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!
- Legends of soul music: its history and allure revisited through classic songs
- A classic R&B masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.
- [Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once
- [For Beginners] A Roundup of Classic Popular Soul/Funk Bands
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces of 70s Disco Music
- R&B Masterpieces in Western Music: From the Latest Hits to Timeless Classics [2025]
- [Western Music] A Recommendation of the Lady of Soul: Wonderful Female Soul Singers
- Recommended Western funk bands. Popular overseas bands.
- Western R&B Popularity Ranking [2025]
- Funky Vibes: The Past and Present of Funk Music
- A roundup of great soul music singers and artists
- [2025] Best Western R&B Love Songs: A Curated Collection of Romance Tracks
- Dance music from Western artists that was a hit in the 1970s. World-famous and popular songs.
Soul music masterpieces: Must-listen recommended albums (11–20)
Ain’t No Mountain High EnoughDiana Ross

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” This version covered by Diana Ross has a more pop-oriented feel than the original.
Since the original is already an upbeat song, this one feels even brighter.
Rather than being melodious, the arrangement comes across more like a party tune.
HumanRag’n’Bone Man

Rag’n’Bone Man’s classic hit “Human” by the British rapper.
It was a massive success worldwide.
Although he’s a rapper, he has exceptionally strong vocals.
His voice has a nice low tone, and he sings with incredible swagger.
It’s that rugged, cool style that even guys can’t help but admire.
His rap has a real gritty, street feel too—definitely worth checking out!
I’m Every WomanChaka Khan

Chaka Khan, a female soul singer who was also very popular in Japan.
She’s a versatile vocalist who can sing both in a feminine style and with powerful delivery.
“I’m Every Woman” is one of her signature songs, notable for its brisk melody and rhythm.
With its irresistibly catchy melody and groove, it’s a track that really heats up as a dance tune.
I say a little prayerAretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin’s classic “I Say a Little Prayer.” It has that quintessential American soul vibe (lol).
Her voice is relatively light for a Black singer, but she covers that shortcoming with a gritty singing style.
The melody is shaped with a fresh, breezy feel.
It’s a track where you can really sense the vocalist’s ingenuity.
Good EnoughBobby Brown

It’s hard to say whether Bobby Brown is an R&B singer or a soul singer.
This time, I’m highlighting him in recognition of his achievements.
His vocals are incredibly soulful.
The melodies sit somewhere between pop and R&B, but you can feel his respect for soul music in his singing.
You can really appreciate his soulful vocals on “Good Enough,” too.
Love is a TempleMario Biondi

Mario Biondi is an Italian soul singer, and “Love is a Temple” is one of his signature songs.
He’s over two meters tall, and maybe thanks to that presence, he has an incredibly deep voice.
His appeal is, above all, how cool he is.
Among Italians, he’s famous for being outrageously popular with the ladies (lol).
His music is also super stylish, so definitely give it a listen!
In conclusion
Soul music, which has influenced neo-soul and R&B.
While it may not be a particularly familiar genre in Japan, I imagine there are quite a few songs you’ve heard.
Among all forms of Black music, soul is especially known for its straightforward, passionate expression.
Beyond the works introduced here, there are many classic albums out there, so why not dig deeper into soul music?





