New York’s Best Soul Music

Come explore the best soul music New York has to offer. From the classics to the modern, we’ll keep you updated on the latest and greatest.

Defining Soul Music

Soul music is a genre that arose out of the African American experience. It is a blend of gospel, R&B, and blues. The term “soul” refers to the emotional intensity and deep feeling that is expressed in the music. Soul music was created in the early 1950s, and reached its peak of popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The sound of Soul Music

The sound of Soul Music is often described as a combination of Rhythm and Blues (R&B) and Gospel Music. It found its origins in the African American community in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The term “soul” itself was coined by record producer Jerry Wexler in the 1960s.

While there is no one definitive sound of soul music, there are certain common elements that are often found in this genre. These include heavy use of rhythm and blues musical elements such as the blues scale, gospel-style vocal harmonies, and a strong backbeat. Additionally, soul music often features call-and-response patterns, as well as extended vocal solos.

While the exact origins of soul music are difficult to pinpoint, it is clear that this genre has been hugely influential in both the world of popular music and in American culture more broadly. Over the past several decades, soul music has undergone something of a renaissance, with many contemporary performers successfully incorporating elements of this classic style into their own work.

The feeling of Soul Music

The Feeling of Soul Music

The feeling of soul music can be defined in many ways. For some, it’s the feeling of being lifted up by the spirit of the music. For others, it’s the feeling of pride and joy that comes from listening to music that celebrates African American culture. And for others still, it’s the feeling of simply enjoying great music that happens to come from a particular genre.

No matter how you define it, there’s no denying that soul music has a special place in the hearts of those who love it. And if you’re lucky enough to live in New York City, you’re in luck, because the city is home to some of the best soul music venues in the world. From iconic locations like the Apollo Theater to intimate clubs like Smalls Jazz Club, here are just a few of the best places to enjoy soul music in New York City.

The Birth of Soul Music

Soul music is a genre that originated in the African-American community in the late 1950s. It combines elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, and jazz. Soul music became popular in the 1960s and 1970s with artists such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder.

Gospel Music

The origins of soul music can be traced back to the early 1940s and 1950s, when a style of music known as gospel developed. This style of music was a direct outgrowth of the black experience in America, shaped by the spirituals, hymns, and blues that were all part of the African American musical tradition.

Gospel music is based on the call-and-response pattern often found in African American spirituals. This pattern involves a leader singing a line or phrase, which is then repeated by the rest of the group. This type of singing allows for both solo and group performances, and often features complex harmonies.

Gospel music became popular in churches throughout the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. It was also during this time that artists like Mahalia Jackson and Reverend James Cleveland began to gain national prominence. As gospel music became more popular, it began to influence other genres, including rhythm and blues (R&B) and rock ‘n’ roll.

The 1960s saw the rise of soul music, which was a direct outgrowth of gospel music. Soul music combined elements of gospel, R&B, and pop to create a unique sound that resonated with black audiences across the country. Artists like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder helped to define this new genre with their chart-topping hits.

Today, gospel and soul music continue to be popular genres among black Americans. These styles of music have also had a profound impact on other genres such as hip-hop and contemporary R&B.

Rhythm and Blues

In the early 1940s, a new style of music was born in the African-American communities of the Southern United States. This music combined aspects of blues, gospel, and jazz, and came to be known as rhythm and blues.

The first recorded use of the term “rhythm and blues” was in a 1924 review of a song by pianist and composer Tate Houston. The reviewer said that the song had “a distinctly racy charm and a pulsating rhythm which should make it immensely popular with all classes.”

The term “rhythm and blues” became popular in the 1930s, when it was used to describe a new style of music that was being created by African-American musicians. This music combined elements of blues, gospel, and jazz, and had a strong rhythmic component that made it very danceable.

Some of the earliest recorded examples of rhythm and blues include “Saturday Night Fish Fry” by Louis Jordan (1949) and “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats (1951). These songs were very popular with both black and white audiences, and helped to make rhythm and blues one of the most popular genres of music in the 1950s.

The Golden Age of Soul Music

From the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, soul music was the sound of young America. The genre was born out of the collision of gospel and rhythm and blues, and it quickly came to reflect the social and political upheaval of the times. In the hands of visionary artists like Otis Redding, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, soul music became a powerful force for change, a way to give voice to the joys and sorrows of black America.

Motown

In the 1960s, the music of Motown Records in Detroit, Michigan, rose to prominence and had a profound impact on the development of soul music. With hits like “The Temptations”My Girl” and “The Supremes”Baby Love,” Motown acts became some of the most successful and iconic performers of their time. The sound of Motown also helped to shape the sound of other genres of music, including funk, R&B, and pop.

Stax Records

Stax Records was founded in 1957 by Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton in Memphis, Tennessee. The label was home to some of the most iconic and influential soul and R&B artists of all time, including Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave, and The Staple Singers. Stewart and Axton built the label from the ground up, starting with a small record store on McLemore Avenue in Memphis. The store became a popular hangout for local musicians, and soon Stewart began booking them for recording sessions in the basement of the shop.

Stax quickly rose to prominence in the 1960s with a string of chart-topping hits. The label’s sound was defined by its gritty, authentic approach to soul music. From the early days of Otis Redding’s career to the height of Isaac Hayes’ popularity, Stax records captured the true essence of southern soul music.

The label continued to find success in the 1970s with artists like The Staples Singers and Johnnie Taylor. However, financial troubles began to plague the label in the late 1970s, and it was eventually forced into bankruptcy in 1975. Despite its financial troubles, Stax remained an influential force in soul music throughout its existence. The label’s impact can still be felt today, as many modern soul and R&B artists have cited Stax as a major influence on their sound.

The Modern Age of Soul Music

Today, soul music is more popular than ever. Artists like Amy Winehouse, Adele, and Bruno Mars have brought soul music to the mainstream and introduced it to a new generation of listeners. With its mix of R&B, gospel, and pop, soul music has a broad appeal that has made it one of the most popular genres of music today.

Neo Soul

Neo soul is a genre of popular music that emerged in the early 1990s and emphasizes a mix of classic soul influences with modern hip hop and R&B sensibilities. Drawing on vintage sounds and textures, neo soul artists create a warm and intimate ambience while addressing modern themes of love, longing, and social issues.

While the term neo soul is most commonly associated with music made by African-American artists, it is also used to describe the work of musicians from other backgrounds who incorporate similar elements into their sound. Artists like D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Maxwell are often credited with helping to shape the sound and style of neo soul, but the genre continues to evolve as new artists emerge.

If you’re looking for something different from the mainstream pop and Hip Hop sounds dominating radio playlists, you might enjoy exploring the rich world of Neo Soul music.

Contemporary Soul

The contemporary soul music scene in New York is as vibrant as ever, with a new generation of artists carrying on the torch of classic soul into the 21st century. From retro-soul revivalists to modern R&B crooners, here are some of the best soul music acts NYC has to offer.

The Dap-Kings
Hailing from Brooklyn, The Dap-Kings are one of the most well-known contemporary soul groups in the world. Formed in 1996, the group has released eight studio albums, including their most recent, 2018’s Soul Clap. The Dap-Kings are perhaps best known for their work with legendary soul singer Sharon Jones, who was the group’s lead vocalist until her passing in 2016. In addition to their own albums, The Dap-Kings have also served as the backing band for numerous other artists, including Amy Winehouse, Michael Bublé, and Lily Allen.

Leon Bridges
Texas-born singer Leon Bridges rose to prominence in 2015 with his debut album Coming Home, which featured a throwback sound steeped in ’60s and ’70s soul and R&B. Bridges followed up his debut with 2018’s Good Thing, which saw him expanding his sound while still staying true to his classic soul roots. He has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and won a BET Award for Best New Artist.

Nai Palm
The frontwoman of Australian neo-soul outfit Hiatus Kaiyote, Nai Palm made her solo debut in 2017 with the album Needle Paw. Drawing comparisons to Stevie Wonder and Lauryn Hill, Palm is a talented singer/songwriter with a distinctive style all her own. She has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and was named one of Time magazine’s “30 Most Influential People Under 30” in 2017.

Moses Sumney
Moses Sumney is an LA-based singer/songwriter whose unique brand of dreamy, ethereal R&B has earned him comparisons to everyone from Prince to Jeff Buckley. Sumney first gained attention with his 2014 EP Mid-City Island, and he has since released a full-length album (2017’s Aromanticism) and several other EPs. His music has been featured on numerous TV shows and films, including Issa Rae’s Insecure and Ava DuVernay’s 13th.