What makes Never Felt So Good by James Ingram notable?

This album features 'Never Felt So Good', which became a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing Ingram's smooth vocal style that resonated with audiences. Additionally, it cemented Ingram's influence in the contemporary R&B scene during the mid-1980s and contributed to his legacy as a leading male vocalist of the era. By 1986, James Ingram had established himself as a prominent figure in R&B, following his Grammy-winning collaboration on Michael McDonald's 'I Keep Forgettin'. 'Never Felt So Good' marked his third studio album, solidifying his status as a solo artist after the success of 'It's Your Night' in 1983.

How many songs are on Never Felt So Good?

Never Felt So Good has 11 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

Never Felt So Good

James Ingram · 1986

42 min · 11 tracks · contemporary R&B

Smooth R&B melodies intertwine with heartfelt lyrics, embodying the romantic essence of mid-80s soul music.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Never Felt So Good — The title track exemplifies Ingram's signature blend of romance and smooth instrumentation, making it an enduring favorite among fans.
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Lately — This ballad showcases Ingram’s emotional depth and rich vocal delivery, highlighting his ability to convey vulnerability through song.
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Always — A standout opener, this track sets the tone for the album with its lush arrangements and heartfelt lyrics that resonate with themes of love and commitment.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and production typical of its era but lacks standout cohesion across all tracks.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the second half shifts to slower ballads.
Ingram's vocal delivery often employs melismatic phrasing, particularly in the chorus of 'Never Felt So Good', enhancing emotional resonance.
Several tracks incorporate lush string arrangements and smooth horn sections, characteristic of mid-80s R&B production.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Always 4:17
2 Never Felt So Good 4:06
3 Red Hot Lover 3:48
4 Lately 4:19
5 The Wings of My Heart 3:15
6 Trust Me 4:16
7 Tuff 1:03
8 Say Hey 4:04
9 Love's Been Here and Gone 5:59
10 Right Back 4:00
11 Crazy 3:40

What to play next

Listen next

It's Real

1989

Go back to

It's Your Night

1983

Full James Ingram discography Artists like James Ingram

contemporary R&B soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata