Soul music is a genre that has undergone a revival from time to time. The revival has taken on various forms, from the New Jack Swing of the 1990s to the neo-soul of the 2000s. Here are some things to know about the different types of soul. These include Blue-eyed soul, New Orleans soul, and Deep-soul.
Blue-eyed soul
If you like rhythm and blues music, you’ll appreciate blue-eyed soul. The term “blue-eyed soul” was first used in the mid-1960s, when music magazines, including Life, started invoking it as a genre of music.
Deep-soul
Southern soul is one genre of soul music. Originating in the Southern United States, this type of soul music grew out of several styles, including blues, country, and early R&B. It also incorporated the gospel influence that poured out of Southern black churches.
Hypersoul
Hypersoul soul music is a blend of dance music and soul music. It features an electronic sound, but retains the vocal quality of its predecessors. It also includes elements of engineering and materialism, as well as heightened sex. While it differs from traditional soul music, it still emphasizes human relationships. Its singers and performers include Timbaland, Aaliyah, Whitney Houston, and Destiny’s Child.
New Orleans soul
New Orleans soul music is a genre that originated in New Orleans. Its sound combines a combination of African and European influences and focuses on easy, pop structures. Most New Orleans Soul songs use simple instrumentation like piano, sax, or guitar. These instruments produce no-nonsense lyrics and fat midtempo rhythms. Female voices are often featured in the songs. Some songs even incorporate a backing choir.
New York City soul
New York City’s soul music scene spanned several decades. The late 60s saw the rise of Atlantic Records, whose singers included Aretha Franklin and Solomon Burke. In Philadelphia, the legendary Wonder and the O’Jays helped reshape the sound of the genre. The 1970s saw the rise of New Orleans and Philadelphia soul, as well as the emergence of many different genres.
Memphis soul
Memphis soul music, also known as the Memphis sound, is a distinctive strain of Southern soul music that emerged during the 1960s and 1970s in Memphis, Tennessee. Its shimmering, sultry sound features a driving drumbeat and melodic unison horn lines. This music is known for its emotional content and has a distinct, sensual quality.
Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul music is a style of American popular music that developed in the 1960s and 1970s. Many of the artists of this genre were from the Philadelphia area, but there was a strong connection between these musicians and the New York City soul scene. The city was home to many jazz musicians, and the Philadelphia soul sound of the 1970s played a crucial role in the national musical consciousness of the era.
Detroit soul
Detroit soul music is a style of music rooted in Detroit’s history. The city is infamous for its blues and soul, but the music of this region has also influenced the sound of funk and hip-hop artists. Detroit Soul Revue is a 10-piece band that plays Detroit’s classic soul and funk tunes. Formed in 1967, the band includes vocals, horns, and a locked-and-loaded rhythm section. Its eclectic set lists a large selection of rock, jazz, and soul tunes.
Louisiana soul
Louisiana soul music dates back to the early 1960s. Its early recordings show the regional roots of soul and its influence on the broader genre. Records by Johnny Truitt, Moody Scott and Sticks Herman are examples of this. Those records have a distinct edge that makes them instantly recognizable as soul music of the era.