Stacked Vocal R&B
tagStarted 1985Peak 1991-1999Last big hit 2006
Located in 1 route
R&B defined by dense studio overdubbing: a single artist or group multi-tracking dozens of harmony layers into wall-of-voices choruses and intricate background arrangements. Cathedral-thick blends, gospel-derived stacks, ad-lib towers and a cappella breakdowns where the layered voice itself is the production centerpiece.
History
Pioneered by producers and singers who treated the voice as orchestra, layering takes the way earlier records layered horns. Producers like Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Kenneth Edmonds, and arranger-singers like Brian McKnight, built signatures from stacked harmony. The technique became a defining studio craft of 90s R&B vocal records.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_McKnight
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/brian-mcknight-mn0000087119
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyz_II_Men