Soul music reigned supreme during the 1960s rhythm and blues charts, leaving an indelible mark internationally. Influencing genres like funk and other forms, its influence could even be felt today; its influence can even be found among white artists performing R&B influenced by Motown and Stax records such as blue-eyed soul.
Neo-soul was an innovative musical genre created during a revival of soul in the early to mid 1990s, merging 1970s soul vocals with contemporary R&B and hip-hop beats.
Memphis soul
Memphis soul was produced during the 1960s and 70s at Stax and Hi Records in Memphis, Tennessee, during this period. Influenced heavily by rhythm and blues music (particularly rhythm & blues and gospel), but also drawing influence from jazz, doo-wop and doo-wop genres, its musical style featured melodic unison horn lines with organ, guitar bass bass as well as driving drumbeat. Memphis soul was spearheaded by Willie Mitchell & Al Green’s collaboration.
Soul music’s signature songs combine sensuality of R&B with emotional intensity of gospel to produce songs with unforgettable melodies that provoke emotions across genres. This unique mix of weekend revelry and Sunday morning repentance gives soul its powerful ability to move listeners emotionally.
Memphis stands as the birthplace of soul music, thanks to the Smithsonian-curated Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and other musical attractions within its borders that make Memphis an unmissable stopover for soul enthusiasts.
Joyce Cobb and Bill Withers are two great soul artists that have called Memphis home, contributing significantly to shaping contemporary American music through R&B and soul genres. Memphis boasts an extensive R&B and soul music history which helps shape its vibrant contemporary scene.
Jim Stewart was a white fiddler who purchased and converted an African-American movie theater into a music venue and recording studio called Stax Records during the height of segregation in America, shortly thereafter releasing recordings by Booker T and the MGs that marked its inception and eventually the birth of soul music.
Memphis is now at the epicenter of a vibrant soul revival scene, led by artists like Valerie June and Southern Avenue who have received critical acclaim for their captivating live performances and emotive lyrics, earning critical acclaim as critical favorites whose music has been described as being “modern takes on traditional soul, funk and blues”.
Rising star Christina Chong recently unveiled her album All the Way, featuring her powerful and dynamic voice. Packed with soulful melodies and catchy harmonies that highlight her impressive range as a singer, All the Way should be essential listening for any soul music fan.
Chicago soul
Chicago was home to an unparalleled style of soul music during the late 1950s through 1970s, known as Chicago soul. This genre evolved as an antidote for South Side blues clubs by replacing them with sophisticated rhythm and blues influenced by gospel music, popularised by artists and producers such as Curtis Mayfield and Etta James who dominated charts with songs of love and social commentary; their success eventually gave way to album-oriented soul whose popularity continues today.
Berry Gordy’s Motown Records in Detroit, Michigan, overshadowed Chicago during the 1960s; nevertheless several black music producers in Chicago such as Roquel Davis and Carl Davis, Johnny Pate and others created a distinct sound which became known as Chicago soul or light gospelized rhythm and blues music with sweet harmonies and melodic songwriting that resonated widely within black urban populations.
Vee-Jay, Okeh and Curtom Records produced soul stars during the 1960s alongside legendary Chess Records; each label’s work reflected Detroit’s rich African American musical legacy. Musicians used their voices to inspire change during a period when America struggled with racism and economic decline – using music as a call to action from an empowered black community.
Many of these artists were also active participants in the civil rights movement and their songs inspired many people. Their songs encouraged young blacks to trust themselves and believe in their strength and potential, and also laid the foundation for new forms of black culture such as rap and funk music – helping build an increasingly cohesive and united black community.
This list is curated based on votes cast by fellow listeners and represents the best of Chicago soul music. If your favorite artist or band is not listed here, vote for them by clicking their name – this will ensure they come out at the top of our list and will soon be displayed here! Once the results have been counted they will appear here on this page.
New Orleans soul
New Orleans may be best known as a hub for jazz and funk music, yet its contribution to soul is often undervalued. New Orleans-style soul combined soulful vocals from gospel music with rhythm-and-blues rhythms while adding second line parade beats and Latinized funk elements for an intoxicating sound that quickly became synonymous with New Orleans culture. Modern artists such as Mahalia Jackson and Robert Parker can all attest to its influence, while New Orleans soul owes much of its foundations to Allen Toussaint who pioneered it back in 1960. This distinct genre produced about two dozen national hits, though its appeal never extended beyond New Orleans itself. Still, its legacy cannot be overestimated: musicians from Memphis frequently reference New Orleans soul as an influential part of their own music; while mod and Northern soul fans regularly cover its lesser-known gems.
In this compilation of sixteen songs showcasing New Orleans soul music, 16 songs represent its variety in a range of ballads, uptempo dance tracks and funk grooves. Notable artists featured here include Irma Thomas and Aaron Neville alongside lesser-known ones like Bobby Marchan; many recordings date back to 1967 – the year known for the Summer of Love.
Carlies Allen’s You Better Know What You’re Doing was released as the B-side to her single Tears Won’t Bring Your Love Back on Crescent City’s Trend label and provides an example of uptempo soul popular at that time in New Orleans. This tune offers great evidence for that fact!
Ernie K-Doe’s Mother-in-Law is another song worth listening to; its poignant lyrics deal with domestic violence and murder. This track was originally composed as a jump blues tune but has since been altered with parade beat speed for this recording, giving its piano-and-drums groove plenty of breathing room and highlighting New Orleans soul vocalists with emotional vocals that are hallmarks of New Orleans soul music.
At its height in the late ’60s, New Orleans music industry was flourishing. Numerous independent labels released singles by both established and unestablished musicians. This compilation provides some of the finest recordings made by local artists through these independent labels; herein can be found songs performed by Irma Thomas and Aaron Neville as well as lesser-known performers like Berna Dean Ray Washington and Martha Carter – making for an eclectic musical journey!
Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia Soul was an R&B music style popular between the 1960s-1970s, characterized by funk influences and lush instrumental arrangements that can often be compared to Motown or Memphis soul in terms of its sound and influence. Philadelphia-based producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff cultivated it under their label Philly International Records; with roots in doo-wop music and American Bandstand culture during that era. They became well known for smooth group vocals, sweeping strings arrangements, sophisticated rhythm arrangements, as well as producing smooth group vocals from artists such as Delfonics, Wilson Pickett or Harold Melvin and the Three Degrees among many others. Philly International Records gave rise to stars such as Delfonics, Wilson Pickett or Harold Melvin and the Three Degrees;
Philadelphia soul was propelled by its large black population. Black artists from Philadelphia dominated many charts, often with gospel influences dominating most of their work. One pioneer of Philadelphia soul music was MFSB led by singer/guitarist Ronald Baker, bassist Norman Harris, and drummer/Trammps baritone Earl Young; among their top hits are “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Your Precious Love”.
MFSB produced songs by The Spinners, Gloria Gaynor and Loleatta Holloway as well as creating the Gold Mind record label with Salsoul Records in partnership. Their roster featured Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard who would go on to form The Supremes; Tammy Terrell who would eventually go on to score massive hit singles with Marvin Gaye was another key artist on Gold Mind Records.
As Gamble and Huff developed the blueprint for Philly soul music, Thom Bell made an equally profound mark on it. Bell produced the debut LP from Delfonics (famous for their big string arrangements and smooth group vocals) as well as recording vocal groups for Philly Groove label – this latter project becoming his calling card with Jerry Butler’s “Only the Strong Survive”. His version became an inspiration for later works from Gamble & Huff.
Russell Holman was an integral figure in the development of Philly soul, known for his signature falsetto vocals that could emote profound emotional depth. His greatest Philly soul hit, which was originally released as part of Ruby and the Romantics flop, combined heartwrenching lyrics with an uptempo melody designed for packed dance floors in the 1970s.