Regular readers of this site know that I’m a big fan of the Future Of R&B series of mixes put forth by the mix-happy outfit Tapemasters. The set’s 28th installment hit file-sharing sites over the weekend, and it’s a pretty fantastic collection, programmed like the all-new-tracks R & B station in some alternate universe where things are a lot better than this one. It kicks off with a new track by Beyoncé—the ProToolsy ode to making whoopee “Slow Love”—and kicks into overdrive from there, with contributions by Amerie, Lloyd, Ne-Yo, and Mary J. Blige, among others. My five favorite tracks after the jump.


R. Kelly - “I Had A Dream”

I can sort of hear the vocal “enhancing” going on here, but I can’t help but wonder if the “I Believe I Can Fly, Part Two: I Flew” vibe of the track will make people start to embrace Kells again.


Amerie ft. Nas, Jadakiss, Cain & Rick Ross - “Why R U (One Love Remix)”



Ne-Yo - “I Don’t Care”

Not a Fall Out Boy cover, alas. But it’s pretty smooth.


Mario - “Who Do U Love”

His fourth album DNA just got pushed back.


Lloyd - “Like Me”

This track is also on Lloyd’s new two-disc mix that is based off his 2008 album Lessons In Love; the mix site DatPiff.com has helpfully tagged it with “sex” and “baby making,” so you know what you’re in for.


There’s also a new Usher song that’s sort of meh; in it, he talks about being “a married man.” I thought that was no longer the case?


Tapemasters Inc. - The Future Of R&B 28 [MixTapeKings]