Soul music is about the “black experience” of America. Once referred as “race music” it pointed to the black artists and/or the black producers and is tied into the early civil rights movement as the sound that brought the black and white race together. Soul started within cities of northern United States such as Philadelphia, Detroit, and New York. Different styles emerged from various regions depending on their original gospel or blues style. There are as many types of soul music as there are singers. It seems as if each state had its own version of soul.
The Detroit or Motown sound with strong rhythms.
Deep or southern soul with its energetic style from the gospel sounds of the southern United States.
Memphis soul has a sultry sound with melodic horns and organ.
The New Orleans style being more R&B sounding than the other types.
Chicago soul with a lighter gospel touch.
Philadelphia soul, orchestral sounding and including do-wop vocals.
Psychedelic soul mixing psychedelic rock with soul.
Blue-eyed soul is soul music from white singers and is not really a style, more to reference that the singer is not black.
British soul is also referring to where the music came from.
Neo soul refers to a modern style of soul from the 1990s which adds in an electric piano.
Northern soul referring to music played in Northern England in the 1970’s.
Nu-Jazz adding in electronica music.
The Quiet Storm, a quieter form of soul with a heavy backbeat and softer melodies.
Deep or southern soul with its energetic style from the gospel sounds of the southern United States.
Memphis soul has a sultry sound with melodic horns and organ.
The New Orleans style being more R&B sounding than the other types.
Chicago soul with a lighter gospel touch.
Philadelphia soul, orchestral sounding and including do-wop vocals.
Psychedelic soul mixing psychedelic rock with soul.
Blue-eyed soul is soul music from white singers and is not really a style, more to reference that the singer is not black.
British soul is also referring to where the music came from.
Neo soul refers to a modern style of soul from the 1990s which adds in an electric piano.
Northern soul referring to music played in Northern England in the 1970’s.
Nu-Jazz adding in electronica music.
The Quiet Storm, a quieter form of soul with a heavy backbeat and softer melodies.
There are many soul artists who started out in the 1950’s and 1960’s and became the founders of rock music as it is today. Four particular sounds emerged within the context of the four independent labels formed in four different cities: Detroit with Barry Gordy’s Motown, Philadelphia in later years with International, New York’s Atlantic, and Memphis’ Stax. Motown is the biggest success story of black entrepreneurship, with Barry Gordy at the helm. It was thought at the time that his music was more “white” than “black”, therefore getting the attention of the masses and creating a bigger audience. He also has a different type of production with teams working on composing music as well as production teams to finish the songs. His music, as well, was geared toward the young teenagers which was a nod to the future of rock and roll.
So what would the difference be between rock and roll, rhythm and blues and soul? Back in the 60’s and the heyday of the civil rights movement, rock and roll and soul were similar except that one was performed by white artists and the other by black artists. Rhythm and blues was the original music. Rock and roll and soul made it danceable and personal. A comeback of sorts for old style soul is in the making after the trends for hip hop and electronica music. Hits from Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse, Adele, and Duffy are filling up the radio station rosters.