Neo-Soul
tagStarted 1995Peak 1997-2003Last big hit still active
Located in 2 routes
The core stylistic tag: live drums dragging behind the beat, round fingered bass, Rhodes and clavinet, hazy multi-tracked harmonies. Sensual, grown-and-sexy mood with jazz-tinged chords and a 70s soul palette filtered through hip-hop swing. Velvet falsettos and warm alto leads over unhurried, pocket-deep grooves.
History
The exact center of the movement Kedar Massenburg named, codified by D'Angelo's Brown Sugar (1995) and Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite (1996). Angie Stone, Musiq Soulchild and Floetry extended the template into the early 2000s, defining a smooth, romantic, instrument-driven counter to mainstream R&B before the sound diffused across the wider family.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_soul
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxwell_(musician)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musiq_Soulchild