Although heavy on the dance/house vibes, ‘Affection’ is, for all intents and purposes, an incredibly soulful record, a feat that many pop artists with powerful voices fail to achieve.
Read moreParliament’s ‘Gloryhallastoopid (or Pin the Tale on the Funky)’ Turns 45 | Album Anniversary
Even if George Clinton knew Parliament’s end was nigh while recording ‘Gloryhallastoopid,’ the group’s eighth studio affair doesn’t sound like a swan song.
Read moreRedman’s ‘Dare Iz A Darkside’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
Redman’s second studio affair is his most underground and uncompromising album, with music and lyrics that pulse with darkness and pain, layered in thick slabs of sludge-drenched funk.
Read morePrince’s ‘The Black Album’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
When all is said and done, ‘The Black Album’ is a mixed bag, a less consistent Prince than we had become accustomed to.
Read moreJohn Frusciante’s Debut Solo Album ‘Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
The performances on Frusciante’s debut solo album are unpolished, feeling like first-takes of ideas. But the ideas are solid and fit snugly into his songwriting canon.
Read moreMF DOOM’s ‘MM.. Food’ Turns 20 | Album Anniversary
On his fifth album, DOOM maintains his creativity both in front of and behind the boards, reinforcing his well-earned reputation as one of the most gifted rapper/producer double-threats of all time.
Read moreJohn Mayer’s ‘Battle Studies’ Turns 15 | Album Anniversary
‘Battle Studies’ is John Mayer at his most focused and finest. It’s a near perfect album, one you can listen to from start to finish with a satisfying sense of storytelling at your disposal.
Read moreDr. Dre’s ‘2001’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
Relative to its famous precursor (1992’s ‘The Chronic’), the immaculately mixed ‘2001’ retains a largely Spartan aesthetic, but still feels “big” in scope and sound.
Read moreSnoop Dogg’s ‘R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece’ Turns 20 | Album Anniversary
Snoop struck sonic gold by collaborating with The Neptunes once again for his seventh studio album, most notably on the unforgettable hit single “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”
Read moreTLC’s ‘CrazySexyCool’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
TLC’s massively successful second long player is their truest R&B offering, as it remains fluently smooth and harmonic over the almost constant mid-tempo pacing.
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