节奏蓝调(rhythm and blues (R&B))
在美国由黑人艺人所发展的、几种密切相关之音乐形式的通称。来自欧洲音乐的影响，混合了爵士乐节奏与变调－－特别是切分音与降半音蓝调和弦－－造成其多变的风格。从南方乡村地区的蓝调脱胎换骨，混合了劳动时抒发深隧情感的随口吟唱，并受福音音乐极大影响。可区分为三种主要形式。最早期被称为种族音乐（race），是一种「跳跃」（jump）团体的风格，强调热烈的节拍、独秀（特别是萨克斯风独奏）以及咆哮呐喊式的蓝调唱腔。第二种形式通常称为「芝加哥蓝调」（Chicago blues），以沃特斯（M. Waters）之类的表演者为代表，典型的表演方式是由一个小团体利用丰富的乐器表演。第三种主要形式以唱腔表现为主，通常在小型管弦乐队伴奏下表达出与福音音乐密切相关的和谐感。1950年代中期节奏蓝调这个名词被希望吸引黑人听众的音乐产业采用；加上种族藩篱渐渐消失，芝加哥蓝调开始被视为民俗传统而非种族音乐，同时福音音乐也转型为广受赞赏的灵魂乐。节奏蓝调可说是摇滚乐的始祖。
English version：
rhythm and blues (R&B)
Any of several closely related musical styles developed in the U.S. by black artists. The various styles were based on a mingling of European influences with jazz rhythms and tonal inflections, particularly syncopation and the flatted blues chords. They grew out of the blues of the rural South, which blended work chants with songs of deep emotion, and were greatly influenced by gospel music. Three major forms were distinguishable. The earliest, called “race,” was the style of the “jump” band, which emphasized strong rhythm, solo work (especially by saxophones), and vocals in a shout-blues manner. A second form, often called “Chicago blues,” was exemplified by such performers as M. Waters and typically played by a small group with amplified instruments. The third major form was primarily vocal, featuring close, gospel-influenced harmonies often backed by an orchestra. In the mid-1950s the term rhythm and blues was adopted by the music industry for music intended for the black audience; with the gradual disappearance of racial barriers, the Chicago blues style began to seem less a vital form than a folk tradition, while the gospel style was transformed into the soul music of vast appeal. Rhythm and blues was the chief antecedent of rock music.