Best Love and Romance Albums

Slow-burning soul and intimate records for a quiet night in — the albums to put on when it's just the two of you.

All lists Female Folk & Singer-Songwriter of the 1970s Singer-Songwriter of the 1970s Folk of All Time Folk Singers of the 70s — Artists Worth Knowing

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1

Let's Get It OnMarvin Gaye

Let's Get It On

Marvin Gaye · 1973 · Soul & R&B

A landmark of sensual soul, lush and intimate, home to its iconic title track. Warm and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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2

Let's Stay TogetherAl Green

Let's Stay Together

Al Green · 1972 · Soul & R&B

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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3

VoodooD'Angelo

Voodoo

D'Angelo · 2000 · Soul & R&B

A slow-cooked, deeply musical neo-soul landmark built on loose, behind-the-beat grooves and Questlove's drums. It rewards patient, repeated listening. One of the genre's defining statements.

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4

Channel OrangeFrank Ocean

Channel Orange

Frank Ocean · 2012 · Soul & R&B

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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5

Diamond LifeSade

Diamond Life

Sade · 1984 · Soul & R&B

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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6

3+3The Isley Brothers

3+3

The Isley Brothers · 1973 · Soul & R&B

A peak of funky soul and rock guitar, home to 'That Lady'. Smooth and influential. A 70s classic.

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7

Maxwell's Urban Hang SuiteMaxwell

Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite

Maxwell · 1996 · Soul & R&B

A smooth, sensual neo-soul concept album that helped define the genre. Warm and cohesive. An influential debut.

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8

RaptureAnita Baker

Rapture

Anita Baker · 1986 · Soul & R&B

A smooth, sophisticated quiet-storm peak, home to 'Sweet Love'. Lush and huge. A genre cornerstone.

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9

I Want YouMarvin Gaye

I Want You

Marvin Gaye · 1976 · Soul & R&B

A lush, sensual concept album of slow-burning soul. Smooth and beloved. A high point.

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10

BlondeFrank Ocean

Blonde

Frank Ocean · 2016 · Soul & R&B

An elliptical, gorgeous album of fragmented memory and feeling, stripped of obvious hooks in favour of mood and texture. Initially elusive, it becomes a favourite. A defining record of the 2010s.

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