Soul music is a well-liked music genre that originated in the African American community. It combines elements of African American gospel music, rhythm and blues, and jazz. There is still a following for R&B. New Edition toured the country twice last year, and Charlie Wilson and Mary J Blige are on the road, and so is Brian McKnight.
The best soul singers, such as Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keyes, Mary J Blige, Diana Ross, and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and others are timeless. Modern R&B is more radio friendly.
The most significant female soul singer to hit the scene was Aretha Franklin, who was initially a gospel singer who began to make secular recordings in 1960 but Atlantic polished her career. "Respect" was her most significant and commercially successful product. Soul music dominated the charts in the 1960's.
Steve Wonder became very popular. Soul Train debuted in 1971. In the 1980's, soul went in a different direction entirely. It was different because of its relaxed tempos and melodies. Pop and soft rock now more influence it. Contemporary R&B sounds much different from the original style of R&B music.