Soul music – the music of the soul

Evolution of soul music

Soul music evolved over time, as new artists, styles, and subgenres emerged. Some of the main phases of soul music are:

• Early soul (late 1950s to early 1960s): This was the initial phase of soul music, when artists like Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, James Brown, and Jackie Wilson pioneered the genre. They blended gospel and rhythm and blues, and added their own personal touches and innovations. They also crossed over to the pop charts and gained mainstream recognition and success.
• Motown soul (early to mid 1960s): This was the phase when the Motown record label dominated the soul music scene, with artists like The Supremes, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. They created a polished, sophisticated, and catchy sound, with strong melodies, harmonies, and production. They also appealed to a wider and more diverse audience, and became international stars.
• Southern soul (mid to late 1960s): This was the phase when the Stax and Atlantic record labels rivaled Motown, with artists like Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, and Percy Sledge. They created a raw, gritty, and soulful sound, with more emphasis on the rhythm section, the horns, and the vocals. They also expressed more social and political issues, and became symbols of the civil rights movement.
• Psychedelic and progressive soul (late 1960s to early 1970s): This was the phase when soul music was influenced by psychedelic and progressive rock, as well as funk and jazz. Artists like Sly and the Family Stone, Jimi Hendrix, Curtis Mayfield, and Isaac Hayes experimented with new sounds, instruments, effects, and concepts. They also explored more complex and diverse themes, such as sexuality, spirituality, and black consciousness.
• Disco and funk soul (mid to late 1970s): This was the phase when soul music was influenced by disco and funk, as well as pop and rock. Artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & the Gang, Donna Summer, and The Jacksons created a dance-oriented, upbeat, and glamorous sound, with more emphasis on the bass, the drums, and the synthesizers. They also reached a massive and global audience, and became icons of the disco era.
• Contemporary and neo soul (1980s to present): This is the phase when soul music was influenced by contemporary R&B, hip hop, and pop, as well as other genres. Artists like Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Mary J. Blige, and Alicia Keys created a modern, smooth, and versatile sound, with more emphasis on the production, the beats, and the hooks. They also incorporated more personal and intimate themes, and became influential and successful singers. Neo soul is a subgenre of contemporary soul, which emerged in the 1990s and 2000s, with artists like Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and John Legend. They created a retro, organic, and alternative sound, with more emphasis on the vocals, the lyrics, and the soulfulness. They also revived the original spirit and essence of soul music, and became critically acclaimed and respected artists.