2023 Top 100 Albums Of The Year

SoulStrutter's selection of the top 100 albums of 2023. They are not ranked in order, simply listed by reverse chronological release date.

2022 Selections

2021 Selections

There are links to the original posts if you would like to revisit them.

Date	Artist - Album	Rating
29/11	Will Downing - Soul Rising	8.7
17/11	Natasha Watts - Music Is My Life	8.8
10/11	Regi Myrix - SouLsDeLiCa Pt. 1	8.4
10/11	BJ The Chicago Kid - Gravy	8.5
03/11	Shaila Prospere - Share The Love	8.2
27/10	Leela James - Thought U Knew	8.8
27/10	Ty Causey - Faithful & True	8.4
27/10	Ruben Studdard - The Way I Remember It	8.4
20/10	The Shindellas - Shindo	8.4
20/10	Incognito - Into You	8.5
13/10	Papik feat. Nicole Magolie - Montecarlo Diamonds	8.6
12/10	Aphrose - Roses	8.4
09/10	Soulpersona & Princess Freesia - Lucky 7	8.6
06/10	Joy Denalane - WILLPOWER	8.5
30/09	The Virgo Lounge - Mellifluous Vibe	8.4
29/09	Cleo Sol - Gold	9
29/09	The Sextones - Love Can't Be Borrowed	8.5
27/09	Jaszy Shavers - Voyage To Surrender	8.8
22/09	Rob Hardt - Good Time for Good Times	8.4
22/09	Nevi - genesis (Deluxe Edition)	8.4
15/09	Coco O. - Sharing Is Caring	8.2
15/09	Cleo Sol - Heaven	8.6
08/09	Jalen Ngonda - Come Around and Love Me	9
01/09	Don-E - 30	8.3
01/09	Menagerie - The Shores Of Infinity	8.5
25/08	Victoria Monét - JAGUAR II	8.6
20/08	Shonda English - Travelin'	8
18/08	Pale Jay - Bewilderment	8.3
18/08	Leon Thomas - Electric Dusk	8.3
14/08	Élan Noelle - Elan	8.4
11/08	Marcus Machado - Blue Diamonds	8.2
11/08	Les Imprimés - Rêverie	8.3
04/08	Teddy Bryant - Dinner For Two	8.6
04/08	Output/Input - Forward Motion	9
01/08	Jahkayla - EP2.	8.4
31/07	Grooveman Spot - Lie-Sense	8.6
28/07	Paulette McWilliams - These Are The Sweet Things	8.8
28/07	Xavier Gordon - X Marks the Spot	8.2
21/07	Sunstone - 9ine	8.5
21/07	Kevin Brazil - Don't Leave	8
21/07	Slowe - Where The Mind Wanders	8.3
14/07	Zaimie - Fortuitous	8.4
12/07	Niya Imani - Girl If Only He Knew	8.4
07/07	Joe Leavy - Soul On Fire	8.8
07/07	Melonyx - Soul Glow	8.6
07/07	Loyola University New Orleans - 4 The Culture Vol.1: Gold Edition (R&B)	8.4
07/07	Gabriels - Angels & Queens (Deluxe)	8.6
07/07	CHERISE - Calling	8.4
07/07	Mama Terra - The Summoned	8.3
07/07	Carla Prather - The Return Of R&B	8.5
04/07	Theo Forsett - Love At Your Fingatips	8.2
30/06	Nicola Conte - Umoja	8
30/06	Acantha Lang - Beautiful Dreams	8.2
29/06	Derric Gobourne Jr. - Until: Summer Songs Inspired by a Hummingbird	8.3
16/06	R. Cory Johnson - Collages of Music and Love Vol. 1	8
24/06	Cynáa-Nicole - MY LIFE	8.4
23/06	Secret Night Gang - Belongs on a Place Called Earth	8.6
23/06	Jeff Bradshaw - XX Twenty	8.5
23/06	Reuben James - Champagne Kisses	8.4
20/06	Karlos Edwards - Welcome To My World	8.4
16/06	Lin Rountree - The Message	8.4
09/06	MAETA - When I Hear Your Name	7.6
08/06	Sipprell - Peace In The Madness	8.3
02/06	Mike Di Lorenzo - Play It Cool	8.4
12/05	Elli Ingram - Bad Behaviour	8.4
12/05	Bobby Harden & The Soulful Saints - Bridge Of Love	8.6
09/05	Angie Stone - Love Language	8.2
05/05	Brooklyn Funk Essentials - Intuition	8.6
31/04	Maysa - Music For Your Soul	8.6
28/04	Izo FitzRoy - A Good Woman	8.2
28/04	Michon Young - #mysweetness	8.2
28/04	Helen Bruner & Terry Jones - 2nd Overture	8.8
24/04	Roderick Harper - 2702	8.4
21/04	Jay Lamont - Just For You	8.4
21/04	Claire Davis - Get It Right	8.9
14/04	Dinner Party - Enigmatic Society	8.4
14/04	Ray Greene - Stay	8.2
14/04	Terri Walker - My Love Story	8.4
24/03	P.D. Williams - Funk Love and Soul	8.4
24/04	Billy Valentine - Billy Valentine & The Universal Truth	8.8
24/03	Reel People - Love2	8.4
03/03	Tristan - Seven	8.6
03/03	Adi Oasis - Lotus Glow	8.6
25/02	The Groove Association Feat. Georgie B. - Reflections	8.6
17/02	Terrill Carter - Feels Like This	7.8
17/02	Ten City & Marshall Jefferson - Love Is Love	8.5
14/02	Chelsea Nichole Feat. Jeff Lorber - Love Letters	8.2
14/02	Danny Boy - Black Heart	8.4
14/02	JKabel - Beige Living Room	8
10/02	Sabrina Claudio - Archives & Lullabies	8.3
10/02	Raheem DeVaughn - Love Euphoria	8.4
10/02	October London - The Rebirth Of Marvin	9.5
10/02	The Degrees - The Day Out Of Time	8.5
10/02	Will Downing - Pieces	8.8
03/02	Soulpersona - Soulacoaster (The 2023 Remastered Edition	8.6
02/02	Band Of Pockets - Moving On Again	8.6
24/01	Massnada - Glamour	8.3
20/01	José James - On & On	8.5
13/01	Ché Sampson - Break of Day	8
06/01	Kyle Jason - The Right Place	8.8

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

2022 Top 100 Albums of the Year

SoulStrutter's selection of the top 100 albums of 2022. There are in fact 101 as Carmichael Musiclovers' two volumes have been classed as a single album. All original material i.e. no reissues or compilations.

They are not ranked in order, simply listed by reverse chronological release date.

There are links to the original posts if you would like to revisit them.

Dec (5)

Baby Bash & The Bashtones - Souldies Nation [23 Dec]

Nes - Everything About Me Is Dif'rent [14 Dec]

Carmichael Musiclover - Black Elvis - Western Eyes Vol. 2 (P-Z) [8 Dec]

Carmichael Musiclover - Black Elvis - Western Eyes Vol 1 (A-L) [8 Dec] 

Victor Haynes - Love Is The Answer [2 Dec]

Nov (12)

Rita Ray - A Life of Its Own [28 Nov]

Backhouse Nation - Full Circle [25 Nov]

Stereonoon - Places we can go hide [25 Nov]

Tortured Soul - Take the Day Off [25 Nov]

Rodney Stith - The Soul Chronicles of Rodney Stith [20 Nov]

Hil St. Soul - Back In Love [18 Nov]

Claudia Campagnol - Right Now [18 Nov]

Luqman Frank - The Light of the Sun [17 Nov]

André Ward - Africa Rising [11 Nov]

Centric - Love Received [11 Nov]

STR4TA - STR4TASFEAR [11 Nov]

Nathan Johnston & Angels Of Libra - Nathan Johnston & Angels Of Libra [4 Nov]

Oct (10)

Raja-Nee' - The Sovereign of 14742 [31 Oct]

Swatkins - Friends And Other Necessities [28 Oct]

Candy Dulfer - We Never Stop [26 Oct]

Sir Spencer - The Second [22 Oct]

Pip Millett - When Everything Is Better, I'll Let You Know [21 Oct]

Kenya T - Writer's Room:Vol. 1 [21 Oct]

Rebecca Jade - A Shade of Jade [14 Oct]

Mikhala Jené - The Missing Peace [14 Oct]

Flwr Chyld - Luv N Chaos [14 Oct]

The Jack Moves - Cruiserweight [14 Oct]

Sep (15)

The Isley Brothers - Make Me Say It Again, Girl [30 Sep]

Beth - Get To Know Me [30 Sep]

Gloria Scott - So Wonderful [30 Sep]

DMo! - Also Known As [28 Sep]

Tamara Wellons - Months of Sundays [23 Sep]

Durand Bernarr - Wanderlust [23 Sep]

Muni Long - Public Displays Of Affection: The Album [23 Sep]

Kim Tibbs - The Science of Completion, Vol. 1 [23 Sep]

Jack Tyson Charles - Love Is Pain [22 Sep]

Melvin Gentry - Soul Weekend [17 Sep]

Zyah Belle - Yam Grier [9 Sep]

Ari Lennox - age/sex/location [9 Sep]

Lindsey Webster - Reasons [9 Sep]

IshMaleSings - A Hearts' Journey [4 Sep]

Jamison Ross - Jamo [2 Sep]

Aug (9)

J. DAPHANEY - SUPALOVE [29 Aug]

Princess Freesia - Return To Pleasure [26 Aug]

The R&R Soul Orchestra - The R&R Soul Orchestra (ReMastered 2022) [22 Aug]

Val B. King - So Many Ways [19 Aug]

Midnight.Blue - Breathe [18 Aug]

Sharon Rae North - Silhouette [12 Aug]

Candace Woodson - Perfect [8 Aug]

J-Darius - No Time Wasted [5 Aug]

B. Golden - Feelings [5 Aug]

Jul (5)

Avery*Sunshine - Four Songs & a Bootleg [29 Jul]

Khari Cabral & JIVA - 5 [22 Jul]

Yvonne Gage - Feel Love [15 Jul]

the della kit - moonbeams & frequencies [7 Jul] 

Toy Taha - EIGHT [1 Jul]

Jun (9)

JKABEL - Rhythm & Bible [22 Jun]

Mica Millar - Heaven Knows [19 Jun]

Morgan Munroe - Elvira [17 Jun]

Snoop Dogg - Snoop Dogg Presents Death Row Summer 2022 [17 Jun]

Dave Lee - Produced With Love II [17 Jun] 

Kadeem Tyrell - As Time Goes By [16 Jun] 

Tyra Levone - Chronicles of Life [12 Jun]

Blue Soul Ten - This Is Worth It [3 Jun]

Mike Di Lorenzo - What We Need [3 Jun]

May (8)

The Ton3s - We Are The Ton3s [31 May]

Michon Young - Love Life Experience Volume 3 Conversation Piece [27 May]

Rockwell Hallman - Rockwell [24 May]

Tank & The Bangas - Red Balloon [13 May]

The SWR Band & Ona Onabule - Soul Encounter [13 May]

Raheem DeVaughn - From Lust Till Dawn [6 May]

Sabrina Claudio - Based On A Feeling [6 May]

Kenyon Dixon - Closer [5 May]

Apr (9)

PJ Morton - Watch The Sun [29 Apr]

Melba Moore - Imagine [29 Apr]

Reuben James - Tunnel Vision [29 Apr]

Sarah Mk - Wax & Gold [27 Apr]

Samuel Archer - Soul Music Vineyard [15 Apr]

Tanika Charles - Papillon de Nuit: The Night Butterfly [8 Apr]

Laura Rain & The Caesars - Rise Again [8 Apr]

Eric Roberson - Lessons [1 Apr] 

Mamas Gun - Cure The Jones [1 Apr]

Mar (3)

Sunstone - Cosmo Sapiens [25 Mar]

Stone Foundation - Outside Looking In [25 Mar]

Krishawna  - Second Offering [1 Mar] 

Feb (8)

Blue Lab Beats - Motherland Journey [25 Feb] 

Wesley Bright - Must Be The Love [11 Feb] 

Mary J. Blige - Good Morning Gorgeous [11 Feb] 

Moonchild - Starfruit [11 Feb]

aimi - Chosen One [9 Feb]

MoreSoul - My Love Story [7 Feb]

Lance Vantile Whitfield - UnBossed [6 Feb] 

Royalty Duo - Marriage [6 Feb]

Jan (8)

Samm Henshaw - Untidy Soul [28 Jan]

The Real Thing - A Brand New Day [28 Jan]

Lady Wray - Piece Of Me [28 Jan]

David Morales - Life Is A Song [27 Jan]

D'Sound - 25 [21 Jan]

Sunstone - Virtual Superstar [7 Jan] 

Nicole Henry - Time To Love Again [7 Jan] (re-released from Oct 2021)

Stan Taylor - Red Velvet [31 Dec]

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

2022 Albums of the Year ... so far Pt.2

We've just passed the third quarter of the year and having done a Q3 summary of tracks, it's also time to update the list of the best albums of 2022 so far. 

Picking up from early August when the first cut was done (46 albums) here's the additions for the remainder of August and September bringing it up to 70, we may just about get to 100 by the end of the year? There are links to the original posts if you would like to revisit them.

Sep

DMo! - Also Known As [28 Sep]

The Isley Brothers - Make Me Say It Again, Girl [30 Sep]

Beth - Get To Know Me [30 Sep]

Gloria Scott - So Wonderful [30 Sep]

Dennis Taylor - The Best Of Dennis Taylor [30 Sep]

Durand Bernarr - Wanderlust [23 Sep]

Muni Long - Public Displays Of Affection: The Album [23 Sep]

Melvin Gentry - Soul Weekend [17 Sep]

Kim Tibbs - The Science of Completion, Vol. 1 [23 Sep]

Jack Tyson Charles - Love Is Pain [22 Sep]

Zyah Belle - Yam Grier [9 Sep]

Ari Lennox - age/sex/location [9 Sep]

Lindsey Webster - Reasons [9 Sep]

IshMaleSings - A Hearts' Journey [4 Sep]

Jamison Ross - Jamo [2 Sep]

Aug

Raja-Nee' - The Sovereign of 14742 [28 Aug]

The R&R Soul Orchestra - The R&R Soul Orchestra (ReMastered 2022) [22 Aug]

J. DAPHANEY - SUPALOVE [29 Aug]

Princess Freesia - Return To Pleasure [26 Aug]

Val B. King - So Many Ways [19 Aug]

Midnight.Blue - Breathe [18 Aug]

Sharon Rae North - Silhouette [12 Aug]

Candace Woodson - Perfect [8 Aug]

J-Darius - No Time Wasted [5 Aug]

Candace Woodson - Perfect [Self Released]

B. Golden - Feelings [Self Released]

Avery*Sunshine - Four Songs & a Bootleg [Big Shine Recordings]

Jul

Yvonne Gage - Feel Love [Music Matters Entertainment]

Khari Cabral & JIVA - 5 [Splash Blue]

the della kit - moonbeams & frequencies [ArtHaus Music] 

Jun

Snoop Dogg - Snoop Dogg Presents Death Row Summer 2022 [Death Row Records]

JKABEL - Rhythm & Bible [Self Released]

Mike Di Lorenzo - What We Need [KeepTheGroove]

Dave Lee - Produced With Love II [Z Records] 

Kadeem Tyrell - As Time Goes By [Self Released] 

Tyra Levone - Chronicles of Life [Self Released]

Mica Millar - Heaven Knows [Golden Hour Music]

The Ton3s - We Are The Ton3s [Ghetto Allstars]

Blue Soul Ten - This Is Worth It [Greenehouse Music]

May

Michon Young - Love Life Experience Volume 3 Conversation Piece [Self Released]

Rockwell Hallman - Rockwell [Rayday Publishing]

Tank & The Bangas - Red Balloon [Verve]

Kenyon Dixon - Closer [Self Released] 

Raheem DeVaughn - From Lust Till Dawn [The SoNo Recording Group]

Sabrina Claudio - Based On A Feeling [Atlantic] 

Apr

PJ Morton - Watch The Sun [Morton Records]

Melba Moore - Imagine [Orpheus Enterprises]

Reuben James - Tunnel Vision [Rufio Records]

Sarah Mk - Wax & Gold [Self Released]

Samuel Archer - Soul Music Vineyard [Samali Music Publishing]

Laura Rain & The Caesars - Rise Again [LRK]

Eric Roberson - Lessons [B.L.U.E. ERRO SOUL] 

Mamas Gun - Cure The Jones [Candelion]

Mar

Sunstone - Cosmo Sapiens [Self Released]

Stone Foundation - Outside Looking In [100% Records]

Krishawna  - Second Offering [Savannah Street Music] 

Feb

Blue Lab Beats - Motherland Journey [Blue Adventure] 

Royalty Duo - Marriage [Original Royalty Recordings]

Wesley Bright - Must Be The Love [West One Music] 

aimi - Chosen One [Love Ocean Records]

Mary J. Blige - Good Morning Gorgeous [Self Released] 

Moonchild - Starfruit [Tru Thoughts]

Lance Vantile Whitfield - UnBossed [DeBaddi] 

MoreSoul - My Love Story [Self Released]

Jan

Samm Henshaw - Untidy Soul [Dorm Seven]

The Real Thing - A Brand New Day [Choice Records]

Lady Wray - Piece Of Me [Big Crown]

David Morales - Life Is A Song [DIRIDIM]

D'Sound - 25 [daWorks Records]

Stan Taylor - Red Velvet [Self Released]

Sunstone - Virtual Superstar [Self Released] 

Nicole Henry - Time To Love Again [Banister Records] (re-released from Oct 2021)

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

2022 Albums of the Year ... so far

With the first half of 2022 now past, and we're well into August, I thought it was about time to do a recap of the best albums of the year so far. I guess many may have been forgotten or overlooked so now's the time to refresh your memories of them as there are links to the original posts if you would like to revisit them.

If you think there is an album I've missed then leave a comment. NOTE that this isn't a list of all albums released, only those I consider to have been the best or most popular and excludes compilations, covers and reissues i.e. original material only. There have been 46 identified so far.

On average there's been six to eight good albums each month but July was pretty sparse and so was March. August is looking on track with three already and we're not half way through the month yet.

Aug

Candace Woodson - Perfect [Self Released]

B. Golden - Feelings [Self Released]

Avery*Sunshine - Four Songs & a Bootleg [Big Shine Recordings]

Jul

Yvonne Gage - Feel Love [Music Matters Entertainment]

Khari Cabral & JIVA - 5 [Splash Blue]

the della kit - moonbeams & frequencies [ArtHaus Music] 

Jun

Snoop Dogg - Snoop Dogg Presents Death Row Summer 2022 [Death Row Records]

JKABEL - Rhythm & Bible [Self Released]

Mike Di Lorenzo - What We Need [KeepTheGroove]

Dave Lee - Produced With Love II [Z Records] 

Kadeem Tyrell - As Time Goes By [Self Released] 

Tyra Levone - Chronicles of Life [Self Released]

Mica Millar - Heaven Knows [Golden Hour Music]

The Ton3s - We Are The Ton3s [Ghetto Allstars]

Blue Soul Ten - This Is Worth It [Greenehouse Music]

May

Michon Young - Love Life Experience Volume 3 Conversation Piece [Self Released]

Rockwell Hallman - Rockwell [Rayday Publishing]

Tank & The Bangas - Red Balloon [Verve]

Kenyon Dixon - Closer [Self Released] 

Raheem DeVaughn - From Lust Till Dawn [The SoNo Recording Group]

Sabrina Claudio - Based On A Feeling [Atlantic] 

Apr

Melba Moore - Imagine [Orpheus Enterprises]

Reuben James - Tunnel Vision [Rufio Records]

Sarah Mk - Wax & Gold [Self Released]

Samuel Archer - Soul Music Vineyard [Samali Music Publishing]

Laura Rain & The Caesars - Rise Again [LRK]

Eric Roberson - Lessons [B.L.U.E. ERRO SOUL] 

Mamas Gun - Cure The Jones [Candelion]

Mar

Sunstone - Cosmo Sapiens [Self Released]

Stone Foundation - Outside Looking In [100% Records]

Krishawna  - Second Offering [Savannah Street Music] 

Feb

Blue Lab Beats - Motherland Journey [Blue Adventure] 

Royalty Duo - Marriage [Original Royalty Recordings]

Wesley Bright - Must Be The Love [West One Music] 

aimi - Chosen One [Love Ocean Records]

Mary J. Blige - Good Morning Gorgeous [Self Released] 

Moonchild - Starfruit [Tru Thoughts]

Lance Vantile Whitfield - UnBossed [DeBaddi] 

MoreSoul - My Love Story [Self Released]

Jan

Samm Henshaw - Untidy Soul [Dorm Seven]

The Real Thing - A Brand New Day [Choice Records]

Lady Wray - Piece Of Me [Big Crown]

David Morales - Life Is A Song [DIRIDIM]

D'Sound - 25 [daWorks Records]

Stan Taylor - Red Velvet [Self Released]

Sunstone - Virtual Superstar [Self Released] 

Nicole Henry - Time To Love Again [Banister Records] (re-released from Oct 2021)

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

SoulStrutter's Top 25 Albums of 2021

This list represents the SoulStrutter selection of the best albums of the year based on whole albums i.e. where they are consistently good throughout and not just one/two track albums.

There are some great albums in the list and, without disrespecting the others, Carmichael Musiclover has been the front runner since release with 17 excellent tracks and not a bad one amongst them. Many have their own choice cuts from it and mine are "Time for the Sunshine",  "Keep Going" and "Summer Breeze"

Links to  full albums on album title.

01/ Carmichael Musiclover - Slow Motion (25 Aug / 1 Sep)

02/ Down To Earth - Still Ridin' High (10 Sep)

03/ GarciaWalker&Durrell - Praying For Rain (30 Jul)

04/ J'Cenae - Decency (5 Nov)

05/ Silk Sonic - An Evening with Silk Sonic (12 Nov)

06/ Cornell CC Carter - Next Life (8 Oct)

07/ Durand Jones & The Indications - Private Space (30 Jul)

08/ D. Saunders - Let Me Sing To You (12 Oct)

09/ Yuma Hara - Reality (12 May)

10/ Ms. Kriss - Blacbuttahfly (EP) (12 Oct)

11/ Will Downing - Sophisticated Soul (1 Nov)

12/ Myles Sanko - Memories Of Love (12 Mar)

13/ W3sst - Runnin' (30 Apr)

14/ Bound - Bound I & II (10 Jun)

15/ Tanqueray Hayward - Definition Of A Woman (26 Mar / 20 Aug)

16/ Regi Myrix - BlakButtahVol.2 (27 Aug)

17/ Anthony Hamilton - Love Is The New Black (24 Sep)

18/ JKabel - Collective Thoughts (3 Sep)

19/ Funkee Boy - Elevate (22 Oct)

20/ Brain Temba - It's All You (9 Dec)

21/ Doc City - Welcome to Doc City (5 Nov)

22/ Rob Ruha - Preservation Of Society (8 Oct)

23/ Keni Jackson - Keni Jackson (28 May)

24/ Alvin Garrett - The Lightness Of Love (5 Feb)

25/ Tony Lindsay - Soul Soldier (22 Oct))