Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby

Terence Trent D’Arby’s 1987 debut urged R&B into the modern age, harking back to the classic soul of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding while paving the way for neo-soul. D’Arby emotes through the register-traversing plea “If You Let Me Stay,” the seductively whistling “Wishing Well,” and the gospel-hued “As Yet Untitled” in a rich, deeply rooted rasp. He also dabbles in Caribbean and Middle Eastern rhythms and horn-driven funk, and just plain owns Smokey Robinson’s “Who’s Loving You.” It still feels absolutely contemporary.