Few artists start off on such a good foot as Toni Braxton, whose first LP release stealthily climbed the charts, k.o.'ing more established acts along the way and reaching the uppermost rungs of the ladder. Unlike those she left lying on the mat, Braxton's success couldn't be attributed to a catchy hook or groovy beat. Instead, her songs relied on her husky vocals, which take jazz's heated inflections and map them over sauntering R&B rhythms. With a voice that so convincingly conveyed sadness, remorse and occasionally joy, Braxton became the soundtrack for couples rediscovering love and lonely listeners nursing broken hearts alike.