Poison
Artist: Bell Biv DeVoe
Community Score: 8.00

With so many faceless, sound-alike albums having come out of the "new jack swing" hybrid in the late '80s and early to mid-'90s, it's important to give credit to the form's more creative and imaginative figures. Along with Guy and Bobby Brown, Bell Biv DeVoe (a New Edition spin-off trio comprised of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe)... Read More

Az Yet
Artist: Az Yet
Community Score: 6.21

Az Yet's eponymous debut is an engaging collection of straight-ahead party hip-hop highlighted by the single "Last Night." Although the remainder of the album isn't quite as memorable as "Last Night," there are enough strong moments to make it a worthwhile listen. ~ Leo Stanley, All Music Guide Read More

Free
Artist: For Real

For Real's second album, Free, is an exceptional set of contemporary R&B that straddles the line between swingbeat and old-school vocal harmonies. Even when the songs are weak, the quintet sings with passion and conviction, making Free a joyous, infectious record. ~ Leo Stanley, All Music Guide Read More

The Ultimate Collection
Artist: Patti Austin

Patti Austin's honed vocal instrument (she's been singing since she was five) has nailed its share of hits, but not nearly enough for one of urban/soul/pop's better divas. Her clear, compelling soprano never gets tiring, even though she always keeps it in check. You don't get vocal aerobics from Austin á la Chaka Khan or Whitney Houston; you get... Read More

Rick & Friends
Artist: Rick James

An 11-song collection of Rick James productions that includes solo releases and tracks featuring James working with the Mary Jane Girls, Teena Marie, and Smokey Robinson. Rick explodes on "Super Freak," "17," "You and I," "Give It to Me Baby," "Bustin' Out" (with its spacy dope beat), and "Mary Jane," Rick's funky homage to marijuana. The Mary... Read More

Benet
Artist: Benet

A solid debut from future star Eric Benet and his sister, Lisa. The first single, "Only Want To Be With You," and charted briefly on the R&B charts. The next single, "Rainy Days and Mondays," was a remake of the Carpenters' classic, and Benet does a sensitive and reverent cover with a poignant sax solo by Dave Koz. Producer/writer Sami McKinney... Read More

Always in the Mood
Artist: Gerald Alston

Former Manhattans lead vocalist Gerald Alston has emerged as one of the 1990s' best soul and love singers. His passionate, intense leads never lose their steam or conviction, he wisely avoids doing songs with rappers, and he doesn't let production gimmicks and studio trappings overwhelm his vocals. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide Read More

Womanchild
Artist: Bemshi
Community Score: 10.00

Is she urban contemporary, pop/rock, or world music? Very hard to categorize, Bemshi's debut album, Womanchild, didn't make the playlists of either pop or R&B stations in the U.S. -- and that's a shame because this neglected CD has a lot to offer. To be sure, Womanchild doesn't fit neatly into any one category. The music of Bemshi, an expressive... Read More

I'll Give All My Love to You
Artist: Keith Sweat
Community Score: 8.57

The glut of faceless, interchangeable new jack swing artists plaguing urban contemporary radio in the early '90s served one useful purpose: they reminded you how exciting the originators of the style (Guy, Bobby Brown, and Keith Sweat, among others) could be. When Sweat's overdue sophomore effort, I'll Give All My Love to You, was released in... Read More

Take It to the Floor
Artist: Special Generation

The debut album from the MC Hammer protégés Special Generation produced three single releases. The initial release "Love Me Just for Me" is an easy-flowing single with crossover appeal; however, it rode the Billboard R&B charts for 21 weeks, peaking at number eight. The second release "Spark of Love" is probably the best track from the project.... Read More

Lalah Hathaway
Artist: Lalah Hathaway
Community Score: 6.83

When Lalah Hathaway's self-titled debut album came out in 1990, there was reason to believe that she might evolve into one of the top female R&B singers of the 1990s. Donny Hathaway's daughter certainly had a lot going for her -- not only a big vocal range, but also plenty of charisma, passion, and charm to go with it. The material on this CD... Read More

C.M.B.
Artist: Color Me Badd
Community Score: 7.67

Their debut album includes the hit "I Wanna Sex You Up," which is innovative from an instrumental perspective. ~ Bil Carpenter, All Music Guide Read More

T.E.V.I.N.
Artist: Tevin Campbell
Community Score: 7.00

If T.E.V.I.N. had been recorded by an adult instead of a teenager, the album would still be impressive, but the fact that Tevin Campbell was only 14 years old when this was made makes it all the more amazing. Campbell's voice is remarkably expressive, able to handle both ballads and up-tempo dance tracks without losing confidence. When he has... Read More