Except for the songs that made my Top 20 songs of 2006 and the representative tracks from my Top 20 Albums of 2006, these are the rest of the best soul/r&b tracks of 2006. To be eligible, a song needed to be included on an album released in the United States between December 1, 2005 and November 30, 2006.

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1. John Legend “Stereo” Once Again (G.O.O.D./Sony Urban Music)

2. Alice Smith “Fake Is the New Real” For Lovers, Dreamers and Me (BBE)

3. Christina Aguilera “On Our Way” Back to Basics (RCA)

4. Ne-Yo “So Sick” In My Own Words (Def Jam)

5. Van Hunt “Being A Girl” On the Jungle Floor (Capitol)

6. John Legend “Heaven” Once Again (G.O.O.D./Sony Urban Music)

7. Amel Larrieux “Trouble” Morning (Bliss Life)

8. Corinne Bailey Rae “I’d Like To” Corinne Bailey Rae (Capitol)

9. Alice Smith “Love Endeavor” For Lovers, Dreamers and Me (BBE)

10. Mary J. Blige “No One Will Do” The Breakthrough (Geffen)

11. Heather Headley “Back When It Was” In My Mind (RCA)

12. John Legend “Save Room” Once Again (G.O.O.D./Sony Urban Music)

13. Prince “Incense & Candles” 3121 (NPG/Universal)

14. Van Hunt “Suspicion (She Knows Me Too Well)” On the Jungle Floor (Capitol)

15. Alice Smith “Gary Song” For Lovers, Dreamers and Me (BBE)

16. Amel Larrieux “Earn My Affections” Morning (Bliss Life)

17. Corinne Bailey Rae “Trouble Sleeping” Corinne Bailey Rae (Capitol)

18. Anthony Hamilton “Ain’t Nobody Worryin’” Ain’t Nobody Worryin’ (So So Def)

19. Ne-Yo “Get Down Like That” In My Own Words (Def Jam)

20. John Legend “Where Did My Baby Go?” Once Again (G.O.O.D./Sony Urban Music)