A roundup of great soul music singers and artists

Before I Let GoFrankie Beverly And Maze

Frankie Beverly And Maze – Before I Let Go

A gem of a soul number about the sweet ache of a breakup has arrived from America’s Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.

Based in San Francisco, their signature track was included on the 1981 album Live in New Orleans.

Within a light, dance-floor-ready rhythm, it beautifully captures the complex feelings of a man wavering over the decision to part ways.

Gratitude and lingering attachment to a loved one, along with the strength to move forward, make a powerful impact.

The song has become a staple at weddings and family gatherings, and Beyoncé’s 2019 cover brought it renewed attention.

Blending happy memories with the poignancy of farewell, this love song is perfect for a calm night drive or for those moments just before saying goodbye to someone important.

I’ll Take You ThereThe Staple Singers

The Staple Singers – I’ll Take You There (Official Lyric Video)

This is a soul-stirring gem released in March 1972 by The Staple Singers, a gospel-soul group that epitomizes American music.

As a family band made up of a father and his children, their seamless harmonies and powerful groove captivate listeners and won’t let go.

Issued as a single from the album “Be Altitude: Respect Yourself,” the track was produced by Stax Records’ renowned Al Bell.

Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, it skillfully weaves elements of funk and gospel to convey a message yearning for a world free of racial discrimination.

It reached No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its breezy, body-swaying sound makes it a perfect recommendation for anyone who wishes for peace through music.

And The Beat Goes OnThe Whispers

The Whispers – “And The Beat Goes On” (Official Video)

The Whispers, a group that produced a masterpiece worthy of being called a pinnacle of soul music.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1963, they released this 1979 track—a powerful message song themed around moving forward in life.

Riding a sprightly beat, it sings of overcoming the pain of heartbreak and finding the courage to take a new step.

It reached No.

19 on the U.S.

Billboard Hot 100, topped the R&B chart at No.

1, and achieved a brilliant No.

2 in the UK.

In 2002, it was featured in the popular game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, becoming a beloved song across generations.

Whether you want to light up the dance floor or find gentle encouragement at a crossroads in life, it continues to stand by listeners as a reassuring anthem.

Keep on TruckinEddie Kendricks

Eddie Kendricks – Keep on Truckin

Released in August 1973, the solo debut by Eddie Kendricks, one of America’s quintessential soul singers, is a classic that fuses a groovy rhythm with the captivating sound of the clavinet.

Created by the former member of Motown’s legendary group The Temptations, this track is a disco-oriented tune made for the dance floor, and it reached No.

1 on both the Billboard Pop chart and the R&B Singles chart.

Its brisk beat and smooth melody have been featured in numerous film and television soundtracks, making it a historic song that helped pioneer disco music.

It’s a perfect pick when you want to elevate the mood with up-tempo music, whether at a party or on a drive.

I Can’t Stand the RainAnn Peebles

Ann Peebles – I Can’t Stand the Rain (Official Audio)

A shining masterpiece in the history of beautiful soul music was born from American artist Ann Peebles.

Released in July 1973, this Memphis soul classic opens with an inventive intro that takes the sound of falling rain as its motif.

The droplet-like rhythm played on electric timbales and the melody woven by a vocal that is both powerful and delicate sink deeply into the listener’s heart.

Later covered by numerous artists, including Missy Elliott and Tina Turner, it remains beloved around the world.

Enthusiastically praised by John Lennon, this gem of a ballad is an eternal classic that overlays the ache of unrequited love with the image of rain.

Give it a listen on a rainy-day drive or during a quiet night of reflection.

Freddie’s DeadCurtis Mayfield

Freddie’s Dead (Theme From ‘Superfly’)

A powerful work born from the 1972 blaxploitation film “Super Fly,” which vividly depicted urban poverty and drug problems.

The warning song unleashed by America’s Curtis Mayfield became a major hit, reaching No.

4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.

2 on the R&B chart.

Rooted in gospel and blues, Mayfield masterfully wields wah-wah guitar and a falsetto voice, expressing the darkness of the city through a grand arrangement of strings and a horn section.

Used in instrumental form on the film’s soundtrack, this piece challenges us—through the fates of the movie’s main characters—to confront society’s distortions with courage.

It’s a track that resonates deeply when you want to take a hard look at the realities of urban life.

Midnight Train to GeorgiaGladys Knight&The Pips

Gladys Knight & The Pips – Midnight Train to Georgia (Official Audio)

A masterpiece that would carve its name into the pantheon of soul was born in August 1973.

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Gladys Knight & The Pips released a gem of a ballad that gently portrays the feelings of a man returning home after his Hollywood dreams fall apart, and the woman who chooses to live by his side.

Gladys Knight’s powerful yet warm vocals and The Pips’ exquisite harmonies bring the story vividly to life.

Featured on the album Imagination, the song won a Grammy and was highlighted in the film Summer of Soul.

It’s a soul-stirring track that resonates at life’s crossroads and in moments when you want to reaffirm the bond with someone you love.