A masterpiece of soul music. Recommended albums you should listen to at least once.
A roundup of classic soul music masterpieces!
From well-known standards everyone recognizes to hidden gems known only to aficionados, we’ve selected a wide range!
Soul music is timeless, yet still beloved by countless listeners today.
Its passionate ad-libs and shouts—unlike what you find in R&B or neo-soul—truly move the heart, don’t they?
This time, we’ve curated a collection of essential soul albums!
If you love Black music, this is a must-check!
Soul music masterpieces: Must-listen recommended albums (1–10)
Feeling GoodNina Simone
Nina Simone, the greatest artist the US lost.
She’s one of the most sophisticated artists in the American music scene.
Her allure lies in her nobility.
She’s one of the few true American artists whose every song exudes elegance.
“Feeling Good” is a masterpiece among masterpieces, brimming with her charms.
Move On UpCurtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield has released songs across a range of genres, including funk, blues, and soul—he’s a classic soul singer.
This is one of his signature tracks.
Although it’s up-tempo, the melody doesn’t feel aggressive.
It’s a memorable piece, featuring a luxurious, soulful groove and vocals.
Let’s Stay TogetherAl Green
Al Green, an artist who had a tremendous influence on neo-soul.
His “Let’s Stay Together” is one of his signature works.
If you listen to “Send It On” by D’Angelo, a pioneer of neo-soul, you can hear how much he respects Al Green.
It’s a captivating piece, with soulful expression woven into a breezy, upbeat rhythm.
A Song For YouDonny Hathaway
The legendary soul singer, Donny Hathaway.
He was born into a wealthy family and studied classical music from a young age.
Because of that, even as a Black artist, he had a musical style that set him apart from other soul singers.
This “A Song For You” is a cover of Leon Russell’s classic.
It’s a work that showcases Donny Hathaway’s exceptional arranging skills.
KILLING ME SOFTLYRoberta Flack
Roberta Flack is a leading figure among female soul singers.
“Killing Me Softly” is one of her signature songs.
It’s extremely well-known, so many of you may already be familiar with it.
The song’s impact was significant, and it’s said to have laid the foundation for modern R&B.
Indeed, the drum rhythm is very similar to contemporary R&B.
Mercy Mercy meMarvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye’s classic “Mercy Mercy Me,” which helped drive the new soul boom, is a song brimming with his appeal.
Like Al Green’s work, this track had a major influence on later neo-soul.
Marvin Gaye is renowned for weaving light, refreshing melodies into soul music.
Beyond this song, he has many other masterpieces—be sure to check them out.
Ribbon In The SkyStevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder’s classic “Ribbon in the Sky.” He has many other famous masterpieces, but I’ve intentionally chosen this one.
The song is highly intricate, weaving together elements of R&B, jazz, and soul.
Both the performance and the vocals are exceptionally sophisticated.
And of course, it’s sprinkled with Stevie’s signature vocal embellishments!