I'm looking for music that features I can best describe as "swelling gospel choirs". The Autotune The News guys do a great pastiche of the style... the elements that jump out at me being the call and response and the introduction of melodic theme that's later repeated with far more voices in major key and occasionally jazz-inflected harmony (the refrain "Made in america!" towards the end is a perfect example). Some other exemplary tracks: Fired Up, All These Things That I Have Done, Souled Out, Get By. Is there some ur-gospel group that these artists are drawing from? I'm especially interested in acapella tracks, or those with minimal accompaniment, or those that sample acapella tracks.
posted by phrontist on Nov 1, 2009 - 9 answers

I am seeking classic R&B, soul, reggae, or even blues songs that feature the word cherry [more inside]
posted by Foam Pants on Sep 29, 2009 - 22 answers

Help me find just the right online crate to dig in - I'm working on a hipstery disco record (think Daft Punk, MSTRKRFT) and would love to find some old happy, dancey funk/soul/whatever you want to call it to sample, but I'd like to shy away from anything super mainstream or typical. I have no idea where to start, but I know there are all manner of mp3 blogs for other obscure genres, so I'm hoping you mefites can point me at your favorites that will help me address this particular need.
posted by thedaniel on Sep 22, 2009 - 8 answers

Music recommendations at two ends of the spectrum: Soul/R&B and Ambient/Drone/F'd up 20th C. classical... And, bonus question: what are your favorite sources for buying these kinds of music and finding out more about them? Examples of what I like inside... [more inside]
posted by You Should See the Other Guy on Aug 26, 2009 - 19 answers

I'm looking for great funk/soul songs that aren't disco. [more inside]
posted by the other side on Aug 17, 2009 - 36 answers

"My air is flung with souls" -- is there a linguistic explanation of this use of the verb "to fling"? [more inside]
posted by creasy boy on Jun 18, 2009 - 21 answers

Looking for a vocal coach for a 30-year-old guy (me.) Preferably one who is hip to soul, jazz, r&b. [more inside]
posted by rubadub on May 29, 2009 - 4 answers

Who sings the soul/r&b song that goes something like "They've gone on". [more inside]
posted by pantsonfire on May 1, 2009 - 6 answers

Translation of lyrics to Soul Makossa? [more inside]
posted by LSK on Apr 16, 2009 - 1 answer

SoulFilter: Any idea what this soul (perhaps jazz-rock) record is? It's track 20 of a compilation mix called 'Taste of White Chocolate'. Listen here
posted by bollockovnikov on Feb 21, 2009 - 3 answers

Are there any contemporary musicians reviving the doo-wop / late 50s / early 60s soul sound? [more inside]
posted by gnutron on Feb 19, 2009 - 26 answers

I know that we all die and that there’s absolutely no way around that. I know and accept that one day I will die as well, and I’m not afraid of dying, per se. What I am afraid of—terrified of really—is no longer existing, no longer being conscious of everything that’s happening in this great wide world, no longer being sentient, I guess. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 - 88 answers

I need some new music that will fit well with Motown and Stax old R&B & soul. [more inside]
posted by Foam Pants on Nov 5, 2008 - 22 answers

What movie did I see that featured a small record store in an African American community within a big city's downtown area? [more inside]
posted by davebush on Oct 21, 2008 - 5 answers

What is this song? Sharon Jones? Alice Russell? Googling lyrics yields nothing, but AskMe has to know...Obviously I need an iPhone with Listen.
posted by deliriouscool on Aug 21, 2008 - 4 answers

We've all encountered, if we are lucky and blessed, someone who transcends the definition of friend -- a truly simpatico soul (as in friend, not "soul mate"), someone with whom you can and sometimes do speak for hours, someone who "gets you." What accounts for the connection? Shared beliefs? Shared values? Shared aspirations Shared stage-of-life? It's got to be more than mere shared interests. [more inside]
posted by adamrobinson on Jun 28, 2008 - 34 answers

On BBC Radio 6 a few days ago, probably sometime late at night or early in the morning in British time (I was listening in the afternoon in the US) they were playing a concert recording of an artist who’s volcal style resembled a less coherent Amy Winehouse. One of the songs used part of tchaichovskys Romeo and Juliet for a hook, and it was all mostly soul/R&B type music. Any ideas what it was?
posted by Artw on May 27, 2008 - 8 answers

I am trying to identify/verify the existence of a legend told to me by a friend. Goes something like this: [more inside]
posted by andreinla on Apr 10, 2008 - 3 answers

What's the best song Tarantino hasn't used yet? [more inside]
posted by ictow on Mar 13, 2008 - 51 answers

I've recently started devouring 60's and 70's era soul and R&B music. My favorites are Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, etc. I feel I've mastered the well-knowns, and am now looking for lesser known artists in the vein of Howard Tate: fantastic, but virtually ignored by the masses. Can you help me find other cult favorites / hidden gems?
posted by amanlikeme on Feb 23, 2008 - 55 answers

Vegetarian substitutions four soul food dishes. [more inside]
posted by Astro Zombie on Feb 17, 2008 - 14 answers

What kind of (black) suits, shirts, ties, shoes did sixties soul musicians wear on stage? [more inside]
posted by IZ on Dec 9, 2007 - 4 answers

Women's urban clothing. I'd like to find more brands of clothing like G-Star Raw and Triple 5 Soul. I particularly like this jacket and this shirt and this blazer. What are other retailers or brands that sell kinda tough, kinda sexy, kinda rugged apparel, specifically for women? [more inside]
posted by barnone on Oct 6, 2007 - 11 answers

I'm looking for songs about Faust or deals with the devil, a la "Devil Went Down to Georgia" or "Gretchen am Spinnrade." [more inside]
posted by honeydew on Jun 20, 2007 - 44 answers

Looking for new music to get me going. Something somewhere around the bands "Soul Coughing" and "Sigur Ros". If anyone listens to & loves these guys like me, can you please help me find some new bands to love. Or really any great music anyone can suggest. Thanks everyone.
posted by nintendo on Jun 13, 2007 - 35 answers

Can Someone Name The Artist & Title Of This Soul Song? [more inside]
posted by DudeAsInCool on Jun 2, 2007 - 10 answers

ATTN: Music Nerds! I'm putting together a party playlist with the theme of "Impeach the President" - any suggestions?? Help me rock the party into the streets! [more inside]
posted by MeatLightning on Apr 19, 2007 - 72 answers

I’d like to go dancing in Manhattan this Saturday night. The question is, where? [more inside]
posted by CiaoMela on Jan 12, 2007 - 11 answers

Metaphysical Filter: Can you help me to find information related to this metaphysical experience? [more inside]
posted by dudiggy on Nov 14, 2006 - 18 answers

Is there a tribe that links the human soul (or spirit) with the throat? I remember being in an intro Anthropology class and watching a video of a young girl in an African tribe being buried alive because she had lost her voice and it was thought she was dead. [more inside]
posted by allthewhile on Aug 27, 2006 - 1 answer

Obscure lyric: The song 'Eye for an Eye' by UK dance outfit UNKLE, appears to be a remix of, or at least heavily sampled from, a much earlier song. Perhaps from the 70s or 80s. Can anyone tell me what it is? [more inside]
posted by TheOtherGuy on Aug 20, 2006 - 3 answers

Don't roll your eyes but I think my soul, if there is such a thing, may be empty [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 26, 2006 - 60 answers

Music suggestions for a new fan of heartbreaking country soul? [more inside]
posted by Robot Johnny on Jun 8, 2006 - 35 answers

My friends and I are throwing a large, time-travel themed dance party. I need recommendations for funk, soul, and R&B to play during the 50s, 60s, and 70s, as I'm deeply asea in this area. [more inside]
posted by deafmute on May 9, 2006 - 16 answers

recently discarded, i'm on a mission to do some "soul searching." how does one find their soul?
posted by kooop on Mar 1, 2006 - 24 answers

Song stuck in head help? It's a 70's soul song that I heard on the radio yesterday. I don't know anything at all about that era of music, so I can't narrow it down at all. Male vocals, a slightly "Midnight Train to Georgia" ish melody, and lyrics about how it isn't easy to love two women, how the guy would need two jobs with double pay, need to be two men etc. I'm sure this is an easy one, but I don't have a clue how to even look for it!
posted by crabintheocean on Jan 7, 2006 - 2 answers

Why do so many funk songs reference popcorn? [more inside]
posted by furtive on Oct 8, 2005 - 18 answers

Having worked in a corporate job doing tech support for good money for the last few years, I'm finding that my soul has withered. My goal for the next year or so is to perk it back up again. [more inside]
posted by Pacrand on Aug 24, 2005 - 10 answers

When I leave the 'grid' for vacation — weekend or week-long, it does not matter — I feel liberated. Free. Refreshed. When I return, ubiquitous media (especially television and internet) really get me down. Then, after a few days, I'm back on the grid, sucking from the teat of technology. I feel dirty. And guilty. Still, I love technology. It's like I'm addicted (especially to the internet), and only quitting cold-turkey helps. How does one cope with technology? Without becoming a Luddite, how does one break free of the addiction? How does one find balance? Note that I mean all technology — cars and phones and iPods, too — not just television and internet.
posted by jdroth on Jul 21, 2005 - 18 answers

We are staging a fundraiser for a community radio station, based on two programmes; Black and Blue (The lowdown of beats and forgotten soul nuggets. Funk starts here) and Giant Steps (Jazz for the 21st Century) We need a good name for the event. Something that sums up the styles of music and is catchy enough for a poster. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by sconbie on Mar 16, 2005 - 10 answers

Resources for online R&B guitar tablature? [more inside]
posted by the cuban on Feb 17, 2005 - 2 answers