The other day I heard Bruno Mars' new song "Finesse (Remix)" featuring Cardi B. The style of music is a throwback to a genre that was popular in the mid to late 80's called New Jack Swing. New Jack Swing is characterized by a drum beat that has a swing-rhythm, accompanied by bluesy synth bass-lines, brass chord sounds and catchy R&B vocals over top. Often there are back-up vocalists providing harmonies over the main singer.
It was a genre that was championed by artists such as New Edition, Bobby Brown, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and Keith Sweat to name a few. I fell in love with this style of music in my childhood when I heard its first songs by New Edition and Bobby Brown, including 'On Our Own', the theme song for Ghost Busters II.
The genre was short-lived however, and only a comparatively small number of songs exists in this style. This is the one reason why I am ecstatic about Bruno Mars bringing back the genre with his new song. I really hope music producers, artists and labels pick up on this, and that 2018 will be the return of New Jack Swing.
If you have Spotify then here's an encompassing playlist (although personally I think some of these songs do not fall under this genre): https://open.spotify.com/user/jcbermu/playlist/3ykXidKLz1eYPvuGoFlD1e?si=_Vj4vbUTSRay9Bi9cJBhSw
Otherwise, here are some New Jack Swing classics on YouTube:
Michael Jackson - Remember the Time
Bell Biv DeVoe - Poison
Bobby Brown - My Prerogative
Boyz II Men - Motownphilly
Bobby Brown - Every Little Step
Keith Sweat - Make You Sweat
Bobby Brown - On Our Own
The following two songs were produced in the 90's, so they lean towards hip-hop, however there is still NJS influence.
Aaliyah - Back & Forth
Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It