Soulful House
House music built around soul and gospel vocals, live instruments and warm keyboards.
History
Soulful house is a form of house music with smooth, soulful vocals s1. It takes influence from soul, jazz and funk s1. The tempo is usually slower than other house styles, at about 122 to 127 beats per minute s1. Keyboards give the music a deep, warm sound s1. Producers often work with live singers and musicians s1. Tracks can include piano, guitar, bass guitar and double bass s1. Jazz wind instruments such as the saxophone or trumpet are also common s1. The style grew from the New York and New Jersey house scene of the early 1990s s1. It is close to garage house, which also focuses on strong vocals s1. Soulful house is broader and later, and it often uses live instruments s1. Barbara Tucker, Ultra Nate and Blaze made well-known records s2. The music is still popular in clubs, restaurants and at fashion shows s1. It is also played in chillout rooms as well as on dance floors s1.
Sound
- Soulful or gospel-style vocals
- Warm piano and keyboard chords
- Live bass, guitar and horns
- A relaxed, smooth mood
- A tempo around 124 beats per minute
Key figures
- Barbara Tucker — Singer behind a soulful house anthem
- Ultra Nate — American singer and songwriter in the style
- Blaze — New Jersey production team central to soulful house
- Frankie Knuckles — Chicago DJ whose later work shaped soulful house
Labels
- Strictly Rhythm — New York , 1989
- King Street Sounds — New York , 1993
- Nervous Records — New York , 1991
Defining tracks
Connections
Came from: Garage House , Deep House , Chicago House
Sources
- Styles of house music — Wikipedia
- Tribal House — Melodigging