Listen to Marvin's Room, Jan 5th 2018

Marvin's Room with Amanda Parris on CBC Radio

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From Daniel Caesar's Grammy nominations to Jessie Reyez's sold-out shows, 2017 was an incredible year for Canadian R&B. But end-of-year releases indicated that the wave of innovation in the genre is only just beginning. \

Here are five recently released R&B songs from Canadian musicians that should have you excited for the coming year.

'Cotton Candy,' Jessie Reyez

In December, Reyez capped off an incredible year by releasing yet another beautiful ode to the heartbreak that inspired her breakout hit, "Figures."

'Patience,' River Tiber

Vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist River Tiber has an enviable list of collaborations on his CV, from rising Canadian stars Daniel Caesar and Kaytranda to U.S. cultural heavyweights like Travis Scott and Ty Dolla $ign. At the end of 2017, Tiber released a song that has many hoping to hear more from him in 2018.

'Nowhere,' Staasia Daniels

Staasia Daniels is one of several R&B singers putting Brampton, Ont., on the musical map. In early December, she announced an upcoming EP called Mood Roulette and this song — which will inspire body rolls and head-bops — is the promising lead single.

'Doubt,' Charlotte Day Wilson

"Doubt" was only released in November but it still made my list of top 2017 songs. The powerful ballad combines Wilson's smooth vocals with a band that pushes the song to an emotionally riveting crescendo.

'High Off,' DJ Agile feat. Desiire

DJ Agile is a Canadian music legend: a songwriter, producer and DJ, he was a member of the critically acclaimed music groups Brassmunk and Big Black Lincoln. In December, he returned to the music scene with a futuristic soul record inspired by the high that comes from a new relationship.

Marvin's Room Playlist for Jan. 5, 2018

1. Mario, “Just a friend 2002”
2. Mary Wells, “My Guy”
3. DJ Agile feat. Desiire, “High Off”
4. Ben E. King, “Stand By Me”
5. H.E.R., “Every Kind of Way”
6. Jessie Reyez, “Cotton Candy”
7. Aaliyah, “I Don’t Wanna”
8. Staasia Daniels, “Nowhere”
9. D.R.A.M. feat. Erykah Badu, “WiFi”
10. Giorgi Holiday, “Peaches”
11. The Undisputed Truth, “Smiling Faces Sometimes”
12. Khalid, “Hopeless”
13. A l l i e feat. Birthday Boy, “I Can’t Wait”
14. Roy Woods, “Say Less”