A soul trip par excellence. Enjoy our journey to soul heaven put together by our great team of experts.
This is a collaboration with our Facebook group members. The team consists of Anne McMahon, Salim Srour, Tourpas Ioannis, Denis Rychner and many more!
Make up Your Mind…
Baby Call On Me – Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett will always be remembered for his mid-’60s stay at Atlantic Records, where, working with the Stax producers and musicians, he issued such deep soul classics. “Baby Call on Me” is fine example of early soul and if these sides lack the electric power and punch of the Atlantic/Stax material.
Somebody (Somewhere) Needs Me – Ike & Tina Turner
Composed by one of Motown Records’ most talented songwriters and producers, Frank Wilson. A great single made in 1966.
Suspicion – The Originals
The Originals were a soul group signed to Motown Records from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s. They came together as Freddie Gorman, Walter Gaines, C.P. Spencer, Hank Dixon and Joe Stubbs. Stubbs left after less than a year with the group, and Spencer left in 1973 and was replaced by Ty Hunter. Spencer rejoined the group in the late 1970s.
I Feel the Earth Move – Vivian Reed
Written by Carole King and then adapted by Vivian in 1971. Awesome Song.
Piece Of My Heart – Bettye LaVette
The song was famous by Janis Joplin. “Piece Of My Heart” was written by Bertrand Russell Berns and Jordan Ragovoy.
Your Love Keeps Liftin’ Me Higher – Willie Hutch
Prior to gaining recognition as a co-writer of the Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There” and establishing himself as a valuable songwriter, arranger, and producer at Motown, Willie Hutch released singles on Dunhill and Soul City and wrote for the 5th Dimension. He was also signed to RCA as a solo artist and “Soul Portrait” was his debut album.
Make up Your Mind – The San Francisco TKOs
Behind the band is James Aaron (lead vocals), Penny Lewis and the leader Herman Henry (tenor saxophone).
The Drifter – Ray Pollard
In 1965 he started a solo career with Shrine records. He then went on to record three excellent singles for United Artists including the classic “The Drifter“.
Stop Doubting My Love – Freedom Machine
Danger! She’s A Stranger – The Five Stairsteps
The Five Stairsteps were “The First Family of Soul” — a title bestowed upon the Chicago-based teenaged group in part because of their astounding five-year run of hits, which included the million-selling “O-o-h Child” and eight other singles that, from 1966 through 1970, reached the Top 20 of Billboard’s R&B chart.
Four Walls – Eddie Holman
First-class romantic soul, featuring Holman’s swooping vocals and lush Philly string and backup vocal arrangements. Including this beautiful song from 1969.
The Best Girls Don’t Always Win – Betty Wright
Born Bessie Regina Norris in Miami, Betty Wright started singing with her siblings as a toddler with the gospel group Echoes of Joy. She moved to secular music and at the age of 13, in 1967, released her first two singles written respectively by Johnny Pearsall and the team of Clarence Reid and Willie Clarke.
Put It On Paper – Ann Nesby, Al Green
Pure sugar!… Thunder-voiced diva Ann Nesby delivers an unheralded gem.
Help Yourself – Millie Jackson
Millie Jackson delivered this tasty number of uptown Southern soul. Both Stax raw and Philly International slick, It Hurts So Good percolates with smoky horns, snaking guitar lines, electric piano, strings and bluesy funk grooves.
Never Can Say Goodbye – Billy Jones
Billy Jones started his career singing gospel in church. He also toured the USA as a member of the Army Air Defense Command Choral Group. In 1968, he settled in Amsterdam and started a solo career in 1970.
How Can I Say Goodbye – Sidney Joe Qualls
Sidney Joe Qualls was a southern-born soul singer who was heavily influenced by Al Green. Signed to Dakar Records in the early ’70s after meeting Otis Leavill, he made an impressive showing with singles such as “How Can I Say Goodbye” in 1974.
Love and Happiness – First Choice
R&B trio First Choice — Rochelle Fleming, Joyce Jones, and Annette Guest — were originally known as the Debonettes and performed around Philadelphia. Radio DJ Georgie Woods introduced the group to Philly soul producer Norman Harris.
Groovy Day – Kangaroo’s
Not much know about this beautiful song, produced by David Porter and Isaac Hayes!
Living Together is Keeping Us Apart – Clarence Reid
By the incredible Clarence Reid. He joined the music industry starting out playing nightclubs in Overtown with his band The Delmiras. From the Album “Running Water” from 1973.
Peace, Love Not War – Johnny King, The Fatback Band
Singer, guitarist and songwriter, founding member of The Fatback Band.
Take Care Of Your Homework – Johnnie Taylor
Young gospel phenom, gritty Stax/Volt soulster, compelling balladeer, chart-topping disco king, Southern soul-blues stalwart — Johnnie Taylor somehow always managed to adapt to the times, and he parlayed that versatility into a recording career that lasted nearly four decades. Nicknamed the “Philosopher of Soul” during his Stax days.
Don’t Give It Away – Syl Johnson
A rollicking vocalist and gifted harmonica player, Syl Johnson’s blues-informed soul found respectable success as he toiled through the ’60s and ’70s, but took on a second life as later generations discovered his punchy, celebratory recordings.
She Shot a Hole In My Soul – Geno Washington, The Ram Jam Band
During May 1968 Geno Washington went to Madrid on his own and played at the Stones Club with Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede. He released five albums with The Ram Jam Band between 1966 and 1969.
The Playlist
- Baby Call On Me – Wilson Pickett
- Somebody (Somewhere) Needs Me – Ike & Tina Turner
- Suspicion – The Originals
- I Feel the Earth Move – Vivian Reed
- Piece Of My Heart – Bettye LaVette
- Your Love Keeps Liftin’ Me Higher – Willie Hutch
- Make up Your Mind – The San Francisco TKOs
- The Drifter – Ray Pollard
- Stop Doubting My Love – Freedom Machine
- Danger! She’s A Stranger – The Five Stairsteps
- Four Walls – Eddie Holman
- The Best Girls Don’t Always Win – Betty Wright
- Put It On Paper – Ann Nesby, Al Green
- Help Yourself – Millie Jackson
- Never Can Say Goodbye – Billy Jones
- How Can I Say Goodbye – Sidney Joe Qualls
- Love and Happiness – First Choice
- Groovy Day – Kangaroo’s
- Living Together is Keeping Us Apart – Clarence Reid
- Peace, Love Not War – Johnny King, The Fatback Band
- Take Care Of Your Homework – Johnnie Taylor
- Don’t Give It Away – Syl Johnson
- She Shot a Hole In My Soul – Geno Washington, The Ram Jam Band
A soul trip par excellence. Enjoy our journey to soul heaven put together by our great team of experts. by Funkologie on Mixcloud