[nextpage title=”Intro” desc=”Best R&B albums of 2017.” img=”19768″]

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (Soul of a Woman), Miguel (War & Leisure), and SZA (Ctrl), lead the list of 15 Best R&B Albums of 2017.

After assembling and releasing the list of the 50 Best Albums of 2017, it’s time to roll out the genre-based, year-in-review lists.  In regards to the album-genre year-in-review lists, many of the selected albums also made the 50 Best Albums of 2017.  In some cases, however, the genre-based lists in general add entries that didn’t quite make the cut in the overall, comprehensive lists. In regards to the 15 Best R&B Albums of 2017, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (Soul of a Woman), Miguel (War & Leisure), and SZA (Ctrl) lead the charge.

 

 

 

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”1. Sharon Jones” desc=”Soul of a Woman” img=”18946″]

1. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Soul of a Woman

Daptone

Soul of a Woman, the final album by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, ranks among the collective’s strongest. Late soul singer Sharon Jones sounds as electrifying as ever, delivering performances filled with authenticity, emotion, and grit.  With no miscues, Soul of a Woman is a fitting finale to a phenomenal career.

Gem of Gems: “Call on God”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”2. Miguel” desc=”War & Leisure” img=”19108″]

2. Miguel, War & Leisure

RCA

Urban contemporary musician Miguel delivers on his fourth studio album, War & Leisure. Throughout the course of the album, the production work is superb, the vocals top-rate, and the songwriting on-point. While he lets lust get the best of him at times, more often than not, he shines, particularly moments like “Told You So” where he channels the late, great Prince.

Gem of Gems: “Told You So”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”3. SZA” desc=”Ctrl” img=”15575″]

3. SZA, Ctrl

RCA 

On her proper, major label debut, Ctrl, SZA showcases incredible artistry and proves she’s “got next.” Ctrl is a well assembled urban contemporary album that’s incredible relatable to its listeners. SZA tackles in topics of sex, relationship, adulthood, and self-esteem. She balances simplicity and complexity masterfully.

Gem of Gems: “Love Galore”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”4. Khalid” desc=”American Teen” img=”14610″]

4. Khalid, American Teen

RCA

American Teen showcases the lofty potential up-and-coming teenage R&B artist Khalid possesses. Khalid earned a breakthrough single with “Location,” depicting the desires of his young heart.  In addition to “Location,” Khalid also triumphs with gems including the spirited title track, the melodic “Cold Blooded,” and the dramatic “Shot Down,” which perfectly captures the effects of over infatuation.

Gem of Gems: “Location”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”5. Daniel Caesar” desc=”Freudian” img=”17132″]

5. Daniel Caesar, Freudian

Golden Child Recordings

Canadian R&B has been hot as of late, and 22-year old Daniel Caesar continues to the trend.  On Freudian, he fuses love and spirituality seamlessly.  Artistically, he showcases the utmost potential, never missing the mark.  Freudian ranks as one of the best R&B albums of the year, as well as one of the best albums overall.

Gem of Gems: “We Find Love”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”6…Garzón-Montano ” desc=”Jardín” img=”14649″]

6. Gabriel Garzón-Montano, Jardín

Stones Throw

Who is Gabriel Garzón-Montano? For many “that is [indeed] the question.”  For those who’ve followed indie releases from 2017, they know this singer/songwriter had alternative R&B on lockdown.  Jardín may go down as one of the year’s most underrated efforts, but it should also be placed on every ‘best albums of 2017’ list.

Gem of Gems: “Crawl” 

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”7. Charlie Wilson” desc=”In It to Win It” img=”14626″]

7. Charlie Wilson, In It to Win It

RCA 

Charlie Wilson is the model of consistency in R&B music.  The former lead vocalist for the Gap Band arguably possesses one of the best voices ever.  Honestly, he could “sing the songbook” and have a solid project on his hands. At 64, he proves he is still a musical force on the fine, somewhat underrated album, In It to Win It.  On In It to Win It, he doesn’t change the formula or rewrite the script, nor does he need to. In It to Win It was in contention for the 50 Best Albums of 2017, just missing the cut.

Gem of Gems: “Smile for Me”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”8. Kehlani ” desc=”SweetSexySavage” img=”13976″]

8. Kehlani, SweetSexySavage

Atlantic 

Kehlani proves she’s among the up-and-coming bright spots in urban contemporary music on her debut album, SweetSexySavage.  Her best attribute is her voice. Vocally, she’s a beast, without question. Although SSS is too long, she delivers hits with the likes of “Distraction,” “CRZY,” and “Advice.” SweetSexySavage was in contention for the 50 Best Albums of 2017, just missing the cut.

Gem of Gems: “Distraction”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”9. K. Michelle” desc=”Kimberly…” img=”18380″]

9. K. Michelle, Kimberly: The People I Used to Know

Atlantic

Kimberly: The People I Used to Know, the fourth studio album by K. Michelle, gives is yet another enjoyable, well-rounded album.  If nothing else, she shows how versatile she is artistically, bouncing between being unapologetic, showing class, and always flaunting her magnificent voice. The album runs a bit long, but, there’s definitely something for everybody.

Gem of Gems: “Make This Song Cry”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”10. Keyshia Cole” desc=”11:11 Reset” img=”18318″]

10. Keyshia Cole, 11:11 Reset

Epic

11:11 Reset is a return to form for Keyshia Cole.  The vocals are excellent, there are some great songs, and the production is beautiful.  This is a well-rounded R&B album. She may be ‘rough around the edges,’ but her classy vocals shine like a beacon, particularly on ballads like  “Incapable” and “Vault.”

Gem of Gems: “Incapable”

 

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”11. Daley” desc=”The Spectrum” img=”16012″]

11. Daley, The Spectrum

BMG Rights Management

British R&B musician Daley drops an excellent sophomore album with The Spectrum.  Vocally, he sounds on-point throughout the entirety of the project.  Face it – it’s hard to find someone with a sweeter falsetto. There are no duds, though arguably, the project loses a bit of steam towards the end.  Regardless, The Spectrum was worth the three-year hiatus and underappreciated or not, Daley is a beast.

Gem of Gems: “Until the Pain is Gone”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”12. Mali Music” desc=”The Transition of Mali” img=”15503″]

12. Mali Music, The Transition of Mali

RCA

The Transition of Mali, the second secular album by former gospel artist Mali Music, proves to be another respectable, well-rounded affair.  Even though Mali Music is characterized as an R&B artist these days, there’s plenty of spirit – as in spirituality – apparent throughout the course of his music.  The Transition of Mali, hence, plays well to both the secular and the spiritual crowds.

Gem of Gems: “Gonna Be Alright” 

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”13. Mary J. Blige” desc=”Strength of a Woman” img=”14923″]

13. Mary J. Blige, Strength of a Woman

Capitol

Had this been 2005, a new Mary J. Blige album would be receiving much more buzz than Strength of a Woman has in 2017.  For the first time in years MJB has the pain to fuel her fire, given her messy divorce with Kendu Isaacs. This isn’t The Breakthrough 2.0, but it is enjoyable, thoughtful, and ultimately, effective.

Gem of Gems: “Love Yourself”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”14. Ty Dolla $ign” desc=”Beach House 3″ img=”17888″]

14. Ty Dolla $ign, Beach House 3

Atlantic

Beach House 3 is a relatively big album that has some fine, enjoyable musical moments. While 20 songs is ‘pushing it,’ the album only clocks in at 51 minutes, which isn’t too shabby.  Not every experiment works throughout the course of Beach House 3, but Ty Dolla $ign remains a restless, compelling artist, and this album showcases his versatility.

Gem of Gems: “Dawsin’s Breek”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”15. Ledisi” desc=”Let Love Rule” img=”16799″]

15. Ledisi, Let Love Rule

Verve

Let Love Rule gives Ledisi another consistent, enjoyable R&B album.  Perhaps this isn’t her best album, but there’s NO SHAME in that. She’s been brilliant throughout her career.  Face it – topping Lost and Found or Turn Me Loose is no easy task.  With each album, Ledisi continues to flex, ‘doing her thing.’ Let Love Rule is no different. 

Gem of Gems: “High”

Photo Credits: Daptone, RCA, Golden Child Recordings, Stones Throw, Atlantic, Epic, BMG Rights Management, Capitol, Verve

[/nextpage]