'90s R&B

Contemporary R&B laid its roots in the ashes of disco during the '80s, but really began to flourish in the last decade of the 20th century, as hip-hop, soul, and pop were all lovingly stirred into to the generic mix. We begin our irresistible '90s R&B Essentials with the dream pairing of Brandy & Monica ("The Boy Is Mine", expertly coproduced with a lush underlay of tinkling harp by Darkchild), then we offer deferential nods to the masters (Michael Jackson and Prince), before introducing a bright cluster of hip-hop soul superstars, including Mary J. (belting it out old school on "I'm Goin' Down") and Aaliyah ("Back & Forth").

Jazzie B joins Beverley K and Jennifer L in Next Steps.

Soul II Soul started out on the sound-system circuit before establishing the template for bass-heavy British R&B at the start of the '90s: by 1992, the outfit had perfected its craft, with uplifting and universally danceable singles, like "Joy". Wolverhampton-born R&B wonder Beverley Knight kept the good vibes flowing through to the end of the decade with "Greatest Day" (1999) from her second album, Prodigal Sista, and in the same year a superstar was born on the other side of the pond: hail Jennifer Lopez (pre J. Lo reinvention) with "If You Had My Love".

The women of '90s R&B take control, in Deep Cuts.

Here in Deep Cuts, the ladies of '90s R&B take the reins, as we glide from solo star turns — Gabrielle's 1993 string-backed chart-topper, "Dreams"; Whitney Houston's GRAMMY® Award-winning "It's Not Right But It's Okay" (1999) — to sassy collaborations . . . was there ever a more appealing girl-group pact than the alliance between Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue on "Whatta Man"? We've also sprinkled in a dash of neo-soul, thanks to Lauryn Hill's second single from 1998 solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, "Ex-Factor", and Erykah Badu's Baduizm standout, "On & On".

During the '90s, R&B was a melting pot of styles, a testing ground for game-changing producers, and a glittering platform for a new breed of contemporary urban superstar . . . which makes these Essentials a collection of the decade's smoothest, hottest, and flat-out finest tunes. Here, you'll find new jack swingers Boyz II Men bringing soul and harmony front and centre with "End of the Road" (produced by the hugely versatile Babyface, who shows us his solo skills on "This Is for the Lover In You"); cornerstone R&B girl groups TLC ("Waterfalls", "No Scrubs"), En Vogue ("My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)", "Hold On"), and Destiny's Child ("Bug a Boo", "No, No, No, Pt. 2"); and an assortment of jet-streamin' solo artists (Mariah, Janet, Whitney).