Harmony Soul

tagStarted 1965Peak 1968-1976Last big hit 1979

Located in 1 route

The doo-wop blend matured into full-band soul: a lead singer trading lines with a tight backing group over horns, strings and a deep rhythm section. Sophisticated multi-part harmonies, smooth interlocking voices and gospel-rooted phrasing carry plush ballads and mid-tempo grooves. Polish and warmth over grit.

History

As soul professionalized in the late 60s, vocal groups moved off the corner and into studios at Motown, Philadelphia International and Stax. Arrangers like Thom Bell and Gamble & Huff wrote lush charts around the harmonized group, producing the Philly soul sound and sweet-soul ballads that defined early-70s Black radio.

Defining artists

The StylisticsSpotify YouTube
The DelfonicsSpotify YouTube
The SpinnersSpotify YouTube
Harold Melvin & the Blue NotesSpotify YouTube
The Chi-LitesSpotify YouTube
The DramaticsSpotify YouTube

Essential listening

You Make Me Feel Brand New — The StylisticsSpotify YouTube
La-La (Means I Love You) — The DelfonicsSpotify YouTube
I'll Be Around — The SpinnersSpotify YouTube
If You Don't Know Me by Now — Harold Melvin & the Blue NotesSpotify YouTube
Have You Seen Her — The Chi-LitesSpotify YouTube

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Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_soul
https://www.allmusic.com/style/philly-soul-ma0000002780
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_soul