60s and 70s Soul Music: The Best of Both Eras

Looking for the best of both worlds when it comes to soul music? Then check out our blog post on the best 60s and 70s soul music. You’ll find a great mix of both eras, so you can get your groove on no matter what your preferred decade is.

The Sound of Soul in the 60s

The 60s was a time of change and Soul Music was at the forefront of that change. With artists like James Brown and Aretha Franklin, Soul Music helped to shape the sound of the 60s. The best of both eras can be found in the music of the 60s and 70s.

Motown

Motown was a record label founded in 1960 by Berry Gordy in Detroit, Michigan. The label was known for its string of successful artists, including Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the Jackson 5. Motown sound is a combination of pop, R&B, and soul that became popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The music was characterized by its catchy melodies, tight vocal harmonies, and instrumentation.

Stax Records

Stax Records was an American record label founded in 1957 by Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton in Memphis, Tennessee. Stewarts sister, Carolyn, later joined the company. The label was a major force in the development of southern soul and Memphis soul music. Stax recorded such artists as Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Isaac Hayes, the Staples Singers, Carla Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. The label also released works by non-soul artists such as the recorder virtuoso Raymond Levee and country music star Charlie Rich.

The Sound of Soul in the 70s

The best of both eras, 60s and 70s soul music are characterized by similaryet distinctive sounds. The biggest difference between the two eras is the way in which the music is produced. 60s soul music is often associated with the Motown Sound, while 70s soul music is characterized by a more raw and gritty sound.

Philadelphia International Records

Philadelphia International Records was a record label based in Philadelphia, founded in 1971 by Gamble and Huff. The label was known for its Philly soul sound, a genre that featured lush, string-laden arrangements and close harmonies. The label’s roster included such acts as The O’Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, and Teddy Pendergrass. Philadelphia International Records was also home to the disco group The Trammps.

Gamble and Huff

Gamble and Huff were a powerhouse duo in the world of soul music in the 1970s. As the brains behind Philadelphia International Records, they helped to define the ” Philly sound ” and produce some of the most iconic soul hits of the decade.

Their work with artists like The O’Jays, Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, and Billy Paul resulted in a string of chart-topping singles, including “For the Love of Money,” “Love Train,” and “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Gamble and Huff’s production style was characterized by its lavish arrangements and use of background vocalists, which helped to create a signature sound that was both soulful and luxurious.

While Gamble and Huff may not be as well-known as some of the other producers from this era, their influence on soul music is undeniable. Their work introduced a new level of sophistication to the genre and helped to make Philadelphia International Records one of the most successful labels of the 1970s.

The Best of Both Eras

The 60s and 70s were both great decades for soul music. Both decades had their fair share of great soul artists. In the 60s, you had artists like James Brown and Otis Redding. In the 70s, you had artists like Al Green and Barry White. But which decade had the better soul music?

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye was an American singer-songwriter and musician who helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s. He was born on April 2, 1939 in Washington, D.C., and began his career as a drummer in the doo-wop group, The Rainbows. He was then recruited by Motown founder Berry Gordy to become a member of The Miracles, but he decided to pursue a solo career instead.

He released his first album, “The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye” in 1961, but it was his third album, “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You” that made him a household name. The album established him as one of Motown’s most successful artists and solidified his position as a sex symbol. From there, Marvin went on to release a number of hugely successful albums including “I Want You” (1976), “Here, My Dear” (1978), and “Midnight Love” (1982).

Tragically, Marvin died at the age of 44 after being shot by his father during an argument at their home in Los Angeles on April 1, 1984. He is remembered as one of the most talented and influential musicians of his generation.

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin is often referred to as the Queen of Soul, and for good reason. She is one of the most successful and influential singers of all time, with a career spanning six decades.

Born in 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, Franklin began singing gospel music at a young age and released her first album in 1956. She found success with her 1967 album, “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You”, which topped the R&B charts and reached number two on the Billboard 200. From there, she went on to release a string of hits including “Respect”, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, and “I Say a Little Prayer”.

Over the course of her career, Franklin won 20 Grammy Awards, sold more than 75 million records worldwide, and was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to her musical accomplishments, she was also an active civil rights campaigner and worked tirelessly to promote social justice. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 76.

Stevie Wonder

Wonder is one of the most successful songwriters and performers of all time. He is Blind. Stevie writes his own songs and he is a Multi-instrumentalist. Wonder has been Nominated for over 100 Grammy Awards, winning 25, and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.