What does Daptone Records have to do with new music? Find out in this journey into the soul of, well... soul. Plus, a playlist of new music inspired by that retro sound.
Was introduced to Three Sacred Souls via Spotify’s Soul Mix. There, I said it. Spotify did something good. Take THAT Ted Gioia and Rick Beato. Regarding their fashion sense, please don’t let those high-waisted pleated pants come back.
Having given little thought to the question of “what is new music anyway?” (Interesting question btw), my initial thought is that if it’s new to you, then it’s new - and that’s all that matters.
The only reason the creation date might matter would be as part of a critique or evaluation of the current state of music relative to what has come before. And what would be the point of that?
Are Three Sacred Souls or The Lemon Twigs less “valid” or enjoyable because they draw heavily on the past? I could give a rats ass, I love it and that’s all that matters.
Obviously you know where I stand on the whole "are they less valid" question.
And as for Spotify, it continues to introduce me to newness that I pass on to you guys nearly every day, though I did stop paying for it recently. NUANCE.
I think I first heard Thee Sacred Souls via “the algorithm, too. And great shout out for The Lemon Twigs as well—I loved their most recent record and they’re probably the least new of new bands.
I tend to agree “new” means “new to you” though I’m not sure it’s the most commonly accepted definition. It’s a great point about discovering current artists means you actually get to ride the wave and see them live though
I try not to get too hung up on what the “new” in new music actually means. I have old favourites I come back to, but actually there are barely any albums I listen to regularly that I discovered before lockdown, even though some of them were around decades earlier.
Sometimes I love new music because it reminds me of another favourite in some way (I find the jangle of REM very appealing), but at other times the similarities of new bands churning out soundalike music becomes frustrating and I’d just rather go to the original.
I love classic soul music so I’m very interested to listen to this playlist.
Oh, and I also must be an enigma as I would always put a “u” in “favourite” but definitely spell “realise” and “recognise” with an “s”!
I think the sweet spot is something that offers some kind of familiarity but doesn’t sound like a complete rip-off, and that’s a very fine balance. I can’t quite put it into words but Daptone stuff ticks the box for me because you can feel the love and reverence.
And Gabbie’s right. I thought I’d try and be clever by using American English and then being sarcastic about it, but I missed some words and it just ended up being messy. And let’s not even get into the can of words that Is Australian English.
That's not enigmatic, that's what Joe does too! He was trying to standardize for American audiences but for some reason it only extended to eliminating the "u" and not changing the Ss to Z's.
Interesting thoughts of whether songs are new to us? Or whether they sound 'New' as of this moment? I guess, if I hear a soul..y track I'm taken back to some of the music I love, but there's a lot of new soul music out now 'Teddy Swims' who is great with a Jo Cocker type voice! I like all sorts of genres yet I struggle with what mine is, as I write music? I guess it's it's a combination of what I love now and then!
Oh wow. Just the recommendation of Verocai made this worth it for me. The first track was like first time I ever heard Françoise Hardy's debut album. So lush and so poignant. Just goes to prove your point: there's so much new music, including what others have known about forever. Thank you!
so excited for this! my top favorite singer is Jamila Woods but I have trouble finding other recent music with a similar sound. thanks for sharing this playlist.
Did you like the new Jon Spencer Joe? I feel like that, and obviously The Bobby Lees are a great salve for those of us that want a bit of dirt in their music.
This playlist is OUTSTANDING!! I have been following the whole "Retro Soul" thing on and off for a while now (I guess since the hey day of Daptone). I discovered some great bands, like the ones discussed here, but also bands like Deep Street Soul, Speedometer, The Sufferers, St Paul and The Broken Bones, and The Soul Snatchers.
I love vintage soul of the 60s and 70s, with my heart leaning most heavily to the 60s Southern soul of Stax and Muscle Shoals. This playlist seems to be a bit more in the 70s funky soul vibe, and leaning on a smoother, Northern sound, but it's great. Thanks for this, so many new bands to dig in to.. I love it!!
Huge thanks to Joe for writing me out of a bind. I demand that everyone enjoy as much as I do.
Was introduced to Three Sacred Souls via Spotify’s Soul Mix. There, I said it. Spotify did something good. Take THAT Ted Gioia and Rick Beato. Regarding their fashion sense, please don’t let those high-waisted pleated pants come back.
Having given little thought to the question of “what is new music anyway?” (Interesting question btw), my initial thought is that if it’s new to you, then it’s new - and that’s all that matters.
The only reason the creation date might matter would be as part of a critique or evaluation of the current state of music relative to what has come before. And what would be the point of that?
Are Three Sacred Souls or The Lemon Twigs less “valid” or enjoyable because they draw heavily on the past? I could give a rats ass, I love it and that’s all that matters.
P.S. those high waisted pleated pants have been back. i'm not sorry to say i love them, on both men and women.
Yes I do too!
Obviously you know where I stand on the whole "are they less valid" question.
And as for Spotify, it continues to introduce me to newness that I pass on to you guys nearly every day, though I did stop paying for it recently. NUANCE.
I think I first heard Thee Sacred Souls via “the algorithm, too. And great shout out for The Lemon Twigs as well—I loved their most recent record and they’re probably the least new of new bands.
I tend to agree “new” means “new to you” though I’m not sure it’s the most commonly accepted definition. It’s a great point about discovering current artists means you actually get to ride the wave and see them live though
Amendment - finding chronologically newer music that you like gives you the opportunity to follow the artist’s development and see them live.
I try not to get too hung up on what the “new” in new music actually means. I have old favourites I come back to, but actually there are barely any albums I listen to regularly that I discovered before lockdown, even though some of them were around decades earlier.
Sometimes I love new music because it reminds me of another favourite in some way (I find the jangle of REM very appealing), but at other times the similarities of new bands churning out soundalike music becomes frustrating and I’d just rather go to the original.
I love classic soul music so I’m very interested to listen to this playlist.
Oh, and I also must be an enigma as I would always put a “u” in “favourite” but definitely spell “realise” and “recognise” with an “s”!
I think the sweet spot is something that offers some kind of familiarity but doesn’t sound like a complete rip-off, and that’s a very fine balance. I can’t quite put it into words but Daptone stuff ticks the box for me because you can feel the love and reverence.
And Gabbie’s right. I thought I’d try and be clever by using American English and then being sarcastic about it, but I missed some words and it just ended up being messy. And let’s not even get into the can of words that Is Australian English.
Also, I second Gabbie in that everyone should subscribe to Joe’s Substack. It’s excellent.
That's not enigmatic, that's what Joe does too! He was trying to standardize for American audiences but for some reason it only extended to eliminating the "u" and not changing the Ss to Z's.
This makes sense! Not totally with it today.
me neither
Interesting thoughts of whether songs are new to us? Or whether they sound 'New' as of this moment? I guess, if I hear a soul..y track I'm taken back to some of the music I love, but there's a lot of new soul music out now 'Teddy Swims' who is great with a Jo Cocker type voice! I like all sorts of genres yet I struggle with what mine is, as I write music? I guess it's it's a combination of what I love now and then!
LOVE the Modern-Retro Soul playlist, Joe. Thank you!
great read, love the soul playlist, am now subscribed. Thanks!!
That is some playlist! Wow
that's why we keep him around
Glad to be of service 🫡
Made for a fun commute home! And now I have a ton of bands to check out!
That’s so great to hear!
What a great playlist. Thanks for some new music.
Oh wow. Just the recommendation of Verocai made this worth it for me. The first track was like first time I ever heard Françoise Hardy's debut album. So lush and so poignant. Just goes to prove your point: there's so much new music, including what others have known about forever. Thank you!
So pleased you enjoyed it!
so excited for this! my top favorite singer is Jamila Woods but I have trouble finding other recent music with a similar sound. thanks for sharing this playlist.
Jamila Woods is great!
Did you like the new Jon Spencer Joe? I feel like that, and obviously The Bobby Lees are a great salve for those of us that want a bit of dirt in their music.
I didn’t realise he’d gone solo. Did the Blues Explosion… explode? I’ll check it out
It's him with the backline of Booby Lees. Very BEish, not sure why it was that crew instead. He does have a history with The Bobby Lees though
This playlist is OUTSTANDING!! I have been following the whole "Retro Soul" thing on and off for a while now (I guess since the hey day of Daptone). I discovered some great bands, like the ones discussed here, but also bands like Deep Street Soul, Speedometer, The Sufferers, St Paul and The Broken Bones, and The Soul Snatchers.
I love vintage soul of the 60s and 70s, with my heart leaning most heavily to the 60s Southern soul of Stax and Muscle Shoals. This playlist seems to be a bit more in the 70s funky soul vibe, and leaning on a smoother, Northern sound, but it's great. Thanks for this, so many new bands to dig in to.. I love it!!
Was lucky enough to see Sharon Jones with the Dap Kings live several years ago. 💕
Love this for many reasons...
Love Daptone
Love Soul from the 60s/70s probably more than any other music (Irma Thomas! Darlene Love! Etta James! Motown! Stax!, etc)
Love the discussion about New vs. Old music. Everyone always makes this seem like a binary choice, but why? Every era is worthwhile!
Also, I'll add a rec for my favorite modern soul singer (who is very rooted in old school soul) Danielle Ponder. She SLAPS!
lol post script... i went to look her up and i'm already following her. i absolutely cannot keep up with all the new music i listen to.
that's a new one for me -- you are always so good for recommendations! i will add to my list post haste.
i wish i could actually tag people in comments but i'm sure joe will be around at some point to offer his thoughts on the matter.
Hey there any feedback on this new album of garage psych by Newcastle uk band SKULL ISLAND SIDECARS would be be appreciated. Thanks :)
https://youtu.be/MKGcLXHWVJc?si=YqS0BoRPRkqMWp5_