It usually isn't until the fourth quarter of the year that R&B's biggest and brightest stars typically release new albums, but this year's definitely an exception to that unofficial rule. Not only has Usher already released what's the best R&B-pop album of the year so far, Looking 4 Myself, but other household names, including Chris Brown, R. Kelly, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz and Brandy among others, are also expected to unleash brand-new albums before the end of September. For the full details of summer 2012's new R&B/Soul music, have a look below.
1. 'Fortune,' Chris Brown
Release date: July 3.
First single: The high-energy dance song "Turn Up the Music".
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 by his new label, RCA Records. Among those contributing to it are rapper-producers will.i.am, David Banner and Kevin McCall.
First single: The high-energy dance song "Turn Up the Music".
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 by his new label, RCA Records. Among those contributing to it are rapper-producers will.i.am, David Banner and Kevin McCall.
2. 'Write Me Back,' R. Kelly
Release date: June 26.
Current single: The relationship song "Feelin' Single."
R. Kelly's upcoming album is the sequel to his 2010 release Love Letter, which was his ode to classic '60s R&B/Soul and singers like Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye.
Current single: The relationship song "Feelin' Single."
R. Kelly's upcoming album is the sequel to his 2010 release Love Letter, which was his ode to classic '60s R&B/Soul and singers like Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye.
3. 'R.E.D.,' Ne-Yo
Release date: Sept. 18.
Current single: The sexy lovemaking jam "Lazy Love."
R.E.D., which stands for Realizing Every Dream, was originally going to be titled The Cracks in Mr. Perfect before Ne-Yo came to his senses and chose a better name. This album's the follow-up to his commercially disappointing 2010 concept album Libra Scale.
Current single: The sexy lovemaking jam "Lazy Love."
R.E.D., which stands for Realizing Every Dream, was originally going to be titled The Cracks in Mr. Perfect before Ne-Yo came to his senses and chose a better name. This album's the follow-up to his commercially disappointing 2010 concept album Libra Scale.
4. 'Chapter V,' Trey Songz
Release date: Aug 21.
First single: The emotionally overwrought break-up song "Heart Attack."
Chapter V, which of course is Trey Songz' fifth album, comes on the heels of two mixtapes he dropped last December, the R&B-flavored Anticipation II and the hip hop-centric #LemmeHolDatBeat2.
First single: The emotionally overwrought break-up song "Heart Attack."
Chapter V, which of course is Trey Songz' fifth album, comes on the heels of two mixtapes he dropped last December, the R&B-flavored Anticipation II and the hip hop-centric #LemmeHolDatBeat2.
5. 'Two Eleven,' Brandy
Projected release date: August.
Current single: The bouncy R&B/Pop/Hip-Hop track "Put It Down," which features Chris Brown.
Two Eleven is named after Brandy's birthday, Feb. 11, which also is the date that one of her idols, Whitney Houston, died. The album doesn't have an official release date yet, but is expected to come out by mid-to-late summer.
Current single: The bouncy R&B/Pop/Hip-Hop track "Put It Down," which features Chris Brown.
Two Eleven is named after Brandy's birthday, Feb. 11, which also is the date that one of her idols, Whitney Houston, died. The album doesn't have an official release date yet, but is expected to come out by mid-to-late summer.
6. 'Channel Orange,' Frank Ocean
Release date: July 17.
Current single: The time-hopping, 10-minute-long "Pyramids."
Channel Orange is the follow-up to Frank'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.
Current single: The time-hopping, 10-minute-long "Pyramids."
Channel Orange is the follow-up to Frank'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.
7. 'Simply Tweet,' Tweet
Projected release date: Late summer.
Notable single: None yet, but one day a week during the summer, Tweet's been releasing songs as part of her Tweet Tuesdays promotional campaign. The most noteworthy track so far is her cover of Aretha Franklin's classic "Daydreaming."
Simply Tweet, which would be her first official album since 2005, is currently shrouded in mystery. It doesn't have a release date yet, but signs point to it coming out during the third quarter of the year.
Notable single: None yet, but one day a week during the summer, Tweet's been releasing songs as part of her Tweet Tuesdays promotional campaign. The most noteworthy track so far is her cover of Aretha Franklin's classic "Daydreaming."
Simply Tweet, which would be her first official album since 2005, is currently shrouded in mystery. It doesn't have a release date yet, but signs point to it coming out during the third quarter of the year.
8. 'Greater Than One,' Dwele
Release date: Aug. 28.
Current single: The upbeat love song "What Profit."
Greater Than One is the follow-up to Dwele's 2010 concept album, W.ants W.orld W.omen.
Current single: The upbeat love song "What Profit."
Greater Than One is the follow-up to Dwele's 2010 concept album, W.ants W.orld W.omen.
9. 'The Soul Sessions, Vol. 2,' Joss Stone
Release date: July 31.
First single: "(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People," a remake of the Chi-Lites' 1971 song.
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.
First single: "(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People," a remake of the Chi-Lites' 1971 song.
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.
10. 'Loving You More ... in the Spirit of Etta James,' Leela James
Release date: July 31.
First single: A remake of the Etta James classic "Something's Got a Hold on Me."
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.
First single: A remake of the Etta James classic "Something's Got a Hold on Me."
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.
11. 'Crates: Remix Fundamentals Vol. 2,' Jill Scott
Release date: July 17.
First single: None.
This is the second volumes of a three-volume series of dance remixes of Jill Scott tunes. Volume one was released at the end of June; the final volume's due in late summer.
First single: None.
This is the second volumes of a three-volume series of dance remixes of Jill Scott tunes. Volume one was released at the end of June; the final volume's due in late summer.