- Should I choose neo-soul or contemporary R&B?
- It depends whether you want organic or polished. Neo-soul uses a live band, a humanized relaxed groove and more jazz-derived harmony. Contemporary R&B uses programmed drums and 808s with precise production and more space. Warm and substantial: neo-soul. Modern and cool: contemporary R&B.
- How do I keep it organic when generating?
- Prompt "played drum kit, unquantized timing, snare slightly behind the beat, Rhodes electric piano, melodic bass." Asking for human timing deviation is the crucial part — a perfectly aligned grid turns the result into contemporary R&B.
- What should I specify about harmony?
- Write "extensive sevenths, ninths and suspensions, jazz-inflected progressions." Neo-soul's sophistication comes from harmonic color rather than production technique, and a plain triad loop drops it back to ordinary pop.
