Tag: Soul
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Ben E. King ‘Don’t Play That Song’ (1962)
Before striking out on his own, King cut his teeth with the legendary doo-wop group The Drifters, lending his smooth tone to classics like “There Goes My Baby” and “Save the Last Dance for Me.” Don’t Play That Song is a cornerstone of early soul, built on the warmth and sincerity that made that era…
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Black Pumas ‘Black Pumas’ (2019)
Eric Burton’s rich smoky vocals and Adrian Quesada’s warm analog production shape a vintage sound on Black Pumas debut self-titled album. When it was released in 2019 it immediately turned heads for a handful of reasons. The two-man operation channeled the spirit of classic R&B, psychedelic grooves, and slow-burn funk into a gorgeous sounding record…
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Rick James ‘Street Songs’ (1981)
When Street Songs dropped in 1981 Rick James was already a star but Dave Chappelle’s infamous “I’m Rick James, bitch!” skit two decades later reanimated the album for a whole new generation. Suddenly millennials like me who hadn’t been alive when “Super Freak” topped charts were quoting James while laughing our ass off in our…
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Sam Cooke ‘One Night Stand: Live At The Harlem Square Club’ (1963)
Sam Cooke is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most versatile vocalists of all time. You don’t get the nickname “The King of Soul” for nothing. His velvety tenor voice, remarkable pitch, and effortlessly soulful delivery that could soar to a high falsetto and then quickly pivot to a distinctive rasp in the…
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Commodores ‘Commodores’ (1977)
“That’s why I’m easy, easy like Sunday morning” is a vocal line that lives in my head rent free (and probably yours as well). To say it’s an iconic song is probably an understatement. It’s pretty much the defining song on any Sunday morning playlist anyone (including myself) have put together since March 30, 1977.…
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Alabama Shakes ‘Boys & Girls’ (2012)
Boys & Girls is steeped in the fuzz and feel of Southern soul, garage rock, and classic R&B. But what really sets the band apart is Brittany Howard’s spectacularly raw and emotive vocal performance.
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Barry White ‘Can’t Get Enough’ (1974)
With that deep velvety baritone, sweeping string arrangements, and grooves slow enough to make time stretch, Barry White became the undisputed voice of late-night candle-lit seduction. Songs like “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” and the title track were soundtracks for romance in all its silky sweaty glory. What made it work wasn’t just…
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Joe Cocker ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’ (1969)
Joe Cocker’s With a Little Help From My Friends is one of those rare debut albums that feels both familiar and totally fresh, built almost entirely on covers but delivered with so much soul and grit you forget these songs weren’t his to begin with. Released in 1969, it finds Cocker reimagining some of the…
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Jackie Wilson ‘Higher and Higher’ (1967)
I was introduced to Jackie Wilson via Van Morrison’s song “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile)”. When an artist like Van Morrison is writing and dedicating a song to you, safe to say that you’ve made a pretty big impact in the music industry. And it’s easy to understand why after just…
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Toni Braxton ‘Toni Braxton’ (1993)
1990s R&B was built on a foundation of deep sultry grooves and powerhouse vocal performances. The genre often featured slow-burning ballads and mid-tempo jams that highlighted the rollercoaster ride found in romance. And damn is that production style iconic– lush, polished tracks using warm synth pads, deep basslines, and crisp drum programming that put every…
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Aretha Franklin ‘I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You’ (1967)
Aretha Franklin’s voice is a force of nature—powerful, raw, and deeply emotional. As I mentioned during my write up of her 1972 album Young, Gifted and Black she’s one of only two vocalists in the GOAT conversation for me (the other being Whitney Houston). Aretha’s ability to pour pure feeling into every note sets her…
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The War and Treaty ‘Plus One’ (2025)
The War and Treaty dropped their newest album yesterday (Plus One as you would expect) and my wife and I had the pleasure of seeing them host a special Valentine’s Day show at the Grand Ole Opry last evening. The bill included The Band Perry, Neon Union, Jon Randall, LoCash and more, but it was…
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Saturday Night Fever ‘Original Soundtrack’ (1977)
Few acts have navigated pop music’s shifting tides with the chameleonic brilliance of the Bee Gees, a trio whose harmonies could cut through the thickest disco fog or glide over baroque balladry with equal finesse. Rising from the shadow of the Beatles in the ’60s to become the glittering architects of the ’70s dancefloor, their…
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The Magic Beans ‘Casino Cabaret’ (2018)
The Magic Beans’ Casino Cabaret is a genre-blending shot of adrenaline that feels like a late-night celebration at the crossroads of funk, big band flair, and irresistible pop hooks. The album exudes a vibrant energy, with funky basslines and shimmering keyboards that transport listeners to a dazzling dance floor where every groove is a jackpot.…
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The Jackson 5 ‘Christmas Album’ (1970)
Fronted by a precocious 11-year-old Michael Jackson, whose voice carried a blend of innocence and soul far beyond his years, The Jackson 5 quickly became a pop phenomenon in the early 70’s with hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There” showcasing their boundless talent that made eventually make Michael pop music’s…
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George Michael ‘Faith’ (1987)
After rising to fame as the lead singer of Wham!, George Michael left the teenybopper persona behind in a bold transformation from pop heartthrob to serious musician– Faith sees Michael writing and producing all the songs while also playing many of the instruments himself. It’s the quintessential debut solo album that showcases Michael’s versatility across…
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Ray Charles ‘The Genius of Ray Charles’ (1959)
Ray Charles’ impact on soul music cannot be understated– he almost single-handedly paved the way for soul and blues to be commercially viable and that fact in and of itself has cemented his place as an American icon. His one-of-a-kind baritone vocal melodies and brilliant piano playing legitimately transformed the way soul music was delivered…
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Isaac Hayes ‘Hot Buttered Soul’ (1969)
Hot Buttered Soul is just plain cool. Released in 1969, it had an indelible impact on the soul music genre and how artists could use fashion and the album cover itself to make a statement. Isaac Hayes blended lush orchestration, deep grooves, and spoken word interludes, creating a rich, immersive soundscape that transcended traditional song…
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The Impressions ‘Keep On Pushing’ (1964)
In Keep On Pushing Curtis Mayfield harnesses his gospel roots to deliver a powerful message of strength and perseverance during the heart of the Civil Rights movement. This album marks the Impressions’ first true effort as an album, showcasing beautifully crafted songs, supported by Johnny Pate’s horn arrangements, the trio’s captivating harmonies, and of course…
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Hall & Oates ‘Private Eyes’ (1981)
Hall & Oates’ Private Eyes epitomizes the duo’s signature yacht rock sound—a smooth blend of pop, rock, and soul that captures the essence of early ’80s radio. The album features some of their most iconic tracks, including the title song “Private Eyes” and “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” both of which showcase…
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Funkadelic ‘Maggot Brain’ (1971)
Parliament and Funkadelic, both spearheaded by George Clinton, represented two intertwined facets of his unique musical vision. Parliament, originally the name of Clinton’s doo-wop group in the 60’s, eventually evolved into a more mainstream, funk-oriented band known for its vibrant and theatrical style (their 1975 album Mothership Connection is a favorite of mine). Funkadelic on…
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Roberta Flack ‘First Take’ (1969)
Roberta Flack’s debut album First Take was initially a commercial disappointment. But like most things in life it just took some time– two years after the album was released her song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” was included in the soundtrack for the 1971 film Play Misty For Me, and the album…
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Roy Ayers Ubiquity ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’ (1976)
Roy Ayers is the godfather of neo-soul, setting off on a prolific career in the 1970’s that saw him churn out nearly an album per year. Along with his timeless classic “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” (the title track off this album– more on that in a minute), Ayers is also known for his stature in…
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The Whispers ‘Love For Love’ (1982)
One of my favorite guilty pleasures is over-produced and opulent R&B from the 80’s that blends smooth jazz with the upbeat funk that took great inspiration from albums like Parliament’s 1975 magnum opus Mothership Connection and went on to inspire one of the greatest contemporary pop funk albums in Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic. The Whispers…
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TLC ‘CrazySexyCool’ (1994)
CrazySexyCool is the one of the albums I immediately think of when someone brings up 90’s R&B. The big heavy snare and bass drum beats, soulful melodies, and empowering lyrics is like listening to a little time capsule that takes you back to a time when pop music had some real substance. Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins,…
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Simply Red ‘Picture Book’ (1985)
As far as debut albums go, Picture Book is an absolute beauty. Fusing the classic sounds of 1960’s Motown with the reverb and synth-driven hooks of 80’s soft rock, Simply Red turned in a soulful take on R&B that has stood the test of time as an 80’s classic. Lead singer Mick Hucknall’s vocal lines…
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Sade ‘Diamond Life’ (1984)
Sade’s rise to the zenith of smooth jazz started humbly enough in the early 80’s. Following a university career that saw her study fashion design and a brief stint as a model, Sade Adu was recruited to become a backup singer for the British band Pride. After establishing a songwriting partnership with guitarist/saxophonist Stewart Matthewman,…
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Redbone ‘Wovoka’ (1973)
Redbone’s absolute smash single “Come and Get Your Love” was notable for a variety of reasons– the incredible groove, orchestral hooks, and iconic chorus that sounds like it was sung from the heavens. It also was the first Native American song to crack the Top Five of the Billboard Top 100 (peaking at #5 in…
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Bobby Womack ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ (1969)
A prolific songwriter with writing credits that spanned numerous genres (including The Rolling Stones “It’s All Over Now”) Bobby Womack’s brand of high-powered gospel soul gave him a career that spanned 60 years and eventually culminated in an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Overcoming a brutally poor childhood (his…
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Gladys Knight & The Pips ‘Imagination’ (1973)
While the Pips are remembered now for their absolute powerhouse of a lead vocalist in Gladys Knight (if you don’t get goosebumps when you hear her belt out “He’s leaving on that midnight train to Georgia” you need to consult with your doctor or priest to confirm you still have a soul), they were known…
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Bobby Day ‘Rockin’ with Robin’ (1959)
Bobby Day had a long career in R&B after moving to Los Angeles at the age of 15 years old. As a member of The Hollywood Flames in the late 40’s Day received a modicum of success with his first song “Young Girl”, and went on to record under several pseudonyms during his lifetime. He’s…
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Sam & Dave ‘Hold On, I’m Comin” (1966)
Along with having an iconic horn section hook that kicks off the song, Sam & Dave’s iconic “Hold On, I’m Comin’” has a really great backstory. Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter who ran the southern soul music powerhouse Stack Records in the 60’s , the song was born out of a enthusiastic yell…
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The Temptations ‘The Temptations Sing Smokey’ (1965)
The Temptations were one of the defining acts of Motown in the mid-60’s, bringing their impeccable harmonies that sounded like smooth silk alongside a soulful big band flair to deliver some of soul music’s most iconic hits over the decade and defining the entire genre in the process. Their 1965 album The Temptations Sing Smokey…
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The Delfonics ‘La La Means I Love You’ (1968)
I just watched Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown for the first time a few days ago (yes, I’m aware I’m a little late to the party) and as anyone who has seen the movie before is aware, The Delfonics played a massive role in the movie. They effectively serve as the soundtrack throughout the film for…
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Ray Charles ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ (1985)
By the time 1985 rolled along Ray Charles was well past the commercial success and utter brilliance of his work in the late 50’s and 60’s (1962’s Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music being his seminal work) and had become somewhat of an afterthought in American pop culture. In other words, 1985’s The Spirit…
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Pretty Lights ‘A Color Map of the Sun’ (2013)
Pretty Lights flipped the script on EDM in a relatively big way during recording sessions for A Color Map of the Sun. Whereas his prior album releases all were based off digital samples of others original work, he entered the studio in 2013 with the intention to compose an album filled with 100% original material.…
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