
Naomi Shelton / Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens
Second album from the rediscovered soul and gospel vocalist is less churchy, but just as passionate and impressive.
Stoic and sensual like Chris Isaak and Roy Orbison before him, Waterhouse adds indie and abstract to the mix on the great Holly.
Pharrell follows his astonishingly successful 2013 with a set of frivolous and upbeat pop-R&B, featuring the number one single "Happy."
Sharon Jones / Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
Give the People What They Want
Reigning queen of classic soul revivalism shines on her fifth album of powerful, horn-heavy grooves.
Veteran Minneapolis R&B singer makes a striking comeback with young retro-soul band the Lakers, delivering plenty of good groove.
A stellar set of slow jams from a singer whose career was considered D.O.A. in 2008.
The group limits its use of vocalists to Ellla Thompson and Kylie Auldist in an inspired set of gritty psych pop and retro soul.
On its fantastic fourth album, the ten- piece unit shifts gears, embracing stoner psych and soundtrack funk in its signature sound.
Funk grooves, greasy Memphis-styled soul stomps, breezy jazz touches, and enough joyous bounce to get the whole world to take to the dancefloor.
The third studio effort from these Michigan soul and funk revivalists is a catalog of good grooves from all across the U.S.A.
Pleasing and promising debut from a model and actor who vividly displays her talent as an R&B singer and songwriter.
![Trigga [Deluxe Version]](https://fastly-s3.allmusic.com/release/mr0004176758/front/400/7MmprkJIzsrruTneySzxyFWnbEN5fCjifro6xhIBuB4=.jpg)
One of the most flagrantly lecherous commercial R&B albums of its time, with sharp hooks and slick productions to spare.