What is soul? This is music that penetrates all corners of the soul and creates a whirlwind of emotions inside. She plays about the heart, moral values and the inner world. All notes add up to wonderful compositions, under which you want to move, think, travel and love. That's what soul is in music.
Terminology
Soul is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the southern United States of America in the fifties. The post-war period needed some changes and innovations. The basis for this was the rhythm and blues and gospel (evangelical solo singing of African Americans). This style is characterized by a strong emotional beginning and the presence of blues motifs in the melody.
In order to understand what soul is, it is necessary to understand what characteristic stylistic features the genre has:
- Bending is the application of suspenders in all parts of the melody to the main tone.
- Darty tone - sound instability and forced dynamics.
- Shout - the use of screaming in singing.
- Off Pitch
- Jodl - an element of Tyrolean performance.
- Subton - aspirated or choked saxophone playing.
A brief definition of what soul is in music - feelings and experiences captured in the song. Why did this style come about and what do performers want to convey? The answers are worth looking for in a long history.
History reference
The sixties is a time when few people asked what soul was. This genre represented the most popular trend in African American music. Then the rhythm and blues and jazz were already “occupied” by white people, so African-Americans decided to prove themselves in a new sphere. This style was considered their identification, a business card.
Soul demonstrated symbolically biblical themes and pressing political problems in the modern world. Aretha Franklin's A Change Is Gonna Come is a prime example of the struggle for one's own rights and freedom. Therefore, the soul was not only about music, but also about the desire to take a clear position in society and to assert their rights.
With the activation and popularization of soul, different visions began to develop, and subsequently schools:
- southern "Memphis" soul with a virtuoso instrumental game, a pronounced rhythm and direct connection with its predecessor - the blues. Prominent representatives Otis Reddin, Isaac Hayes, Al Green;
- Northern "Detroit" soul - a commercial version with a focus on black and white audiences. Among the legendary performers, it is worth noting Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Diane Ross and others.
With the development and success of the second school by the seventies, many already knew the definition of soul in music. The “white” side began to work in this genre: Joe Cocker, Elton John and David Bowie. Therefore, the soul was divided into “blue-eyed” (white-skinned performers) and “brown-eyed” (African-American singers).
Updated option
What is soul in an updated interpretation? Since the eighties, the soul shares the throne with funk. During this period, there is a synthesis in all kinds of variations of sensory and slow transitions with a fast and elusive rhythm.
The most successful soul artists at that time are called Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston. They stood out thanks to the refined and gentle ballads of love. Every sound and beat is thought out flawlessly, so the impression is also emasculated by emotion. Michael Jackson and George Michael focused on funk, although many attribute them to the ranks of pure soul artists.
There is no classic soul in their albums, where instead of an ideal sound there was truth and the soul was reflected. The modern soul should be called the very vague term urban (broadcasting format of radio stations).
Quiet Storm
The next stage in the evolution of soul is the 80s - the mid 90s. Quiet Storm (Quiet Storm) presents American pop music that has focused on a wide range of radio formats. Quiet-storm was called a commercial variety of a very easy and catchy rhythm and blues. The direction was distinguished by a glossy sound and the absence of any "mistakes".
Bright performers:
- Tony Braxton;
- Mariah Carey;
- Luther Wandross
But clear notes eventually began to yield to the aggressive beats of hip-hop. The combination of rhythmic swirling, thumping and classical soul has given rise to a new direction, which is still popular and neo-soul.
Neosoul
The late nineties and the beginning of the two thousandths are characterized by a revival of interest in soul classics (especially Al Green). The pioneers on the Neosoul Road are the guys from the famous trio of The Fugees. The group subtly points out the flaws and pathos of the quiet storm in some of their own compositions. Alisha Keyes, in turn, masterfully combined elements of hip-hop, jazz vocals and classical motifs in her albums.
Despite the transience of time, street dancers, old-school establishments and atmospheric bars still return to the classics of soul. Therefore, if you want to be inspired by soulful African American music, then you should include Ray Charles, Sam Cook, Tina Turner and Bill Withers. You can’t make a mistake with such a playlist.