Soul, Funk, R&B

Quarantine or no, there is no question of getting into the swing of things with this little overview of the world’s festivities.

Charting the formation and history of UK Street Soul during the Acid House period. Including some of the key tracks from the time as well as some more modern examples. 

A loathsome character but a genius producer who revolutionized pop with his “wall of sound” studio technique, working with the Ronettes, the Beatles, Leonard Cohen and the Ramones, among others.

Peaceful songs to help you journey through time and music, and into slumber.

60 years of Elza Soares' career as the voice of the millennium.

When the dominant musical tide of Black American communities washed up on the shores of Brazil, a whole new rippling wave came to life.

The story of how a piece of software intended to correct voices was transformed into an essential part of a record producer’s toolkit and a playful way to add effects.

Take a trip back to a long hot summer afternoon in early 90s New York, and immerse yourself in the sounds of a typical block party.

Singer, multi-instrumentalist, charismatic public figure, universal brother-father-granddad to most music loving human beings, here’s how it can sound when Stevie Wonder, the composer, lyricist, producer and duettist, offers other artists a piece of Wonderland.

The femme fatale... A classic figure in novels and operas or a macho fantasy? Circe, Dalila, Manon and Medea (to name but a few) have traversed our imagination for centuries. Ancient man (and bourgeois writers) expressed fear and passion for the ‘eternal feminine’ via La Traviata, Salome and Lulu in the 19th century. For contemporary life we have Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears and Tina Turner, adored as much as they’re sacrificed.

There are countless anthologies, compilations and best ofs, but oddly enough, not many that deliberately choose to focus on Stevie’s unique ability to fill a dancefloor and keep its fire hotter than it was minutes before.

 Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was Kendrick Lamar. Dive into the sounds of those who shaped the rapper from Compton.

Dive into one of the best year for disco music.

A soundtrack and accompanying story for a lazy afternoon spent in a bar by the beach.

Spotlight on London-based producer Juls, creator of modern Afrobeats, whose unique sound bridges the gap between 20th century highlife, and the digital Afropop that has clubs all over the continent dancing today.

Praising the value of demo tapes and original recordings from bands, exploring how they provide an insight into the creative process behind legendary songs.

Before hitting the top of the charts, Kid Creole and his faithful Coati Mundi were the champions of an exciting underground, creating the soundtrack to an era somewhere between the vertigo of swing and the surge of disco.

A cult figure for generations of samplers weaned on his sounds and celebrated by lovers of the cinemascope format, producer and arranger David Axelrod is still a name that too few have heard.

As its popularity in America began to decline, disco-fever raged in 1980s India largely thanks to Bollywood’s infatuation with the genre. 

Gregory Edward Jacobs, known as Shock G, the frontman for Digital Underground, was found dead on Thursday 22th april in Tampa. He will always be remembered as one of most unique talents in hip-hop history. The world of beats & rhymes owes him a funkin’ lot: reviving P-Funk spirit in the 90s, introducing his friend 2Pac to da world, elevating sampling to an art form. 

One might feel guilty at enjoying Prince covers, as he openly despised the idea of it and having no say to prevent them. Defying any eternal damnation, here’s a carefully selected bunch of guilty pleasures. 

Prince penned, gave or/and contributed, openly, incognito or under a moniker, songs to an impressive and eclectic list of fellow artists. Here’s a joyful playlist to reveal the tip of that iceberg. 

Psychedelic music doesn’t only exist under a clear, benevolent sky. It also invokes the dark night of the soul, where our deepest anguish is revealed.

Are you ready for this selection that makes sex even better?

1966 is a watershed year in music history. A huge amount of songs were big sellers on both sides of the Atlantic and somehow still seep into our bones.
 

Discover the ‘bluesologist’ who paved the way for a generation of hip-hop artists.

Ecstasy and pollen, feverish funk, electro sunrises, songs of change and seasonal dances from Vienna to Manaus.
 

As a rule, semi-precious energy stones are used for meditation and healing. Of course, each one also represents love... either for oneself or for others.

Away from major labels and the flavours of the month that rule over them, Chicago’s Numero Group are flying the flag for unsung artists and musical oddities. 

The eargasm: a feeling of euphoria brought about by listening to sensual music...
 

It was the soul singers who spoke up for those who’d been condemned to silence under segregation. And it was in his denunciation of segregation that Curtis Mayfield sent a message as open and visionary as his music.

By the dawn of the 70s, the explosion of dancefloor music transformed the Italian pop scene.

In the shadow of the big cities of New York and Chicago, the Motor City has spawned generations of musicians fuelled in creating Great Black Music.

30 songs to get a killer party your guests will never forget… While respecting prevention measures… Winter edition. Happy New Year 2021!

It was by entering Solar da Malhada that Lucy's getaway would turn into a really formative experience. Read the story. Then listen to the soundtrack and close your eyes. The film will unfold in front of you….

From Al Green to Fela Kuti via Miles Davis, Ray Baretto and Jorge Ben, let’s take a glimpse at 1972’s musical landscape – the rhythm & soul edition.

An icon of Britain’s Swinging Sixties.

The voice of the queen of neo-soul reflected in the singers of Generation Y.

Through his producing, his remixing and his thrilling DJ sets alongside his band The xx, this London artist has established himself as one of the past decade’s most exciting and inventive players on the electro scene.

At the turn of the ’70s, a new kinky playfulness begins to appear in the arts throughout Europe.

Here are 30 songs you need to listen before going out to party… While respecting prevention measures… This is our very latest summer edition.

Music’s yesteryear is R&B’s tomorrow.  

This is a movie for your imagination to watch as it wishes. In fact, you’re starring in it.

To accompany our Motown Girls playlist, we salute the guys who shone for the world’s greatest pop and soul label.

It’s cocktail time on the terrace. This selection will give you a neck massage and will slowly make you move your hips.

How modern R&B artists manage to touch every corner of today’s musical world.

In the beginning there was Hiatus Kaiyote, a quartet of "future soul" formed in Melbourne in 2011...

1968 was a year of phenomenal music, a year when the album really begins to become regarded as important for an artist to be able to make a statement.

An hour is a pretty short amount of time to cover the tracks left by the late Bill Withers, one of the greatest soul folk singers ever.

Detroit had Motown, New York had Atlantic, Memphis Tennessee had Stax.

While London was Swinging, this Detroit label defined the 60s of America. We celebrate their great female artists.

1968 continues to resonate as a landmark year for rock, pop and soul. Discover our best singles of the year.

Was 1975 that a bad year for pop and a dead zone for new music like the great Bob Stanley says?

1966 proved to be such a wonderful year for music that it is worth documenting these great tracks that somehow avoided the radar.

Seriously, Britain? Come on…