Never Say Never

Characterised as R’n’B at the time, Brandy’s Never Say Never contains enough heartfelt ballads, soaring vocal gymnastics and intricate backing vocals to qualify as one of the better soul albums of 1998. It was Brandy’s second album and represents a move to more ‘mature’ material for the US singer-songwriter. Her voice is a glorious instrument and the backing vocal arrangements alone are a joy in themselves. The material mixes soul ballads, pop-R’n’B and dance floor killers like album standout, one of the great vocal duels of all time, ‘The Boy Is Mine’, recorded with fellow 90s R’n’B singer Monica.