Album of the Day

Sometimes even the greatest talents require time to be recognized. Anita Baker's late-'70s stint in Detroit band Chapter 8 produced no hits, but it brought her to the attention of a producer who cut her 1983 solo debut, THE SONGSTRESS. That album sold moderately, but it was enough to get Baker a contract with Elektra Records. Her debut for the label was RAPTURE, and by then the world was ready for her; the album sold millions and earned the singer two Grammy Awards. While Top Ten single “Sweet Love” was the most famous on the collection, all eight songs feature a sophisticated mix of soul, jazz and pop tailor-made for Baker’s sultry vocals. RAPTURE was a defining album of '80s “quiet storm” R&B and it remains seductive today.