A masterpiece of soul music. Recommended albums you should listen to at least once.
Soul music is a sound that delivers human emotions—joy and sorrow, love and anger—directly to the heart.
This genre, which blossomed from the 1960s to the 1970s, boasts countless timeless masterpieces that continue to move listeners across generations.
Once you hear it, many of you will find yourselves captured by its intensity and delicacy.
In this article, we’ve gathered must-hear, gem-like classics born during soul’s golden age.
Whether you want to experience profound emotion through music or you’re new to soul and searching for a new favorite, we hope you’ll discover a record to cherish!
- Legends of soul music: its history and allure revisited through classic songs
- [2026] Must-Listen R&B Masterpieces: From Timeless Classics to Recent Favorites
- [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
- Classic and Contemporary Hits in Western R&B: From the Newest Popular Tracks to All-Time Big Hits [2026]
- [Western Music] A Recommendation of the Lady of Soul: Wonderful Female Soul Singers
- Recommended Western funk bands. Popular overseas bands.
- Western R&B Popularity Rankings [2026]
- Funky Vibes: The Past and Present of Funk Music
- A masterpiece of Japanese black music. A noteworthy work embodying the soul of black music.
- A roundup of great soul music singers and artists
- [2026] Best Western R&B Love Songs and Romance Songs Compilation
Soul music masterpieces: Must-listen recommended albums (21–30)
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.
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!
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.
Georgia On My MindRay Charles
Ray Charles, well-known in Japan.
His ‘Georgia On My Mind’ is a classic standard in jazz.
Reimagined by the arrangement-savvy Ray Charles, it became a song that sits between blues and soul music.
It’s the kind of track that soothes the heart when you listen to it.
A wistful mood pervades the whole piece, so it’s recommended when you want to sink into a nostalgic feeling.
You’re the First, the Last, My EverythingBarry White
Barry White’s classic, “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything.” It’s a work that fully showcases his bright personality.
Though he spent time in a juvenile detention center in his younger days, this song is crafted so purely that it doesn’t reflect that side of him at all.
But doesn’t he look like Hiro☆Tsunoda? (lol)