R&B Soul - Alive and Kicking

One of the most popular types of soul music is the R&B Soul classics of the forties, and the fifties. Originally known as the cultural music of the African American people, it was first brought into the spotlight in these two decades in the nineteen hundreds. The music contained a strong gospel heritage, and was heard by millions of listeners. It had a very noticeable backbeat, and an easy listening feel to its tone. Over the years the music was meeting with a growing demand for a different sound. Its response was to extend its abilities to include different types of vocal styles.

R&B Soul was based on gospel variations for the greater part of the first two decades of its existence. In the sixties music started to take a shift towards rock and roll. The new form of music was edgy, and loud. In order for the old style of soul to emerge victorious against the current fad, it was going to have to change. The vocal talents that were reigning at the top of the charts, decided to add some flavor to the feel of the music that they sang.

R&B Soul found a way to blend together the two concepts, and still not have to compromise the overall feel of the original style. In the early seventies the style was once again faced with a more diverse group of talent. A stigma that said that the music was vocally created only for African American singers and groups became a thing of the past. In this particular decade there were several white groups, which made their vocal debuts in this widely diverse cultural genre. They quickly were able to make over night names for themselves by doing so. In those days R&B Soul music was called the funk music of the seventies. By any name the style was still of the same roots. Even the king of rock and roll, (Elvis Presley), played a significant role in the evolution of the sound of R and B culture. In the early eighties singers such as (Whitney Houston, and Aretha Franklin) took music radio by storm. They became household names, and lifted the spirit of the classic music to a whole new level. Because of all of the different blended creations throughout the years, the music has lived on.

R&B Soul is one of the most noticeable staples of the current music industry. It has adapted to multiple changes over the last decades, and really found a way to continue to be a leader through it all. It has paved the way for a whole group of talented individuals to realize their dreams, and achieve success. In many ways it has shaped the world with its many variations. From great songs such as (Blue Suede Shoes) to (I Will Always Love You), people will be stunned by the talent that comes next.

The Multifaceted D’Angelo

Michael D’Angelo Archer is one of the greatest propagandists of the neo soul sound. Read more

Aaliyah: Star Interrupted

In the span of her short career Aaliyah established herself as a talented R&B trendsetter. Read more

Babyface: A Man of Many Colours

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds helped rejuvenate the traditional sound of R&B in the nineties. Read more

The Pointer Sisters Break Out

The Pointer Sisters, a versatile vocal group known as much for their sense of fashion as their harmonies, took the music industry by storm in the eighties with a style ranging from R&B and soul to pop and country. Read more

Gig Guide 04/06/2009 - 04/11/2009

Roberta Flack
Potawatomi Bingo Casino Milwaukee, WI 04/06/2009 Read more

The Natural Four:Unsung Artists of Soul

The Natural Four were formed in 1967 in the Oakland area.The original line up consisted of Chris James Allen Richardson, John January and Al Bowden. Read more

Gig Guide 03/30/2009 - 04/05/2009

Beyonce GM Place
Vancouver, BC 03/31/2009 Read more

Billy Paul: He’s Got the Soul

Versatile R&B vocalist Billy Paul has been on the music scene for almost 5 decades. Read more

Teena Marie- The White Lovegirl

A pioneer in her time, Teena Marie was one of the most successful white artists to record traditionally black-dominated music. Read more

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