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Angie-Stone: Her death has lit the spark for fans to dig out the golden era neo-soul classics
Angie Stone in performance in Detroit in 2018. She was part of the neo-soul movement of the late 1990s and 2000s, which blended traditional soul with other influences.
In recent weeks, there has been a surge in interest on the neo-soul music movement of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The era was a reawakening of traditional soul with contemporary R&B, and flavoured with elements of funk, blues, jazz and hip hop.
The outpouring of tributes to Angie Stone, one of the leading lights of neo-soul, who died on March 1, following a road accident in Montgomery, Alabama, has lit the spark for many fans to dig out music from that golden era.
Add these 10 neo-soul classics to your streaming playlist to rekindle the memories.
Angie Stone
Wish I Didn’t Miss You
When Stone received a demo of the song, she didn’t like it, mainly because she had recorded most of the sessions for her debut album Mahogany Soul and didn’t feel the need to record any additional songs.
It took the intervention of J Records boss Clive Davis to convince her to record what turned out to be among her signature tunes.
“I have to close my every show with that record and I love the song now,” she said in 2023
D'Angelo
Cruisin’
Taken from his 1995 album Brown Sugar, which brought mainstream attention to the neo-soul movement. The multi-instrumentalist gives this 1979 masterpiece by Smokey Robinson a personal interpretation, complete with a string section, violin, viola and cello, clocking in at a length of 6 and a half minutes.
Angie Stone who was then in a romantic relationship with D’Angelo was the muse for this album while he returned the favour producing her on Black Diamond. In the process, they had a child together.
Erykah Badu
On and On
An extraordinary talent from Dallas, Texas, landed on the music scene in 1996 like a breath of fresh air with her debut album Baduizm.
This song, more than most from that era, defines the finest qualities of neo-soul. Badu’s delicate vocals soar above the thrust of the booming bassline, jazzy keyboards and percussions.
It won her the Best female R&B Vocal Performance at the 1998 Grammy Awards and affirmed her status as the godmother of neo-soul.
Lauryn Hill
Ex-Factor
Was she referencing the fallout from her relationship with former bandmate Wyclef? The reclusive Hill has never directly confirmed it, though Wyclef gave lots of details of their breakup in his autobiography.
The song from the iconic album Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, has been widely sampled and covered by among others Beyonce and John Legend.
In a symbolic passing of the torch, Hill and her 22-year-old son YG Marley, who was not even born when the song was first released, performed the song together on a US TV show last year
Musiq Soulchild
Just Friends
In 2000, Taalib Johnson went from performing at open mic events in Philadelphia to become neo-soul star, Musiq Soulchild. This gem from his debut album opens with the artist beatboxing as an ode to his hip hop roots before his soulful flair kicks in with a hook that is guaranteed to get your head bopping.
The song was also featured on the soundtrack to the 2000 film Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.
Jill Scott
Golden
Comedian Ellen Degeneres revived fond memories when she chose this anthem to personal liberation as the soundtrack to her exit from stage during her 2024 Netflix special.
An upbeat rhythm with empowering lyrics from the singer- songwriter and poet’s second studio album Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, released in 2004
India-Arie
Brown Skin
When you first heard this single from her 2001 debut album Acoustic Soul, it became obvious that it marked the arrival of an exceptional talent with a socially conscious personality.
The soothing voice and charming guitar make this bluesy-soul number celebrating natural beauty, irrespective of skin color, timeless. Spotify earned her wrath in 2022 when the image of a Caucasian woman appeared as the artwork for Brown Skin on the streaming platform.
Maxwell
Sumthin’ Sumthin’
The fusion of funk, jazz, and soul elevates the exquisite voice of Maxwell, who was a 22-year-old making his debut in 1996, with this tale of adult romance. The acoustic rhythm and irresistible bass line make this midtempo groove an absolute delight.
It is quite some complement when music critics compare your voice to that of soul legend Marvin Gaye.
Jaheim
Put That Woman First
An incredibly powerful voice with a song that reminds men to treat the women in their lives with love and respect. Put That Woman First was the highlight of Jaheim’s second album Still Ghetto in 2002.
Angie Stone
No More Rain
Some would argue that this was her definitive song, especially with the uplifting lyrics written to celebrate the birth of her son with fellow neo-soul star D’Angelo in 1999.
Taken from her outstanding debut Black Diamond (1999) and given a retro vibe thanks to a sample from Gladys Knight’s 1972 classic Neither One of Us.
