(via funkmysoul.gr)
I’ve been utterly engrossed in R&B music as of late, particularly Archie Bell And The Drells. To be frank, I have literally listened to all of their songs every single day since a friend reintroduced me to the music, a few weeks ago, at a dinner party where I played Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, and lots of swing jazz and Motown hits to heighten the ambience. I knew I’d heard Archie Bell And The Drells’ Tighten Up before but couldn’t recall my aural experience. Anyway, Tighten Up was definitely the icing on the cake for that evening, musically speaking. Oh, why didn’t I discover their music sooner?
Archie Bell And The Drells has created plenty of brilliant singles that one ought to give some listen to. I can’t get enough of their funky, exuberant soul beats, not to mention the splendid instrumentation and Archie’s passionate and powerful lead vocals.
Alas, the contemporary, commercialized so-called R&B music of today is nothing like Archie Bell And The Drells and the likes of The Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Butler and Ray Charles. Fortunately, our infinite access to music makes it possible to maintain the connection with the past, which is great as R&B has indeed gone downhill after its heyday. Too bad it seems like the majority of contemporary R&B listeners are far from familiar with the original R&B music.
Anyhow, I’ve compiled a list consisting of some of my favorite R&B songs on spotify. Check it out here. You might like it!
A lot less talent is required these days to put out a record…for better or for worse. I'm partial to r&b from the 90s to the mid 2000s: my beloved Aaliyah, Timbaland, Missy, and Ginuwine. Whenever I hear those it makes me so nostalgic for my childhood. But I also enjoy hearing Barry White, Isley Brothers, and of course classic Michael Jackson on the radio. For me, Billie Jean, is hands down THE BEST song I've ever heard.
There's nothing like old school music like this. Although I can't listen to music like this without dancing. It just makes you want to get up and dance. I grew up listening to a lot of these oldies on my parents record player. I agree with Prêt à Porter P I'll always love MJ. I use to know all the choreography to Thriller, Bille Jean, etc.
Thank you for sharing this list. You have extremely good taste in music! I've discovered so many new songs and artists thanks to you and your blog. I've always thought of R&B as Rihanna, Akon, Usher ++ (which is music I detest). Thanks for enlightening me, Fleurette. Your blog rock ;)
I like how old R&B focused on the strength of the singer's voice. It evolved into something with too much distraction for me
Very enlightening post! I've only listened to Ray Charles (and love his songs!) so I will definitely go check out Archie Bell And The Drells. btw do you know that Spotify may start charging from May onwards?http://www.spotify.com/int/blog/archives/2011/04/14/upcoming-changes-to-spotify-free-open/x
Also I would love to hear your play a piano piece!
Hi, just one question: what was that site about make up and products you once recomended on formspring?thanks
My parents have the Archie Bell and the Drells record. "Tighten Up" is fabulous!
Hey, thanks for the impetus to finally get Spotify! I like the playlist, not my usual thing but it's good to adventure now and then :)
Jeg og Øyvind har også sittet og hørt masse på Archie Bell i dag! Fiiint ♥
Pret a Porter P: You're right, let alone R&B is all about money and image today. Oh, I love Barry White! His music makes me kind of nostalgic for my childhood, haha.Lindsay K: Haha, not only does the music make you want to dance (R&B IS dance music, no wonder you want to dance!), but it put you in an incredibly good mood.Anonymous: Oh, thank you kindly for the sweetness. I'm happy you found my playlists useful i a way :-)L.L.: Agreed. Additionally, old R&B is pervaded with blues, jazz and gospel influences, which are absent in today's contemporary R&B music. And, haha, I don't know if I want to post a video of me playing.. it's too personal!K.: I know, i read that a few weeks ago.. oh well, software that seems too good to be true usually is.Gabriela: Hmm, i don't think I've recommended any apart from intothegloss.com and Kiehl's products?Reese: Ooh, lucky!!!Alannarama: Hurray! Glad you liked it!Carina: Jeg og!! På t-banen og bussen. ♥
You are so true. I love the oldschool R & B. Missy, Timbaland and Aaliyah are favorites of mine too. Nowadays I notice that I am listening more to oldschool music. I really love it. Not saying that all the music at this moment is bad. It is different…Great article!x
oh and congrats with the popularity of your blog. almost everyone I know reads it by nowyou sure have a talent when it comes to exploring style and identity, never stop please hehe : )Especially with these posts – the music reminds me of my childhood and home. People need to stop up for a second and appreciate all the music that has already been made – instead of keep remixing sounds to something unapproachable digital. (don't get me wrong, I have noting against modern music, but when listening to these classics, they seem so meaningless)