Upscale Music- List 3
21.Sarah Vaughan:'With The Count Basie Orch./The Jazz Sides' (1981/1994,****)
True singer.Nothing else needs to be said about 'sassy'.Her perfect pitch, range, and control were maintained throughout her long career.A contemporary of Ella's, not a rival.
22.ConFunkShun:'Best Of' (1993,****)
This group was very talented, and they seem to be the Ohio Players in the 80s.You get some funk, and the slow jams are vital to any collection.Like the Commodores, this group should have stayed together.
23.Kool and The Gang:'Best of, vol2' (1994,****)
Another talented group that excelled in the uptempo songs that crossed over.The group changed direction in the 80s, and with J.T.Taylor, they were always on Billboards Top 10.
24.Stephanie Mills:'Best of' (1995,****)
Our favorite 'Dorothy' is one of the few singers you can 'feel'.Her best from the 70s produced by Mtume is here and she is at her peak vocally.
25.Cheryl Lynn:'cheryl lynn' (1978,***)
This debut from the 'Large' singer gave us 'Got To Be Real', but the whole album gives you a set of songs with some great lyrics, tight production, and powerful vocals.
26.Al Jarreau:'Collection' (1996,****)
This set from one of the most talented vocalists is a testiment to his career in Jazz, R&B, and even Pop Music.
27.Average White Band:'Best of' (1992,***)
With this CD, you get to hear one of the most talented bands from the 70s, and all of the hits are here.With Tower of Power, this group crossed racial boundaries and just gave us real music.
28.Shalamar:'Three For Love' (1980,***)
A product of 'the Solar Sound'.This trio gave us popular uptempo cuts, but songs like 'For The Lover In You' stand out for me.Howard and Jody really sound good together.Reunite please !!
29.Tribe Called Quest:'Midnight Marauders' (1993,***)
I don't enjoy much rap music these days because of the remakes/samples done, but this is where I make an exception.This group uses sampling in a tasteful manner, while having a jazzy smooth production.Tribe isn't into the 'gangsta' thing, and they tend to be more positive than many other acts.
30.Kirk Franklin & The Family:'What Cha Looking For'(1996,****)
This is my favorite CD from this group, and it has some of the best gospel singing from a choir.My favorite song here is 'Conquerers', and you can't go wrong with the whole CD.This is before Franklin goes into the hip hop/rap mode on the next effort.No sampling done here !!
