R&B 40: 1991

No major shifts occurred in 1991, a year in which over 330 R&B singles entered Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart. The same songwriting and production teams who colored 1990 remained present. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis dominated. Those two had something to do with seven songs on this 100% subjective playlist of '91 favorites: numbers one, four, ten, 11, 28, 31, and 34. That's not to say there wasn't variety. The distinct differences between the brilliant top seven form a solid case for '91 as one of the decade's best years.

There were several debuts of significance, including one from the band of Minnesotans at number one. Mint Condition swiftly went from local to global with a singular, fully realized sound after humble beginnings as Prince clones, and they're still going strong in 2013. The Brand New Heavies, presumably armed with a well-worn copy of James Mason's obscure 1977 jazz-funk masterpiece Rhythm of Life, are still kicking, as are Boyz II Men.

This playlist features what will likely be the least successful number two of any covered year. Jeff Redd's "You Called and Told Me" failed to crack the Top 60 but is a top-tier new jack swing anthem, a Dave "Jam" Hall-produced cult classic from the Strictly Business soundtrack. Also on that Uptown release: Mary J. Blige, who sang backup for Redd and signed to Uptown through him. We heard much more from the future Queen of Hip-Hop Soul -- as well as soundtracks -- the following year.

1. Mint Condition - "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)" [Perspective, 11/2]
2. Jeff Redd - "You Called and Told Me" [Uptown, 11/9]
3. Tony! Toni! Toné! - "Whatever You Want" [Wing, 3/2]
4. Sounds of Blackness - "Optimistic" [Perspective, 5/25]
5. Gerald Levert - "Private Line" [EastWest, 10/12]
6. The Brand New Heavies - "Stay This Way" [Delicious Vinyl, 11/2]
7. Jodeci - "Forever My Lady" [Uptown, 8/17]
8. Guy - "Let's Chill" [MCA, 2/23]
9. Christopher Williams - "I'm Dreamin'" [Giant, 2/23]
10. Karyn White - "Romantic" [Warner, 8/17]

11. Alexander O'Neal - "All True Man" [Tabu, 1/26]
12. Hi-Five - "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)" [Jive, 1/19]
13. Jodeci - "Stay" [Uptown, 12/7]
14. The Brand New Heavies - "Never Stop" [Delicious Vinyl, 6/29]
15. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" [Columbia, 6/22]
16. Ce Ce Peniston - "Finally" [A&M, 11/9]
17. Fourplay - "After the Dance" [Warner, 10/5]
18. Guy - "Let's Stay Together" [MCA, 11/30]
19. Levert - "Baby I'm Ready" [Atlantic, 4/27]
20. Prince & the New Power Generation - "Insatiable" [Paisley Park, 11/16]

21. Mariah Carey - "Someday" [Columbia, 1/12]
22. Prince & the New Power Generation - "Gett Off" [Paisley Park, 7/27]
23. Luther Vandross - "Power of Love/Love Power" [Epic, 4/27]
24. Boyz II Men - "Motownphilly" [Motown, 4/20]
25. Crystal Waters - "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" [Mercury, 5/18]
26. Guy - "Do Me Right" [MCA, 5/4]
27. Mariah Carey - "Emotions" [Columbia, 8/31]
28. Ralph Tresvant - "Do What I Gotta Do" [MCA, 4/27]
29. En Vogue - "Don't Go" [Atlantic, 3/30]
30. Whitney Houston - "I Belong to You" [Arista, 11/16]

31. Johnny Gill - "Wrap My Body Tight" [Motown, 2/2]
32. Luther Vandross - "The Rush" [Epic, 11/9]
33. Special Generation - "Spark of Love" [Bust It, 2/16]
34. Sounds of Blackness - "The Pressure, Pt. 1" [Perspective, 9/21]
35. Vesta - "Special" [A&M, 6/15]
36. Jennifer Holliday - "Love Stories" [Arista, 12/14]
37. Bell Biv DeVoe - "Word to the Mutha!" [MCA, 8/31]
38. Mica Paris - "Contribution" [Island, 2/23]
39. Basic Black - "What Ever It Takes" [Sound of New York, 2/16]
40. Rude Boys - "Are You Lonely for Me" [Atlantic, 8/24]