The Best Soul Music of 2005
Looking for the best soul music of 2005? Look no further than our list of the top 10 soul albums of the year. From classic soul to modern R&B, these are the albums that defined the genre in 2005.
The Rebirth of Soul
In the early 2000s, it seemed as if soul music might be relegated to the history books. A new generation of R&B singers relying heavily on auto-tune and other digital effects dominated the charts, while classic soul artists struggled to find an audience. But in 2005, a group of young singers released a string of albums that brought classic soul sound back to the forefront of popular music.
Leading the charge was Amy Winehouse, whose debut album Frank revitalized interest in classic R&B and soul. Winehouse’s raw, emotive vocal style was reminiscent of such classic soul singers as Etta James and Billie Holiday, and her songs dealt with similar subject matter, including love, heartbreak, and addiction. Frank was a critical and commercial success, earning Winehouse several Grammy nominations (including one for Best New Artist) and helping to pave the way for a resurgence of soul music in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Another key figure in the rebirth of soul was D’Angelo, whose long-awaited second album Voodoo was released in 2000. Voodoo featured a number of blueprint for what would become known as “neo-soul”: organic instrumentation (with live drums prominently featured), spiritual lyrics, and sexually charged vocals. The album was a massive success both commercially and critically, earning D’Angelo several Grammy Awards (including one for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance) and cementing his status as one of the leading figures in contemporary soul music.
The success of Frank and Voodoo helped pave the way for other classic soul-inspired albums in the early 2000s, including Alicia Keys’ Songs in A Minor (2001), Jill Scott’s Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 (2000), John Legend’s Get Lifted (2004), and Maxwell’s BLACKsummers’night (2009). These albums found both commercial success and critical acclaim, further solidifying the place of soul music in the 21st century musical landscape.
The New Faces of Soul
The early 2000s were a tough time for soul music. With the rise of hip-hop and R&B, soul music was pushed to the sidelines. But in 2005, a new generation of soul artists emerged, ushering in a new era for the genre.
Among the new faces of soul were John Legend, AliciaKeys, and Maxwell. These artists blended classic soul with contemporary R&B to create a sound that was both fresh and familiar. They also injected new life into classic soul songs, like Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.”
The New Faces of Soul revitalized the genre and showed the world that soul music was still relevant. Their impact can still be felt today, as evidenced by the popularity of artists like Adele, who cites John Legend as one of her biggest influences.
The Legacy of Soul
While most people think of soul music as a product of the 1960s, the genre actually has roots that date back much further. After World War II, for instance, there was a huge demand for music that could fill dance floors—music that would get people moving and grooving. This is where soul music came in.blacks who had migrated from the rural South to the northern urban centers.
The Future of Soul
The future of soul looks very promising. With the success of neo-soul artists like D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, and Lauryn Hill, the popularity of hip-hop soul, and the return to prominence of established soul artists like Lisa Stansfield and Whitney Houston, it seems that soul music is finally enjoying the kind of mainstream success it deserves.
