As this is being written, 2011 is almost over, so it's time to look back at the best songs of the year. Leading the pack is a duet by two of R&B/Soul's best singers, Jill Scott and Anthony Hamilton. There's a number of other highly-regarded artists on the list too, including R&B-pop crossover artists Sade, Adele and Beyonce, and a few artists who fly under the radar of the mainstream music world, like Anthony Hamilton and Kindred the Family Soul. So without further ado, here's about.com's picks for the best R&B and Soul songs of 2011 so far.
1. So in Love, Jill Scott & Anthony Hamilton
"So In Love," a fun, romantic duet between Jill Scott and southern Soul singer Anthony Hamilton, is the first official single from Jill's June 2011 album, The Light of the Sun. Its easy-breezy music and very catchy chorus make it a great song worth repeat listening.
2. Rumour Has It, Adele
Adele may be considered more a pop artist than an R&B or Soul one, but "Rumour Has It" is easily one of the best bluesy-soulful songs about relationship complications that you'll hear this year, or any other.
3. Good Man, Raphael Saadiq
"Good Man" is a melancholy track about a hard-working, church-going provider who winds up in handcuffs and hauled off to jail after having the cops called on him by his woman. The song's depressing, all-to-real theme and haunting lyrics give the song a cinematic quality.
4. 4Evermore, Anthony David & Algebra feat. Phonte
"4Evermore" is one of the relatively few light and airy, non-political or socio-political songs on Anthony David's 2011 album, As Above, So Below. It also happens to be the album's best track.
5. Mirror, Keke Wyatt, Kelly Price & Tweet
Keke Wyatt's Unbelievable! album, which dropped June 14 via Shanachie Records, had a great, great lead single working for it; a mature powerhouse of a ballad called "Mirror," which features her singing verses with a couple of other underappreciated vocalists: Kelly Price and the previously missing-in-action Tweet.
6. You Got Love, Kindred the Family Soul
"You Got Love" is feel-good adult contemporary track featuring Snoop Dogg that sounds custom-made for a summer cookout or family function. It's one of a number of quality, mature songs on Kindred's July 2011 album, Love Has No Recession.
7. Still in Love With You, Sade
When Sade released a new best-of collection in May 2011, it also contained a number of previously unreleased material. And of the four tracks, the best is arguably "Still in Love With You," a sad but beautiful remake of a song by '70s rock band Thin Lizzy.
8. Best Thing I Never Had, Beyonce
Queen B came strong on this single, which is about a woman who's really relieved that she didn't end up with someone who turned out to be Mr. Wrong. A sample of the lyrics: "When I think of the time I almost loved you, you showed your ass and I saw the real you/Thank God you blew it, thank God I dodged a bullet, I'm so over you, so good lookin' out."
9. Motivation, Kelly Rowland feat. Lil Wayne
Early in 2011, Kelly Rowland quietly landed a No. 1 hit on the Billboard R&B chart and the song managed to stay there for months. The super-sexy "Motivation" is Kelly's biggest hit since "Dilemma," her 2002 song with the rapper Nelly.
