There were exceptions, such as numbers four, five and 18, but 1995 was ruled by kicked-back grooves with plump basslines. Many of them either evoked or sampled classic '70s and early '80s material, inspired by or sourced from the likes of Keni Burke and the Mary Jane Girls (number two), James Brown (seven), the Gap Band (eight), the Detroit Emeralds (13), Ronnie Laws (15), Bootsy Collins and Sly & the Family Stone (16), Isaac Hayes (17), Barry White (34), and Kool & the Gang and Hayes once again (38). Most of these younger vocalists and producers weren't working with session bands and string sections, but they were doing their part to keep soul alive and evolving.
1. D'Angelo - "Brown Sugar" [EMI, 5/27]
2. Groove Theory - "Tell Me" [Epic, 7/29]
3. Brandy - "Baby" [Atlantic, 2/4]
4. Mariah Carey - "Fantasy" [Columbia, 9/30]
5. Montell Jordan - "This Is How We Do It" [RAL, 2/11]
6. Faith Evans - "You Used to Love Me" [Bad Boy, 7/1]
7. Total - "Can't You See" [Tommy Boy, 4/1]
8. Soul for Real - "Every Little Thing I Do" [Uptown, 5/6]
9. Tina Moore - "Never Gonna Let You Go" [Scotti Bros., 5/20]
10. Blackstreet - "Joy" [Interscope, 4/1]
11. Brandy - "Best Friend" [Atlantic, 6/3]
12. Xscape - "Who Can I Run To?" [So So Def, 10/14]
13. Monica - "Don't Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)" [Rowdy, 4/22]
14. TLC - "Red Light Special" [LaFace, 3/4]
15. Usher - "Think of You" [LaFace, 1/21]
16. Adina Howard - "Freak Like Me" [EastWest, 2/4]
17. Mary J. Blige - "I Love You" [Uptown, 8/18]
18. Michael Jackson - "Scream" [Epic, 6/17]
19. Solo - "Heaven" [Perspective, 8/5]
20. TLC - "Waterfalls" [LaFace, 6/10]
21. Gerald Levert - "Answering Service" [EastWest, 2/25]
22. Intro - "Funny How Time Flies" [Atlantic, 11/4]
23. Raphael Saadiq - "Ask of You" [550, 3/25]*
24. Deborah Cox - "Sentimental" [Arista, 9/2]
25. Xscape - "Feels So Good" [So So Def, 10/14]
26. Kut Klose - "I Like" [Elektra, 2/18]
27. Brownstone - "Grapevyne" [MJJ, 4/22]
28. Janet Jackson - "Runaway" [A&M, 9/16]
29. Boyz II Men - "Vibin'" [Motown, 9/2]
30. MoKenStef - "He's Mine" [Outburst, 5/27]
31. Pure Soul - "I Want You Back" [StepSun, 11/11]*
32. Jodeci - "Freek'n You" [Uptown, 6/10]
33. Boyz II Men - "I Remember" [Motown, 12/2]
34. Mary J. Blige - "You Bring Me Joy" [Uptown, 6/10]
35. Monica - "Like This and Like That" [Rowdy, 10/21]
36. Portrait - "I Can Call You" [Capitol, 2/25]
37. Fabu - "Just Roll" [Big Beat, 2/18]*
38. Blackstreet - "Tonight's the Night" [Interscope, 8/19]
39. Carleen Anderson - "Mama Said" [Virgin, 2/4]
40. Maysa - "What About Our Love?" [Blue Thumb, 9/9]
*These songs are not available on Spotify in the U.S. Favorites 41-43 appear in their place, at the end of the playlist.
mn0000134600
mn0000639304
mn0000608945
mn0000262255
mn0000925066
mn0000164053
mn0000002750
mn0000037893
mn0000049774