Classic Soul

Classic soul is a genre of music characterized by its emotive, heartfelt sound, typically featuring lush orchestration, driving rhythms, and powerful, expressive vocal performances. Emerging in the 1950s and 1960s, classic soul drew from gospel, blues, and rhythm and blues to create a distinctive style that emphasized raw emotion and authenticity. During its peak in the 1960s and 1970s, classic soul became a cultural phenomenon, providing a voice for the African American experience and addressing themes of love, social justice, and empowerment. With its blend of sacred and secular influences, classic soul influenced the development of funk, disco, and contemporary R&B, while its raw, emotive qualities set it apart from smoother, more polished styles like Motown. Classic soul's enduring appeal lies in its ability to convey deep emotional truth, making it a timeless and universal genre that continues to inspire artists and listeners alike.

Latest Classic Soul Release
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Falling In Love With My Girl
Album - 21 Tracks - Released February 21, 2025

RecentMusic users are tracking 132 Classic Soul artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 2,679 releases .

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Al Green
Aretha Franklin
Average White Band
Baby Washington
Barbara Lynn
Betty Everett
Betty Wright
Bill Withers
Billy Paul
Bobby Womack
Booker T. & the M.G.'s
Brass Construction
Brenton Wood
Brian Owens
Chairmen Of The Board
Common Kings
Con Funk Shun
Curtis Mayfield
Dazz Band
Dexter Wansel
Donny Hathaway
Durand Jones
Edwin Starr
Emma Noble
Eramus Hall
Evelyn "Champagne" King
Funkadelic
Gene Chandler
Gladys Knight & The Pips
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Heatwave
Ike & Tina Turner
Irma Thomas
Isaac Hayes
Jackie Wilson
Jalen Ngonda
James Carr
Jerry Butler
Johnny James Dr J
Lakeside
Lenny Williams
Linda Jones
Little Anthony & The Imperials
Little Beaver
Lou Rawls
Mack Holland
Marlena Shaw
Marvin Gaye
Mary Jane Girls
Mary Wells
Merry Clayton
Minnie Riperton
Ohio Players
One Way
Oscar LaDell
Otis Redding
Parliament
Patrice Rushen
Paul Loren
Peaches & Herb
Percy Sledge
Randy Roberts
Ray Charles
Roberta Flack
Rose Royce
Rufus
Sam & Dave
Sam Cooke
Silk Soul
Slave
Smokey Robinson
Soul Legend
Teddy Pendergrass
The Brothers Johnson
The Chi-Lites
The Delfonics
The Dells
The Dramatics
The Drifters
The Emotions
The Impressions
The Intruders
The Isley Brothers
The J.B.'s
The James Hunter Six
The Jones Girls
The Miracles
The O'Jays
The S.O.S Band
The Shacks
The Shirelles
The Spinners
The Staple Singers
The Stylistics
The Supremes
The Temptations
The Whispers
War
William DeVaughn
Wilson Pickett
Marvin Gaye
Bill Withers
Otis Redding
Aretha Franklin
Ray Charles
Sam Cooke
The Temptations
The Drifters
Tammi Terrell
Al Green
Roberta Flack
The Supremes
The Emotions
The Isley Brothers
Jalen Ngonda
Sam & Dave
Durand Jones
War
Bobby Womack
Curtis Mayfield
Teddy Pendergrass
Patrice Rushen
Booker T. & the M.G.'s
The O'Jays
Jackie Wilson
The Spinners
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Donny Hathaway
Gladys Knight & The Pips
Common Kings
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Brenton Wood
Wilson Pickett
The Shirelles
Rufus
Percy Sledge
Cheryl Lynn
Smokey Robinson
Billy Paul
Mary Wells
Minnie Riperton
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Funkadelic
Darondo
Ike & Tina Turner
Lou Rawls
The Stylistics
The Whispers
The J.B.'s
Rose Royce
The Five Stairsteps
Shalamar
The Brothers Johnson
The Staple Singers
Irma Thomas
Isaac Hayes
Fontella Bass
Marlena Shaw
The Marvelettes
Betty Wright
Edwin Starr
Evelyn "Champagne" King
Heatwave
The Delfonics
The Impressions
The Love Unlimited Orchestra
Soul Legend
Parliament
Mary Jane Girls
Jimmy Ruffin
Ohio Players
Barbara Lewis
The Dramatics
Peaches & Herb
One Way
Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
Average White Band
The Miracles
The James Hunter Six
L.T.D.
Con Funk Shun
Dazz Band
The Shacks
The Chi-Lites
The Elgins
William DeVaughn
Barbara Lynn
The Intruders
The S.O.S Band
Lakeside
McFadden & Whitehead
Little Anthony & The Imperials
Little Beaver
Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
Betty Everett
The Originals
Gene Chandler
The Jones Girls
Archie Bell & The Drells
Silk Soul