Chicago Soul
tagStarted 1958Peak 1963-1972Last big hit 1975From Chicago, United States
Located in 1 route
Smooth, gospel-rooted soul with a lighter touch: airy three-part harmonies, Curtis Mayfield's tremolo guitar and high tenor, brass-and-string charts and uplifting, often socially conscious lyrics. Less raw than Memphis, more graceful, with a relaxed, church-procession swing and floating vocal interplay.
History
Launched by Vee-Jay Records, whose 1958 'For Your Precious Love' by Jerry Butler and the Impressions is cited as Chicago's first soul hit. Curtis Mayfield steered the Impressions and later founded Curtom Records in 1968. Producers Carl Davis and arranger Johnny Pate shaped the orchestral, message-driven style that defined the city.
Defining artists
Essential listening
- People Get Ready — The ImpressionsSpotifyYouTube
- For Your Precious Love — Jerry Butler & the ImpressionsSpotifyYouTube
- The Monkey Time — Major LanceSpotifyYouTube
- Duke of Earl — Gene ChandlerSpotifyYouTube
- Turn Back the Hands of Time — Tyrone DavisSpotifyYouTube
- It's All Right — The ImpressionsSpotifyYouTube
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_soul
- https://www.curtismayfield.com/impressions.html
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Curtis-Mayfield
- https://www.allmusic.com/style/chicago-soul-ma0000011920