Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, and Stevie Wonder’s signature songs What’s Going On, Superfly and Music of My Mind epitomized soul music’s take on protest songs; such songs addressed racism, poverty, ecology and war – this collection contains some of its best tracks from 1973.
Comes complete with an illustrated booklet packed full of notes and stunning vintage photos.
Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”
“Tangoing takes two,” according to popular wisdom, but in Al Green and Willie Mitchell’s 1972 hit Wedding Song it only required one voice: Al Green’s versatile golden tone combined with Mitchell’s exquisite vocal control resulted in an unforgettable wedding song which spent nine weeks at No.1 on both pop and R&B charts, cementing Green as one of the most popular soul artists until his transition into religious ministry in 1979.
Green’s follow-up to his sociopolitical ‘What’s Going On,’ this track is sure to get your feet tapping with its seductive bedroom talk and al Jackson’s professional production, not to mention Green’s undeniable falsetto voice and signature falsetto are undeniable; no matter the mood he can croon seduction or lament; never holds back!
As well as his two LPs for Hi, Green began the 1970s by recording this concert album from New York City. Featuring 53-minutes of him at his best performing both soul and pop classics such as “You’ve Got a Friend” and the “Sex Machine,” Green delivered one incredible performance here!
Green and producer Mitchell had been working together since the late ’60s, and this album saw their partnership at its pinnacle. From ballads to gospel, this soulful record features lush horn and organ arrangements while Green’s voice soars effortlessly over them all.
This album’s title pays a touching homage to Reverend Dr. Clementa Pinckney, whose murder in Charleston, South Carolina caused widespread outrage and spurred civil rights activism. This version was recorded at a special memorial service held for him shortly after he had passed. Justin Timberlake and Boyz II Men performed this version at the 2009 Grammy Awards; later Tina Turner revived it even more successfully years later.
Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog”
Willie Mae Thornton was known as Big Mama due to her large frame (she weighed 200 pounds). As one of many female blues singers before her, Willie Mae became a widely popular performer on the rhythm and blues circuit during the Fifties and Sixties with audiences clapping along and cheering encouragement in R&B theaters across the US. Her captivating stage presence had them stamping their feet and shouting their approval of her songs in R&B theatres across the nation.
Thornton recorded Leiber and Stoller’s “Hound Dog” in blues style for Leiber & Stoller in 1952 and it became an instant classic, yet, like many black R&B artists of its day, saw no financial return from her efforts. However, her influence can still be felt today among musicians such as Janis Joplin who later covered this song to great success – being one of her biggest hits herself.
As blues music lost favor with white listeners, her success diminished accordingly. Still performing and singing in neighborhood blues bars across San Francisco; touring Europe; and recording her first album for Arhoolie Records label in 1965; however, her career did not remain stagnant for long.
This collection brings together all 16 albums she recorded from 1953-1970, meticulously remastered for optimal sound. This includes both her greatest hits as well as lesser-known selections; additionally a 40-page booklet offers detailed notes and stunning vintage photos/ephemera.
Big Mama Thornton was born in Alabama in 1926 and passed away in Los Angeles in 1984. She played an essential part in shaping soul music, which combines gospel music with African American cultural expressions such as dance, visual art, foodways and natural hairstyles; along with inner city street talk and slang. This combination was key in capturing the spirit, emotions, and chaos of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s through music by Stevie Wonder, Al Green, James Brown, Marvin Gaye and others such as Big Mama (whose powerful vocal style earned her the name Big Mama); she often proudly played up this name and used it to introduce R&B and soul music genres into mainstream audiences). Big Mama remains one of the premier representatives in this genre today.
The Temptations’ “People Make The World Go Round”
“People Make The World Go Round” from The Temptations is an unforgettable example of smooth soul. With its universal message – heartbreak happens to everyone – and singer Russell Thompkins’ breathy vocals, its universality hits home for listeners around the globe. Reaching #1 on US R&B charts in its day, “People Make The World Go Round” inspired countless genres spanning hip-hop to smooth jazz to dance pop and beyond.
As the Civil Rights movement staged more aggressive demonstrations, soul music evolved into a potent symbol of African-American unity and pride – while at its roots being an expression of youth and love. However, its greatest contribution to society lay in how it helped shape popular music worldwide: from disco to Latin pop and reggae with lasting impacts across genres – which all stemmed from this genre’s initial success.
Soul music’s development was a complex journey accelerated by Motown. Record label owner Berry Gordy fostered an innovative collaboration of artists, producers and session musicians under his watch that produced both funky and sophisticated music simultaneously. Furthermore, his leadership provided the impetus for new black entrepreneurs (Stax Records in Memphis being two such labels) to start up their own labels producing deep Memphis soul.
One of the hallmarks of southern soul is its signature bass-driven rhythm and horn arrangements. Memphis music was defined by subdued singing styles such as Booker T’s and Sam Cooke’s; Isaac Hayes became an unrivaled exponent of southern soul as he created his unique musical language on Presenting (1967).
Curtis Mayfield was an extraordinary craftsman of soul music. His Impressions band created a luxuriously orchestrated jazzy sound which perfectly suited his allegorical lyrics such as For Your Precious Love, Gypsy Woman and Keep On Pushin’. Furthermore, Curtis (1971) and Roots (1972) established an extended message-oriented funk-pop shuffle format.
The Persuaders’ “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone”
Baby Huey and the Deele may be best known for introducing soul into modern times with their iconic 1970 hit “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me),” but their career began in the 1960s with this timeless track. Showcasing smooth soul as popular at that time – mixing elements from reggae with acoustic soul to create timeless songs like this classic piece by Baby Huey & the Deele has never gone out of style!
This track from The Staple Singers, one of the most influential groups in soul music history, will make your eyes well up with tears. Its lyrics feature a singer pleading for her lover to return, yet its melody remains very catchy despite its tragic words. It truly illustrates their talent.
The Temptations were well known for their upbeat group tracks and lush harmonies, but this 1968 track from them proves their versatility by taking them in an entirely new direction. Addressing racism head on and showing just how powerful soul music can be when used to convey a range of feelings such as heartache or longing or joyous excitement.
Soul music can also be an effective vehicle to address political issues, and Marvin Gaye’s “Change in Society” stands as a prime example. Covered by various artists over time, its message remains powerful today.
Erykah Badu’s 1997 hit “On & On” is an ideal example of modern soul music and can help convey new ideas and emotions through song.
Many consider soul music a form of gospel music, although its rise didn’t begin until the 1960s. Since then, however, its influence can be seen on such styles as hip hop, disco and smooth jazz as well as evolving into funk music – which remains popular today among multiple listeners.
This 108-song collection reflects the soul music that was topping Billboard charts throughout 1973, the year Motown relocated from Detroit to Los Angeles; Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff virtually reinvented Philadelphia soul at their Philadelphia International label.
Stax Records’ signature style combined R&B energy with southern US gospel music sounds. Its hallmark was placing vocals further back in the mix and employing vibrant horn sections.
James Brown
James Brown was revered as the Godfather of Soul for his emotive cries and hollers combined with flawless back up bands that helped create generations of feel good funk and soul music. By the late 60s and early 70s he had also developed his signature Funk sound which combined R&B’s propulsive drive with jazz’s rhythmic complexity, emphasizing interlocking bass drum and guitar rhythms.
Brown was initially inspired by preachers at his hometown’s Black church to create music that focused on emotional delivery and black pride. Through live performances, he became one of the most dynamic and dramatic performers in popular culture – taking dramatic theatrical turns such as dropping to his knees or splits that provoked stunned responses from audiences. Furthermore, as an influential cultural leader he wrote social commentary songs like 1973’s two-part ballad “King Heroin”, detailing drug addiction.
He was instrumental in changing the face of soul music, elevating its power and emotive intensity with his “hotter than hell” vocal style and frequent live improvised and spontaneous shout-outs that immersed audiences into an intensely intimate experience.
Brown was at his peak of power on this 1973 album recorded and released by Polydor Records from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. From its iconic MC introduction (“Are you ready for star time?”) through The Famous Flames’ final note, this record stands alone as an exceptional work of music.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of this record is the saxophone section’s repeated long, bent notes accompanied by Brown’s cries and hollars to create a symbiotic relationship that builds tension throughout each song and eventually climaxes with his vocal performance. Furthermore, repeated riffs from horn section improvisational sections further contribute to creating an atmosphere of energy within which Brown can perform her melodies with ease.
This album’s songs are long and densely orchestrated compared to the short, punchy singles that characterized this genre during an era characterized by puffy sleeves and rhinestone-studded flares. However, the producers and songwriters involved brought artistic sensitivity to these tracks, allowing essential rhythmic elements to shine through despite all of the instrumentation present on each track.
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye was an influential pioneer of soul music who helped pioneer its formative years with his powerful vocals and activism; one of America’s most acclaimed musicians. His life story stands as testament to how music can change lives for the better and spread awareness about social injustices through performances and performances alike. He remains one of the greatest American musical figures; one whose life highlights its transformative potential and human rights awareness. He died aged 45.
Early in his career, Gaye was inspired by Doo-Wop groups such as The Capris and sought to emulate their style in his music. Additionally he took inspiration from gospel music as well as secular ballads of 1920s crooners such as Nat King Cole. Soon enough he established himself by scoring several hit singles on Motown label; several duets with Tammi Terrell proved successful as did I Heard It Through the Grapevine which became one of his signature tunes.
Gaye made his mark as a more serious artist with the release of What’s Going On in 1972, featuring songs about spiritual healing as well as songs that touched upon romance and sexuality. This album became his breakthrough, serving as an influential model for subsequent soul musicians.
What’s Going On was the first album to fully address civil rights activism and other forms of social unrest through musical performance. Additionally, this milestone record marked its impact on soul music as it introduced concept albums – an approach used by R&B musicians for decades afterward.
After the release of What’s Going On, Gaye embarked on a promotional tour for it. He performed in Washington D.C. at Jesse Jackson’s PUSH organization and Chicago at a benefit concert aimed at reducing urban violence. Unfortunately during this tour he found himself becoming more addicted to cocaine while experiencing depression; groupies harassed him, while he threatened suicide on several occasions; eventually he moved back in with his parents and used drugs as an escape mechanism from his inner demons.
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder had already become known for creating groundbreaking albums by 1973 when he released Innervisions, but this spirituality and world music album went further than any of them in terms of artistic and musical expression. Stevie was well aware of his artistic craft’s ability to convey significant political and philosophical messages using music; on the cover alone is depicted him wearing Indian jewelry and velvet kaftan as an indicator of this fact; its mix of classical, Jamaican, Swahili and gospel influences could be found throughout.
Songs on this album also explored topics not typically tackled by rock bands at that time. R&B artists took up protest song tradition from rock artists and addressed racism, ecology, economic inequality (by late sixties four out of ten black Americans lived below poverty line), and other social ills through protest songs.
Innervisions cemented Wonder as one of the premier soul artists of his era. He excelled both as a singer and composer, communicating complex ideas in ways that were easily digested by audiences. Wonder was adept at crafting melodic pop, romantic ballads and furious funk while possessing an intuitive understanding of rhythm and harmony that was rare at that time.
This live performance from NYC’s Rainbow Room showcases Wonder in full creative mode with her phenomenal band. Although sound quality may be slightly subpar, this recording remains enjoyable.
Innervisions was filled with popular hits like Higher Ground, Superstition and Don’t Worry ‘Bout A Thing; yet his inclusion of more mature songs like Village Ghetto Land, Have A Talk With God and Ebony Eyes showed how far-sighted his thought had become on diverse topics. Furthermore, this tribute showed he recognized and acknowledged their value and importance within his life.
The Four Tops
The Four Tops were one of the premier soul bands during this era, having found success through Motown. Their music combined elements from R&B, disco, adult contemporary, doo-wop and jazz styles while their vocal range included both ballads and uptempo hits that stood out with distinctive harmony vocals that greatly influenced other artists such as Michael Jackson.
In 1973, soul music began addressing new social issues emerging within American culture. Soul had taken up rock’s protest-song baton, and artists addressed racism, ecology, war, poverty, drug abuse and drug addiction through their music. Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On had already made its mark the previous year, yet other artists tackled similar themes through their work; from Etta James earthshaking vocals to Percy Sledge smooth come-ons; all were contributing their talents toward making an impactful statement through their sound.
Aretha Franklin was one of the pioneering female artists within this genre, setting an influential precedent that encouraged other female singers such as Chaka Khan and Patti LaBelle to use music as a form of empowerment. Additionally, their rise contributed to creating a distinct type of soul music.
As opposed to Motown, artists were free to incorporate their individual musical styles and interests into their songs, creating unique soul music that appealed to a wide audience and featured an emotional vocal range for conveying emotion and energy.
Some of the most influential musicians in soul music came from Philadelphia. These Philadelphia soul artists formed part of a movement referred to as “Philadelphia soul,” featuring rhythm-driven music with soaring vocals that included elements of blues and country influences. Today, its influence can still be felt through modern neo-soul tracks.