Where Did Soul Music Originate?
Soul music emerged from the African American experience; it is the love child of the blues and gospel. For over forty years, soul music has been a chart topper, boasting classics like "When a Man Loves a Woman," "Respect" and "In the Midnight Hour." Soul music continues to flourish through neo-soul artists including Alicia Keys and Erykah Badu.
Blues and Spirituals
The emotional tug of soul music stems from the blues and Negro spirituals. The soul aesthetic is reminiscent of the vocal techniques prominent in these two genres -- bending notes, melismas, whooping and shouting.
Rhythm and Blues and Gospel
Syncopated rhythms accentuated by a heavy bass line and clanging tambourines, as well as the use of organs and brass instruments for a call and response effect, are influences derived from R&B and gospel music.
Civil Rights Movement
The 1960s saw the rise of an ethnocentric consciousness with a message of hope that was channeled through music. Soul was the music of the black power movement; its lyrics and energy expressed the political and social struggle of African Americans.
Record Labels
In 1959, Motown Records began producing a slick, soulful style of pop music. By 1961, Stax Records was customizing a grittier, edgy brand of soul music with artists like Otis Redding and Sam and Dave.
Original Artists
Although not a soul singer per se, Clyde McPhatter set the vocal style and standard for soul music. Soul musicians who followed his lead include Ray Charles, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and Al Green.
