Black Music Month Spotlight

For the past 31years, the month of June has been declared Black Music Month. Former President Jimmy Carter signed the first proclamation in 1979. In 2001, then president, George W. Bush also signed a proclamation acknowledging the month long celebration.

In honor of Black Music Month, I will be highlighting some of my favorite R&B albums by women. For this article, I will highlight my favorite albums of the past few years.

2010: Monica - Still Standing

R&B superstar Monica released her sixth studio album on March 19, 2010. The making of the highly anticipated album was chronicled on the star's BET reality show Still Standing. The album features the types of songs that made Monica a fan favorite over a decade ago with her debut album. But the album is also current and fresh. Highlights include the slow jam "Everything" which features a sample of Deniece Williams "Silly." Also, the Missy produced "If You Were My Man" has an old school vibe that simply makes you want to dance.

My favorite track: "Believing in Me" - Monica ends the album with a soulful song of empowerment as she sings of finding the strength to move on from an unrequited relationship.

2009: Mariah Carey - Memoir's of an Imperfect Angel

"The Voice" as she has been called in the past, released her twelfth studio album on September 29, 2009. A memoir features some of Mariah's best work this decade. The album, which plays like a musical biography, chronicles the singer at various stages in her life. From the deeply personal to the playfully light, the album is broad, yet personal. On "Up Out My Face" the gives a former flame a funky send off complete with a marching band. The diva also gives a gospel-tinged rendition of Foreigner's "Want To Know What Love Is"

My favorite track: "Betcha Gon' Know" - One of my favorite Mariah songs of all time, this ballad follows a woman on the emotional roller coaster of learning her man is cheating. The song speaks of karma as the singer calmly recounts the severity of the situation "This is for real, for real, for real/Oprah Winfrey whole segment for real, for real/ Barbara Walters 20/20 for real, for real, 60 minutes for real. Hands down, some of her most clever work as a lyricist, for real.

2008: Jazmine Sullivan - Fearless

Jazmine Sullivan's voice is amazing. Hands down, she is one of the best new vocalists of the past few years. Her debut album Fearless was released on September 23, 2008. The first time I heard lead single "Need You Bad," I immediately heard the influence of Lauryn Hill in Sullivan's work. "In Love With Another Man" is a beautiful ballad that perfectly displays Sullivan's voice. Overall, the album is fresh and contemplative and worthy of the accolades she has received.

My favorite track: "One Night Stand" - I'm usually a ballad girl, but this song is so much fun to listen to.

2007: Alicia Keys - As I Am

Alicia Keys released her third studio album on November 13, 2007. The lead single "No One" featured a reggae-inspired beat that was infectious. The song reached number one on the Billboard charts. It was followed up by the though-provoking ballad, "Like You'll Never See Me Again." One of my favorites, the song sound unlike anything ever heard from Key's previously. Also, "Teenaged Love Affair" is a mid tempo song that has a very girl-group feel to it, reminiscent of the Motown sound of the past. Overall the album is Key's most polished and mature effort to date.

My favorite track: "Lesson Learned" - On this Grammy nominated track, the singer collaborates with John Mayer. The song is full of emotion and Keys' vocals are stirring. At one point, you can hear an audible sigh as Keys sings of being pushed to the point of no return in a bad relationship.

2006: Tamia - Between Friends

Tamia released her fourth studio album on November 14, 2006. Executive produced by the singer and hit-maker Shep Crawford, Between Friends features a well balanced array of funky up-tempo jams, sultry mid-tempo grooves, and soulful ballads. Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins starts the album with the "The Way I Love You." Tamia's vocal on the bridge are powerful, but not overbearing. She also shines on the song "Me," an empowering anthem of putting self before a relationship. Honorable mention goes to Tamia's remake of Aretha Franklin's "Daydreaming." An ambitious effort, Tamia makes it work somehow. The independently released album, in my opinion, is the talented singer's best effort to date.

My favorite track: "Almost" - On this track, the singer laments over a relationship that never was. Her haunting vocals of a missed opportunity are AMAZING.