While hosting a Scotch tasting recently, I quizzed a group of friends on the top 20 selling music artists of all time. They were able to name several rather easily, but were stumped by my simple clue “solo R&B artist.” When they finally gave up, and I reported that the great Mariah Carey is ranked #17, one complained loudly that I had misled them because “she’s not R&B!” How wrong he is.
No doubt Mariah has had her share of “pop” hits and adult contemporary ballads, but she also decidedly loves a straight R&B groove. A case in point: “Dreamlover,” the lead single from Carey’s third studio album Music Box released in 1993. Written by Carey and Dave Hall, this infectious track incorporates a sample from “Blind Alley” by The Emotions and was Carey’s seventh #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. So put on your dancin’ shoes, find yourself an open, verdant field somewhere in the country, and sing along with Mariah. Enjoy.
By Robb Patryk
