The Resurgence of R&B

R&B has always been porous, alternately encompassing or even dominated by soul, gospel and pop traits. More recently, its absorption of electronic and hip-hop elements (lyrical patter, icy percussion, moody restraint) has led to a revitalisation. This set charts R&B's modern-love spectrum: retro soul, contemporary gloss, downtempo lust, rap-schooled crooning, hazy ambience, hooky futurism and Drake.