R. Kelly

A quick glance at the career-so-far of R. Kelly reveals an R&B superstar who has consistently sold himself as the world’s most tuneful and carnal loverman . . . but there’s so much more to the artist than the headline-hammering lust he consistently transforms into music. Sure enough, “Bump N’ Grind,” from 1993’s solo debut 12 Play, set the tone for much of what was to come, in terms that defy misinterpretation, but “I Believe I Can Fly” — written for the Michael Jordan movie Space Jam — touched the hearts of millions. Such is the unpredictable genius of R. Kelly, constantly pushing boundaries while exploring, exposing, and exorcising his highest hopes and darkest desires with shocking honesty and unrelenting grooves.

Kelly is joined by Kid Rock and Ludacris, in Next Steps.

Like Marvin Gaye before him, Kelly is caught in an epic struggle between sex, God, and public perception — which is great news for anyone within earshot of the battle. Gliding between soul, gospel, and hip-hop, he is always true to himself and continues to make albums that transcend his too-public trials and tribulations. “Gotham City” is an elegant addition to the Batman & Robin soundtrack; “If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time,” from the ambitious double-album R., finds him exploring a tender pop groove; and “Rock Star” places him in the kind of environment he calls home, flanked by Ludacris and Kid Rock, stripping a girl who tastes like “cinnamon” down her bare “minimums.”

In Deep Cuts, Kelly gets freaky in the kitchen.

It’s not just that R. Kelly brings his best game so well in so many ways: he also brings it often, kicking out single- and double-disc sets packed to the brim with unstoppable groves in every flavor . . . from the neo-soul slink of “Suicide” to the funky party thrills of “Happy Summertime” (featuring Snoop Dogg) and the food-centric erotica of “In the Kitchen,” where he spies his girl chillin’ in her robe, “cuttin’ up potatoes, fruits and vegetables,” before opening up to the possibilities of his surroundings: “I want to put you on the counter by the buttered rolls.” And there’s no better confirmation of Kelly’s R&B-heavyweight status than his Jay-Z collaborations: “Shake Ya Body” (also featuring Lil’ Kim) hails from The Best of Both Worlds, 2002’s excellent collaborative album.

He can work you out on the dance floor, turn you on in the bedroom, and then take you to church in the morning, all with unflinching honesty, grooves that simply can’t be resisted, and a creative fire that won’t die. Consider the evidence — anyone can sing about infidelity, but only Kelly would lay it out in a soulful soap opera slathered over simultaneously released singles: check out series opener “Trapped In the Closet Chapter 1.” Then there’s the sheer range of his collaborations, from the Céline Dion duet “I’m Your Angel” to the super-freaky Snoop Dogg hook-up “Double Up” and 2007’s T.I./T-Pain get-together, “I’m a Flirt.” If you think that tortured, soul-baring brilliance died with Marvin Gaye, you need an Essential fix, R. Kelly-style. Nobody does so much, so well, so often.