Caz_Nova
You think you know what Neo-Soul is... You don?t, you don't have a clue what Neo-Soul really is, and you probably will disagree with everything I say in this thread, because Usher is not Neo-Soul. Alicia Keyes... ain't Neo-Soul. And I'm gonna make it clear to you where this fusion of Funk, Hip-Hop, Soul, and R&B originated.
Neo-Soul is a genre of music closely related to the R&B genre, it takes on the elements of R&B's strongest forms and revamps them with a more eclectic, throwback feel. Starting in the early 90s the first Neo-Soul Band that I've been able to find is The Brand New Heavies a band originating in England and performing an Acid Jazz based funk form of music with Gospel vocals, and R&B themes.
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During this, the time of the New Jacks, TBNH was a breath of fresh air catching airplay all over, even in the United States, leading to their release of one of the most historic Neo-Soul albums to date "Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol.1." HRE brought together the greatest Hip Hop artists of the time to create a fantastic album, if you ever see this album, buy it.
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While BNH were the first several artists would influence those to come including En Vogue, Debarge, Mint Condition and Tony, Toni, Tone. These artists while not Neo-Soul were some of the first bands to create the sound that would lead to Neo-Soul. Several artists would affect the sound of Neo-Soul in 1995, these would be the first albums fully deserving of the title including:
<center>Groove Theory's Self Titled album
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Groove Theory was the group that first brought to our attention Amel Larrieux considered to be a queen of Neo-Soul in her own right. Amel along with former rapper Bryce Wilson of Mantronix produced and performed a most fantastic album.
D'Angelo's "Brown Sugar"
D'Angelo a member of the Soulquarians, a production team that also includes ?uestlove, is a great musician. D'Angelo has on many occasions been compared to Marvin Gaye as a vocalist.
In 1996:
The Introduction of Eric Benet's "True to Myself"
Eric Benet's fantastically designed introduction into his own history is a musical standard for those looking to get into Neo-Soul.
Erykah Badu's "Baduizm"
What can you say about Erykah Badu that hasn't already been said time and time again? A beautiful woman with a fantastic voice, Baduizm is the art in a nutshell. Badu brings her soulful voice and lyrics to a head in several songs on this album including "Other Side of the Game," and "On & On."
"Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite"
Urban Hang Suite is a consummate Neo-Soul album. It combines funk, and Jazz with Soulful singing and lyrics the likes of Smokey Robinson. Maxwell's sweet pitch and lyrics make him a king of love songs.
These albums in their time have become fundamental to the growth of Mainstream Neo-Soul, a fairly underground movement. This is Neo-Soul 101, any questions?
Neo-Soul is a genre of music closely related to the R&B genre, it takes on the elements of R&B's strongest forms and revamps them with a more eclectic, throwback feel. Starting in the early 90s the first Neo-Soul Band that I've been able to find is The Brand New Heavies a band originating in England and performing an Acid Jazz based funk form of music with Gospel vocals, and R&B themes.
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</center>During this, the time of the New Jacks, TBNH was a breath of fresh air catching airplay all over, even in the United States, leading to their release of one of the most historic Neo-Soul albums to date "Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol.1." HRE brought together the greatest Hip Hop artists of the time to create a fantastic album, if you ever see this album, buy it.
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</center>While BNH were the first several artists would influence those to come including En Vogue, Debarge, Mint Condition and Tony, Toni, Tone. These artists while not Neo-Soul were some of the first bands to create the sound that would lead to Neo-Soul. Several artists would affect the sound of Neo-Soul in 1995, these would be the first albums fully deserving of the title including:
<center>Groove Theory's Self Titled album
<center>Groove Theory was the group that first brought to our attention Amel Larrieux considered to be a queen of Neo-Soul in her own right. Amel along with former rapper Bryce Wilson of Mantronix produced and performed a most fantastic album.
D'Angelo's "Brown Sugar"
D'Angelo a member of the Soulquarians, a production team that also includes ?uestlove, is a great musician. D'Angelo has on many occasions been compared to Marvin Gaye as a vocalist.
In 1996:
The Introduction of Eric Benet's "True to Myself"
Eric Benet's fantastically designed introduction into his own history is a musical standard for those looking to get into Neo-Soul.
Erykah Badu's "Baduizm"
What can you say about Erykah Badu that hasn't already been said time and time again? A beautiful woman with a fantastic voice, Baduizm is the art in a nutshell. Badu brings her soulful voice and lyrics to a head in several songs on this album including "Other Side of the Game," and "On & On."
"Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite"
Urban Hang Suite is a consummate Neo-Soul album. It combines funk, and Jazz with Soulful singing and lyrics the likes of Smokey Robinson. Maxwell's sweet pitch and lyrics make him a king of love songs.
These albums in their time have become fundamental to the growth of Mainstream Neo-Soul, a fairly underground movement. This is Neo-Soul 101, any questions?
