We're not even halfway through 2012, but what will probably go down as the biggest month of the year for R&B and Soul music has already arrived. The two biggest male superstars in R&B music today -- Usher and R. Kelly -- are both releasing all-new albums this month, as is another guy who for was also R&B's biggest male star for awhile, Bobby Brown. Others dropping new music this month include the smooth Eric Benet and the legendary Bobby Womack. For the full details of June 2012's new R&B/Soul albums, have a look below.
1. 'Looking 4 Myself,' Usher
Usher is due to drop his seventh studio album -- which is his first since 2010's Raymond v. Raymond -- on June 12 via RCA Records.
Tracklisting:
2. 'Write Me Back,' R. Kelly
R. Kelly's latest release is a sort of sequel to his 2010 album, Love Letter, which was a tribute to classic 1950s and '60s R&B and Soul music. It'll be in stores June 26 via RCA Records.
Tracklisting:
- Love Is
- Feelin' Single
- Lady Sunday
- When a Man Lies
- Clipped Wings
- Believe That It's So
- Fool For You
- All Rounds on Me
- Believe in Me
- Green Light
- Party Jumpin'
- Share My Love
3. 'The One,' Eric Benet
Eric Benet's seventh studio album, which is the follow-up to his 2010 release, Lost in Time, comes out June 5.
Tracklisting:
- Harriett Jones
- News For You
- Real Love
- Runnin'
- Red Bone Girl (feat. Lil Wayne)
- Waitin'
- Hope That It's You (feat. Shaggy)
- Gonna Be My Girl
- Come Together
- Muzik (feat. India Benet)
- Lay It Down
- Here in My Arms (Lucia's Lullaby)
4. 'The Masterpiece,' Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown's latest album, which is his first in well over a decade, was previously slated for release last month, but it looks like it'll finally drop June 5 on the Xenon label.
Tracklisting:
- Don't Let Me Die
- Doesn't Anybody Know
- Get Out of the Way
- Damaged
- Can't Give Up
- Set Me Free
- Starmaker
- Exit Wounds
- All is Fair
- Man I Want to Be
5. 'The Bravest Man in the Universe,' Bobby Womack
Bravest Man In The Universe is the legendary Bobby Womack's first album of original material since 1994's Resurrection. It was co-produced by Damon Albarn of Gorillaz and Blur fame. It'll be available June 12 via XL Recordings.
Tracklisting:
- The Bravest Man in the Universe
- Please Forgive My Heart
- Deep River
- Dayglo Reflection (feat. Lana Del Rey)
- Sweet Baby Mine
- Stupid
- If There Wasn't Something There
- Love is Gonna Lift You Up
- Nothin' Can Save Ya
- Jubilee (Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around)
6. 'Our Version of Events,' Emili Sande
Scotland native Emeli Sande is a former winner of a BBC songwriting contest who previously put music on hold to study medicine at Glasgow University. But now she's back to singing, and her debut album's due for U.S. release June 5 via Capitol Records.
Tracklisting:
- Heaven
- My Kind of Love
- Where I Sleep
- Wonder
- Mountains
- Clown
- Daddy (feat. Naughty Boy)
- Maybe
- Suitcase
- Breaking the Law
- Next to Me
- River
- Lifetime
- Hope
7. 'Ready to Live,' Jarrard Anthony
The latest from alternative and independent R&B/Soul singer Jarrard Anthony is due to hit stores June 19 via Purpose Music Group/Nia Music Distribution.
Tracklisting:
- Opening the Way (Intro)
- Lucky Day (feat. Onaje Allan Gumbs)
- Never See Her Again (feat. Amer Amen)
- Something Like Love (feat. Amma Whatt)
- Cloud 10 (feat. PM)
- Morning in the Forest
- Healer
- Galaxy
- Blowing on Your Back
- All Around the World (feat. Darien)
- I Love You (feat. Lonnie Liston Smith, Patrice Covington and Monet
- Invisible
- Damn Sista (feat. Eric Roberson, Damien, Jon Bibbs and Wildmann)
- Never See Her Again (feat. Mic-El, PM and Don Spigga)
8. 'Dreams,' Brian Culbertson
Brian Culbertson is actually a Jazz musician, but his latest release makes the list because the guest artists on it include R&B singers Vivian Green, Stokley Williams (of Mint Condition) and Noel Gourdin. It comes out June 12 via the Verve label.
Tracklisting:
- Later Tonight
- No Limits
- Your Smile
- Still Here
- In the City
- Your My Music
- Dreams
- Madelena
- Lights Off
- The Journey
9. 'Retox,' Lakecia Benjamin
Funk and jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin's debut release showcases her skills as a composer, lyricist and bandleader. It'll be in stores June 12.
Tracklisting:
- SoulSquad
- Keep Talkin'
- Maceo
- Share My Life
- My Love
- Human Being
- Jump and Shout
- Smile
- Get Down
- Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing
- Dreams
- Slow Juice
10. 'Crates: Remix Fundamentals Vol. 1,' Jill Scott
This isn't actually a new Jill Scott release, but the first collection in a series of dance remixes of some of her best songs. It comes out June 26 via the Hidden Beach label.
Tracklisting:
- Can't Explain - The Ca$e Boogie Remix
- Your One
- Bedda at Home - The Rivera Remix
- Talk to Me - The 314 Mix
- Whatever - The Mr. Mig Powerful Love Radio Edit
- Spring Summer Feeling - The Ron Trent Mix
- Come See Me - The B-Sharp Clubbin' Mix
- Slowly Surely - The Teddy Vee Remix
- Golden - B Sharp Afro Centric Mix
- Brotha - The Inferno Mix
- A Long Walk - The Jazzy Jeff Redux
- Love Rain- The Key West Mix