Listen to Classic Smooth R&B: Brown Sugar by D'Angelo

D'Angelo's debut album Brown Sugar is smooth R&B with a hint of hip hop and jazz. Written, arranged and performed by D'Angelo, it is a classic R&B album.

1995 was a spectacular year for R&B with top albums released such as History Past, Present and Future Book I by Michael Jackson, Candy Rain by Soul For Real, Reflections by After 7 and Miss Thang by Monica. D'Angelo also released his debut album Brown Sugar in 1995 with ten songs on varying themes of love. The songs that made it to the top of the charts were "Brown Sugar," "Cruisin," and "Lady" but the other six songs all have the chart- topping appeal and flavor.

R&B Singer D'Angelo

He was born Michael Eugene Archer on February 11, 1974 but the lovers of R&B music know him as D'Angelo. As a writer, composer and performer, D'Angelo's smooth voice and deep lyrics about love offer the listener a double dose of enjoyment. After Brown Sugar, D'Angelo released Voodoo in 2000. Then in 2008, The Best So Far was released which is a compilation of the singer's greatest hits.

The Songs on D'Angelo's Brown Sugar

The ten songs on this album all speak on the varied aspects of love while giving the listener an earful of soulful rhythms. Other than the songs that were released, songs like "Jonz In My Bonz," "When We Get By" and "Smooth" as well as the other tracks are all equally well-written and sung.

• The Title Song "Brown Sugar": This was the first song released by D'Angelo from this album. The music lovers in the 1990s can remember the "Brown Sugar" music video where D'Angelo sat at the piano in a smoke-filled room and started to croon those unforgettable lyrics "Let me tell you 'bout this girl/ maybe I shouldn't/ I met her in Philly and her name was Brown Sugar." Written and produced by D'Angelo and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, "Brown Sugar" provided the perfect debut song off the album.
• The Love Anthem "When We Get By": The first thought on listening to "When We Get By" is that D'Angelo penned this song for a special love interest. While having a jazzy feel, the song presents the characteristics of a classic R&B song. He sings "you're so fine and the day is fine, and we'll be fine/ When we make it by and we get by with love."
• The Remake of Smokey Robinson's "Cruisin": Many artists attempt to remake classic songs but some do not do a good job. However, D'Angelo's remake of William "Smokey" Robinson's "Cruisin" gives a fresh touch to the classic love song. D'Angelo sang all the vocals and arranged all the music for "Cruisin."
• "Jonz In My Bonz" Co-written by Angie Stone: Angela Stone more popularly known as the R&B artist Angie Stone co-wrote "Jonz In My Bonz" with D'Angelo. "Jonz In My Bonz" or 'Jones in my bones' sings of a feeling of longing. It is not clear what D'Angelo has the 'jones' for or is longing for but his voice makes longing for anything sound good.

Anyone who loves the music of the 1990s will appreciate D'Angelo's Brown Sugar. Hits like "Lady" and "Cruisin" are on this album along with sensual tracks like "Jonz In My Bonz" and "Smooth."