11. "Just Fine," Mary J. Blige
Mary's sounding quite happy on the first single off her Growing Pains album. "Just Fine" is all growing and no pain. You can stream it by clicking the link below or on the image to the left.
12. "Angel," Chaka Khan
It takes a little while for "Angel" get going, but once it warms up - whew. With this song, Chaka Khan proved once again that she's still one of R&B's premiere vocalists. She hits notes on this song that most of today's young female singers can only dream about.
13. "Never," Jaheim
This romantic song about a player who finds Ms. Right is off Jaheim's fourth album, The Makings of a Man. You can stream it by clicking the link below or the image to the left.
14. "You," Lloyd
Cover © Universal.
Your Guide to R&B isn't real big on taking old hit songs and recycling the melodies to make new hit songs - it's kind of a lazy thing to do. But despite that, the use of a classic Spandeau Ballet song on Lloyd's "You" is brilliant. And the remix, which features the rappers Andre 3000 (Of OutKast) and Nas is pretty sweet.
15. "Hate On Me," Jill Scott
Album cover © Hidden Beach Recordings.
This song is quite different from Jill's usual cool, peaceful, jazzy style. She says she wrote it as a response to a group of online haters talking trash about her while hiding behind a keyboard and computer screen.
16. "My Love," Joe
Joe's latest album, Ain't Nothin' Like Me, may have slipped through the cracks in 2007, but one of it's best tracks, "My Love," is unquestionably one of the year's most romantic songs.
17. "B.U.D.D.Y.," Musiq Soulchild
Image © Atlantic Records.
This song, off Musiq's fourth album, Luvanmusiq, is a breezy jam about the "friends before lovers" philosophy. It's laid-back, no-pressure mentality and catchy hook make it one of the best Musiq singles ever. You can stream the song's video by clicking the link below or the image to the left.
18. "Last Night," Diddy feat. Keyshia Cole
Image © Bad Boy Records.
Although Diddy technically is a hip-hop artist and not an R&B one, "Last Night" makes the list for two reasons: first, because Diddy's actually singing on the track, not rapping; and more importantly, because of Keyshia Cole's uber-powerful vocals.
19. "Ice Box," Omarion
Album cover © Sony/Epic.
Omarion's not the best singer, but this is a cold song thanks to Timbaland's dope production skills.
20. "Like This," Kelly Rowland feat. Eve
Kelly Rowland may not be the best singer in the world, but she didn't have to be to sound good over this tight beat. Both Kelly and Eve - two talented stars who aren't quite superstars - were put in the best possible situation with this song.