The Roots And Genre Of Soul Music

What do Barry White, Marvin Gaye, The Emotions, and Luther Vandrose, have in common with Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, and Chaka Khan?  Soul is what they have in common, 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 artist 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 created back in the 50's by influential artist like Ray Charles with his music and songs like "I've Got A Woman" "Confession Blues", "Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand", Little Richard with "Tutti Frutti" "Long Tall Sally", "Good Golly, Miss Molly") and James Brown  with his "Please, Please, Please", "Try Me").  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.  Soul music didn't take real fast amongst the majority of gospel fearing crowd as they felt it was a disrespect to sing in a gospel manner while singing about love, women, and good times, however, soul music began to fill the airwaves and make a definite strong impact on the world of music.

The gospel music that concurred to the soul melted with the early rock and roll and rhythm and blues quickly started reaching top chart hits.  Record companies couldn't move fast enough to sign on soul music artist like Aretha Franklin the "Queen of Soul" ("Rock-A-Bye Your Baby", "Today I Sing The Blues", "Won't Be Long" and "Operation Heartbreak") Solomon Burke ("Cry to Me", "Just Out of Reach" and "Down in the Valley"),Otis Redding ("These Arms of Mine", "Mr. Pitiful", "I Can't Turn You Loose" "Try a Little Tenderness" "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay") and many more. 

Since the 50's and 60's era of rare soul music, many new subgenres of soul music has arose such as the Detroit (Motown) soul, Deep soul and Southern soul, Memphis, New Orleans, Chicago and Philadelphia soul.  There is also the Neo soul, Nu-Jazz, and soulful electronica, as well as ppsychedelic soul.  Psychedelic soul blends a mix of soul music with a touch of psychedelic rock.  This genre of soul 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 soul genre.  Kenny G would be a great example of a blue-eyed soul musician describing his use of the rhythm and blues sound attached with the sax.  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 each own purpose and its own unique sound that makes them special yet holds true to what is known as soul music.  .