I cannot say enough about the music of this exceptional songstress, except that her recordings have withstood the all-too-important test of time.

If there is but one rhythm & blues singer in the world, male or female, whom I've listened passionately over the course of decades - Anita Baker.

Like fine wine, her music has aged quite wonderfully.

At a time in the mid-80s where Hip Hop claimed an entire generation and extraordinary black artists such as Michael Jackson, Janet, Prince, Whitney Houston, all reigned over the music industry, less mainstream artists struggled to maintain their voice amid such greatness.

Not Anita.

Bright lights and near media circuses aside, the Grammy Award-winning singer born in Toledo, Ohio and raised in Detroit, Michigan produced a string of albums which provided more of a quiet storm.

Thinking back to my initial experience - a talent show in junior high, where a classmate walked onstage and completely floored the audience with an unforgettable rendition of Sweet Love.

It would be the first, but certainly not the last last time hearing the song which celebrated love and affection.

In the days following I purchased Rapture, Anita's debut album, which led to an appreciation of the woman whose body swayed as she sang, perhaps signaling the spirit of love had overcome.

Accompanied by a jazz-like arrangement, which captured essence and enhanced her sultry vocals, bringing her music even more to life.

As years passed, most artists re-invented themselves time and time again. Anita Baker remained the same. In melody, appearance, songwriting and appeal.

You knew exactly what was in store when it came to classics like No One In The World, Good Love, Giving You The Best That I Got, I Apologize, Body And Soul.

Soft soul music, of the good old fashioned variety. The kind where such composition never appears as "songs", but scenes of a woman standing intimately in front of the love of her life and revealing sincere emotion.

Meaning, one cannot help but receive every single expression. Which, as it pertains to matters of the heart, is all one can truly ask.

Thank you, Anita.