Those lengthy absences have done nothing to dilute D’Angelo’s solid reputation as a creative force influencing such next-gen acts as Frank Ocean.

The sexy crooner returned in 2005 with acclaimed Voodoo (“Untitled ) and then waited nine years to release Black Messiah.

With Prince, Al Green, and Raphael Saadiq as inspirational guideposts, the singer/songwriter/musician has since become the Haley’s Comet of music. Image Credit: Photo by Frans Schellekens/RedfernsĬredited as one of neo-soul’s leading progenitors, along with Erykah Badu, Maxwell and Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo wowed the industry and fans alike in 1995 with stunning debut album Brown Sugar (featuring the title track “Lady” and “Cruisin’”). Taking an eight-year break after 2001 third album Now, the singer singlehandedly staged a soul revival with 2009’s BLACKsummers’night, spinning off the hits “Pretty Wings,” “Bad Habits” and “Fistful of Tears.” Kelly-penned “Fortunate” from the film Life, Maxwell brought a suave, sophisticated and sexy swagger to his role as an innovative foot soldier in the neo-soul movement. Whether covering Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work” or the R. Maxwell collaborated with songwriter/producer Leon Ware (Marvin Gaye) for his groundswell-building 1996 debut Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite (featuring “Ascension,” “Sumthin’ Sumthin’”). Image Credit: Photo by Earl Gibson/BET/Getty Images for BET 1, the singer/songwriter/actress kept the R&B fires burning with back-to-back No. Making her head-turning debut in 2000 with the platinum-selling Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. Image Credit: Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty ImagesĪrmed with a distinctive style melding R&B, jazz, hip-hop, spoken word, opera, country and other influences, Philadelphia native Jill Scott uses her soaring soprano to color in stories about female empowerment and love. Among other catalog notables: “If I Can’t Have You,” “Tell Mama” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.” Portrayed by Beyoncé in the 2008 film Cadillac Records, James released her last album in 2011 ( The Dreamer) - the same year that DJ Avicii (“Levels”) and Flo Rida (“Good Feeling) sampled her ’62 hit “Something’s Got a Hold on Me.” James died in 2012. Also, vocally the song utilizes a choir.Image Credit: Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Imagesīest known for her indelible 1961 version of wedding standard “At Last,” Etta James first took off in 1955 with the R&B chart-topper “The Wallflower.” Her gutsy, take-no-prisoner vocals colorfully interpreted everything from blues and R&B/soul to rock n’roll, jazz and gospel. Kelly wrote and produced “The World’s Greatest”. And instrumentally, he is buttressed by The Motown Romance Orchestra and violinist Hart Hollman. The labels behind its production and release are Interscope Records and Jive Records. The track has a release date of 18 February 2003. In doing so, it broke the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.Īll things considered, this song was perhaps mostly appreciated in the Netherlands, where it placed within the top 10 of the Dutch Top 40’s year-end ranking for 2002. And commercially, it was well received in the UK and Sweden, going gold in both nations.Īs with “I Believe I Can Fly” (and Space Jam), this song was also derived from a movie, that being Will Smith’s Ali (2001). As such it was originally featured as part of the playlist of Ali: Original Soundtrack. But fans of the tune can also find it on the Loveland (Bonus Disc) version of Kels’ own 2003 album, Chocolate Factory. It also appeared on music lists in over a dozen other countries. “The World’s Greatest” topped the UK Indie Chart as well as the UK R&B Chart.

Kelly proved that the type of inspirational effectiveness he displayed in “ I Believe I Can Fly” (1996) wasn’t a fluke.

R kelly greatest hits