Soul music is a form of rhythm and blues with roots in African-American gospel music that can bring healing to your soul while forging meaningful bonds between individuals.
Motown music, known for its complex vocals, jazzy elements and African-American themes is synonymous with this genre and associated with artists like Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye – two artists commonly associated with Motown itself.
Origins
Soul music is a diverse blend of vocalists and instruments with a rhythm that gets people moving. It incorporates elements of gospel, rhythm and blues, jazz with African-American themes to form its unique cultural narrative. Soul began its rise to popularity during the civil rights movement of the 1950s; many early songs directly addressed issues of poverty and discrimination against black Americans.
Soul music’s roots lie in traditional Black gospel music. Idioms from this genre like layered vocals, hand-clapping rhythms, and call-and-response sections from gospel can be found throughout soul. Additionally, rhythm and blues and rock and roll also helped shape this genre; in the 1960s crooners such as Etta James and Sam Cooke brought smoother pop tunes while white rock bands dabbled with heavier sounds and psychedelic experimentation creating the foundations of soul.
At this time, R&B underwent yet another transformation with the rise of New Jack Swing. This subgenre mixed R&B with hip-hop and electronic music and was popularized by artists such as Janet Jackson, Boys II Men, Bel Biv DeVoe and Mary J Blige – popularizers that helped influence its sound through heavy drum machine use and synthesizer use.
Soul music continued its rise through the 1980s with the rise of neo-soul, which blended classic soul with hip hop influences. The 1990s brought more conventional production methods back in, with Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston back to chart positions, along with R&B/pop-style tracks that featured synthesizers and electronic beats as part of its sound.
Atlantic Records in New York, Motown Records in Detroit, and Stax/Volt Records in Memphis all helped spread soul music into mainstream culture during the 1950s and 60s. Each record company featured such legendary performers as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye on its rosters.
Influences
Soul music has been shaped by many diverse sources, from African American gospel and rhythm and blues music, through to Motown movement acts such as The Temptations’ My Girl hit songs. Soul evolved during the 1950s and 60s when African American gospel combined with rhythm and blues music; during its initial development it combined both vocal styles and rhythms from gospel with pop elements to form secular gospel songs that could reach mainstream audiences. Later it blossomed into dance/R&B oriented Motown where hits like My Girl were recorded by acts such as The Temptationss who also recorded hit songs including My Girl which became Motown movement acts like The Temptations’s recorded hit single My Girl which proved popular.
Jazz and blues also had an influential role on soul. Sam Cooke, widely considered to be the “King of Soul”, helped bridge rhythm and blues with gospel through his musical stylings and piano-driven style, becoming legendary for doing so. Later artists including Ray Charles earned themselves the moniker ‘Genius of Soul’ while preacher-singer Solomon Burke also had significant contributions towards linking gospel with R&B music.
In America’s fight for civil rights during the 1950s-70s, soul artists played a pivotal role in shaping America’s social and political climate with their work. Artists like Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and the Impressions used music as a powerful way of calling for equal treatment while others like Staple Singers used theirs to spread a message of peace and harmony through song.
Soul music encompassed many subgenres, from Detroit soul (with its pop-oriented sound) and Southern soul (combining R&B with traditional Southern gospel music) to deep soul, which focused on expressing longing and emotion. Other styles included Philadelphia soul (blending doo-wop with lush orchestral sounds and psychedelic rock); Chicago soul with lighter gospel-influenced sounds; and Memphis soul, which combined rough sounds of rhythm and blues with gospel vocals and instruments.
Soul music’s golden age was from the 1950s through 1970s, yet its impact continues today in all forms of popular music, from hip-hop and disco to smooth jazz and dance pop. Soul’s influence can even be found among contemporary R&B acts like Maxwell and D’Angelo.
Styles
Soul music developed from rhythm and blues (R&B), as African American artists incorporated gospel elements into their songs. Its dramatic style quickly inspired other genres like rock & roll, doo wop, funk and disco; its virtues of direct emotional delivery and ethnic pride continue to inspire musicians from many diverse backgrounds around the globe.
The term R&B music derives its name from its African American roots in gospel and church culture, where often featured choral singing with multiple vocal layers and R&B rhythms that captured emotions such as upheaval and turmoil during the 1960s civil rights movement – serving as the backdrop to an explosion of Black pride which still influences political and social movements today.
Two distinct styles of soul emerged: deep soul was an energetic style known as deep soul while Memphis soul, produced at Stax and Hi records produced in Memphis by artists such as Al Green and Ann Peebles, was more subdued. Memphis soul’s distinctive sound included vocals being placed further back in the mix as well as lively horn patterns played by house bands like Booker T & the MG’s and Mar-Keys house bands that played vibrant riffs such as Booker T & the MG’s and Mar-Keys house bands to play vibrant horn patterns and riffs played by Booker T & the MG’s and Mar-Keys house bands such as Booker T & the MG’s.
Deep soul and Memphis soul music was influential on a range of other genres, from the funk of James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone to more contemporary R&B of the 1970s, ultimately becoming influenced by disco, electro and hip-hop music – which in turn inspired singers such as Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd), Janelle Monae and Sampha as they created neo-soul influenced by these various sources – while simultaneously exploring themes related to depression, addiction and heartbreak lyrically and musically.
Modern artists are pushing soul music forward by adding fresh sounds and styles, from electronic hip-hop by XXXTentacion and Lil Wayne to alternative R&B by Kelela, Janelle Monae, Sampha, Childish Gambino and Maxwell. Though these musicians draw influence from contemporary genres like hip-hop and alternative R&B, their songs still incorporate vocal qualities and techniques that made soul music truly original.
Artists
Soul music has long been an evolving creative platform. A mix of voices and instruments with an energetic rhythm that tells a cultural tale, soul music has had an enormous influence over other genres while continuing to adapt gracefully along with society itself.
Soul music’s roots can be traced back to African American church musical styles called gospel. When slavery ended in America, many Black people relocated to urban centers where they could work and make music; their cultural traditions included singing joyful, uptempo gospel songs as well as slower ones that expressed deeper feelings like longing for God’s love. This style became the cornerstone of soul music.
In the 1950s, musicians such as Ray Charles, Bill Withers, Sam Cooke and Solomon Burke created soul music through a combination of rhythm and blues with gospel influences that became known as soul music. Their records were produced at Memphis-based Stax Records and its subsidiary Hi Records. The style developed here often featured powerful, driving R&B rhythms with vocals placed at the back in the mix, along with vibrant horn parts played by house bands such as Booker T & the MG’s or Memphis Horns house bands such as Booker T & the MGs or Memphis Horns house bands such as Booker T & the MG’s or Memphis Horns house bands such as Booker T & the MGs or Memphis Horns house bands that featured vibrant horn parts reminiscent of modern R&B music styles of today.
James Brown and Sly & the Family Stone transformed soul into funk, while Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield laid down the groundwork for disco R&B music styles such as disco. Additionally, other artists like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder pushed soul genre further with sophisticated political statements of soul music.
Aretha Franklin pioneered female gospel styles into soul during the mid to late 1960s, while Percy Sledge’s hit When a Man Loves a Woman became one of the biggest hits of that decade. Berry Gordy’s Motown record label produced several hits by artists such as Gladys Knight & the Pips, Miracles, Temptations and Four Tops among many others.
Soul music is an expressive means for human emotion to find expression, yearning and hope to find closure, transformation and transcendence – it captures life itself in three minute tunes.
Philly Soul emerged at Philadelphia International Record Label during the mid to late ’60s and included Doo-Wop, lush string arrangements with vocal group harmonies, as well as Doo-Wop vocal group arrangements with lush string arrangements and vocal group harmony vocals. Songwriters and producers brought an artistic sensibility to these hits that became classic hits of their time.
Holland-Dozier-Holland
H-D-H, or simply H-D-H for short, was one of the most influential songwriting teams in music history. H-D-H was most noted for their groundbreaking work at Motown Records during the 60s where they wrote and produced some of their signature hits; their catchy melodies and relatable lyrics helped shape soul and pop genres during an important era for American society.
Lamont Dozier joined Berry Gordy’s Motown Records as a staff singer during the mid-1950s, working alongside Robert Bateman and Freddie Gorman before teaming up with Brian and Eddie Holland brothers Brian and Eddie Holland as the legendary songwriting duo. Exposure to Detroit’s rich musical environment gave them an ear for melody that became legendary; gospel influences also gave their songs soulful depth that resonated across a broad audience base. The three’s music resonated deeply among listeners across different generations and cultures alike – creating music that resonated across generations and cultures alike.
As a result, they had an immense effect on pop and soul music, helping redefine Motown for a new generation. Their songs captured the cultural landscape of their time while reflecting social change; their blend of pop sensibilities with R&B influences helped bridge gaps among different racial and cultural groups.
Holland-Dozier-Holland earned over 25 top 10 hits for Motown artists such as The Supremes. They became synonymous with iconic anthems like “Where Did Our Love Go?” and “Baby Love,” serving as soundtracks to a generation with their memorable melodies and infectious rhythms coupled with emotionally impactful lyrics that spoke directly to young people’s hearts.
In 1988, they were honored with inclusion into the Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside other great songwriters such as Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lennon & McCartney, Kern, Porter Berlin and Sondheim. Their influence can still be heard today through contemporary pop and R&B music.
Holland-Dozier-Holland’s music continues to gain in popularity today, being sampled by numerous hip-hop and rap artists such as Notorious B.I.G, Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre. Furthermore, their songs have even been featured on television programs and movies including hit drama series such as The Wire and American Idol.
Stax
When people think of soul music, Stax usually comes to mind. Established by white banker Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton of Memphis in 1957, this Memphis label quickly rose up the charts thanks to their country songs recordings as well as signing black acts such as Bar-Kays, Sam and Dave and Otis Redding.
Redding joined Stax Records in 1962 with his band, which quickly became known as Booker T and the MGs. This racially mixed band consisted of keyboardist Booker T Jones, bassist Steve Cropper and drummer Donald “Duck” Dunn; these musicians would go on to form one of the cornerstones of its sound: their jam sessions produced catchy licks and riffs which gave music an authentic soul sound which continues to influence soul music today.
Although Stax had considerable influence, they never reached the mainstream popularity of Motown and thus needed to form their own label called Volt to combat fears that radio stations might accuse them of payola and only play single songs from any one record label; as a way of circumventing this situation, Stax utilized Volt as a launchpad for its most talented singers and songsters.
Stax Records’ artists had grown frustrated with its relationship, creating tension with DJs who controlled airplay. To ease tensions between Stax and its artists, Stewart hired Al Bell away from Washington DC record company where he held similar operations positions; offering him shares in exchange for his operational expertise and ability to build rapport with black DJs.
Stax Records under Bell’s leadership began producing more hits. Tragic events intervened when Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated at Lorraine Motel where many Stax artists had resided. With Redding and the Bar-Kays gone, Stax suffered greatly until its success rebounded with hits by Johnnie Taylor, Rufus Thomas, and William Bell.
Isaac Hayes made history when he released Hot Buttered Soul in 1969 – it marked his breakthrough from staff songwriter to international superstar status and has left an everlasting mark on music industry history ever since.
Mod Soul
Though New Orleans Soul may not garner as much recognition among other forms of soul music, its influence can still be felt today. Memphis owes much of its sound and style to New Orleans soul; British Invasion bands even used its sound in their soundscapes. Furthermore, contemporary artists like Dwele, Raheem DeVaughn, and Floetry can all trace back their influences directly back to this genre of soul music.
New Orleans Soul broke from gospel music’s traditional realm during its initial golden era to include more secular themes and pop structures, with pianos taking an important part alongside horn sections featuring saxophones as major contributors. Influences came from New Orleans second-line rhythms like parade beat and second line marches as well as Latin fad that was popular during early ’60s. Pianos took on an increasingly prominent role within this genre while horn sections often included saxophones.
Irma Thomas was known as the “Queen of New Orleans Soul,” known for her emotive ballads about sensitive topics such as domestic violence. Allen Toussaint’s quirky compositions epitomized New Orleans Soul musical innovation; one such track by Allen Toussaint called Mother-In-Law is one example – featuring slow blues chords with parade beat tempo accentuated by pianos; this hit became immensely popular with Mod audiences! Additionally, The Action released Roll Gold while The Small Faces created Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake which combined R’nB and folkish elements with proto heavy rock influences for another great example of this style are The Action Roll Gold album by Allen Toussaint; both these albums showcase its musical ingenuity!
White Soul
At first, “white soul” referred to rhythm and blues artists who performed in the raw, expressive style popularized by Motown and Stax records. Later it expanded to encompass any white artist who included elements of classic soul music – which has led to numerous offshoots like funk, hip hop and contemporary R’n’B. Neo-soul and psychedelic soul are closely related styles within white soul music that has since emerged.
Soul music draws its foundation from rhythm and blues, with influences from jazz, gospel and call-and-response formats between lead singer and chorus often appearing. Many black rhythm and blues artists learned their craft at church services; its influence can be heard throughout their music. Gospel harmonies as well as call-and-response formats between lead singer and chorus frequently feature in soul songs like the O’Jays “Love Train” or Smokey Robinson and Miracle’s “Tracks of My Tears.”
In the 1960s, different subgenres of soul music emerged across different cities and regions. Detroit saw hits produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland for Supremes, Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas (Martha was never quite sure) produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland trio; Philadelphia produced hits by Leon Huff with Harold Melvin and Blue Notes while Stax Records employee Chips Moman developed his signature sound with Al Green and Booker T & the M.G’s.
These different regional styles of soul eventually amalgamated to form the wider genre of soul music, with several subgenres such as blue-eyed soul influenced by traditional black gospel R&B; deep soul, which incorporates elements of blues, country and Memphis soul; as well as New Orleans soul being among others.
Today, soul music remains one of the world’s most beloved genres of music. Enjoyed by everyone from teenagers to seniors alike, soul has an extensive following worldwide and has even influenced other musical forms like disco, funk and metal music genres – not forgetting its influence over pop and rock musical genres!