The albums that define
soul jazz.
Our picks for where to start with soul jazz — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top soul jazz artists
Start with one of these.
The soul jazz essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Les McCann
Talk to the People
Soulful jazz grooves intertwine with politically charged lyrics and vibrant instrumentation, creating a resonant call for social change.
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Les McCann
Swiss Movement
A vibrant blend of jazz, soul, and rhythm and blues that captures the spirit of a transformative era.
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Lou Donaldson
Swing and Soul
A vibrant blend of bebop and soul, showcasing rhythmic sophistication with captivating melodies.
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Lou Donaldson
Light-Foot
A vibrant blend of hard-bop and soul jazz, characterized by Donaldson's smooth, expressive saxophone melodies.
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Lonnie Smith
Mama Wailer
A vibrant blend of funk and jazz, rich with soulful grooves and innovative organ melodies.
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Lonnie Smith
Afro–desia
A vibrant fusion of jazz, funk, and soul that evokes the spirit of a lively Afrocentric celebration.
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Jimmy McGriff
The Dudes Doin' Business
A vibrant fusion of soul jazz and blues, rich with groove and heartfelt expression.
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Jimmy McGriff
Where the Action's At!
A vibrant blend of soul jazz and hard bop, driven by McGriff's electrifying organ grooves.
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Pat Martino
Desperado
A vibrant fusion of soulful melodies and intricate jazz improvisations that capture the essence of the early '70s.
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Pat Martino
Consciousness
Sublime guitar melodies intertwine with rhythmic complexity, creating a vibrant exploration of jazz fusion and soul jazz.
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Nat Adderley
Branching Out
A vibrant blend of hard bop and soul jazz, rich with emotive melodies and intricate rhythms.
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Nat Adderley
To the Ivy League from Nat
A vibrant blend of hard bop and soul jazz infused with playful melodies and engaging rhythms.
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Gene Harris
Gene Harris of the Three Sounds
A vibrant fusion of jazz, blues, and funk that showcases rhythmic grooves and soulful melodies.
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Gene Harris
At Maybeck: Maybeck Recital Hall Series Volume Twenty-Three
A vibrant live recording that captures the essence of jazz through emotive piano and soulful improvisation.
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Johnny "Hammond" Smith
The Stinger
A vibrant blend of soulful grooves and sophisticated jazz harmonies that captivates and excites.
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Johnny "Hammond" Smith
Gettin' the Message
A vibrant blend of soulful organ grooves and infectious rhythms that capture the essence of early 60s jazz.
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Sonny Fortune
Long Before Our Mothers Cried
A fluid interplay of Afro-Cuban rhythms and free jazz improvisation that challenges conventional structures.
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Sonny Fortune
From Now On
A vibrant fusion of free jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms interwoven with soulful improvisations.
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Ronny Jordan
The Antidote
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