In Effect Mode
Artist: Al B. Sure!
Community Score: 10.00

Supple hip-hop soul crooning comes from this teen prodigy. "Nite and Day," a huge hit from the summer of 1988, is a must-own. ~ John Floyd, All Music Guide Read More

The Best of Luther Vandross: The Best of Love
Artist: Luther Vandross
Community Score: 6.50

By the time this way-overdue double-record hits collection came out, Vandross had done many more R&B singles than could fit on it, so The Best of Luther Vandross ... The Best of Love is inadequate to encompass him. It does, however, contain "Here and Now," which broke Vandross through to the pop Top Ten long after most people had given up hope... Read More

Any Love
Artist: Luther Vandross
Community Score: 8.50

There were some who felt that Vandross suffered a slight slump when this album only reached the platinum level after two consecutive double-platinum winners. But "Here And Now" was a huge smash, and by now the pop crowd was fully aware of Vandross' vocal charms and allure. "She Won't Talk To Me" was a bit on the posturing side, but still managed... Read More

Keep on Movin'
Artist: Soul II Soul
Community Score: 5.85

When American urban-contemporary radio was bombarding its listeners with one Guy clone after another in the late '80s and early '90s, British neo-soulsters like Soul II Soul, Lisa Stansfield, and the Chimes offered highly creative and gutsy alternatives. With influences ranging from Chic to hip-hop to African music, Soul II Soul's debut album,... Read More

My Gift to You
Artist: Alexander O'Neal
Community Score: 9.00

Holiday records were a staple of the Motown, Atlantic, and Stax release schedules during the golden age of soul music, but in the 1980s few R&B acts picked up the baton. Although it hasn't dated particularly well, My Gift to You nevertheless remains an admirable and energetic attempt to revive the Christmas album concept for a new generation,... Read More

Home
Artist: Stephanie Mills

Stephanie Mills majestic voice warrants quality material and production, and this album meets those terms. The first single, if not a ballad then a quiet storm regular, was "Something in the Way You Make Me Feel." While the single is funky and sleek, Mills sultry delivery gives the track that sexy appeal. It landed at the number one spot on the... Read More

Just Coolin'
Artist: LeVert
Community Score: 6.50

Levert scored with both uptempo and ballad cuts on their third Atlantic album. The single "Pull Over" clicked with dance audiences and was aided by a video that neatly played off the lyrical hook. The title track was also an urban contemporary radio hit and successful single, although the overall record didn't match the level of its predecessor,... Read More

The Big Throwdown
Artist: LeVert
Community Score: 10.00

Levert's second album started a run of hits that extended into the 1990s. They earned their first pop hit and second #1 R&B single with "Casanova," while "My Forever Love" was a solid follow-up and excellent ballad. Gerald Levert proved his mettle as a lead singer; although not as explosive as his father, he had a similar gift for communicating... Read More

Secrets of Flying
Artist: Johnny Kemp

Johnny Kemp got an even bigger hit on his second album, "Just Got Paid," which has been absorbed into the general vernacular. He scored a number one R&B hit with it, but unfortunately peaked as an artist once it faded. The rest of the album wasn't anywhere near that level, and Kemp has never come close to duplicating either the song or getting... Read More

Blind to Reason
Artist: Grayson Hugh
Miki Howard
Artist: Miki Howard

Since making her debut as a solo artists in 1986 with the smash single "Come Share My Love," Miki Howard no doubt had her eyes set on attaining that number one song. This album proves to be the facilitator of that quest. There were four featured singles on this set. The first release, the uptempo dance cut "Ain't Nuthin' in the World," grooved... Read More

Rich and Poor
Artist: Randy Crawford
Love Is Such a Funny Game
Artist: Michael Cooper

As the former co-lead singer of Con Funk Shun, Michael Cooper has become accustomed to success as an artist. With the release of his debut solo album, the results are no different. This album features a variety of rhythms. On November 4, 1987, Cooper released his debut single "To Prove My Love." Produced and written by Denzil Foster, Thomas... Read More

Giving You the Best That I Got
Artist: Anita Baker
Community Score: 8.14

The sizeable following that Anita Baker acquired with Rapture proved quite receptive to the only slightly less appealing Giving You the Best That I Got -- an album that's quite similar to its predecessors. Though not quite on a par with The Songstress or Rapture, Best is far superior to most of 1988's uninspired R&B releases. Instead of... Read More

The Real Me
Artist: Patti Austin

And how! Austin tackles standards such as "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "They Can't Take That Away from Me," and succeeds brilliantly. Her version of Comden, Green, and Bernstein's "I Can Cook, Too" is enough by itself to make this a pick. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide Read More

Live at Wembley
Artist: Luther Vandross