Released: July 9

Jam & Lewis revive R&B on their first-ever studio album. 

The duo shot to prominence in the mid-’80s for their work with Janet Jackson, helping to revive her then-failing solo career with ‘Control’ – the first in a string of hit albums and a collaboration spanning two decades.

It’s an initial disappointment, then, that Miss Jackson (is you’re nasty) isn’t included among the 12 collaborators on the record’s 10 tracks. 

That’s not a deal-breaker, and the likes of Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton and Babyface have no difficulty bringing the star power to ‘Jam & Lewis Vol. 1’. 

The production is, of course, undeniable, with Jam & Lewis bringing out the best in their A-list collaborators – as producers and co-writers – and keeping the artists front and centre. 

Somewhat Loved (There You Go Breakin’ My Heart) is one of Mariah Carey’s best vocals of the past decade, while Toni Braxton cut Happily Unhappy could have been lifted straight from the ‘90s. 

There’s plenty more nostalgia; Boyz II Men ‘90s-esque ballad The Next Best Day comes complete with one of the boyband’s signature key changes, and Mary J. Blige takes it back to the early ‘00s on her empowerment anthem Spinnin. 

The production is meticulous and tailored to the artists and, although Usher cut Do It Yourself is swimming with electronic beats, the bulk of the LP has a classic sensibility that veers from pushing the boundaries of the pair’s signature sounds. 

So while ‘Jam & Lewis Vol. 1’ is a strong start, we’re already looking forward to part two and, if this is a celebration of the duo’s history, a new set of tracks that look to the future of R&B.

‘Jam & Lewis Vol. 1’ is out now.