20 Modern R&B Gems That Would’ve Dominated the ’70s Charts
Modern R&B artists have been quietly borrowing past influences, creating tracks that feel like they were plucked straight off a 1970s vinyl collection. Close your eyes while listening to some of today’s smoothest songs and you might swear Marvin Gaye or Roberta Flack is crooning through vintage speakers.
Silky harmonies and funky basslines in these contemporary gems prove great soul music never really goes out of style.
1. See You Later by Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon
Jazz horns swirl around buttery vocals like smoke in a dimly lit club, creating an atmosphere Curtis Mayfield would’ve loved. Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon channel pure 1970s energy with their collaboration, blending soulful melodies that feel both nostalgic and fresh.
Funky basslines anchor the track while Rhodes piano chords sparkle like disco balls. Listeners get transported to an era when music prioritized feeling over production tricks.
If Quincy Jones produced modern tracks, they’d probably sound exactly like this masterpiece.
2. Redbone by Childish Gambino
Funky guitar licks drip like honey over this psychedelic groove that could’ve easily sat between Parliament and Funkadelic on any 1970s playlist. Donald Glover’s falsetto floats effortlessly, channeling Bootsy Collins energy with every note.
Synthesizers bubble beneath the surface, creating layers that reward repeated listening. The track’s hypnotic rhythm makes it impossible to sit still, demanding body movement like the best soul jams always do.
Though released in 2016, this song feels timeless, proving funk never truly dies.
3. Cranes in the Sky by Solange
Ethereal vocals drift over minimalist production, creating space for emotions to breathe in ways Roberta Flack perfected decades ago. Solange’s introspective lyrics explore pain and healing with poetic vulnerability that feels both personal and universal.
Sparse instrumentation lets her voice shine as the primary instrument, much like classic soul ballads prioritized raw emotion. Subtle strings swell at just the right moments, adding texture without overwhelming the intimate atmosphere.
Critics praised this track for its artistic courage and emotional honesty.
4. Silk Canvas by VanJess
Sister duo VanJess delivers harmonies so tight they could’ve challenged the Emotions back in their prime. Rich vocal layers glide over slick production that nods to Chaka Khan’s sophisticated funk era.
Smooth basslines pulse beneath sultry melodies, creating grooves perfect for late-night cruising. Their voices intertwine like silk threads, weaving patterns that showcase both technical skill and natural chemistry.
However modern the beats sound, the soul remains thoroughly vintage, proving family harmonies never go out of fashion.
5. Untitled (How Does It Feel) by D’Angelo
Prince’s ghost hovers over every note of this sensual masterpiece, where D’Angelo’s vocals caress listeners like velvet curtains. Instrumentation puts his voice front and center, echoing the raw intimacy Teddy Pendergrass brought to ballads.
Guitar strings moan and sigh alongside vocal runs that showcase incredible range and control. The song builds slowly, never rushing, allowing tension to mount naturally.
Though released in 2000, its vintage soul DNA makes it feel like a lost Marvin Gaye recording.
6. Thinkin Bout You by Frank Ocean
Vulnerability pours from Frank Ocean’s voice like rain on windowpanes, capturing the confessional honesty that made Al Green a legend. Simple piano chords support lyrics exploring unrequited love with poetic precision that feels both modern and timeless.
His falsetto cracks at perfect moments, adding authenticity that polished production could never manufacture. Listeners feel every word because Ocean refuses to hide behind vocal tricks or excessive instrumentation.
If Curtis Mayfield wrote heartbreak songs for millennials, they’d sound remarkably similar to this gem.
7. Best Part by Daniel Caesar feat. H.E.R.
Acoustic guitar strums introduce a duet so tender it rivals anything Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack created together. Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. trade verses with chemistry that feels genuine, never forced or manufactured for radio play.
Minimalist production keeps focus on their voices, which complement each other like coffee and cream. Their harmonies bloom naturally, creating moments that make listeners believe in love again.
Though recorded recently, this collaboration channels the authentic connection that defined classic soul partnerships.
8. Complex Simplicity by Teedra Moses
Raw emotion bleeds through every track on this overlooked debut album, where Teedra Moses channels the confessional power Betty Wright brought to 1970s soul. Her voice carries weight beyond her years, tackling themes of love and self-worth with unflinching honesty.
Strong songwriting elevates familiar topics, finding fresh angles on heartbreak and resilience. Production stays tastefully understated, allowing her vocals to command attention.
Critics who discovered this gem often wonder why it didn’t receive the recognition it deserved upon release.
9. Where I Wanna Be by Donell Jones
Regret drips from Donell Jones’ vocals like wax from a candle, creating an atmosphere Smokey Robinson would recognize immediately. This album explores relationship mistakes with maturity that separates grown folks’ R&B from teenage puppy love songs.
Lush production wraps around confessional lyrics, giving listeners space to reflect on their own romantic missteps. Jones never shouts or oversings, trusting his voice to convey complex emotions through subtle inflections.
If Bill Withers made albums about modern relationships, they’d probably share this record’s quiet power.
10. Golden by Jill Scott
Sunshine seems to pour directly from speakers when Jill Scott’s powerful voice declares self-love over jazzy production. Her vocal delivery channels Chaka Khan’s confidence while maintaining her own distinctive personality that refuses to be boxed in.
Horns punctuate verses celebrating Black beauty and inner strength with unapologetic pride. The groove makes listeners want to dance while the lyrics inspire them to stand taller.
Though released in 2007, this anthem feels like it could’ve empowered disco-era audiences just as effectively.
11. Adorn by Miguel
Falsetto runs spiral upward like smoke from incense, carrying Miguel’s voice into Prince-level territory with effortless swagger. Funky guitar licks and crisp drums create a groove that demands immediate replay, blending modern production with vintage soul sensibilities.
Romantic lyrics avoid cheesy clichés, instead offering genuine appreciation that feels sincere rather than calculated. His vocal control impresses without showing off, serving the song rather than his ego.
If Rick James mellowed out and made love songs, they’d probably sound remarkably close to this smooth jam.
12. Summertime Magic by Childish Gambino
Breezy vibes float through this track like dandelion seeds on warm wind, capturing the carefree energy Earth, Wind & Fire brought to summer anthems. Donald Glover’s relaxed delivery matches the laid-back production perfectly, creating soundtrack material for beach days and backyard barbecues.
Synthesizers sparkle like sunlight on water while gentle percussion keeps time without demanding attention. The whole song feels effortless, as if it wrote itself during a lazy afternoon.
However contemporary it sounds, this groove shares DNA with classic feel-good soul.
13. Love Galore by SZA feat. Travis Scott
Vulnerability meets attitude when SZA’s airy vocals float over moody production exploring complicated modern relationships. Her voice carries the emotional complexity Minnie Riperton brought to 1970s ballads, though the subject matter reflects contemporary dating chaos.
Sparse instrumentation leaves room for her lyrics to breathe, creating intimate moments between beats. Travis Scott’s guest verse adds contrast without overwhelming SZA’s distinctive perspective.
Though the production techniques are modern, the emotional honesty feels timeless, proving heartbreak transcends generations and genres.
14. Location by Khalid
Youthful longing drips from Khalid’s smooth vocals like honey from a spoon, capturing the tentative romance Sam Cooke perfected in his ballads. Simple production keeps focus on his voice, which conveys vulnerability without ever sounding weak or unsure of itself.
Atmospheric synths create space for lyrics exploring modern courtship through texts and late-night drives. His delivery stays conversational, making listeners feel like confidants rather than audience members.
If Al Green sang about smartphone-era dating, he’d probably appreciate this track’s genuine emotional core.
15. The Way by Jill Scott
Jazz fusion meets neo-soul when Jill Scott’s powerful voice explores devotion over live instrumentation that feels wonderfully organic. Her vocal runs showcase technical ability without sacrificing emotional authenticity, balancing showmanship with genuine feeling like Aretha Franklin always did.
Real instruments create warmth digital production rarely achieves, giving the track breathing room and human imperfection. Listeners can practically see the musicians nodding along in the studio.
Though recorded in the 2000s, this song could’ve easily appeared on classic soul radio alongside Roberta Flack.
16. Drew Barrymore by SZA
Self-doubt becomes art when SZA’s wispy vocals float over production that feels simultaneously modern and vintage. Her lyrics explore insecurity with poetic honesty that recalls Roberta Flack’s vulnerable moments, refusing to pretend everything is always perfect.
Quirky production choices add personality without overwhelming her distinctive voice, which carries melodies like autumn leaves on gentle breezes. The track builds slowly, rewarding patient listeners with emotional payoff.
If Minnie Riperton made albums about millennial anxiety, they’d probably share this song’s delicate beauty and raw honesty.
17. Supermodel by SZA
Jealousy and self-worth collide when SZA’s voice drifts over production exploring relationship insecurity. Her delivery stays conversational, making painful admissions feel like diary entries set to music rather than performed songs.
Minimalist beats let her lyrics cut deep, addressing comparison culture with refreshing honesty. Vocal inflections convey complex emotions words alone couldn’t capture, showcasing artistry beyond technical perfection.
Though contemporary in subject matter, this track channels the confessional vulnerability that made 1970s soul music feel like conversations with close friends.
18. Glow by Drake
Smooth production wraps around Drake’s melodic flow like cashmere, creating vibes Curtis Mayfield would’ve nodded along to during studio sessions. Funky basslines anchor verses exploring success and relationships with introspective honesty that elevates typical rap braggadocio.
Kanye West’s production adds layers that reward headphone listening, blending soul samples with modern beats seamlessly. Drake’s vocals stay relaxed, never forcing emotions or overselling lyrics.
If Isaac Hayes produced hip-hop influenced R&B today, tracks might sound remarkably similar to this understated groove.
19. Focus by H.E.R.
Guitar strings weep alongside H.E.R.’s soulful voice, creating intimacy reminiscent of Terry Callier’s acoustic soul classics. Her vocals convey maturity beyond her years, tackling relationship dynamics with wisdom that usually requires decades to develop.
Every note feels intentional, serving the song’s message rather than showing off technical skills.
If Bill Withers mentored young artists today, he’d probably smile hearing this track’s honest simplicity.
20. Come Through and Chill by Miguel feat. J. Cole
Sensual grooves pulse beneath Miguel’s silky vocals, inviting listeners into intimate spaces like Marvin Gaye’s bedroom ballads once did. Production stays tastefully restrained, allowing his voice to seduce without crossing into explicit territory that would alienate sensitive ears.
J. Cole’s verse adds perspective without disrupting the song’s romantic atmosphere, proving rap and soul can blend seamlessly.
Funky basslines keep bodies moving while lyrics keep minds engaged.
If Teddy Pendergrass collaborated with modern rappers, results might mirror this track’s smooth sophistication and undeniable groove.
