A few years ago, a wave of smart and gifted songwriters, most of them women, promised a thoughtful, realistic and popular alternative to the shallow come-ons of current rhythm-and-blues.

Pareles stated "Babyface gathers most of the sultriest female singers in current rhythm-and-blues and matches them with his own tender, gently pulsating songs.

His songs backdate the vocal ripples and street slang of current rhythm-and-blues with the bluesy arrangements and humble perspective of Southern soul.

As for love songs, the explicit bump-and-grind of much current rhythm-and-blues was not on the agenda.

Even so, the album stands above most current rhythm-and-blues.

Ms. Adams, a major star on the pop-gospel circuit, treats the seasonal repertory like current rhythm-and-blues, backed with pearly electric keyboards and insinuating guitars.

Soul lets her look beyond hip-hop's arrogance and the instant gratifications of current rhythm-and-blues.

Compared with current rhythm-and-blues Romeos, Mr. Pendergrass was a soft-focus seducer, never calling for anything more explicit than sharing a shower.

On April 1, 1973, WJMI was sold to new owners, who then flipped the format to its current rhythm-and-blues, which they have programmed ever since.

Like much current rhythm-and-blues, Ms. Badu's music is a sanctuary from the frantic pace of everyday life.