Re: (idm) What is Soul? (was: review: round one ...)
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sequential_circus@yahoo.co.uk wrote
>>--- AeOtaku@aol.com wrote:
>> I'm not sure if "soulful" means it sounds like Motown soul
>> or if it has a lot of emotion and heart in it, but I would say
>> the artist who best combines both is John Beltran.
>
>I know Ben E King satisfactorily answered this question over 30 years
>ago, but I don't think the description 'soulful' has any place in
>discussions of Electronic music.
>
>I accept the use of the word 'soul' to describe works by Aretha
>Franklin, Otis Redding, Al Green etc. because they all learnt there
>trade in Church and brought a gospel passion to their music. However,
>extending the use of this word to describe the works of John Beltran
>(incidentally, love his new one on Transmat) and others is going too
>far.
I don't apply the term that literally. I don't think people in general use
language that literally. If we did, there would be no poets, only technical
writers. =) You relate 'soul' to a gospel passion in music; I relate it to
passion in music.
I think I see where you're coming from.. looks like you're a big soul music
fan, with a big knowledge of it. That's great, and I'm envious.. I'd love
to be more informed about that music.
>In what way can it be described as soulful? Is it the extensive use of
>Minor chords?
Nah. Maybe you're thinking of blues here..?
>Is it the large dollops of echo and reverb?
No.. though those are two key ingredients to many of my favorite musical dishes
>Is the artist who has made the track been influenced by yer Marvin
>Gayes and Donny Hathaways and how can you tell?
I would say yes to this one. At least for the music I was referring to
originally in the review (first few cuts on the main street comp). The
vocalist sings in an r&b style, plain and simple. I'm not saying he's
another Marvin Gaye, but yeah, the vocal is done in that general style. The
fact that the production is done (to one degree or another) by the Basic
Channel crew makes it relevant to this list and quite electronic. (And an
intoxicating blend to me.) But primarily it's vocal house music, which has
alot in common with r&b/soul.
But there are many electronic artists that I consider soulful even though
they don't have a soul/r&b vocal going on. Hk already mentioned Global
Communication, and I have to agree. For some reason they spring to mind.. I
guess it's because their work always sounds open, honest, and heartfelt
whatever genre they produce.
What I've heard of Detroit techno often registers as soulful. I think it's
because the music is so honest, oftentimes at the expense of elegance or
technique. Listen to some Carl Craig or Derrick May.. the rhythm patterns
aren't going to be complex Ae math beats. The synth lines aren't always
antiseptic sequences. But in their driving insistency they are infused with
emotion. Simplicity and directness -> honesty -> soulfulness.
2 cents- Brad S
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