Rare Soul Music

Discover and explore the world of rare soul music. From the history and origins of the genre, to contemporary artists keeping the sound alive.

What is Rare Soul Music?

Rare Soul music is a genre of soul music that includes a wide variety of styles, from the smoother sounds of early Motown to the grittier sounds of Stax/Volt. Rare Soul is distinguished from other soul music by its eclectic mix of styles and influences, including Funk, R&B, Gospel, and Blues.

Rare Soul was popularized in the 1960s and 1970s by DJ Keb Darge, who compiled a series of iconic rare soul compilations for the UK-based label Kent Records. rare soul has since regained popularity among collectors and DJs due to the rise of the internet and social media.

Notable rare soul artists include: Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Supremes, The Temptations, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, and Al Green.

The Origins of Rare Soul Music

Rare soul music is a genre that was developed in the United States in the late 1960s. It is a style of soul music that is characterized by its slowed down tempo and its reliance on a heavy bass line. This type of music was originally created by DJs who were looking for a way to extend the length of records so that they could play them for longer periods of time. In order to do this, they would need to find songs that were not yet well known and to play them at a slower speed. As the popularity of this style of music grew, more Record labels began to release these types of records and they became more widely available.

The Different Types of Rare Soul Music

Rare soul music is a genre that encompasses a wide range of music from the 60s and 70s. It includes Motown, Stax, Atlantic, and other soul labels from the US and UK. The term “rare soul” can also refer to northern soul, which is a subgenre of rare soul that originated in the UK.

There are many different types of rare soul music, but some of the most popular include:

-Motown: Motown is a type of rare soul music that was created by Berry Gordy in Detroit, Michigan in the late 1950s. Motown’s signature sound is a combination of R&B, pop, and gospel. Some of the most popular Motown artists include Diana Ross and The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder.

-Stax: Stax is a type of rare soul music that was created by Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton in Memphis, Tennessee in the early 1960s. Stax’s signature sound is a combination of southern soul, Rhythm and Blues (R&B), and gospel. Some of the most popular Stax artists include Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Isaac Hayes, and The Staples Singers.

-Atlantic: Atlantic is a type of rare soul music that was created by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson in New York City in the early 1950s. Atlantic’s signature sound is a combination of R&B, jazz, and blues. Some of the most popular Atlantic artists include Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Ben E. King.

The Popularity of Rare Soul Music

Rare soul music is a term used to describe soul music that is not well known. It can be hard to find and may be expensive. Some people collect rare soul music because it is a unique genre of music that often has a lot of emotion and feeling.

The Future of Rare Soul Music

There is no doubt that rare soul music is here to stay. The genre has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to the efforts of dedicated DJs and collectors.

What the future holds for rare soul music is anyones guess, but one thing is for sure: the music will continue to evolve and change as new generations discover and rediscover its hidden gems.