Us3 | The Day That I Died

Hiphop isn’t usually the first genre that comes to mind when considering modulations. But Us3, a group featuring UK-based musicians and best known for the 90s hit “Cantaloop/Flip Fantasia,” manages quite a few key changes — built around samples drawn from unprecedented access to the entire Blue Note Records jazz catalog.

“The Day That I Died” (2007) is characteristic of Us3’s eclectic lyrics, which put storytelling front and center. Modulations at 1:28, 1:47, 2:46, 3:07, 3:25, 3:44, 4:44, and 5:03.

Marvin Gaye | What’s Goin’ On

Marvin Gaye’s soul/R&B classic “What’s Goin’ On” (1971) modulates at 1:38 and then back to the original key at 2:06 as it transitions into another verse. Gaye’s consistent use of 7th chords only added to the track’s rich harmonic tapestry. Rolling Stone ranked the album featuring the single #6 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” From AllMusic‘s reverent review: “What’s Going On is not only Marvin Gaye‘s masterpiece, it’s the most important and passionate record to come out of soul music, delivered by one of its finest voices .. Gaye meditated on what had happened to the American dream of the past … arguably the best soul album of all time.”

Niya Norwood + Nikko Ielasi | Black Girl Magic

Happy February! In honor of Black History Month, here’s a lushly orchestrated, gospel-infused R&B tune, “Black Girl Magic” (2016), co-written by the lead vocalist, Niya Norwood, and performed by Berklee College of Music musicians, led by Nikko Ielasi.

The bridge starts with a sublime modulation at 3:16 and ends with a reversion to the original key at 3:42.

Stefon Harris + Blackout | Until

A beautiful jazz waltz featuring the vibraphone of rising star Stefon Harris. This 2007 tune was originally written by Sting for the Kate & Leopold soundtrack. Modulation at 1:29.

Harris has said, according to All About Jazz: “For me, as an African-American, it’s part of the reason I get up. Jazz is not just fun for me. This is my cultural heritage. When I look at the great Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, as we go down the line, I feel a great deal of pressure, and honor, to be striving to be a part of this legacy.”

So Close (from “Enchanted”)

We close the week with Alan Menken’s “So Close” from the movie Enchanted (2007). I have always been fascinated by the chord progressions and overall form of this song, given that it doesn’t really adhere to the traditional verse/chorus format. There are actually three modulations in this song — the first at 1:54, the second in the instrumental interlude at 2:37 (up a minor third!), and then back down at 2:50 before the vocal returns.

The Stylistics | Betcha By Golly Wow

In the 1970s, Philly Sound/Philly Soul was similar to Motown, yet also distinct from it — mostly due to its more adventurous harmonies. The Stylistics, one of most popular groups working in the genre, scored 12 R&B top ten hits in a row in the 70s.

This 1971 release changes key twice during the 30-second intro alone (0:14 and 0:28) — pivot modulations aided by colorful compound chords.