Ain't That Peculiar Marvin Gaye; A Sweet Woman Like You Joe Tex; Uptight (Everything's Alright) Stevie Wonder; 634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.) Wilson Pickett; She Blew a Good Thing Poets; Cool Jerk... more

Soul Man Sam & Dave; Respect Aretha Franklin; Mercy, Mercy, Mercy Cannonball Adderley; Sweet Soul Music Arthur Conley; Jimmy Mack Martha & the Vandellas; Tramp Otis Redding/Carla Thomas; Ain't No... more

I Second That Emotion Smokey Robinson & the Miracles; (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay Otis Redding; We're a Winner Impressions; Dance to the Music Sly & the Family Stone; Tighten Up Pt. 1 Archie... more

This Harlem vocal group's smash Speedoo hit the pop charts December 10, 1955—almost a month before it hit the R&B charts. That had never happened to an R&B single before; their wild jump tunes set... more

That title track was borrowed by Albert Collins and Mister Moonlight (Roy wrote the Dr. Feelgood & the Interns smash) was covered by the Beatles. Yes, this Southern soul man was admired by many... more

Here are 50 defining moments of that pivotal year: Nevertheless Mills Brothers; Lover Come Back to Me King Odom Four; She's Gone Dozier Boys; My Heart Cries for You 5 Larks; Young Girl Flames; Count... more

Nearly an hour and a half of sublime sounds from 1951—32 tracks on one CD! The Dominoes' classic #1 hit Sixty Minute Man joins The Glory of Love Five Keys; Baby Please Don't Go Orioles; Gotta Find My... more

Bear Family sure does squeeze a lot into their beautiful releases. This ultimate single-CD overview of the Platters' nonpareil '50s ballads not only boasts notes by Bill Dahl, vintage pix and full... more

Her only hit was a #4 R&B smash, 1952's Heavenly Father, which she recorded when she was 16. Sadly, Edna didn't have much time for a comeback—she died in her 30s. But she did record quite a few R&B... more