5 Best soul albums for a n00b
 

I know I know, there's loads of these knocking about. But I've never actually listened to a proper Soul record, so I was wondering what the best were. I want the obvious ones, rather than the obscure hidden gems. I'm thinking Temptations and things from the 60s and Motown. If anyone could offer some of the best Soul records around, I'd be very grateful.

1. What'd I Say - Ray Charles.
YouTube - Ray Charles - What'd I say

2. Live At The Apollo 1962 - James Brown.

3. Signed Sealed Delivered & Songs In The Key Of Life - Stevie Wonder.
YouTube - Stevie Wonder - That Girl
YouTube - Stevie Wonder - Do I Do

4. Otis Blue:Sings Soul - Otis Redding.

5. Marvin ***e - Whats Going On.
YouTube - What's Going On
YouTube - Marvin ***e trouble man
YouTube - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)

^ these, and:

Aretha Franklin - Lady Soul
Stevie Wonder - Talking Book
The Temptations - Temptations Sing Smokey
The Four Tops - Reach Out
Curtis Mayfield - Superfly

The Otis Redding portion of Monterey Pop is probably the greatest live recording ever if you can't find that I suggest Otis Redding ~ Live On The Sunset Strip.

Here are the 5 best soul albums in my list,
1. Live At The Apollo 1962 - James Brown.
2. The Four Tops - Reach Out
3. Signed Sealed Delivered & Songs In The Key Of Life - Stevie Wonder.
4. Stevie Wonder - Talking Book
5. The Temptations - Temptations Sing Smokey

I cut my soul teeth on the classic 1960 & 70s compilation albums TAMLA MOTOWN VOL1,VOL2 etc up to about VOL7
They have all be rereleased on cd umpteen times and can be bought brand new for a few quid each
Every track is a classic and it gives you a great place to start your soul journey

thnaks so much, i am finding somethign like that

late 50s/early 60s:
Otis Redding - Dock of the Bay (best of)
Sam Cooke - The Man and His Music
Sam & Dave
The Impressions - People Get Ready

late 60s/early 70s
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Al Green - Let's Stay Together
Stevie Wonder - Talking Book, Innervisions
Curtis Mayfield - Superfly

^All of these are good starting points.

Wilson Pickett - In the Midnight Hour is a good one too.

Many of those already mentioned are really good. Y'know, the soul genre is often roughly divided into two "sub-genres": The raw, horn-driven southern soul, especially that of Stax records; and the polished, catchy, more "pop"-ish northern soul, in which Motown was the dominant force. So here are ten album recommendations, five from Stax, five from Motown:

Stax
Booker T. & The MG's - Green Onions
Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul
Otis Redding - Otis Blue
Wilson Pickett - The Exciting Wilson Pickett
Eddie Floyd - Knock On Wood

Motown
Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
Stevie Wonder - Innervisions
Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life
The Temptations - Psychedelic Shack

All from the 60s or early 70s (except Songs In The Key Of Life released in '76).
I'll end this post by voicing my opinion and say that the albums listed under Stax are a lot better than those listed under Motown. Maybe except for the Stevie Wonder-albums; they're great.

Here's my five non-obscure soul recommendations.

1. Marvin Gaye - Here, My Dear
2. The Stylistics - The Stylistics
3. Donny Hathaway - Extension of a Man
4. Anything by Otis Redding, James Brown or Smokey Robinson. Take your pick.
5. Terry Callier - What Color Is Love

My knowledge of soul is a bit deficient, but I can confirm that you can't go wrong with any of these suggestions.

I've been meaning to listen to Hot Buttered Soul for ages. I've always liked Sam & Dave but I can't seem to track down Soul Men, so I'd be eternally grateful if anyone could send it to me.

I saw one mention of Sam Cooke, but I don't believe it can be overstated - Sam Cooke is, to me, the definitive soul artist. Your collection is not complete without a copy of Portrait Of A Legend, at the least. Stevie Wonder is also excellent, and I would rate Songs In The Key Of Life as his best, although basically all of his albums from Music Of My Mind through Songs In The Key Of Life are amazing.

The Isley Brothers album Givin' it Back is a great listen. It was released in 1971 and all seven tracks are cover versions, theres a reason why they did a covers album the clue is in the album title. Apparently they were more than a little bit pissed of with Hendrix at the time, Im sure you all know Hendrix had been the lead guitarist in The Isley Brothers earlier in his career. He seemed to forget all about his influences and the people that had helped him on his way before his success happened, or at least thats how many black American artists saw it at the time. Anyway.......... if you havent heard it before give it a listen, its a great album.

Track 4..........

There are some great classic soul music recommendations here. Don't overlook the more recent Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings--they should have greater recognition. My classic soul favs are Ray Charles, Solomon Burke (who made several albums in the last decade) and Sam Cooke (don't miss his work with the Soul-Stirrers, the gospel group he worked with until he crossed over to pop music).

Guys seriously, Pieces Of A Man by Gil Scott Heron is a must.

You forgot Marvin Gaye's album, What's Going On.

Yeah, I disagree with my own list now. What's Going On is much better than Let's Get It On. Well, that's my opinion, I guess.

James Carr - You Got My Mind Messed Up

hot butterd soul!!!


plus, i know many people frown on best of compilations and hits collections but this one served me well

Top of the Stax: 20 Greatest Hits

these will help

Yeah I'd say What's Going On would be my favourite soul record.

Other noteworthy soul artists would be Etta James, Otis Redding.

Yeh - songs in the key of life is unsurpassed.

you've got to have Lady Soul by no less than the Queen of Soul herself, ARETHA FRANKLIN.

speaking of, here's a video of a tribute for her...

my time by boz scaggs is a must

Great!! I found some real juicy stuff here,the songs you have shared here are fantastic.