Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie's 2004 return was a solid release, but it was essentially a light rock album. Here, Richie returns to R&B. The first half of this album features a sleek up-to-date R&B sound, all plush pillow beats and short vocal lines pulled from hip-hop. Then, halfway through, the old Lionel Richie stands up and reaffirms his identity with open-hearted ballads and even a Bob Marley-style protest cut. Welcome back, Lionel.