Chicago Soul

Chicago soul is a genre of soul music characterized by its lush, orchestral arrangements, soaring vocal harmonies, and socially conscious lyrics. Emerging in the 1960s, Chicago soul drew from the city's rich musical heritage, blending gospel, R&B, and blues influences with a distinctly Midwestern sensibility. The genre's signature sound featured sweeping strings, percussive horns, and inventive instrumental textures, often anchored by a strong, emotive lead vocalist. Chicago soul's heyday spanned the late 1960s to early 1970s, with artists crafting songs that addressed issues like love, social justice, and community empowerment. This genre not only played a pivotal role in shaping the soul and R&B landscape but also intersected with funk, psychedelic rock, and gospel, leaving an indelible mark on American music.

Latest Chicago Soul Release
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The Emotions
Curtis Mayfield
Jackie Wilson
Donny Hathaway
The Staple Singers
The Five Stairsteps
Top Playlists
Echoes of the Ages: A Melodic Voyage Through Time 4 Chicago Soul artists
70s HITS - 100 Greatest Songs of the 1970s 3 Chicago Soul artists
Rolling Stone Magazine - 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (2024) 2 Chicago Soul artists
Dr. John Top Radio 1 Chicago Soul artist
Old Gods of Appalachia 1 Chicago Soul artist
Mornings with kids. 1 Chicago Soul artist

RecentMusic users are tracking 26 Chicago Soul artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 447 releases .

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  1. June 27, 2025
  2. May 23
  3. April 25
  4. April 11
  5. February 14
  6. February 14
  7. January 4
  8. December 25, 2024
  9. October 30
  10. August 21
  11. July 26
  12. July 12
  13. June 28
  14. June 21
  15. June 14
  16. June 14
  17. May 10
  18. April 16
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  20. April 2
  21. March 22
  22. March 1
  23. February 23
  24. February 14
  25. February 9
  26. January 31
  27. November 17, 2023
  28. November 10
  29. October 27
  30. October 13
  31. August 4
  32. July 31
  33. June 30
  34. June 2
  35. April 28
  36. March 24
  37. March 10
  38. February 10
  39. February 3
  40. December 6, 2022