Pop, R&B instrumentals?

[Eric Bolvin]

Can someone point me to some pop or R&B instrumentals? Preferably something that would fit "Instrumentals a la Katy Perry or Usher" type of listings.
What instrument would play the melody? Or would there be a melody? Seems to me that as soon as an instrument starts playing a melody (even a guitar) the song starts leaning toward jazz ( a no-no).
So maybe someone has some tunes that have been forwarded on listings like this?

Thanks!!~

Eb

[kclements]

I can't think of any modern stuff right off the top of my head, but when I think pop instrumentals (and I know I am dating myself) I remember Alan Parsons Project. They always had an instrumental on their albums. And I don't think you would call any of it jazz.

I think what defines it as pop/R&B as opposed to jazz is not so much what instrument plays the melody, but more the entire feel of the piece. I think you could argue that a lot of "smooth" jazz could be considered pop or R&B. I think Kenny G would certainly fit more into Pop than Jazz - at least some of the albums he did.

Seems to me that you could listen to some current pop/R&B music and try to get the feel of the tune, and then just substitute and instrument for the vocal. I think it is a combination of the changes, the sounds of the band, the tempo and feel, the groove... that make it what it is, not just, say, a guitar playing the melody.

hth
kc