smooth soul
what it is
Smooth soul is a style of Soul music that emerged in the USA in the mid-to-late 1960s. Initially developing from the Motown Sound, the genre reached its greatest height of popularity in the 1970s, exemplified by singles such as "Let's Get it On" by Marvin Gaye and "Me and Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
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questions
What is smooth soul?
Smooth soul is a style of Soul music that emerged in the USA in the mid-to-late 1960s. Initially developing from the Motown Sound, the genre reached its greatest height of popularity in the 1970s, exemplified by singles such as "Let's Get it On" by Marvin Gaye and "Me and Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul.
What are good smooth soul albums to start with?
Try Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye, An Evening with Silk Sonic by Bruno Mars, Come to My Garden by Minnie Riperton, and I've Got So Much To Give by Barry White.
Who are some women making smooth soul?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/smooth-soul/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making smooth soul, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20