My Short History Of Soul Music

Soul music began at the mother land, yes Africa. Our ancestors had to find a way to relieve there confusions of being betrayed. Frustrations at that time were making every thought and decision unbearable. So singing traditional African folk songs was the only outlet they had to relieve their anger and hate. This beautiful African folk song then transformed to what we call spiritual music.

Black slaves were the first to sing spiritual songs. Some of the songs were used to communicate coded information. By the late 1800’s, spiritual music adopted the name (Gospel Music). Black Gospel music had its own distinctive sound, performance, elements, hymns and styles. After World War II, what we know as northern R&B was born. Today we call it rhythm and blues but back then it was called (ragtime and blues). Thanks to the electric guitar and the discovery of the German tape recorder blacks could start their own independent record label or company. This little cheap device is a history and the making it played a very important role in the production and distribution of R&B.

The southerners in the meanwhile were developing their R&B flavored with European influences mixed in it. But R&B became richer in sound when it was introduced to jazz. Early jazz was played by small marching bands and solo pianists and besides ragtime and marches their repertoire including hymns, spirituals and blues. Although blues and ragtime was raised independently of jazz these genres influenced the styles and forms of jazz.

Fast forward to the 1960’s, the birth of soul, it produced music artist like Sam Cooke, James Brown and Gladys Knight. These artists beautifully merge traditional gospel and R&B, for example: Ray Charles took a religious song such as ‘I got religion’ and turned it to smashing hit like ‘I Got A Woman”, Damn. It started a controversy with many religious blacks who thought his music was the devils music. By the 1970’s soul music was being mix with a new flavor. The name of this new flavor is FUNK it was introduced to the world by James Brown smashing hit ‘Cold Sweat’ in 1967.

Conclusion, to all my music lovers I want to thank you for continuing to support music, (good music, soul, jazz, funk and R&B music). My love for music has inspired me to create a facebook profile to music, my love. I haven’t listen to the radio in a longtime; the only time I would listen to the radio now is if I am listening to the Steve Harvey Morning Show or Michael Baisden in the afternoon. After they go off air I would plug my ipod in my car and become my own DJ. So thanks to our ancestors and their African Folk Music our ears are truly blessed to hear good music, soul, funk and R&B music.

Peace & Blessings

Love, Skye