Soul prog?

^To paraphrase what Danny DeVito once said, who drew that trash?

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Psychedelic Paul wrote:

Peter Banks' Empire are the best Soul Prog band I know of. Thumbs Up

EMPIRE A Crossover Prog band with a heart full of Soul, led by the "architect of prog", Peter Banks, and also featuring the gorgeous soulful vocals of foxy lady, Sydney Foxx.

Empire recorded three superb albums in the mid-1970's - imaginatively titled Mark I, Mark II & Mark III - which wouldn't see release until the mid-1990's, followed by a contemporary 2020 tribute album recorded in memory of Peter Banks (1947-2013), released under the band name, The New Empire. Think of YES with a soulful female vocalist instead of Jon Anderson and that's the sound of The New Empire.

1974: Empire - Mark I - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0IenmeCOtw6daQ1uJ50eyWPJKt9Q_Tq

1977: Empire - Mark II - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m5G-IhfGVmxZsntGoQgvTZC23ifEMIops

1978: Empire - Mark III - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mHPheN5xMvOvRkoTI0J30Y9SMm-bkLAos

2020: The New Empire - Second Lifetime - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mvF2MbGvRM1YXpKT775LekNR9SeaaHJK8

Peter Banks and Sidonie Jordan made a great team!

"Everything Changes", "Someone Who Cares", "Shooting Star", "Sky At Night", "More Than Words", are fine songs. I love the jazz guitar as well. Always looking for this time of stuff - slow paces and proggy. Ambient. The only thing this song lacks are chimes!

https://www.youtube.com/c/LoyalOpposition

https://www.scribd.com/document/382737647/MortSahlFan-Song-List

There is a strong soul-music ingredient present in Vangelis's song "Let It Happen" from his 1973 album "Earth." The track features a fusion of different genres and styles, and it is a progressive mix. "Let It Happen" infuses elements of soul music into the spectral composition by Vangelis, creating a unique blend of electronic, boogie, and soul influences. The incorporation of soul music elements adds depth and richness to the track, enhancing its overall sound and appeal.

"Fire" by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown combines elements of soul music into Brown's vocal delivery and overall style, and hence it sticks out as a 1968 progressive rock song with strong soul-music influences. Arthur Brown provides a powerful vocal performance that embodies the deep expressions and dynamic delivery that define the soul music of the era. With its intense rhythm section, horn arrangements, and Vincent Crane's organ, which give the song more depth and richness, the instrumentation and composition of "Fire" also show elements of soul music.

Peter Banks' Empire are the best Soul Prog band I know of. Thumbs Up

EMPIRE A Crossover Prog band with a heart full of Soul, led by the "architect of prog", Peter Banks, and also featuring the gorgeous soulful vocals of foxy lady, Sydney Foxx.

Empire recorded three superb albums in the mid-1970's - imaginatively titled Mark I, Mark II & Mark III - which wouldn't see release until the mid-1990's, followed by a contemporary 2020 tribute album recorded in memory of Peter Banks (1947-2013), released under the band name, The New Empire. Think of YES with a soulful female vocalist instead of Jon Anderson and that's the sound of The New Empire.

1974: Empire - Mark I - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0IenmeCOtw6daQ1uJ50eyWPJKt9Q_Tq

1977: Empire - Mark II - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m5G-IhfGVmxZsntGoQgvTZC23ifEMIops

1978: Empire - Mark III - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mHPheN5xMvOvRkoTI0J30Y9SMm-bkLAos

2020: The New Empire - Second Lifetime - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mvF2MbGvRM1YXpKT775LekNR9SeaaHJK8

There are actually better tracks by Rotary Connection and Mandrill out there, but this is what I dug up with a quick youtube search. With both bands, you need to hear the full albums.
Other albums I would recommend include Marvin Gaye - "Whats Going On"
Osibissa - "Soundtrack to Super Fly II" and Earth Wind & Fire - "Gratitude"
Also, just about any album Stevie Wonder put out in the 70s.

Edited by Easy Money - May 08 2024 at 10:43

Although the music on the 1970 self-titled album by Atomic Rooster is mostly blues-based progressive heavy-rock, Broken Wings is a soul-like progressive rock song. Its soulful melody is accompanied by melancholic instrumentation that enhances the emotional impact of the lyrics. The sombre tone of the music mirrors the bittersweet nature of the lyrics, creating a powerful synergy between sound and meaning. The Atomic Rooster pretty skillfully incorporated elements of soul music into "Broken Wings," creating a unique merging of genres in this particular song.

By non-English songs from the continent, I'd like to mention "Pjesma #3 (English: "Song No. 3) from the TIME self-titled album from 1972. While its jazzy chords and amazing flute solos create a dreamy feel, the band's frontman, Dado Topić, delivers soulful vocals that add emotional depth to the lyrics, which, sung in Croatian, are delivered with passion and intensity. "Pjesma #3" beautifully reflects TIME's fusion of progressive rock, soul, and jazz influences that characterised their unique musical style during their active years.

The band or album you mention wouldn't make me think of this, but since you mention nu-jazz, you might be interested to explore The Comet is Coming, from the London nu-jazz scene. For example, Summon the Fire:

The razamataz is a pain in the bum

Neal Morse

I am interested in prog albums with an emphasis on soul and funk. There is a whole trend of nu-jazz, lo-fi stuff and I am interested in the prog-side of it. One thing I can think about is, weirdly, The Dark Side of the Moon which has some soul/funk-ish elements. There is also the Thank You Scientist band.

Edited by Gnik Nosmirc - May 08 2024 at 05:49

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