The Best Soul and R and B Albums
Voices and grooves that carry more feeling than any other shelf.
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1What's Going OnMarvin Gaye
What's Going On
A seamless song-suite on war, poverty and the environment, Gaye's defiant break from Motown's hit factory. Lush, jazzy and politically urgent, it reframed what soul could address. Often called the greatest soul album ever.
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2Songs in the Key of LifeStevie Wonder
Songs in the Key of Life
A double album of staggering range and generosity, the centrepiece of Wonder's golden run. Funk, jazz, ballads and social commentary all sit comfortably together. Exhaustive, joyous and essential.
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3InnervisionsStevie Wonder
Innervisions
Tight, visionary and politically charged, blending synth-funk with social realism on tracks like 'Living for the City'. Wonder plays much of it himself. A peak of the singer-songwriter-as-one-man-band ideal.
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4I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love YouAretha Franklin
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
The album where Aretha found her voice at Atlantic, fusing gospel fire with secular soul on 'Respect' and the title track. Raw, commanding and historic. The Queen of Soul announces herself.
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5Super FlyCurtis Mayfield
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6VoodooD'Angelo
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7BlondeFrank Ocean
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8Channel OrangeFrank Ocean
Channel Orange
A widescreen breakthrough of narrative R&B, from the sprawling 'Pyramids' to the tender 'Thinkin Bout You'. Warm, literate and assured. The album that made him a star.
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9After HoursThe Weeknd
After Hours
A neon, synth-soaked plunge into excess and regret, home to the inescapable 'Blinding Lights'. Cohesive and cinematic. His most complete pop statement.
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10Let's Get It OnMarvin Gaye
Let's Get It On
A landmark of sensual soul, lush and intimate, home to its iconic title track. Warm and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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11Here, My DearMarvin Gaye
Here, My Dear
A raw, sprawling divorce concept album of startling candour. Bold and reappraised. A cult favourite.
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12Talking BookStevie Wonder
Talking Book
Where Wonder's classic period truly opens up, home to 'Superstition' and 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life'. Warm, funky and melodically rich. A perfect entry to his run of 1970s masterpieces.
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13Let's Stay TogetherAl Green
Let's Stay Together
Smooth, sensual Memphis soul defined by Green's falsetto and Willie Mitchell's warm production. The title track is a standard for good reason. A bedroom-soul cornerstone.
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14Call MeAl Green
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15Otis BlueOtis Redding
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16Stand!Sly and the Family Stone
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17There's a Riot Goin' OnSly and the Family Stone
There's a Riot Goin' On
A murky, exhausted masterpiece that answered the optimism of the 60s with funk's dark night of the soul. Dense and influential. A radical, essential record.
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18Hot Buttered SoulIsaac Hayes
Hot Buttered Soul
A radical, expansive soul record of long, orchestral reinventions that changed the genre's scope. Lush and bold. A landmark.
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19Still BillBill Withers
Still Bill
Warm, plain-spoken soul of enormous craft, home to 'Lean on Me' and 'Use Me'. Direct and timeless. His finest record.
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20BaduizmErykah Badu
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21Mama's GunErykah Badu
Mama's Gun
Warmer and more expansive than the debut, blending soul, funk and confession. 'Bag Lady' leads it. A neo-soul high point.
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22Brown SugarD'Angelo
Brown Sugar
A warm, classicist neo-soul debut that helped launch the genre. Smooth and assured. An influential record.
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23Songs in A MinorAlicia Keys
Songs in A Minor
A classically informed neo-soul debut that announced a major talent, anchored by 'Fallin''. Soulful and assured. A blockbuster on release.
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24CtrlSZA
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25SOSSZA
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26A Seat at the TableSolange
A Seat at the Table
A graceful, political art-soul album about identity and self-care, beautifully arranged. Quietly powerful. A defining 2010s R&B statement.
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27MalibuAnderson .Paak
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28Beauty Behind the MadnessThe Weeknd
Beauty Behind the Madness
A glossy pop-R&B blockbuster, home to 'Can't Feel My Face'. Polished and huge. His mainstream breakthrough.
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29Lady SoulAretha Franklin
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30Young, Gifted and BlackAretha Franklin
Young, Gifted and Black
A soulful, mature peak of gospel-charged R&B. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.
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31I Want YouMarvin Gaye
I Want You
A lush, sensual concept album of slow-burning soul. Smooth and beloved. A high point.
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32CurtisCurtis Mayfield
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333+3The Isley Brothers
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34Extension of a ManDonny Hathaway
Extension of a Man
A lush, orchestral peak of soulful depth. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
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35That's the Way of the WorldEarth, Wind & Fire
That's the Way of the World
A peak of lush, uplifting funk-soul, home to 'Shining Star'. Polished and joyful. Their best.
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36Maggot BrainFunkadelic
Maggot Brain
A psychedelic-funk landmark opening with a guitar elegy for the ages. Wild and visionary. A genre cornerstone.
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37One Nation Under a GrooveFunkadelic
One Nation Under a Groove
A joyous, danceable funk peak of communal energy. Tight and influential. A genre high point.
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38Mothership ConnectionParliament
Mothership Connection
A cosmic, horn-driven P-Funk landmark of sci-fi groove. Funky and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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39Live at the ApolloJames Brown
Live at the Apollo
An electrifying live document that captured Brown's raw command. Thrilling and historic. One of the great live albums.
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40Music of My MindStevie Wonder
Music of My Mind
The album where Wonder seized creative control, all synths and invention. Bold and beloved. A turning point.
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41Maxwell's Urban Hang SuiteMaxwell
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
A smooth, sensual neo-soul concept album that helped define the genre. Warm and cohesive. An influential debut.
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42Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1Jill Scott
Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1
A warm, poetic neo-soul debut. Smooth and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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43My LifeMary J. Blige
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44What's the 411?Mary J. Blige
What's the 411?
A foundational hip-hop-soul debut. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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45CrazySexyCoolTLC
CrazySexyCool
A smooth, hugely successful R&B landmark, home to 'Waterfalls' and 'Creep'. Polished and beloved. A 90s staple.
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46The Writing's on the WallDestiny's Child
The Writing's on the Wall
A blockbuster R&B peak, home to 'Say My Name'. Polished and huge. A breakthrough.
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47ConfessionsUsher
Confessions
A blockbuster R&B record of slick production and dramatic storytelling, one of the best-sellers of its era. Polished and assured. His commercial peak.
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48Kaleidoscope DreamMiguel
Kaleidoscope Dream
A sleek, psychedelic R&B record of real songcraft and sensuality. Smooth and adventurous. A modern soul high point.
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49The ArchAndroidJanelle Monae
The ArchAndroid
An ambitious, genre-spanning concept record of funk, soul and sci-fi, dazzling in scope. Inventive and acclaimed. A bold debut album.
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50Dirty ComputerJanelle Monae
Dirty Computer
A bright, defiant pop-funk record of identity and freedom, Prince-indebted and joyful. Polished and acclaimed. Her most accessible peak.
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51FreudianDaniel Caesar
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52Ego DeathThe Internet
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53Untitled (Black Is)Sault
Untitled (Black Is)
A powerful, anonymous protest-soul landmark. Bold and acclaimed. A modern high point.
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54Coming HomeLeon Bridges
Coming Home
A warm, retro-soul debut of vintage craft. Smooth and beloved. A breakthrough.
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55Love & HateMichael Kiwanuka
Love & Hate
A lush, soulful peak of vintage warmth, home to 'Cold Little Heart'. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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56Diamond 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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57Love DeluxeSade
Love Deluxe
Lush, late-night soul of real depth, home to 'No Ordinary Love'. Understated and gorgeous. Their finest record.
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58Fulfillingness' First FinaleStevie Wonder
Fulfillingness' First Finale
A reflective, funky peak of his classic run. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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59Midnight LoveMarvin Gaye
Midnight Love
A smooth, comeback peak, home to 'Sexual Healing'. Sleek and beloved. A late high.
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60I'm Still in Love with YouAl Green
I'm Still in Love with You
A warm, sensual Hi Records peak. Smooth and beloved. A high point.
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61Amazing GraceAretha Franklin
Amazing Grace
A towering live gospel album, the best-selling of her career. Powerful and historic. A landmark.
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62The Dock of the BayOtis Redding
The Dock of the Bay
A posthumous peak built around its timeless title song. Soulful and beloved. A high point.
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63Night BeatSam Cooke
Night Beat
A late-night, bluesy set that shows the depth beneath Cooke's pop sheen. Intimate and soulful. An underrated classic.
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64Modern Sounds in Country and Western MusicRay Charles
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
A bold, genre-crossing landmark that reframed country through soul. Lush and influential. A historic record.
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65Just as I AmBill Withers
Just as I Am
An intimate debut of acoustic-leaning soul, introducing 'Ain't No Sunshine'. Honest and understated. A quietly perfect record.
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66Pieces of a ManGil Scott-Heron
Pieces of a Man
A foundational fusion of soul, jazz and spoken word, home to 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised'. Sharp and influential. A proto-rap landmark.
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67Cloud NineThe Temptations
Cloud Nine
A psychedelic-soul pivot toward funk and social themes. Bold and influential. A turning point.
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68FreshSly and the Family Stone
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69Black MessiahD'Angelo and the Vanguard
Black Messiah
A dense, politically charged comeback after 14 years, layered and live. Bold and acclaimed. A triumphant return.
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70New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)Erykah Badu
New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)
A dense, political neo-soul peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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71BLACKsummers'nightMaxwell
BLACKsummers'night
A lush, mature neo-soul comeback. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.
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72The Diary of Alicia KeysAlicia Keys
The Diary of Alicia Keys
A polished, soulful follow-up of confident craft. Smooth and huge. A commercial peak.
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73No More DramaMary J. Blige
No More Drama
A triumphant, empowered peak of hip-hop-soul. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.
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74My WayUsher
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75FanMailTLC
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76SurvivorDestiny's Child
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77House of BalloonsThe Weeknd
House of Balloons
A dark, atmospheric mixtape debut that reshaped R&B. Bold and influential. A landmark.
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78StarboyThe Weeknd
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79Dawn FMThe Weeknd
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80WildheartMiguel
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81When I Get HomeSolange
When I Get Home
A hazy, experimental art-soul peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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82VenturaAnderson .Paak
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83Freetown SoundBlood Orange
Freetown Sound
A collage-like art-R&B record of identity and 80s textures. Lush and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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84Case Study 01Daniel Caesar
Case Study 01
A lush, adventurous follow-up to Freudian. Smooth and acclaimed. A creative step.
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85NineSault
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86Gemini RightsSteve Lacy
Gemini Rights
A breezy, funky bedroom-R&B peak, home to 'Bad Habit'. Smooth and acclaimed. A breakout.
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87Lost & FoundJorja Smith
Lost & Found
A soulful, assured UK-R&B debut. Smooth and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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88ShaftIsaac Hayes
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89Ship AhoyThe O'Jays
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90C'est ChicChic
C'est Chic
A peak of sophisticated disco, home to 'Le Freak'. Sleek and huge. A genre cornerstone.
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91RisqueChic
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92All 'n AllEarth, Wind & Fire
All 'n All
A lavish, spiritual funk-soul peak. Polished and beloved. A high point.
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93Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo SyndromeParliament
Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome
A cosmic P-Funk peak, home to 'Flash Light'. Funky and beloved. A high point.
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94Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will FollowFunkadelic
Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow
A wild, psychedelic-funk landmark of acid-rock intensity. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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95The World Is a GhettoWar
The World Is a Ghetto
A smooth, socially conscious funk-soul peak of Latin and jazz textures. Groovy and warm. A 70s favourite.
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96Trouble ManMarvin Gaye
Trouble Man
A lush, jazzy soundtrack peak of cinematic soul. Smooth and beloved. A cult favourite.
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97RootsCurtis Mayfield
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98RaptureAnita Baker
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99Stronger Than PrideSade
Stronger Than Pride
A cool, sophisticated soul peak. Smooth and beloved. A high point.
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100One in a MillionAaliyah
One in a Million
A sleek, futuristic R&B landmark with Timbaland's innovative beats. Smooth and influential. Her breakthrough.
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101AaliyahAaliyah
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102New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)Erykah Badu
New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)
A warm, melodic companion to the political Part One. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.
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103IsolationKali Uchis
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104Choose Your WeaponHiatus Kaiyote
Choose Your Weapon
A dense, virtuosic future-soul peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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105It Is What It IsThundercat
It Is What It Is
A jazzy, melancholic blend of funk, soul and virtuoso bass. Singular and warm. A modern favourite.
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106AromanticismMoses Sumney
Aromanticism
A spare, ethereal art-soul debut. Singular and acclaimed. A striking arrival.
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107graeMoses Sumney
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108ProcessSampha
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109LahaiSampha
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110LP1FKA twigs
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111MagdaleneFKA twigs
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112Collapsed in SunbeamsArlo Parks
Collapsed in Sunbeams
A gentle, literate bedroom-soul debut. Warm and Mercury-winning. A breakthrough.
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113The Electric LadyJanelle Monae
The Electric Lady
A lush, ambitious concept peak of funk and soul. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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114St. ElsewhereGnarls Barkley
St. Elsewhere
A quirky, soulful pop-soul record, home to the inescapable 'Crazy'. Inventive and fun. A 2000s landmark.
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115Never 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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116Give 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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117Giving 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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118HearsayAlexander O'Neal
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119Rock 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.