On Jackson’s fifth studio album, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and she created an intimate atmosphere that allows her lyrics and vocals to breathe life into their sensual soundscape.
Read moreSananda Maitreya’s ‘Symphony or Damn’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
In retrospect, and despite the tremendous quality of the material on offer, Maitreya’s third LP just didn’t fit what radio was pushing back in 1993.
Read moreBill Withers’ ‘Live at Carnegie Hall’ Turns 50 | Album Anniversary
This performance was filled with such warmth, humanity and hope that the world outside disappeared from collective view for the duration of the concert.
Read morePrince’s Debut Album ‘For You’ Turns 45 | Album Anniversary
Nearly every single fiber of Prince’s future greatness is on show here, but in ways that are not always entirely fully formed or developed or necessarily in sync with each other.
Read moreBetty Davis’ Eponymous Debut Album ‘Betty Davis’ Turns 50 | Album Anniversary
Davis’ artistic voice spoke loud and clear to the equality of the sexes and a voracious independent sexuality that made no concessions to anyone else.
Read moreErykah Badu’s ‘New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)’ Turns 15 | Album Anniversary
Inspired by the freedom technology afforded her for her fourth studio LP, Badu expanded her circle beyond the archetypal “Soulquarians” who had helped shape the early part of her artistry.
Read moreJohn Coltrane’s ‘Blue Train’ Turns 65 | Album Anniversary
When Coltrane recorded ‘Blue Train,’ his artistic and professional transformation became obvious—not only was he the leader of the band for the first time, but he also wrote four of the five tracks.
Read moreCommon’s ‘Electric Circus’ Turns 20 | Album Anniversary
Following the success of 2000’s ‘Like Water for Chocolate,’ Common spread his creative wings and recorded the most daring album of his career thus far.
Read moreSolange’s ‘True’ EP Turns 10 | Anniversary
Original & Limited Edition cover artwork
While the seeds of Solange’s signature sound were present on previous releases, here she embraces the best qualities of her voice fully and begins the approach that marked future efforts.
Read moreStevie Wonder’s ‘Talking Book’ Turns 50 | Album Anniversary
Shorn of the modern curse of overstuffing albums, the 10 tracks here are all winners, be it musically, lyrically or—most often—both.
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