Frank Ocean — Channel Orange (CD)

Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album Compact Disc Frank Ocean’s debut studio album, Channel Orange, was released in 2012 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200. It includes the singles “Thinkin Bout You,” “Pyramids” and “Sweet Life.” Guest performers include Earl Sweatshirt, John Mayer and André 3000. The album earned six Grammy nominations and was credited by some writers for moving the R&B genre in a different, more challenging direction. Channel Orange features unconventional songs noted for their storytelling and social commentary, and a dense musical fusion that draws on jazz, soul, R&B, plus funk and electronic music. According to Metacritic, it was the “best-reviewed major album” of 2012, as well as “one of the best-reviewed albums of the past decade.” In The Daily Telegraph, Neil McCormick described the album as “accessible enough for broad popularity yet operating in a pioneering realm closer to the avant-garde.” Released: 7/11/12