R & B Essentials

Whitney Houston - You Give Good Love

2012-02-11T23:15:00.000-05:00

R&B Essentials salutes the life and music of Whitney Houston, who passed away today at 3:55 PM PST. The 48-year old leaves behind one daughter, hundreds of great songs and millions of devastated fans. She will be sorely missed.

The Stylistics-Sweet Soul Music

2012-02-11T02:50:00.002-05:00

Formed in Philadelphia in the late 1960s, The Stylistics released their self-titled debut album in November of 1971. The combination of lead singer Russell Thompson's soaring falsetto, perfect background harmonies by the rest of the group and the songwriting genius of Thomas Bell (who also worked with The Delfonics) combined to give the group one of the great albums in the "Soul" genre. Five of the nine tracks were released as singles, all of which reached Top Ten on the R&B Charts and the album was awarded Gold Status.

Whenever people honor great artists for their career achievements, the word timeless usually comes up. They'll talk about how you can listen to the music today and it still sounds exactly the same. When it comes to The Stylistics, I'd like to think their music as "time defining."

Fresh off of the tumultuous 1960s and still mired in the Vietnam war, America was at a turning point. Listening to Thompson sing passionately about love and people making the world go around, I can feel the optimism in his voice. When he tells his girl "If I could, I'd catch a falling star to shine on you so I'll know where you are," I believe him. He promises to "write your name across the sky." Anyone who has ever been in love can identify with that.

The first true Philly Soul, The Stylistics have a sound that will never be duplicated. That's the beauty of The Stylistics.

1. You're A Big Girl Now-The group's first single topped out at no. 7 on the R&B Charts.

2. Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)-This soulful ballad has been sampled many times, most notably for Smilez and SouthStar's 2004 hit Tell Me and Ja Rule's Mezmerize.

3. You Are Everything- This no. 10 R&B hit is a heart racing ode to love. Covered and sampled by dozens of artists including Mary J. Blige, Usher and Michael McDonald.

4. Betcha By Golly Wow-Love the lyrics on this one. Covers of this one include: A duet by Norman Connors and Phyllis Hyman, Angela Bofill, Prince and thousands of karaoke singers who shall remain nameless.

5. People Make The World Go 'Round-This anthem was covered by a young Michael Jackson on his second solo album, Ben.

BABY FACE ON SOUL TRAIN

2012-02-01T20:16:00.000-05:00

'Face on The Train

Earth , Wind and Fire-Gratitude

2012-01-10T23:58:00.000-05:00

Fresh off the success of their biggest album to date, Earth Wind and Fire took the ambitious path and released another album in the same calendar year. Gratitude is an eclectic mix of live recordings from previous hits and Grade-A new material, released just months after That's The Way of The World. Just like it's predecessor, the album topped both the Pop and R&B Charts.

Devotion (Live)

2. Reasons (Live)

3. Shining Star (Live)

4. Sing A Song

5. Can't Hide Love

Related Post: That's The Way Of The World

Jermaine Jackson-Let's Get Serious

2012-01-01T23:56:00.003-05:00

Prior to the spring of 1980, Jermaine Jackson's solo career was definitely considered a disappointment, if not a full-blown bust. Five years after deciding to stay at Motown while the Jackson 5 moved on to Epic Records, Berry Gordy's son-in-law didn't have much to show for it. His highest charting single since the Jackson 5 days topped off at no. 38 on the R&B charts. And with the meteoric success of little brother Michael's Off The Wall, there's little doubt the pressure was on for Jermaine.

Dating back to his days as a member of the Jackson 5, Jermaine had the privilage of working with the musical genius Stevie Wonder. Wonder came through for his friend in a big way when he penned Let's Get Serious. The single re-energized Jackson's career and served as the centerpiece for his first hit album. The album topped the R&B charts and while it was no Off The Wall, it sparked a fruitful decade for Jermaine Jackson.

1. Let's Get Serious- Jackson's first no. 1 R&B hit also reached no. 6 on the pop charts.

2. Where Are You Now

3. We Can Put It Back Together-Written by Jackson and then-wife Hazel Gordy.

4. You're Supposed to Keep Your Love for Me-The track originally featured vocals by Michael and Jackie Jackson, but those were later stripped after the Jackson 5's departure.

5. Burnin' Hot

Quincy Jones-The Dude

2011-12-03T01:56:00.001-05:00

For most people, doing the same job for 30 years usually means retirement. For super producer Quincy Jones, it meant he was just hitting his stride. Jones started to make his mark as early as the 1950s, composing music for jazz legends like Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Dinah Washington. Throughout the next two decades, Jones worked with artists like Frank Sinatra and produced musical scores for dozens of films. While working on the score for The Wiz, Jones developed a relationship with a young Michael Jackson, paving the way for the mega-albums Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad. In 1980, he collaborated with George Benson on his epic Give Me The Night. In 1981 Jones released the compilation album The Dude, which introduced the world to the smooth, sultry sound of James Ingram and the jazzy vocals of Patti Austin. The album's success marked the beginning of Jones' most important decade of all.

1. Ai No Corrida

2. The Dude-The title track, featuring vocals from both Ingram and Jackson.

3. Just Once-Ingram's debut ballad reached number 17 on the Pop Charts.

4. Betcha Wouldn't Hurt Me- Austin takes on this Stevie composition.

5. Razzamatazz-No. 11 on the British Charts.

6. One Hundred Ways- James serenades the ladies and instructs the fellas.

7. Velas-Later sampled by Jodeci for the single Get On Up.

Related Posts: George Benson-Give Me The Night

Tina Turner-Private Dancer

2011-11-26T15:02:00.001-05:00

Seventy-two years ago today, a little black baby girl named Anna Mae Bullock was born in tiny Nutbush, Tennessee. Forty-five years after that Tina Turner released her landmark solo album, Private Dancer. In between she moved to St. Louis, met Ike Turner and traveled around the world as the featured vocalist of Ike And Tina Turner Revenue. After divorcing Ike and leaving the group in the late 70s, Turner recorded two solo albums on her own, but failed to find much success. It seemed that time had passed her by, and that she was destined to spend the rest of her career on the oldies circuit.

Private Dancer a huge departure from her roots as a Soul/R&B singer, going largely in the direction of edgy, yet Pop friendly Rock. It is a emotional and sensual mixture of remakes and spicy originals that helped define the mid-1980s. The album turned out to be one of the biggest successes of the 80s, selling over 11 million copies worldwide and re-established Turner as an artist to be reckoned with, not to mention an ageless sex symbol. VH1 named it the 95th Greatest Album of All-Time in 2003. Happy birthday Ms. Tina!

1. I Mighty Have Been Queen

2. What's Love Got To Do With It-Turner's only solo no. 1 on the Billboard Charts and the title of her controversial Autobiographical film.

3. Show Some Respect

4. I Can't Stand The Rain- Tina takes her turn at the Ann Pebbles classic.

5. Private Dancer-The steamy title track reached no. 3 on the R&B Charts in 1984.

6. Let's Stay Together-This remake of the Al Green classic was the albums' first single.

7. Better Be Good To Me- This peaked at no. 6 on the R&B charts.

8. Help-Tina sings the Beatles as only she can!

A Motown Christmas--Part I

2011-11-25T17:31:00.001-05:00

Greetings music lovers! The holidays are here and I'm so excited! Why? People are in a great mood, there's plenty of great food and best of all, plenty of Christmas music! Over the years, just about every significant singer has recorded a Christmas album. In my opinion, nobody does Christmas like Motown. How could you go wrong with an all-star cast including The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5? Exactly, you can't! So sit back, grab some eggnog and let the good times roll.

1. Stevie Wonder-What Christmas Means To Me

2. The Temptations-Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

3. The Jackson 5- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

4. Michael Jackson-Little Christmas Tree

5. The Supremes-Joy To The World

6. The Supremes-Silver Bells

Glenn Jones-Finesse

2011-10-28T13:37:00.001-04:00

The mid-1980s were a turning point for R&B music. Superstars like Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Prince had broken into the mainstream to the point that they were now Pop stars who just happened to sing R&B. That year, Glenn Jones released his sophomore album, Finesse. Jones' heavy, gospel influenced voice provided a contrast to the high pitch vocals of the artists listed above. While this may have hurt him on the pop charts, Jones managed to find his niche in the Quiet Storm genre. The album itself only had one hit and just barely made it into the Top 20 R&B albums list, but it set the stage for the Florida native to become a fixture on the R&B charts for the next decade.

1. Finesse-The album's title track is a solid opener.

2. You're The Only One-Another nice dance track.

3. Show Me-Jones' first big hit reached no. 3 on the R&B charts, but didn't make a dent in Pop circles.

4. Meet Me Halfway There- A funky, mid-tempo tune.

5. Everlasting Love- What we all want.

Video of the Day- Soul For Real - Every Little Thing I Do

2011-10-27T20:22:00.000-04:00

#90skid

Video Of The Day: Stephanie Mills - I Feel Good All Over

2011-10-24T22:53:00.000-04:00

Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force-The Latin Queen of Dance

2011-10-22T21:46:00.001-04:00

As a Puerto Rican from New York who spent some of her formative years in music, Lisa Velez undoubtedly had varying musical influences. But the biggest influence on her career was hooking up with the original hip-hop band, Full Force. The band helped turned Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam into international stars, blurring genre lines and making people jam for the better part of a decade. The first album, the aptly named Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam with Full Force, produced three hit singles and garnered platinum status. It peaked at number 16 on the R&B charts and established Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam as a force to be reckoned with.

1. I Wonder If I Take You Home-Lisa weights the risks of giving away her love too soon. When was the last time you heard that message in a pop song? This proved to be the group's breakout single, topping the Billboard Dance Chart and finishing no. 6 on the R&B charts.

2. You'll Never Change- Lisa faces the facts about her man.

3. All Cried Out- This heartfelt ballad was another big hit, making it to no. 3 on the R&B charts and no. 8 on the Pop Charts.

4. Can You Feel The Beat- Another dancefloor classic. Sampled by Nina Skyy for 2004's Move Ya Body.

New Edition-Home Again

2011-09-04T17:28:00.002-04:00

Anyone who has ever been to a reunion can tell you, there's always a mix of emotions. Though folks may keep up a cordial front, old rivalries and jealousies bubble underneath the surface and sometimes reemerge. Reunions of musical groups are perfect examples of this. It happened to The Temptations, The Jacksons and countless others. It seems that the greater the group, the greater the egos and the fallout. Case in point, New Edition's 1996 album, Home Again.

Once news of the reunion broke, there was a huge buzz. The group had not recorded an album since 1988's Heartbreak, after which they splintered off to work on their solo careers. The biggest buzz surrounded the return of R&B's Favorite Bad Boy, Bobby Brown. Ten years after being kicked out of the group, Brown re-joined Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivens, Ronnie DeVoe, and for the first time, Johnny Gill. I still remember coming home to find the house rocking as the album boomed through my father's speakers.Although I didn't know much about NE at the time, I knew there had to be something special about them if they had my 30 year-old father jumping around the house and smiling like a teenager with the house to himself.

The album's production was handled by frequent NE collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as well as Sean "Puffy" Combs. It managed to top both the R&B and Pop Charts as well as recording several hit singles. Then the group went on tour and everything fell apart. Brown was drunk out of his mind for most of the tour, and he and DeVoe got into an altercation on stage. Despite the drama, there are still millions of fans who would love to see all six members of the group pull it together and make them feel young again.

1. Hit Me Off- The album's first single topped the R&B Charts and made it to no. 3 on the Pop Charts.

2. You Don't Have To Worry-A smooth number.

3. Shop Around-Gill and Brown try to top each other over a slow burning track.

4. Something About You-Ralph takes the lead.

5. One More Day- Bell and Tresvant team up for the group's final single.

6. I'm Still In Love With You-This beautiful ballad is one of the best the group has ever recorded.

7. Home Again-The fellas close out the album proper.

Bonus: New Edition's First Reunion

Michael Jackson-Forever, Michael

2011-08-29T18:32:00.000-04:00

If you're a frequent reader of this blog, you know that Michael Jackson recorded four solo albums with Motown before re-launching his solo career with 1979's epic Off The Wall. While his first two albums, Got To Be There and Ben, scored bigger hits, Forever, Michael is my favorite of his early work. This is the album when Michael Jackson fully unleashed his adult voice.

Blessed with production from Eddie and Brian Holland and Hal Davis, the album just hums with youthful exuberance one would expect from a 17 year-old Michael Jackson. The album was supposed to be released in 1974, but when Dancing Machine turned into a hit for The Jackson Five, the album was put on hold for a year. The album made the Top Ten on the R&B charts, but failed to make noise on the Pop Charts. In the years since, the album has gone on to sell over four million records and is a must-have for any hardcore MJ fan.

1. We're Almost There-A killer drum beat and Michael's fully-developed tenor helped propel the album's first single to no. 7 on the R&B charts.

2. Take Me Back-MJ begs for a chance at redemption.

3. One Day In Your Life-The re-release of this ballad topped the UK Singles Chart in 1981.

4. Just A Little Bit of You-This disco-flavored tune hit no. 4 on the Soul Charts and no. 23 on the Pop Charts.

5. You Are There- An underrated ballad.

6. I'll Come Home To You- MJ gets his grown-man on.

Ooooooohhh...On The TLC Tip- TLC

2011-08-21T22:38:00.000-04:00

Girl groups have been around for as long as there has been Black Pop Music. From the Supremes to Destiny's Child, they have provided some of the most memorable music around. The 1990s brought it's far share of them, however, none of them captured America's attention like TLC. After being discovered by R&B star Pebbles, the group was quickly signed to the fledgling record label, LaFace.

Blessed with production from legends like Babyface and L.A. Reid, as well as up-and-comers Dallas Austin and Jermaine Dupri, the groups debut album Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip was a smash hit. It's first three singles made it to the top two spots on the R&B chart and the Top Ten on the Pop Charts. The album sold over 4 million copies. With their fun and energetic mix of pop, R&B and Hip-Hop, TLC quickly became a fan favorite, building a base that would catapult them to pop super-stardom on their next album.

The Essentials:

1. Ain't To Proud To Beg-The groups debut single shot to number two on the R&B charts.

2. Hat To The Back-The final single from the album only made it to number 14 on the R&B charts after its release in January of 1993.

3. What About Your Friends- The groups third single narrowly missed the top spot on the R&B charts.

4. Something You Wanna Know- A classic Babyface/L.A. Reid slow jam.

5. Baby-Baby-Baby- The album's biggest hit topped the R&B charts for several weeks.

Kool & The Gang-Ladies' Night

2011-08-19T23:51:00.000-04:00

Labels are a part of the music industry, whether the artists who make the music like it or not. Kool & The Gang is one of the few musical acts who have managed to transcend the industries need for labels time and time again. After starting out as an instrumental band in the 1960s, the group experienced success in the early 70s as one of the innovating forces in Funk. After a brief lull in the late 70s, the group picked up its second wind in a major way with the release of Ladies' Night in late 1979.

Heading the groups re-emergence was a new lead singer, James "J.T." Taylor. The album provided the group with it's first real mainstream success, as Ladies' Night became the group's first album to go platinum. More mainstream success was to follow in the coming decade, as Kool & The Gang would spend 13 weeks at the top of the R&B Charts in the 1980s.

The Essentials:

1. Ladies' Night-The title track topped the R&B charts, made it to no. 8 on the Pop Charts and spawned several covers and remakes.

2. If You Feel Like Dancin'- Self explanitory.

3. Hangin' Out

4. Too Hot-This slow burner made the top ten on both the Pop and R&B charts.

Luther Vandross-Never Too Much

2011-08-15T21:59:00.000-04:00

Long before he became a household name to music lovers, Luther Vandross was a hot commodity in recording studios in New York. The Manhattan native spent much of the 1970s singing background for artists such as Diana Ross, Roberta Flack and Chaka Khan, among others. In 1980, Vandross scored a hit with The Glow of Love as a member of the ensemble Change.

The next year, Vandross took the next step in his career and released his debut solo album, Never Too Much. The album was a huge success, going double platinum. It also became the first of seven consecutive albums by the artist to top the R&B Album Charts.

The Essentials:

1. Never Too Much-This catchy dance track topped the R&B charts.

2. Don't You Know That- The album's jazzy second single made it to number 10 on the R&B charts.

3. You Stopped Loving Me- A nice, mid-tempo album track.

4. A House Is Not A Home- Vandross made this Dionne Warwick classic his very own.

Bonus: In the Glow of Love by Change

Rick James-Come Get It

2011-08-09T19:38:00.000-04:00

The mid-1970s were a time of transition for Motown Records. While signature artists like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder continued to pump out hits into the second decade of their careers, others like The Jackson Five and The Temptations had left or were plotting to leave the label. Meanwhile, a thirty year-old songwriter/producer named Rick James stepped onto the scene with the release of his solo debut, Come Get It!

Backed by "The Stone City Band," James introduced the world to his brand of Funk in a big way. The album's two singles both attained top-three status on the R&B charts and remain some of his most sampled material. The album was certified double platinum and set the stage for what would become one of the most successful and unconventional careers of any R&B star.

1. You And I- James first no. 1 hit on the R&B charts had the discos on lock.

2. Sexy Lady - James turns up the heat.

3. Dream Maker

4. Mary Jane- James' ode to the sticky-icky!

5. Hollywood- James lays out his ambitions for the big-time.

Related Posts: Rick James-Cold Blooded
Rick James-Street Songs

Tony ! Toni! Toné!- The Revival

2011-07-28T22:48:00.000-04:00

When it comes to musical artists, the term "original" is way overused. Most artists are, at best, composite updates of their favorite artists, or at worse, cheap imitations of one artist. One of the few groups that have earned the right to be called originals is Tony! Toni! Toné! Their brand off slightly off-beat R&B encompasses Funk, Soul and New Jack Swing subgenres and .

The Oakland, California-based group first made noise on the R&B scene with the release of their debut album, Who? in 1988. Catapulted by their smash single Little Walter, the album went gold. The group's profile really took off two years later with the release of The Revival. The album produced four number one singles on the R&B charts and was certified platinum. It is the most consistent album by one of R&B's most consistently groundbreaking groups.

The Essentials:

1. Feels Good-This New Jack classic topped the R&B charts for two weeks in the summer of 1990.

2. Oakland Stroke- The boys give a shoutout to their hood.

3. The Blues-The group's first single topped the R&B charts for one week.

4. It Never Rains (In Southern California)- One of the groups signature cuts.

5. Whatever You Want-The album's final single topped the charts and was later sampled by many artists, including rapper Ludacris.

Bonus:

Me And You- A memorable track off of the Boyz N The Hood Soundtrack

Tevin Campbell-T.E.V.I.N

2011-07-25T21:45:00.000-04:00

There have been many prodigies in the long history of R&B. From Frankie Lymon to Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson, and so on and so on. There's just something about a young voice singing with a passion beyond their own age and experience that resonates with with people. Perhaps its just some feeble attempt to regain the youthful innocence that life has a way of wiping away with time. Listeners to Quincy Jones 1989 compilation album, Back On The Block, were introduced to the soulful voice of twelve year-old Tevin Campbell on the hit single Tomorrow.

Two years later, Campbell released his solo debut, T.E.V.I.N. The album included production from Jones as well as Prince and Al B. Sure. The album was a smashing success, reaching platinum status and spawning eight singles. It was also nominated for two Grammys. It even lead to several cameos on one of my favorite shows of the 1990s, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It's the one thing that sticks out for me from this era (besides the fact that my aunt was in love with him.)

This album, as well as its followup, lead us to believe that we had found the man-child that would lead R&B into the new millennium. Unfortunately for Campbell, the second half of the 90s wasn't as kind to him and Usher picked up the mantle for next generation R&B success. Still, Campbell gave us two classic albums and plenty of hits.

The Essentials:

1. Round And Round-The Prince produced single was featured on the soundtrack to Graffiti Bridge and reached no. 2 on the R&B Charts.

2. Tell Me What You Want Me To Do- A killer ballad and another no. 1 solo hit for Campbell.

3. Alone With You- Another ballad hits no. 1.

4. Strawberry Letter 23- Campell's uptempo take on the Brothers Johnson classic.

5. Just Ask Me To-This single from the Boyz In The Hood Soundtrack climbed to no. 9 on the R&B charts.

6. Goodbye- The "Little T-Ashley Banks" love angle made it's way into the music video for this single that finished just short of the top spot on the R&B Charts.

7. Confused- Can't say he didn't warn us....That's all I'm saying!

Bonus: Tomorrow: The inspiring start to Campbell's career.

The Best of Arsenio

2011-07-20T23:18:00.000-04:00

If you were an R&B fan in the 1970s, Soul Train was pretty much your only chance to see your favorite artist on Television. Things got alot better in the early 80s with the advent of Cable and BET. Then came the Arsenio Hall Show. From 1988 to 1994, any and everyone relevant to Black popular culture made at least one appearance on the light night show. The show helped launch many new artists such as Mariah Carey, while launching others into the stratosphere. Here are a few of my favorites.

1. New Edition-Can You Stand The Rain

2. Bobby Brown-My Prerogative

3. Bee Bee and Cee Cee Winans feat. Whitney Houston-Lost Without You

4. Troop-Spread My Wings

5. Ralph Tresvant (feat. Bobby Brown) - Stonecold Gentleman

6. Mariah Carey-Vision of Love

7. Boys II Men-It's So Hard To Say Goodbye

8. SWV-I'm So Into You

9. Pebbles featuring Babyface-Love Makes Things Happen

10. Christopher Williams-I'm Dreamin'

George Benson-Give Me The Night

2011-07-17T23:58:00.000-04:00

Creating a hit song, much less a great album, is a process that usually involves more people than you think. It usually takes the collective talent of writers, producers, and engineers, vocal talent and great timing. George Benson's 1980 classic, Give Me The Night, is a great example of all the elements coming together.

Four years after dropping his classic Breezin', Benson teamed up with legendary producer Quincy Jones for the first and only time in their careers. Jones was hot of the success of Michael Jackson's Off The Wall and primed to enjoy the best decade of his career. Continuing the Off The Wall theme, Jones brought along with with him the talents of songwriter Rod Temperton (who wrote Rock With You and the title track for OTW) engineer Bruce Swedien and singer Patti Austin.

The album proved to be his pop breakthrough and exposed him to a younger audience than his previous efforts. It also further showcased his vocal ability, which had previously taken a backseat to his guitar. The only downside to the album is that one can only imagine what types of musical treasures Benson and this all-star cast could have had down the line.

The Essentials

1. Love Times Love- This Temperton creation topped out at number nine on the R&B charts.

2. Moody's Mood For Love- Benson and Austin come together for a dreamy remake of the Jazz standard.

3. Give Me The Night-Benson's biggest pop hit topped the R&B charts and made it to number four on the Billboard Top 200.

4. Love Dance-George's guitar and voice at their collective peak.

5. Star of A Story - Benson covers the Heatwave Classic, written by-you guessed it, Rod Temperton.

6. Midnight Love Affair- A tale of forbidden love.

7. Turn Out The Lamplight- A seductive end to a great album.

TROOP- I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU

2011-07-15T18:17:00.001-04:00

A great ballad from a great group!

Jermaine Jackson-Dynamite

2011-07-13T23:59:00.000-04:00

Had Jermaine Jackson been born into almost any other family, he would have been the unquestioned star and center of attention. Being the fifth child of Katherine and Joe Jackson meant living in the shadow of Michael Jackson and eventually being eclipsed for the second spot by his baby sister Janet. To his credit, Jermaine has always been his own man, and when the rest of his brothers left for CBS in 1976, he stayed at Motown to focus on his solo career.

Eight years and a few hits later, Jermaine made another big move by jumping to Arista Records.The move came almost simultaneously to rejoining his brothers for 1984's Victory Tour. His Arista debut, Dynamite, was released in February 1984. The album topped the R&B charts in July of that year and produced some of the best material of his career. While the album didn't become "his Thriller" as he anticipated, it was a solid effort.

1. Dynamite-The video was directed by Bob Giraldi, the same director who crafted Beat It for his brother. Somehow, I think Michael got the better end of his creative genius.

2. Sweetest, Sweetest- I'm pretty sure this type of thing can get you fired.

3. Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming (Featuring Michael Jackson) -A truly dynamite collaboration between the former lead singers of the Jackson Five.

4. Do What You Do-A nice, smooth ballad with a video featuring Iman. Later sampled by rappers Lil' Wayne and Chamillionare.

5. Take Good Care of My Heart (featuring Whitney Houston)- A memorable, mid-solo duet that helped put Whitney in the national spotlight.

6. Oh, Mother- A song dedicated to Katherine Jackson.

Lionel Richie-Can't Slow Down

2011-07-07T23:08:00.000-04:00

Pop quiz: Name a former afro'd wonder from a 70s Motown group that went onto stardom in the 80s as a jheri curl wearing pop star. If you answered Michael Jackson, you're only partially right. Fresh off the success of his self-titled solo debut, former Commodores lead singer Lionel Richie released his second album on October 11, 1983.

Can't Slow Down topped the Billboard Charts for three weeks in December of 1983 and held off Thriller for the top R&B spot for 23 weeks (15 consecutive). All five of the singles released from the album were Top Ten Billboard hits, including two number ones. It was the third best-selling album of 1984 and sold over 20 million albums worldwide and won Album of The Year honors at the 1985 Grammys.

Can't Slow Down is a great album that suffers historically because it was released during the height of Michael Jackson and Thrillermania. Richie navigates swiftly from carefree dance tracks to soulful crooning and even a little country western. On the positive side, the album did have a special place in the heart of a certain character from Family Guy.

1. All Night Long-Richie's signature solo song topped the Billboard Pop Charts for four weeks and the R&B charts for seven weeks. And there's a 99 percent chance it's played in a grocery store somewhere right now.

2. Penny Lover- The album's last single topped out at number eight on both the Pop and R&B charts.

3. Stuck On You-This song is more CMT than BET. It was his seventh number one on the Adult Contemporary Charts and topped out at number three on the Pop Charts.

4. Love Will Find A Way- A standout album track, sampled by The Dogg Pound's I Don't Like To Dream About Gettin' Paid.

5. Running With The Night-The followup to All Night Long landed at number seven on the Pop Charts in early 1984.

6. Hello-Richie's signature solo ballad topped three Charts (Pop, R&B and Contemporary) and is probably one of the most murder'd karaoke songs of all-time.