Southern Soul

Southern soul is a genre characterized by its emotive, heartfelt sound, marked by slow-burning rhythms, rich instrumentation, and deeply expressive vocals. Emerging in the 1960s, it evolved from the intersection of blues, gospel, and rhythm and blues, with artists from the southern United States creating a unique blend that emphasized raw emotion and authenticity. Reaching its peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s, southern soul became a cultural phenomenon, capturing the struggles and triumphs of African American life during the Civil Rights era. Its impact was profound, influencing the development of funk, disco, and contemporary R&B. Notable for its use of horns, keyboards, and driving basslines, southern soul distinguished itself from other soul styles with its more subdued tempo and a focus on storytelling through lyrics. The genre's poignant, soul-stirring quality continues to resonate with listeners, making it a beloved and enduring part of music history.

Latest Southern Soul Release
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Young Fashioned Ways
Album - 10 Tracks - Released March 21, 2025

RecentMusic users are tracking 138 Southern Soul artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 2,616 releases .

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Al Green
Allen Toussaint
Ann Peebles
Aretha Franklin
Arthur Adams
Baby Washington
Barbara Lynn
Bette Smith
Betty Wright
Bettye Swann
Bill Feehely
Billy Paul
Bobby "Blue" Bland
Bobby Rush
Bobby Womack
Booker T. & the M.G.'s
Brian Owens
Brook Benton
Candi Staton
Carl Sims
Carla Thomas
Charlie Ricch
Chuck Jackson
Clarence Carter
Coline Creuzot
Dee Jizzle
Denise LaSalle
Donny Hathaway
Eddie 9V
Eddie Floyd
Edwin Starr
Fancy Hagood
Gene Chandler
George Porter Jr.
Gwen McCrae
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
HeavyDrunk
Houston Bernard
Ike & Tina Turner
Irma Thomas
Isaac Hayes
Ivan Neville
James Carr
Joe Simon
Joe Tex
Jontavious Willis
Kenny Sharp
LaBronn Conner Jr.
LaVern Baker
Lakeside
Landn Amour
Latimore
Lauren Lucas
Lee Fields
Leslie Jordan
Linda Jones
Little Junior Parker
Little Milton
Mary Wells
Mavis Staples
Mitty Collier
Ms. Jody
Muddy Creek & Co.
Nadia Vaeh
Ohio Players
Ole 60
Oscar LaDell
Otis Redding
Paul Kelly
Percy Sledge
Porch Matthews
Rose Royce
Rufus
Rufus Thomas
Sam & Dave
Solomon Burke
Sons Of The James
Spooner Oldham
Sugar Daddy and the Gumbo Roux
Swamp Dogg
Syl Johnson
Terry Evans
The Boy from the South
The Chi-Lites
The Delfonics
The Dells
The Dramatics
The Emotions
The Intruders
The Miracles
The O'Jays
The Peterson Brothers
The Rakers
The Spinners
The Staple Singers
William Bell
Willie Clayton
Willie J. Campbell
Wilson Pickett
Youlanda Burnett
Otis Redding
Aretha Franklin
Tammi Terrell
Al Green
The Emotions
Ole 60
Sam & Dave
Bobby Womack
Candi Staton
Solomon Burke
Booker T. & the M.G.'s
The O'Jays
The Spinners
Donny Hathaway
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Wilson Pickett
Rufus
Percy Sledge
Billy Paul
Mary Wells
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Bobby "Blue" Bland
Ann Peebles
Mavis Staples
Ike & Tina Turner
Rose Royce
The Staple Singers
Irma Thomas
Isaac Hayes
Billy Preston
The Marvelettes
Betty Wright
Edwin Starr
The Delfonics
Trill Family
Brook Benton
Lee Fields
Gwen McCrae
Jimmy Ruffin
Ohio Players
The Dramatics
Eddie Floyd
William Bell
Arthur Conley
Carla Thomas
Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
Allen Toussaint
The Miracles
L.T.D.
Syl Johnson
The Chi-Lites
Barbara Lynn
The Intruders
Kim Weston
Lakeside
Clarence Carter
King Floyd
Bettye Swann
Betty Everett
LaVern Baker
The Originals
Gene Chandler
Erma Franklin
Archie Bell & The Drells
Rufus Thomas
Sugar Pie DeSanto
The Dells
Millie Jackson
Eddie Holman
James Carr
Joe Tex
Kenny Sharp
Swamp Dogg
Otis Clay
Latimore
Fancy Hagood
Lyn Collins
Joe Simon
Linda Jones
Bobby Rush
Little Milton
Eddie 9V
Ms. Jody
Pops Staples
Denise LaSalle
The Boy from the South
Brenda Holloway
Willie Clayton
Jontavious Willis
Major Harris
Mel Brown
Paul Kelly
Little Junior Parker
Chuck Jackson
Eddie Bo
Brian Owens
HeavyDrunk
Ivan Neville
Sons Of The James
Porch Matthews