The Best Soul Music Scores

A great way to enjoy soul music is by finding the best soul music scores. This blog will provide you with a list of the best soul music scores so you can enjoy the genre to its fullest.

Introduction

When it comes to film scores, there are few genres that can match the soulfulness and emotion of a good soul score. While many great scores have been composed for films of all genres, there is something special about a soul score that just seems to resonate on a different level.

There are a number of reasons why soul scores are so effective. For one, the genre itself is all about emotion and connecting with the audience on a deep level. This is something that a great film score should always strive to do, but it is especially important in a genre like soul.

Another reason why soul scores are so effective is that they often make use of fantastic vocal performances. In many cases, the lead singer of the band or artist performing the score will also be featured prominently in the film itself. This helps to create an even deeper connection between the music and the film.

Finally, soul scores tend to be very eclectic in their approach. They often incorporate elements of other genres, such as R&B, funk, and even jazz. This helps to create a unique sound that can really set a film apart from others in its genre.

The following list looks at ten of the best soul scores ever composed for film. While there are certainly other great examples out there, these ten represent some of the best examples of what this genre has to offer.

What is Soul Music?

Soul music is a genre of black American music that led to the creation of funk and disco. It combines elements of gospel music, rhythm and blues, and often jazz. Its original forms began in the early 1960s with the soul hit “My Girl” by The Temptations. Soul music became popular in African American communities in the U.S. in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and spread to mainstream popularity through artists such as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Whitney Houston in the 1980s.

Popular soul artists include James Brown, Al Green, Otis Redding, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Sam Cooke, and Sly & The Family Stone. More contemporary soul artists include D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, and Usher.

The History of Soul Music

The history of soul music is often traced back to the late 1950s and early 1960s, when a number of African American musicians began mixing gospel music with R&B, creating a new sound that was both spiritual and secular. The first soul singer to achieve widespread popularity was Sam Cooke, whose smooth, emotive voice helped him cross over from the R&B charts to the pop charts with hits like “You Send Me” and “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Cooke’s success paved the way for other African American artists like Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder to find crossover success in the 1960s.

While Cooke was the first soul singer to achieve widespread popularity, it was Issac Hayes’ record “Hot Buttered Soul” that is often credited with being the first true soul album. Released in 1969, “Hot Buttered Soul” featured long, extended tracks built around Hayes’ impassioned vocals and funky piano playing. The album’s success helped establish soul music as its own distinct genre separate from R&B and pop.

In the 1970s, soul music became increasingly politicized thanks to artists like Marvin Gaye, who used his platform to address social issues like racism (“What’s Going On”), poverty (“Inner City Blues”), and drug addiction (“Let’s Get It On”). Other artists like Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder continued to explore social themes in their music throughout the decade.

The 1980s saw a decline in the popularity of soul music as disco and then hip-hop began to dominate the airwaves. However, there were still some bright spots for soul fans during this decade, including Michael Jackson’s blockbuster album “Thriller” and Prince’s groundbreaking LP “Purple Rain.”

The 1990s saw a renewed interest in soul music thanks to groups like Boyz II Men, TLC, Lauryn Hill, and Destiny’s Child who brought traditional R&B sounds back into the mainstream. In recent years, we’ve seen even more crossover success from soul artists like Adele, Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, and John Legend.

The Best Soul Music Scores

In recent years, soul music has made a huge comeback thanks to popular shows like Empire, Luke Cage, and Black-ish. The best soul music scores evoke the emotion, drama, and excitement of the television shows and movies they accompany. Here are ten of the best soul music scores currently available:

1. Marvin Gaye – Trouble Man (1972)
2. Isaac Hayes – Shaft (1971)
3. Curtis Mayfield – Super Fly (1972)
4. James Brown – Black Caesar (1973)
5. Funkadelic – Standing on the Verge of Getting It On (1974)
6. Sly & The Family Stone – There’s a Riot Goin’ On (1971)
7. The Roots – Things Fall Apart (1999)
8. D’Angelo – Brown Sugar (1995)
9. Outkast – Idlewild (2006)
10. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly(2015)

Conclusion

Overall, we believe that the best soul music scores come from a mix of classic and modern soul music. While there are some great contemporary soul tracks out there, nothing can quite compare to the classics. We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide and that you’ll be able to find the perfect soul music for your next event!