What does Barry White have in common with Aretha Franklin and various other artists in the music industry? Soul is what they have in common; those deep-rhythmic blues and vocals that can have you testifying, crying, or shouting out. Soul music that touches deep into your being is what those artists and many more have in common.
When was the last time you listened to some good old soul music, sat back, allow it to take you to another place, released your mind and body, and allowed your soul to be touched? If you can’t recall it is time you got back in touch with some rare soul grooves.
Soul music is a well-liked approach to music that was created back in the 50’s by influential artists like Ray Charles, Little Richard, and James Brown. The sultry blend of gospel with rhythm, blues, and beats, began the birth of soul music. Some found this early music almost disrespectful, as depicted in the biopic film Ray. It did not fare well amongst the majority of the gospel fearing crowd of the times as they felt it was a disrespect to sing in a gospel manner while singing about love, women, and good times. Despite the protest it began to fill the airwaves and make a definite strong impact on the world of music.
The gospel music melted with the early rock and roll and rhythm and blues and quickly started reaching top chart hits. Record companies could not move fast enough to sign on artist like Aretha Franklin the “Queen of Soul”, Solomon Burke, Otis Redding, and many more. With the abundance of artists trying to get their name on record labels, many found themselves heading overseas to be discovered; thus the beginning of the northern soul genre.
Since the 50’s and 60’s era of rare soul music, many new sub genres have arose such as the Detroit (Motown), Deep and Southern soul, Memphis, New Orleans, Chicago and Philadelphia soul. There is also the Neo, Nu-Jazz, and soulful electronica, as well as psychedelic.
Psychedelic soul blends a mix of soul music with a touch of psychedelic rock. This genre of music made its debut in the late 60’s and opened the doors to what we know now as funk music. In the mid 60’s and early 70’s, many white artist started emerging the Motown and Sax sounds into their music which started the blue-eyed genre. Kenny G is a great example of a blue-eyed soul musician describing his use of the rhythm and blues sound attached with the sax and the fact that he is white.
The terms northern soul and modern soul became common terminology in the 70’s in reference to the nightclubs that were made popular by DJ’s playing rare soul music from their root beginnings. Each subgenre has its own purpose and its own unique sound that makes it special while still holding true to what is known as soul music.
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