An R&B playlist for the drive

3/1/2011

Drivers feeling soulful as they drive on the road should use a playlist that embodies everything wonderful about rhythm & blues, otherwise known as R&B.

Ever since the 1940s R&B has been a popular form of music best described as "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a heavy, insistent beat," according to Robert Palmer in his book, Deep Blues: A Musical and Cultural History of the Mississippi Delta.

Begin your playlist with some old-school gems like Ray Charles' "I Got a Woman," a 50's classic that brought R&B from the Harlem radio circuit to the mainstream. Move into the 60's with Diana Ross' "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (the Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye version is also acceptable).

The Temptations also had an R&B hit with "My Girl," a classic song that's still a popular karaoke song. Sing it out in the car as America rolls by.

The '70s and '80s didn't have much going for it in this genre, but TLC brought it back in the '90s with it's album "Crazy Sexy Cool." Skip over their most popular song, "Waterfall," and listen to "Creep."

Other artists to include: Mary J. Blige, Usher (old school, from the '90s), Alicia Keys and Amy Winehouse.