Flashback Friday: Kelly Price & Amerie

Yes! It’s Friday, so it’s time to go into the vaults.


Progressive Soul princess Desiree selected this number:

Kelly Price, Soul of a Woman (1998)




Edd said: When Kelly Price released her first single, “Friend of Mine,” both Desiree and I were dumbfounded. Kelly’s voice was so stirring and powerful, yet so familiar. We couldn’t figure out who she was. And to make matters worse, when we checked out her single in the old Camelot Music store, her face wasn’t even on the cover. Eventually we realized that Kelly provided background vocals for some of the biggest artists of the decade, Mariah Carey and Puff Daddy specifically. But Kelly’s 1998 album, Soul of a Woman, was finally her chance to soak in the spotlight. This album is home to some of the best R&B songs of the modern era. It’s required listening for all R&B fans. Forget Biggie, Keith and the rest – nearly 15 years later, this is still my favorite album of all time.





Also check out:
“Friend of Mine”
“Her”




How about Edward?:

Amerie, All I Have (2002)


A few weeks ago, I was chatting with a friend on Facebook about how this album was sold for a mere $6.99 when it was released. $6.99! You can’t buy a decent combo meal for $6.99, let alone one of the best debut albums in recent memory. Now I know Amerie has her detractors, and it’s true she can’t shatter champagne glasses with flawless high-notes. But sometimes even a grouch like me can appreciate light, airy R&B. Of the hundreds of albums I own, All I Have is among just three or four that I can listen to from beginning to end without skipping a track (Coincidentally, Kelly Price’s album above also is in that elite group). Amerie has the looks, the voice and a catalog of hits – I STILL don’t understand why this woman isn’t a megastar.





Also check out:
“Can’t Let Go”
“Talkin’ To Me”


Now, it’s your turn. Email edward@soulinstereo.com, hit us up on Twitter @etbowser or @writeousbabe, or stop by the comments section and share your Flashback Friday album. Leave a couple of sentences describing what makes it so great. We’ll feature your album on the blog.