A Black Man's Soul
Kings of Rhythm · 1969
44 min · 16 tracks · jump blues
A pulsating blend of jump blues and funk, infused with sharp social commentary and infectious grooves.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ghetto Funk — This track embodies the album's central theme, blending rhythmic intricacy with lyrics that confront the challenges faced by Black communities. Its infectious groove makes it a quintessential example of the fusion between funk and social activism.
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Black Angel — With its soulful melodies and poignant lyrics, this track serves as an emotional centerpiece that reflects on love and struggle within the Black experience. Its rich vocal harmonies showcase the group’s ability to weave personal narratives into broader social commentary.
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Freedom Sound — The song captures the spirit of liberation during a time of civil rights activism, using upbeat rhythms and a celebratory tone to convey hope. Its catchy hooks resonate powerfully, representing the optimistic outlook of many during this transformative era.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jump blues with funk, showcasing strong grooves and social commentary, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces slower grooves and more reflective themes.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the communal feel typical of funk and jump blues.
- The instrumentation prominently features brass sections that punctuate the rhythm, creating a lively and engaging sound throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Thinking Black 2:40
- 2 Black Beauty 2:27
- 3 Ghetto Funk 2:30
- 4 Black's Alley 2:44
- 5 Black Angel 3:13
- 6 Getting Nasty 3:07
- 7 Funky Mule 3:22
- 8 Philly Dog 2:24
- 9 Scotty Souling 2:59
- 10 Up Hard 2:40
- 11 Nuttin' Up 2:26
- 12 Freedom Sound 2:38
- 13 Chain of Fools 2:11
- 14 No More Doggin' 3:26
- 15 Knock on Wood 2:37
- 16 Drifting Blues 2:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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