can you orgers hip me with some soul music ?
im familiar with the whole motown scene and people such as aretha but i would like to broaden my collection with some sweet soul music,. something nice with some piano's and stuff .

R u aware of The Isleys?

BlueNote

"Soul Music" is such a broad topic. It covers everything from Disco to Motown. I would suggest that you concentrate on one or two aspects of it to start with. I HIGHLY recommend the Motown stuff...especially the late 60s to early 80s. Try to ignore the MAJOR hits and seek their other stuff. Artists like Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, The Originals, Willie Hutch, Debarge, Jermaine Jackson, Teena Marie, Rick James, etc. all released great stuff during that period.

I would also recommend THE ENTIRE Maze featuring Frankie Beverly collection. All of their albums are soul classics. Many people like them, but they get overlooked when it comes to "soul" music.

Like the person above suggested, the Isley Brothers are excellent. 3+3, Go For Your Guns, Harvest For The World, and The Heat Is On are my favorites.

I also suggest Luther Vandross' first 4 or 5 albums (Never Too Much, Forever For Always For Love, Busy Body, and The Night I Fell In Love). These albums are true soul classics. Marcus Miller and Nat Adderly did some EXCELLENT work with Luther on these.

I also recommend the Jones Girls first 3 albums on Philly International. "The Jones Girls", "At Peace With Woman" and "Get As Much Lovin' As You Can" are great pieces of work.

Also check out The O'Jays music. You can't go wrong with any of their Philly stuff from the 70s. My favorites are Ship Ahoy, Survival, So Full Of Love and Backstabbers.

A disco classic album that I highly recommend is Anita Ward's Songs of Love. Many overlook the album because of the song "Ring My Bell", but this album is more of a pop/soul album and NOT a disco album.

Hope this helps.
[Edited 2/19/08 10:29am]

Sweet soul, as in smooth/soft soul, as in quiet storm?
Bro, you just entered my turf
Lemme drop some bands on you...

Blue Magic
The Moments
The Dells
The Dramatics
The Chi-Lites
The Stylistics
The Temprees
The Originals
Bloodstone (to some extent)
The Spinners
Mark IV (I think they only released one album)
Black Ivory
Enchantment
The O'Jays
The Impressions (Their later albums with Ralph Johnson as lead vocalist. Great, but very underrated, stuff)


[Edited 2/19/08 12:33pm]

Check the tracklist for this compilation. FuNkeNsteiN hipped you to some of the sweet Philly soul, and I'd put in a word for the down-home Memphis sound as well. The Bar-Kays, Booker T. and the MG's, Sam and Dave, Otis Redding and of course Al Green.

Some of the great artists of the 60's, like Motown artists like the Temps, Stevie and Marvin maintained their stride in the 70's but still managed to redefine their sound, including Aretha and Curtis Mayfield.

And I consider Sly and the Family Stone to be soul music, but that's for another day.

FuNkeNsteiN said:

ill sureley check these bands out thanx

I've been listening to The Stylistics first two albums a lot lately. Great stuff.

Teddy Pendergrass
Luther Vandross
Smokey Robinson
Gladys Knight

motownlover said:

No problem

Also, check out

The Delfonics
The Floaters
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
The Manhattans
[Edited 2/20/08 11:03am]

thekidsgirl said:

i like smokey robinson , favorite track of mine is baby come close .

Here is a great list from iTunes Philly Essentials:

T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia) 3:40 MFSB Philly Super Soul Hits $0.99
If You Don't Know Me By Now 3:25 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes $0.99
I'll Be Around 3:14 The Spinners A One of a Kind Love Affair - The Anthology $0.99
Love Train 2:58 The O'Jays Back Stabbers $0.99
Love T.K.O 5:00 Teddy Pendergrass The Essential Teddy Pendergrass $0.99
Me and Mrs. Jones 4:45 Billy Paul 360 Degrees of Billy Paul $0.99
La-La Means I Love You 3:18 Delfonics La La Means I Love You (Buddha Version) $0.99
You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine 4:27 Lou Rawls Lou Rawls: Love Songs $0.99
Betcha By Golly, Wow 3:48 The Stylistics The Stylistics $0.99
Sideshow 4:12 Blue Magic Soulful Spell - The Best of Blue Magic $0.99
When Will I See You Again 2:58 The Three Degrees The Best of The Three Degrees - When Will I See You Again $0.99
Back Stabbers 3:04 The O'Jays The Essential O'Jays $0.99
Love Won't Let Me Wait 3:45 Major Harris My Way $0.99
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now 7:00 McFadden & Whitehead Club Epic, Vol. 2 $0.99
Yes, I'm Ready 3:06 Barbara Mason Yes, I'm Ready (1965) $0.99
Only the Strong Survive 2:38 Jerry Butler The Philadelphia Sessions $0.99
Right On the Tip of My Tongue 3:20 Brenda & The Tabulations Storm Warning: Philly Original Soul Classics, Vol. 1 $0.99
If Only You Knew 4:47 Patti Labelle I'm In Love Again $0.99
Cowboys to Girls 2:37 The Intruders The Best of the Intruders - Cowboys to Girls $0.99
She's Gone 5:13 Daryl Hall & John Oates Abandoned Luncheonette $0.99
Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) 3:21 Delfonics The Delfonics: La-La Means I Love You (The Definitive Collection) $0.99
The Rubberband Man 3:37 The Spinners A One of a Kind Love Affair - The Anthology $0.99
Kiss and Say Goodbye 4:26 The Manhattans The Manhattans $0.99
It's Gonna Take a Miracle (Album Version) 4:09 Deniece Williams The Best of Deniece Williams: Gonna Take a Miracle $0.99
Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You 2:44 Wilson Pickett In Philadelphia $0.99
Wake Up Everybody 7:32 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Wake Up Everybody $0.99
Turn Off the Lights 5:55 Teddy Pendergrass The Essential Teddy Pendergrass $0.99
Hey, Western Union Man 2:41 Jerry Butler The Philadelphia Sessions $0.99
Lady Love 4:00 Lou Rawls Lou Rawls: Love Songs $0.99
Boogaloo Down Broadway 2:31 Fantastic Johnny C Storm Warning: Philly Original Soul Classics, Vol. 1 $0.99
You Are Everything 2:57 The Stylistics The Stylistics $0.99
That's How Long I'll Be Loving You 2:56 Bunny Sigler Keep Smilin' $0.99
Shining Star 4:40 Manhattans Manhattans: Greatest Hits $0.99
Mighty Love 3:18 The Spinners Mighty Love $0.99
I Wanna Know Your Name 5:49 The Intruders The Best of the Intruders - Cowboys to Girls $0.99
Silly Silly Fool (Remastered Version) 2:28 Dusty Springfield A Brand New Me $0.99
Never Give You Up 2:59 Jerry Butler The Philadelphia Sessions $0.99
Come Go With Me 5:47 Teddy Pendergrass The Essential Teddy Pendergrass $0.99
For the Love of Money 7:19 The O'Jays Ship Ahoy $0.99
Baby Hold On to Me (feat. Eddie Levert) 5:45 Gerald Levert Private Line $0.99
I'm Coming Home 3:26 Johnny Mathis I'm Coming Home $0.99
Don't Even Try 4:22 Bunny Sigler Salsoul the Slow Jams & Chillout Sessions $0.99
Enjoy Yourself 3:24 The Jacksons The Jacksons $0.99
I Can't Stop Dancing (Single Version) 2:15 Archie Bell & The Drells & The Drells Sock It to 'Em Soul $0.99
Love, Need and Want You 5:00 Patti Labelle I'm In Love Again $0.99
You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else 4:33 The Jones Girls The Jones Girls $0.99
The Love I Lost 6:23 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes & Teddy Pendergrass The Ultimate Blue Notes $0.99
Together 2:55 The Intruders The Intruders: Super Hits $0.99
Show You the Way to Go 5:30 The Jacksons The Jacksons $0.99
Stop to Start 3:24 Blue Magic Soulful Spell - The Best of Blue Magic $0.99
I Ain't Jivin', I'm Jammin' 5:55 Leon Huff Here to Create Music $0.99
There's No Me Without You 3:41 Manhattans Manhattans: Greatest Hits $0.99
Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart) 2:54 The Stylistics The Stylistics $0.99
It's Forever 7:17 The Ebonys The Ebonys $0.99
Let the Good Times Roll & Feel So Good 2:58 Bunny Sigler Cameo Parkway 1957-1967 $0.99
Love Is the Message 6:36 MFSB The Philly Sound - Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and the Story of Brotherly Love (1966-1976) $0.99
Storm Warning 2:43 Volcanos Storm Warning: Philly Original Soul Classics, Vol. 1 $0.99
The Bells (Album Version) 2:58 Laura Nyro Stoned Soul Picnic: The Best of Laura Nyro $0.99
Get Me Back on Time, Engine Number 9, Pts. 1& 2 6:22 Wilson Pickett In Philadelphia $0.99
Slow Motion, Pt. 1 2:57 Johnny Williams The Philly Sound - Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and the Story of Brotherly Love (1966-1976) $0.99
Old Friend 4:51 Phyllis Hyman The Legacy of Phyllis Hyman $0.99
See You When I Git There 4:28 Lou Rawls Lou Rawls: Love Songs $0.99
Thanks for Saving My Life 2:57 Billy Paul Me and Mrs. Jones - The Best of Billy Paul $0.99
He Don't Really Love You 2:26 Delfonics Cameo Parkway 1957-1967 $0.99
I'm Not In Love 5:16 Dee Dee Sharp Happy 'Bout the Whole Thing $0.99
Love Epidemic 5:58 The Trammps Trammps (Extended Version) $0.99
Do It Any Way You Wanna 3:16 People's Choice The Philly Sound - Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and the Story of Brotherly Love (1966-1976) $0.99
Dance 4:19 Don Cello & Gerald Levert Presents Don Cello and Friends $0.99
Stay With Me 3:56 The Futures Between the Sheets (Vol. 4) $0.99
Year of Decision 2:40 The Three Degrees The Best of The Three Degrees - When Will I See You Again $0.99
Can I 5:03 Bunny Sigler & Don Cello Presents Don Cello and Friends $0.99
Ooh Child 5:08 Dee Dee Sharp Gamble The Philly Sound - Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and the Story of Brotherly Love (1966-1976) $0.99
This Feeling's Killing Me 3:32 The Jones Girls The Jones Girls $0.99
The Jokes On You 2:44 Kenny Gamble & the Romeos The Northern Side of Philly Soul $0.99
Ain't No Stopping Us Now 4:24 Black Thought, Don Cello & McFadden & Whitehead Presents Don Cello and Friends $0.99[i]

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

Ike & Tina

Otis Redding

Sam & Dave

I mean, do I really need to go on?