Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces
The great achievement of Black music is not only that it gave birth to genres like jazz, blues, gospel, and soul.
It has also been a wellspring of inspiration for legendary songs in the histories of rock and pop, and it is the most influential force on musical genres since the 20th century—an influence that continues unbroken into the 21st century and beyond.
To explore the roots of this magnificent Black music, this time we’re researching classic tracks mainly from the soul and R&B realm spanning the 1960s to the 1990s.
In the latter half, we also introduce more recent songs, so whether you love the latest hip-hop and R&B or aren’t very familiar with Black music, this is a must-check!
Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces (1–10)
Are You That Somebody?Aaliyah
The latest “Top 250 Songs of the 1990s,” released in September 2022 by the renowned American music site Pitchfork, was boldly revamped to reflect its impact on today’s music industry and culture, and it became a major topic among music fans.
All five of the top spots were taken by female artists, and particularly noteworthy within this edition’s theme of Black music is Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody?” at No.
3.
A genius singer who tragically died in an accident at the young age of 22—and someone even Hikaru Utada admired—Aaliyah released “Are You That Somebody?” in 1998.
Interestingly, it wasn’t included on an original studio album; it was written specifically for the film Dr.
Dolittle.
Produced by Timbaland, the hitmaking producer who would dominate the charts from the 2000s onward, the track brilliantly fuses streetwise hip-hop vibes with refined R&B and pop elements, achieving major commercial success.
Aaliyah’s restrained vocal delivery is entirely different from singers who belt with soulful power, and precisely for that reason, the song’s exceptional coolness stands out.
Within such an information-dense track, her composed vocal style influenced many artists.
Now, in the 2020s, many young artists are emerging who are influenced by ’90s R&B.
By listening to this song—which already radiates a classic sheen—you can trace the roots of today’s R&B-oriented singers.
SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire
Funk and disco music sparked a boom in the 1970s alongside new soul.
Earth, Wind & Fire were a group that had a tremendous impact on both funk and disco, and they’re also known for strongly influencing Bruno Mars, who’s hugely active today.
Their song “September” is one of their signature works, crafted as a quintessential funk track.
It’s stylish and sophisticated while also being catchy, with a melody that sticks in your head after just one listen.
Feeling GoodNina Simone
Nina Simone is a great female vocalist who is absolutely indispensable when discussing American Black music.
Active from the 1950s through the 1970s, she influenced renowned artists such as Lauryn Hill.
The song by her that I highly recommend is Feeling Good.
Its artful lyrics, as if enlightened by life, and the cool sound that blends blues and soul had a major impact on Black music.
RespectAretha Franklin
Known by epithets like the Queen of Soul and Lady Soul, Aretha Franklin was a legendary songstress who transcended the boundaries of soul music to shape popular music at large.
Beyond her overwhelming vocal prowess, she stood as an iconic figure of the women’s liberation movement and the civil rights movement.
Her life—marked by turbulence and far from unalloyed happiness—became a legend in itself, and her very presence influenced not only music but a wide range of cultures and even politics.
Her signature song “Respect” is a true gem—a masterpiece born of the greatness of Black music.
Originally written and composed by Otis Redding—himself, like Aretha, a legendary soul singer and a brilliant songwriter who tragically died young in an accident—the song was released as his own in 1965.
Then, in 1967, Aretha’s cover was released and became a massive hit.
“Respect,” which broke numerous records, was far more than just a hit single; because Aretha reworked it from a female perspective, it became an anthem of the civil rights and feminist movements, continuing to give courage and hope to women around the world.
The 2021 biographical film Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson, of course takes its title from this song, and Hudson’s powerful performance of it in the film is not to be missed.
Ex-FactorLauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill, a female neo-soul artist with an enormous following, is well-known in Japan for her role as the heroine in the film Sister Act 2.
Neo-soul is a genre that blends soul music with elements of hip-hop, funk, and jazz, and her take on it is famous for having a particularly strong hip-hop influence.
Because of that, many people might associate her strongly with rap, but she is also a top-tier singer.
In Ex-Factor, while prominently foregrounding hip-hop elements, she delivers a superb work that also lets you fully appreciate her sophisticated vocals.
(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The BayOtis Redding
Otis Redding was an extraordinary singer-songwriter who, despite a tragically short life of just 26 years, gave the world remarkable songs and performances.
Anyone who loves soul music has probably wondered at least once how the music scene might look today if he had not died in a private plane crash.
Though he was only actively working as a musician for about five years in his twenties, listening to his early recordings makes it clear how astonishingly deep and mature his voice was for a 21-year-old.
Among the legendary works in his great discography, I’d like to highlight his de facto swan song, the masterpiece “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” Finished just three days before his death, this track was co-written by Otis and producer Steve Cropper.
Its contemplative, bittersweet vocals—sounding as if he had already seen through life at 26—together with the whistling in the latter half and the understated ensemble, leave a profound impression on listeners.
Ironically, released in January of the year after his passing, the song became his only No.
1 on the U.S.
charts and has remained beloved by music fans around the world.
Different from the fiery soul he was known for, this track shines with the innovative sensibility of an artist who avidly listened to contemporary rock and pop.
It’s a song I especially recommend to rock fans.
Papa Was A Rolling StoneThe Temptations
The Temptations are one of the signature vocal groups representing the legendary Motown label—indispensable to any discussion of Black music history—and have continued to perform from their debut in the 1960s right up to the present day in the 2020s.
At this point, Otis Williams is the only remaining original member, but it’s truly remarkable that, despite repeated lineup changes, they’ve continued to release hits across different eras.
The song featured here, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” was first released in 1972 by a group called The Undisputed Truth.
In September of the same year, the Temptations covered it and released it as a single; not only did it hit number one on the U.S.
charts and become a massive success, it also earned them a Grammy Award.
The greatness of this track owes much to producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield, whose presence was crucial.
Every Temptations release from 1966 to 1974 was created in partnership with Whitfield, who boldly infused the classic Motown sound with elements of psychedelic rock to forge a unique sonic identity.
One of the finest results of their collaboration is this very “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Unfortunately, Whitfield’s emphasis on instrument-driven arrangements—despite working with a vocal group—ultimately led to their split.
Even so, the song’s fearsomely deep and cool forward-thinking edge is precisely the kind of work that deserves rediscovery by younger music fans.