The Men of Soul

Otis Redding & R. Kelly

(2 of 3 of my Favorite Male Artist of All Time)

Last week I was listening to my best of Otis Redding and I started thinking what new artist reminds me of Otis. Then out of nowhere my computer continues to play the beginning of R. Kelly's "Love Letter" which was definitely influenced by Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. So, my computer basically answered the question for me. Now I will give a little background of these two greats.

First I will start with Otis Redding, he was just so soulful here's a song that displays soulfulness.

After listening to this song if you didn't feel the pain in Otis' heart, you need new ears.

Otis Redding was born in Georgia in 1941. Coming into this world as an African American during these times were not easy. Otis realized that at an early age, but it was something that was special about him at a young age he had a voice. As a result, he started singing in the church choir. So as time continue his finally started going through financial and health issues. This cause Otis to begin working at the age of 15, but he never gave up on singing because during this time he was a guest musician. Otis looked at Little Richard as his inspiration so during singing contest he always sung a Little Richard song. Finally he got his breakthrough he began a play of Little Richard's band, but he knew he didn't belong in the background. So, he met with Phil Walden that got him a deal with Atlantic Records and the rest is history. 

He released his first album in 1964 entitled "Pain In My Heart" that included the Pain In My Heart, These Arms of Mine, and Security. These song set the formula for the type of music Otis was going to make. 

Listen to These Arms of Mine

SOUNDS GOOD DOES IT

Then in 1964 he released his second album "The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads" this album included Mr. Pitful, the cover of O.V Wright's That's How Strong My Love is, and the cover of Jerry Butler's classic For Your Precious Love. 

Listen to one of my favorites of Otis' That's How Strong My Love is

WITH THIS SONG I SEE WHERE ALICIA KEYS GOT HER INSPIRATION FOR "THAT'S HOW STRONG MY LOVE IS"

In 1965, Otis released his breakout album to the Pop World, which was Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. This album included his version of Respect, which he wrote. But Aretha Franklin made it an anthem for women. I've Been Loving You Too Long and The Rolling Stone classic Satisfaction. This album made him a star this album is considered to be a classic. 

Listen to the ORIGINAL Version of RESPECT

NOW FELLAS DONT BE TOO MAD AT ARETHA FRANKLIN VERSION BECAUSE IN REALITY IT WAS REALLY A MAN'S ANTHEM FIRST!

I've Been Loving You Too Long

SATISFACTION

HE TURNED THIS ROCK SONG INTO A SOUL CLASSIC

By this time Otis just keep coming with the hits but in 1966 he released my favorite song from him Try a Little Tenderness. Jay-Z & Kanye West paid respect to this song in their song simply entitled Otis. 

SOUNDS SO SOULFUL DON'T YOU AGREE!!

During this time anything Otis touched turned to gold because everyone knew that his voice spoke realness and you can feel the emotion. But unfortunately Otis career was short lived because in 1967 he died in a plane accident, which left music industry stunned because he on his way to a long and lasting career. But his music still lives on, but 5 months before he died he recorded Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay. His label thought that this song was to pop for his fans, but Otis felt this was the best song he ever wrote and he know that it would be his first number 1 hit. Otis was right, but he wasn't able to enjoy it because the song was released after his death. Even though the song was a different sound for Otis the soul is still there.

Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay

OTIS IS SITTING ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY IN HEAVEN WHILE HE SINGS WITH SAM COOKE

Now my theme is bringing the old and new together. When I think about Otis Redding and the young generation two people come to my mind, R. Kelly & Tyrese. Tyrese voice reminds me of a Otis Redding, but when it comes to the style and sound, R. Kelly reminds me of Otis Redding. R. Kelly has that style that reminds you of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Marvin Gaye. 

Let's take a little journey of R. Kelly's legendary career, I am going to begin it with the album that introduced R. Kelly to the world, "Born In The 90s" with Public Announcement

She's Got That Vibe

YALL NOT FEELING ME YET!!!

Since yall are not understanding here's another one

Slow Dance

Okay got yall lukewarm now, so let me give you a little history about R. Kelly. He was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1967. He was introduced to gospel by his mother because she was very church bound woman. In school, he discovered that he had voice and in 1980 he sung Ribbon In The Sky by Stevie Wonder in a high school talent school. Then after he discovered his talent he formed a group and they use to sing in the Chicago train stations until they were discovered in 1989. In 1992, R. Kelly and his group Public Announcement released their album "Born In The 1990s". The hits included Slow Dance, Honey Love, She's Got That Vibe, and Dedicated. But I feel R. Kelly felt that he can do this one his own so after his left the group and went solo. 

In 1993, R. Kelly released his first solo album entitled 12 Play which included song like:

Bump & Grind

HEY YALL STILL WITH ME

Seems Like Your Ready

THE 90S CLASSIC -Your Body's Callin

What made this album so great and classic, R. Kelly wrote, produced, and arranged this album by himself. In my opinion, this is his best album he combined soul, hiphop, and funk. What I really love about this album was his remake of The Spinners' classic Sadie. He made that song his own, which was classic. If this album is not in you collection you need to get it.

In 1995, R. Kelly released his second album entitled R. Kelly. With album R. Kelly used his formula of 12 Play but added his gospel roots to the album. 

You Remind Me Of Something

Down Low featuring The Isley Brothers

Thank God It's Friday

I am just hitting you with the classic, keep vibing with me. In 1998, he released his album that  helped R. Kelly reached the pop world, that included the anthem from Space Jam I Believe I Can Fly. The album was simply titled "R". The used all of his influences for his album that included gospel, rock, pop, soul, and hip-hop.

This hits included:

HALF ON A BABY

WHEN A WOMAN'S FEED UP

DID YOU EVER THINK FT NAS

I'M YOUR ANGEL FEATURING CELINE DION

In 2000, R. Kelly went back to his 12 Play album with TP2.COM that included hits like I Wish , Fiesta , and the his mother dedicated song I Wish...

After this album Kelly had legal troubles but that didn't stop his music with albums like "Chocolate Factory", "Happy People/U Saved Me" that included the step anthems Step In The Name of Love & Happy People. Get your dance on for a minute

STEP IN THE NAME OF LOVE REMIX

HAPPY PEOPLE

By this time we knew that R. Kelly may had legal trouble but it didn't stop his talents. He continue to give us good music that included Trapped in The Closet, Same Girl, and Number One with Keri Hilson

ROCK WITH ME FOR A SECOND:

But in December 2010, R. Kelly released what I feel is a dedicated to all artists before him that included Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. The album "Love Letter" is a 60's type of album. R. Kelly said that he was just listening to Otis, Sam, and Marvin Gaye he started feeling inspired. This album I felt was the best album of 2010. What my generation don't understand you have to respect the old as well as the new. If you love the sounds of Otis and Sam Cooke, this album is a must. Go support good music...Here is a few songs 

WHEN IT A WOMAN LOVES

MUSIC MUST BE A LADY

HOW DO I TELL HER

This one is for the steppers

LOVE LETTER CHRISTMAS REMIX

Otis Redding & R. Kelly are musical geniuses because all of their songs are timeless. But I just wanted to show my young generation that if it wasn't for guys like Otis Redding their would be no R. Kelly....