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With the Black Forum label, Motown founder Berry Gordy created a place where African-American spoken-word artists could make their voices heard.
With the release of their soundtrack for ‘Saturday Night Fever’, in 1977, Bee Gees were at the birth of disco, pointing the way for others to follow.
As political unrest swept the world in 1968, Stax Records faced a tumultuous year saved only by the legendary label’s own soul power.
Legendary groups The Supremes, Martha & The Vandellas and The Marvelettes are well known, but there are many female Motown stars you need to know.
Brilliant and inventive, George Clinton’s debut solo album, ‘Computer Games’, was a funky return to form from the P-Funk mastermind.
Uneasy listening on a mission, ‘Death Certificate’ shocked many at the time, with Ice Cube kicking ass musically, verbally and politically.
Sam & Dave’s second album, ‘Double Dynamite’, remains an explosive example of the dynamic soul do at their best, and a classic in the Stax Records catalogue.
Seeing the connection between jazz and disco, the Vanguard and Fantasy labels made sophisticated dancefloor music that still sounds fresh and thrilling.
‘Who’s Making Love’ practically defined the “can’t trust a lover” strain of soul and made Johnnie Taylor a Stax star during the label’s pivotal year.
With ‘A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing’, Black Sheep promoted intelligent Afrocentricity and upset hip-hop’s apple carts by refusing to act like gangstas.
In thrall to the jazz music she grew up with, ‘Frank’ found Amy Winehouse at turns optimistic and wry, finding her way to the brilliance of ‘Back To Black’.
In 1998, ‘Mos Def And Talib Kweli Are Black Star’ forged a new path in which culture and unity took precedence over hip-hop’s beefs and disses.
Distilling the great bluesman’s career into 20 key cuts, this John Lee Hooker playlist is a perfect introduction to the man they call King Of The Boogie.
Who was more authentically rock’n’roll than Gene Vincent? ‘Bluejean Bop!’ has a reasonable claim to be the best debut album ever – it really is that good.
You only need two voices to make a unique blend and you’ll be rewarded with hits. But are you in harmony with our pick of the best vocal duos of all time?
