The list of new R&B/Soul album releases for July 2012 is small, but most of the names on it are pretty familiar. The biggest is Chris Brown, who drops the sequel to his F.A.M.E. album, Fortune, on July 3. Also on the list are Joss Stone and Leela James, both of whom are coming out with albums of remakes this month. Joss's The Soul Sessions, Vol. 2 is a sort of sequel to her debut album; and Leela's Loving You More ... in the Spirit of Etta James, is a tribute to an all-time legend who died earlier this year. For full details of July 2012's new R&B/Soul music, have a look below.
1. 'Fortune,' Chris Brown
Breezy's fifth studio album, which is the follow-up to his March 2011 release F.A.M.E., was originally due in the Spring, but was pushed back to July 3 by his new label, RCA Records.
Tracklisting:
- Turn Up the Music
- Till I Die (feat. Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa)
- Mirage (feat. Nas)
- Don't Judge Me
- 2012
- Biggest Fan
- Sweet Love
- Strip (feat. Kevin McCall)
- Stuck On Stupid
- 4 Years Old
- Party Hard/Cadillac (interlude) [feat. Sevyn]
- Don't Wake Me Up
- Trumpet Lights (feat. Sabrina Antionette)
2. 'Channel Orange,' Frank Ocean
Channel Orange is the follow-up to Frank Ocean's highly regarded mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra., which never was officially released by his label, but still has gained near-legendary status since it dropped in 2011. The new album comes out July 17.
Tracklisting:
- Start
- Fertilizer
- Sierra Leone
- Sweet Life
- Not Just Money
- Super Rich Kids (feat. Earl Sweatshirt)
- Pilot Jones
- Crack Rock
- Pyramids
- Lost
- White (feat. John Mayer)
- Monks
- Bad Religion
- Pink Matter (feat. Andre 3000)
- Forrest Gump
- End
3. 'The Soul Sessions, Vol. 2,' Joss Stone
As the title indicates, The Soul Sessions, Vol. 2 is the sequel to Joss Stone's 2003 debut album. It consists of remakes of 11 barely-remembered Soul music classics, including ones originally recorded by Womack & Womack, Eddie Floyd and Sylvia, among others. It's due out July 31.
Tracklisting:
- I Got the Blues
- (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People
- While You're Out Looking for Sugar
- Sideways Shuffle
- I Don't Wanna Be with Nobody But You
- Teardrops
- Stoned Out of My Mind
- The Love We Had (Stays on My Mind)
- The High Road
- Pillow Talk
- Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye
4. 'Loving You More ... in the Spirit of Etta James,' Leela James
Just like Joss Stone's new album -- which coincidentally comes out the same day -- this is an album full of soulful remakes of classic tunes. In this case however, the sole artist being covered is the late, great Etta James, one of Leela James' musical heroes. It'll be in stores July 31.
Tracklisting:
- Soul Will Never Die
- Something's Got a Hold On Me
- It Hurts Me So Much
- I'm Loving You More Every Day
- I'd Rather Go Blind
- I Wanna Ta-Ta You Baby
- Damn Your Eyes
- Nobody Loves You Like Me
- Old School Kind of Love
- Sunday Kind of Love
- At Last
5. 'Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack,' Various Artists
This soundtrack contains one of the last songs the late, great Whitney Houston recorded before she died, a duet with Jordin Sparks. The film's due out in August and soundtrack drops July 31 via RCA Records.
Tracklisting:
- I'm a Man (performed by Cee-Lo Green)
- Yes I Do (Carmen Ejogo)
- Running (Goapele)
- Jump (Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter and Jordin Sparks)
- Hooked on Your Love (Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter and Jordin Sparks)
- Something He Can Feel (Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter and Jordin Sparks)
- His Eye is On the Sparrow (Whitney Houston)
- Look Into Your Heart (Jordin Sparks)
- One Wing (Jordin Sparks)
- Love Will (Jordin Sparks)
- Celebrate (Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks)
6. 'Kaleidoscope Dream: the Water Preview,' Miguel
As part of the promotional push for his upcoming second full album, Kaleidoscope Dream in September, Miguel is releasing two three-song digital EPs in July and August. The first, which features an extended version of his recent single "Adorn," will be available at online retailers beginning July 31.
Tracklisting:
- Adorn
- Don't Look Back
- Use Me