70s and 80s Soul and Funk Music
The best of 70s and 80s Soul and Funk Music. Artists include Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and more.
The Birth of Soul and Funk
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a new style of music was born. This style was a combination of rhythm and blues, gospel, and jazz, and it came to be known as soul music. The soul music of the 1970s and 1980s was heavily influenced by funk, a style of music that developed in the mid-1960s.
Where did soul and funk come from?
The roots of soul and funk music can be traced back to the early days of rock and roll in the 1950s. Artists like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and James Brown were influenced by a mix of genres including blues, gospel, and R&B. These artists laid the foundations for what would become two of the most popular and influential genres of the 20th century.
Soul music emerged in the 1960s as a direct result of the success of Motown Records. Motown was founded in 1959 by Berry Gordy and was home to some of the biggest names in soul music including Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Diana Ross. The sound of Motown was defined by its use of catchy melodies, infectious rhythms, and female vocalists who often delivered powerful messages about love and relationships.
Funk music also developed in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that the genre truly found its footing. Funk is defined by its focus on groove and rhythm, which is often achieved through the use of extended bass lines and syncopated drum patterns. The genre is also characterized by its use of electric guitars, horns, and keyboards to create a unique sound that is both danceable and infectiously catchy. Some of the most popular funk bands include Parliament-Funkadelic, Sly and the Family Stone, Earth Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, and Chic.
The pioneers of soul and funk
The60s saw the rise of Motown and its soulful sound, but it was in the 70s that the genre reached its commercial and critical peak. This decade saw the birth of disco, which would come to dominate the charts in the late 70s, as well as the rise of acclaimed soul and funk artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and George Clinton.
The early 80s saw a shift away from disco towards more synth-based pop music, but soul and funk continued to be popular genres. Artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Madonna would come to define pop music in this decade, but funk and soul artists like James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Chic continued to find success.
The Golden Age of Soul and Funk
The 70s and 80s were a golden age for soul and funk music. The sounds of the times were defined by artists like James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. This was a time when the music was all about getting people up and dancing. The energy was positive and the messages were often about love, peace, and having a good time.
The best soul and funk albums of the 70s
The 1970s was the golden age of soul and funk music. The best soul and funk albums of the 70s include:
-Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (1971)
-Curtis Mayfield – Super Fly (1972)
-Al Green – I’m Still in Love with You (1972)
-Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted and Black (1972)
-Miles Davis – On the Corner (1972)
-Stevie Wonder – Talking Book (1972)
-Betty Davis – They Say I’m Different (1974)
-George Clinton – Funkadelic (1970)
-James Brown – Sex Machine (1970)
The best soul and funk albums of the 80s
The 1980s were a golden age for soul and funk music. Dozens of great artists released classic albums that still sound fresh today. Here are just a few of the best soul and funk albums of the 1980s.
-Prince, “1999”
-Michael Jackson, “Thriller”
-Stevie Wonder, “Hotter than July”
-Marvin Gaye, “Midnight Love”
-Rick James, “Street Songs”
-Aretha Franklin, “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?”
-Kool & the Gang, “Emergency”
-Earth, Wind & Fire, “Touch the World”
The Legacy of Soul and Funk
Soul and funk music emerged in the late 60s and early 70s as a result of the civil rights movement and the rise of black power. The music was a way for black artists to express their political views and to tell their stories. Soul and funk music is still popular today and is often sampled by hip hop artists.
The influence of soul and funk on today’s music
Though it may not be as prevalent as it once was, the influence of soul and funk can still be heard in today’s music. Artists such as Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, and even Adele have all incorporated elements of soul and funk into their modern pop hits.
The legacy of soul and funk can be traced back to the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was during this time that artists like James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, and Parliament-Funkadelic began to experiment with a new sound that would eventually come to be known as “funk.” This new style of music was characterized by its heavy groove, often improvised melodies, and social commentary.
While soul music had existed prior to the 1970s, it wasn’t until this decade that it truly began to emerge as its own distinct genre. Artists like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder helped to define the sound of soul with their emotionally charged vocals and lyrics about love, loss, and social injustice.
The popularity of both soul and funk began to decline in the 1980s as new genres like hip hop and electronic dance music began to take over the airwaves. However, the influence of these two genres can still be heard in today’s music. Many modern artists have been heavily influenced by the sounds of soul and funk, and their songs often incorporate elements of both genres.
The future of soul and funk
The future of soul and funk is up for grabs. While many music lovers consider the golden era of this musical genre to be the 1970s and 1980s, there are plenty of artists keeping the legacy alive. In fact, some would argue that soul and funk are more popular than ever.
The question is: where do we go from here?
There are a few schools of thought on the matter. Some believe that soul and funk should evolve with the times, incorporating elements of other genres such as hip-hop and R&B. Others believe that the key to keeping soul and funk alive is to stay true to the roots of the music, which means keeping things simple and organic.
No matter what your opinion is, there’s no denying that soul and funk are two genres that have had a profound impact on music as a whole. And as long as there are people who appreciate good grooves and catchy hooks, soul and funk will always have a place in our hearts.
