Top 12 Female Singers of Radio R&B

Soul music is multifaceted, and very difficult to clarify. If jazz or pure soul artists were included, only a couple of singers on this Top 12 list would be in the top 25. Jazz and soul are deep rooted. Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Bettye Lavette, Nancy Wilson, Patti Austin, Cassaundra Wilson, Lalah Hathaway and Rachelle Ferrell to name a small fraction of greats, take you to another dimension. With that said, let's just say that this Top 12 list represents "radio R&B" - favored female solo artists who had the greatest commercial appeal coupled with notable talent.

The reality of it all is that there have been hundreds of standout singers. Names like Deniece Williams, Vesta Williams, Valerie Simpson, Brenda Holloway, Esther Phillips, Phoebe Snow, Patti Drew, Barbara Mason, Stephanie Mills, Teena Marie, Phyllis Hyman; I could go on and on. There are even background singers like the Waters sisters, Core Cotton, Carrie Harrington, Stephanie Spruill, among others who could have had solo careers, but were comfortable doing studio work and touring with the biggest names in music. And, in churches all across America are young singers who could blow the hair extensions off of the most popular singers we spend money to hear and see today.

The names of pros are listed below. Pure and raw talent; unique voices from unique women that we counted on to delight us year after year after year with exceptional music. The cupcake is the designer desert of the new millennium. Who would ask for 10 when only two more make a dozen? An assortment of decadent cakes awaits you. This is a top 12, but you get the baker's dozen.

Baker's Dozen

13. Jill Scott - "Jill" can roar with the great lionesses of song. She is fierce. There isn't a "young" singer today who can match her vocal talent. In my mind, I can see her and Marvin recording duets. That's powerful. Jill has skill and her lyrics are honest. The many voices of Jill create a cast of characters that make you believe that there is a multiple personality disorder going on. Live, her presence is very commanding, and she sounds just as good as her studio recordings. Now that her acting career is gaining notoriety, I can only hope that Jill will continue to write and sing the songs that represent her inner being. We need her voice to keep R&B alive.

The Top 12

12. Martha Reeves - "Come and get these memories" is what she commanded in the song. I'm here to collect Martha. Sultry, sassy, smooth singer of soul, Martha Reeves was a confident songstress. Her songs were fun, and make you think back to when you use to walk your girlfriend home from school.

11. Natalie Cole - She had a lot to prove in the beginning. She had her own style and who can knock her heritage. Music is in her bones. I wish she would play piano more. She rocked us back in the day with some straight up soul. Every time I listen to her it's a reaffirmation that "this will be an everlasting love" between music lovers and Natalie.

10. Anita Baker - Her music gives you pleasure. That may seem a bit erotic, but tenderness can be found in her sound. Imagine a big ball of cotton candy wrapped around a stick, holding hands, strolling at the annual county fair. "Angel" is the song that best characterizes how special Anita Baker is.

9. Patti LaBelle - Patti songs are for the "grown and sexy" people of the world. Patti does not play. A mature woman won't just come right out and tell a man how she really feels. She'll be thinking "if (this fool) you only knew how I really love you." You won't find any lies in a Patti LaBelle song. She is very passionate and always identifies with her audiences.

8. Diana Ross - It was once said that Diana Ross could sing anything. There was some truth to that. Her appeal to the world with "Reach Out and Touch" was the beginning of a new era for queen supreme, and a long solo career that was pretty impressive. The lady was very feminine, glamorous and the epitome of a true star.

7. Minnie Riperton - The song "Reasons" was a soulful rock song. Her octaves are well known, but there was a quiet restless groove that was never released. She explored music, and could have done well in any genre. When Minnie did her thing, there was no equal. She was the only Princess in all of the land.

6. Roberta Flack - An exceptional songwriter; a story teller is Roberta Flack. Like a Queen from a far away land bringing unimaginable pleasantries to share with another civilization. Find a pond, drop a pebble, and watch the waves flow outward in harmonious layers. That's "Killing Me Softly". That's Roberta Flack.

5. Gladys Knight - You never have to wonder "who's that singing" when you hear Gladys. Robust, is how I would describe Gladys' voice. Good cooking music too. I'm talking fried pork chops, yams, rice, fried okra and corn bread as a last meal before you leave on that "Midnight Train to Georgia". Here's a duet for your behind: Gladys Knight and Frankie Beverly.

4. Chaka Khan - A youthful Chaka wearing the feathers made young bucks like me drool. However, her talent far exceeded her gorgeous looks. This woman can "sang". The song "Everlasting Love" takes you on a ride through the land of octaves. Your journey begins in an underground cave, as you slowly ascend to the summit of Mt. Everest. Then you wonder how you got there. That's what Chaka Khan does to you. Her range is simply amazing.

3. Mavis Staples - Mavis is the 'rock star' of the bunch. Like her male counterpart Al Green, she could please any crowd. "Let's Do It Again" written by the late, great Curtis Mayfield showed his incredible vision, as Mavis made it seem like she ad-libbed the entire song. That kind of groove couldn't have been rehearsed. Listen to it when you can.

2. Mary Wells - The undisputed Queen of Motown, listening to Ms. Wells is like lying your head on an Eiderdown pillow. Her voice was harmless, and it never disturbed you. There was complete clarity in her pronunciations of every word sang and you didn't have to play a song over to get what she said. You played it again because you dug it. By way of the intelligent writings of Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells became a high ranking queen of soul.

Number 1

Aretha Franklin - Aretha. I don't have to say more than that, but I can't resist. An instrument lies within the linings of her esophagus. If angels sound better then I will do everything earthly possible to get to Heaven to hear them and to join them praising God Almighty. I was a young kid when my older brother played "God Bless the Child", sung by a 19 year old Aretha. I was so captivated by the flawless voice that I would sneak to play it when he left the house. God blessed this child through Ms. Franklin. She has stood atop the summit for a long time overlooking her kingdom of Soul. Soul shall one day, soon, return to its roots - Gospel. Yolanda Adams will be Aretha Franklin's successor.

Decadent cakes indeed. Go treat yourself to some R&B.