Best R&B/Soul Songs of 2009

"Number One," which features 2009's top newcomer, Keri Hilson, is a braggadocious sexual duet that was a top 10 hit on Billboard's R&B chart and was all over VH1 Soul for months.

"Chocolate High," which features India dueting with her rumored (ex)-boyfriend, Musiq Soulchild, is a tasty, sexy and radio-friendly track off her fourth album, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, which dropped Feb. 10, 2009.

Daniel Merriweather is a big voice in the new Soul scene overseas. Daniel's originally from Australia, and is already a hit in the United Kingdom, where his official debut album, Love & War, debuted at No. 2 on the UK albums chart back in June 2009.

This song, off Trey's third album, Ready, is a perfect example of what Trey's strength is: singing about the joy of lovemaking.

Lady Tee's back again and plans to dropped her 13th studio album June 9, 2009 via Stax Records. The album, Congo Square, takes it's name from an historical area in New Orleans. The sweet first single was "Can’t Last a Day," a Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff-influenced track that pairs Teena with the always-great Faith Evans.

This addictive ode to infatuation is off of Mario's DNA album, which dropped in October '09.

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You can't really tell by looking at her or listening to her sing, but Laura Izibor is an Irish R&B singer straight outta Dublin. Her debut album, Let the Truth Be Told, was released in the U.S. on June 16 via Atlantic Records. Her warm-n-sunny current single, "From My Heart to Yours," has been getting some play on VH1 Soul lately, as well as a few TV shows, including "Grey's Anatomy" and "Ghost Whisperer." It's a catchy, upbeat summertime jam that once again proves that the U.S. isn't the only country that can produce quality R&B/Soul singers.

"How It Was Supposed to Be," a song about lost love featuring Jadakiss, is an underrated song on an underrated album, Ryan Leslie's self-titled debut which dropped in February 2009. Ryan doesn't get nearly the props he deserves as an artist, but take it from your R&B/Soul Guide, this song and his album are both solid from top to bottom.

With "It's Yours," the first single from his second album, J. Holiday picked up right where he left off back in '07. "It's Yours" is almost as instantly catchy as his big hit "Bed" was, and is smooth, sexy and strongly sung.

Novel is an R&B singer-rapper who happens to be the grandson of legendary R&B vocalist Solomon Burke. He released an EP called I Am ... Future Black President in 2008, but Novel's had problems sticking with a record label. But once he finds a home, 2010 might be his break-out year. In the meantime, check out his bitter - yet sweet-sounding - break-up song.