The Best Soul and R and B Albums of the 1980s
Our selection of the essential soul and r and b albums from the 1980s — 9 records ranked by enduring quality, with vinyl and CD buying links.
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1Diamond LifeSade
Diamond Life
Cool, sophisticated sophisti-pop and soul, defined by Sade Adu's restrained voice and 'Smooth Operator'. Timeless and elegant. A perfect debut.
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2Midnight LoveMarvin Gaye
Midnight Love
A smooth, comeback peak, home to 'Sexual Healing'. Sleek and beloved. A late high.
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3RaptureAnita Baker
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4Stronger Than PrideSade
Stronger Than Pride
A cool, sophisticated soul peak. Smooth and beloved. A high point.
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5Never Too MuchLuther Vandross
Never Too Much
The debut that announced a voice of extraordinary control — silky, meticulous R&B that set the tone for the decade's polished soul.
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6Give Me the ReasonLuther Vandross
Give Me the Reason
Mid-period Vandross at his most assured — lush production and an unbroken string of ballads that confirmed him as the era's finest soul singer.
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7Giving You the Best That I GotAnita Baker
Giving You the Best That I Got
The follow-up to Rapture, equally warm and intimate — her voice perfectly suited to the quiet-storm production that defined the era.
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8HearsayAlexander O'Neal
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9Rock Me TonightFreddie Jackson
Rock Me Tonight
A debut that spent weeks at the top of the R&B charts — polished urban soul with genuine warmth at its centre.