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I find it interesting that New York is never included in these discussions. I'm not saying that it should be. It's just that the city was never really known for having a soul sound.
Off the top of my head, the only two notable singers from NYC are Luther Vandross and Maxwell. I'll have to do more research on this.
I think these are the capitals of Soul in the country. Not to be confused with Blues, Jazz, Rock or Funk music. I stuck to places with 5 or more well-known acts. You might see people listed twice, for instance, Marvin Gaye is from DC, but did songs in the Motown sound early on.
Memphis: Stax Records, Otis Redding, Staple Sisters, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Booker T and the MG's, Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave, The Bar-kays, The Mar-Keys, Rufus Thomas
DC: Marvin Gaye, Roberta Flack, Willie DeVaughn, Toni Braxton, Raheem DeVaughn, Mya, Ginuwine, Tank
Philly: The Dells, The O'Jays, The Delfonics, The Intruders, Patti Labelle, Harold Melvin and the BlueNotes, Billy Paul, Hall and Oates, The Tramps, Teddy Pendergras, The Stylistics, Boyz II Men, Jill Scott, Jazmine Sullivan, Musiq Soulchild
Detroit: Motown Sound: Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Jackie Wilson, Four Tops, Martha Reeves, The Spinners, Edwin Starr, Lamont & Dozier, Aretha Franklin, Ray Parker Jr, Bebe & CeCe Winans, Dwele
Chicago: Chess Records, Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions, Lou Rawls, Fontella Bass, Chaka Khan, Chi-Lites, Otis Clay, Tyrone Davis, Earth Wind and Fire, The Emotions, Sam Cooke, Billy Stewart, Etta James, R.Kelly
Atlanta: Contemporary R&B: Usher, Monica, TLC, Bobby Valentino, Cee-Lo, Andre3000, Ciara, Toni Braxton, The-Dream, Xscape
I'm leaning towards Philly IMO, just with the diversity of talent from every era. Any other city you feel needs to be added?
It's clear that most C-D posters are men because any woman (black woman in particular) would probably jump kick you in the head for your omission of Frankie Beverly. Many people, for whatever reason, tend to forget he's a Philly boy.
I find it interesting that New York is never included in these discussions. I'm not saying that it should be. It's just that the city was never really known for having a soul sound.
Perhaps it didn't have soul sound. However, I'll list a few NYC bands that can't be denied.
At the end of the day, these competitions are asinine. It's quite obvious that we bring it, regardless of location.
Case in point. How many of you remember the group Pleasure? Who knows where they're from? Try Portland, OR.
Perhaps it didn't have soul sound. However, I'll list a few NYC bands that can't be denied.
At the end of the day, these competitions are asinine. It's quite obvious that we bring it, regardless of location.
Case in point. How many of you remember the group Pleasure? Who knows where they're from? Try Portland, OR.
I don't see it as a competition. It's just interesting to talk about the different sounds among cities and also note where musicians are from.
NYC is a city of 8 million people, and it had more black people than the state of California until recently, so it's going to have some bands. It's just a little surprising that the city hasn't really produced a whole lot of soul music. While Luther Vandross and Maxwell are undoubtedly two of the biggest names in the genre, the number of stars produced by the city is underwhelming given its enormous size.
Minneapolis should be listed here: Prince, Mint Condition, Alexander O'Neal etc. And the rest of artists that had that Minneapolis Sound
This is undeniable. The Minneapolis Sound ruled the 80s. Don't forgot The Time. It's kind of sad. However, we can thank Prince for firing Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for not showing up for a gig. They went on to help Klymaxx, Janet Jackson, Cheryl Lynn, The S.O.S. Band, Cherrelle, Herb Albert, New Edition and others.
Prince helped Sheena Easton, Sheila E, The Family, Mazarati, Da Crash, more than I can recall.
This is undeniable. The Minneapolis Sound ruled the 80s. Don't forgot The Time. It's kind of sad. However, we can thank Prince for firing Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for not showing up for a gig. They went on to help Klymaxx, Janet Jackson, Cheryl Lynn, The S.O.S. Band, Cherrelle, Herb Albert, New Edition and others.
Prince helped Sheena Easton, Sheila E, The Family, Mazarati, Da Crash, more than I can recall.
Mint Condition is still going!
Prince is tough to categorize. He's like a blend of pop, rock and funk with a little R&B thrown in. A bit like Michael Jackson in that sense, but Michael was clearly steeped in the R&B genre with the Jackson 5 (and his later work with Quincy Jones in making "Off the Wall"). Prince's sound is unique and it's not something I'm inclined to group with more traditional soul and R&B acts.
I find it interesting that New York is never included in these discussions. I'm not saying that it should be. It's just that the city was never really known for having a soul sound.
Off the top of my head, the only two notable singers from NYC are Luther Vandross and Maxwell. I'll have to do more research on this.
Freddie Jackson is also from NYC. Kelly Price grew up in Queens for a portion of her childhood and I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting about.
Personally, I like the Philly sound, but this is a very good and tough poll.
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