Soul music’s roots come from the urbanization and commercialization of rhythm and blues in the late fifties and early sixties. Young black musicians, often nurtured in black churches, enjoyed and listened to R&B sounds and began a fusion of R&B, blues and gospel that would later take on the moniker “soul music”. The term “soul” had been used in African American culture, particularly among musicians, to emphasize the feelings of power, spirit and creativity found in its culture. Regional acts and labels took this genre into different directions that included, among other things, vocal interplay, gospel rhythms and themes that were translated from the sacred to the secular, all with mix heavy on standard rock or brass rhythm sections. The blend and variety brought out the contrasting tones of grit and pop-infused sounds. From Sam Cooke to James Brown and Etta James to Brenda Holloway…we’ll take a journey through the rise of soul music.
| No. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Artist | Title | Album | Buy |
| 2 | The Southern Tones | It Must Be Jesus | Southern Gospel |  |
| 3 | Ray Charles | I Got a Woman | Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection Disc 1 | |
| 4 | Etta James | Tears Of Joy | The Complete Modern & Kent Recordings 1 | |
| 5 | Clyde McPhatter | Seven Days | London American Label Year By Year 1956 | |
| 6 | Ray Charles | Lonely Avenue | Artist's Choice: Joni Mitchell | |
| 7 | James Brown | Please, Please, Please | Pure R&B: Vol. 2- Somethings Got a Hold on Me [Disc 1] | |
| 8 | Sam Cooke | You Send Me | Greatest Hits | |
| 9 | Sam Cooke | I'll Come Running Back To You | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 10 | Etta James | Come What May | The Complete Modern & Kent Recordings 1 | |
| 11 | The Chantels | Maybe | Pure R&B: Vol. 4- What'd I Say | |
| 12 | Clyde McPhatter | Lover's Question | The Atlantic Story [UK] | |
| 13 | Ray Charles | (Night Time Is) The Right Time | Ultimate Hits Collection [1 of 2] | |
| 14 | Eugene Church | Pretty Girls Everywhere | Solid Gold Soul 1959 | |
| 15 | Jackie Wilson | That's Why ( I Love You So ) | Lonely Teardrops | |
| 16 | Jackie Wilson | Lonely Teardrops | Solid Gold Soul 1959 | |
| 17 | The Fiestas | So Fine | Solid Gold Soul 1959 | |
| 18 | James Brown | Try Me | 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best of James Brown | |
| 19 | The Drifters | There Goes My Baby | All-Time Greatest Hits & More 1959-1965 [Bonus Tracks] [Disc 1] | |
| 20 | The Impressions | Shorty's Got To Go | Birth Of Soul: 3 | |
| 21 | Jerry Butler | He Will Break Your Heart | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 22 | Marie Knight | Come Tomorrow | Birth Of Soul: 2 | |
| 23 | Gloria Lynne | You Don't Have To Be A Tower Of Strength | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 24 | The Impressions | Gypsy Woman | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 25 | The Mar-Keys | Last Night | Last Night!/Do the Pop-Eye | |
| 26 | Brenda Holloway | I'll Give My Life | Birth Of Soul: 2 | |
| 27 | Jan Bradley | Mama Didn't Lie | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 28 | Claudine Clark | The Telephone Game | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 29 | William Bell | Any Other Way | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 30 | Jimmy Hughes | I'm Qualified | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 31 | Barbara Lynn | You'll Lose A Good Thing | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 32 | Joe Henderson | Snap Your Fingers | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 33 | The Falcons | I Found A Love | Birth Of Soul: 2 | |
| 34 | Solomon Burke | Down In The Valley | Birth Of Soul: 2 | |
| 35 | Etta James | Something's Got A Hold On Me | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 36 | Garnet Mimms & The Enchanters | Cry Baby | Birth Of Soul: 1 | |
| 37 | Barbara Lewis | Snap Your Fingers | Don't Forget About Me: The Atlantic & Reprise Recordings | |