We worry that "Soul" as a genre is dying; these days, "RnB" and "Urban" prevail, but what has happened to the soul? Here we feature some of the great singers and others who represent the very ethos of soul music, and hope to introduce you to many artists, broadcasters and producers who do not get the recognition that they deserve! 
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C'EST CHIC LP
Category: LP Showcase
The superlative 1970s album from supergroup Chic is June's showcase LP. We explain why this amazing album is still unfairly type-cast as "just a disco LP", and explore the terrible things that happened to disco on a sunny day in July 1979.
PASSION LP
Category: LP Showcase
Legendary producer Norman Connor's 1988 album is May 2013's showcase LP. We explain why both Norman and his foray into 80s soul are so underrated. This is soul music at its finest from a time when the genre was losing its way.
GIVE ME THE NIGHT LP
Category: LP Showcase
George Benson's multi-Grammy award winning album should surely be in anyone's top 10 LPs. We explain why in our profile of Give Me The Night. We look closely at the ten, magical tracks on George's superb, 1980 Quincy Jones production.
CENTRAL HEATING LP
Category: LP Showcase
Heatwave's spellbinding second album from magical year 1978 is March 2013's showcase LP. This album typifies substance over style, and contains one massive surprise. Find out what it is by clicking below.
LOGG LP
Category: LP Showcase
Leroy Burgess's group Logg's self-entitled 1981 recording is February 2013's showcase LP. We explain why it is a mistake to judge this easily overlooked record by its cover. Read our in-depth review by clicking below.
SO DELICIOUS LP
Category: LP Showcase
The Fatback Band's incredible 1985 recording is January 2013's showcase LP. We explain why our favourite tracks have no place on CD and why this is an album you need to own on vinyl. Read our in-depth review by clicking below.
WINELIGHT LP
Category: LP Showcase
The first to feature in the LP Showcase is the incredible Winelight, by Grover Washington Jr. We tell you why you need to own this album. FInd out why it is Master J's LP of the week for the first LP Showcase show by clicking below.
VINYL SHOWCASE
Category: LP Showcase
Radiocafe has teamed up with Soul A.M. to bring you the LP Showcase – a monthly delve into the very best that the world of the vinyl LP has to offer. Together we will be uncovering some of the hidden gems and forgotten favourites
ALYSON WILLIAMS
Category: Soul Sounds
Alyson is one of today's truly great singers who has made a fantastic contribution to soul music. She has worked with many all time greats, a title which she rightfully commands herself.
BB&Q / CURTIS HAIRSON
Category: Soul Sounds
Curtis Hairston's amazing voice appeared on some of the definitive soul tracks of the 1980s, both with the Brooklyn Bronx & Queens (BB&Q) band and also as a fantastic solo artist. Sadly he is no longer with us.
CHANGE
Category: Soul Sounds
If one band epitomised everything that was good about 80's soul , it was probably Change. It's the Luther Vandross vocal on Glow of Love & Searching everyone remembers, but Change offered so much more.
DON BLACKMAN
Category: Soul Sounds
Don is simply a genius. Singer, songwriter, musician, we cannot understand why more of the world has not embraced Don's fantastic music. His 1982 self entitled album is a modern classic.
GLENN JONES
Category: Soul Sounds
Glenn Jones has one of the most incredible voices in the world. Over the years, he has released some of the most soulful tracks ever made, and deserves greater recognition.
JEAN CARNE
Category: Soul Sounds
Jean Carne is an outstanding singer who has had an incredible career. She is simply one of the all time great soul singers with a voice that is as sweet and wonderful as any we have ever heard.
THE JONES GIRLS
Category: Soul Sounds
The Jones girls are fantastic, a girl group that has never been bettered. If you claim to be a soul fan, then you simply have to have some Jones Girls in your collection.
SHAUN ESCOFFERY
Category: Soul Sounds
Sean proves that there are still amazing, young soul singers out there. But sadly also demonstrates that they do not get the recognition that they deserve. A fantastic voice, carrying on where Donny Hathaway left off.
SOS BAND
Category: Soul Sounds
One of the soul supergroups of the 80's, with an instantly recognisable sound which has stood the test of time so very well. Incredibly well crafted masterpieces that deserve a new audience.
STREETSOUNDS
Category: Soul Sounds
We couldn't include a soul section without profiling the series of LP's that helped to change the face of soul music in the UK. Each one served up the greatest tracks of their day.
TEDDY PENDERGRASS
Category: Soul Sounds
A true soul legend, having recorded many of the greatest soul tracks of all time. Somehow, he fails to get the recognition and airplay that his genius and talent warrant. Has released dozens of great albums and continues to produce fantastic music.
GREG EDWARDS
Broadcaster
Greg has been pioneering soul music since the early 70's, a rare breed of broadcaster who both entertains and educates. There's no-one quite like Greg and many soul artists wouldn't be where they are today without him. A true legend.
MASTER J
Broadcaster, producer and pioneer
Master J has presented the incredible Soul AM on Unknown FM for over five years - a haven for lovers of the best in soul. Listeners are always treated to the finest soul and jazz funk gems (see below).
NORMAN JAY MBE
Broadcaster, producer and pioneer
Norman pioneered for the cause of good music in the 80s through pirate radio, and has led the way by example for years. Few have his knowledge of soul music...or his record collection! "Master of the British Emplire".
PETER YOUNG
Broadcaster
Pete Young has served up the very best music for years, and entertained like few others. He deserves recognition as one of the best broadcasters around, with an understanding and appreciation of the very best in soul music.
RALPH TEE
Broadcaster and co-founder of Expansion Records
Ralph has done so much for soul music over the years, from his days on pirate radio, producing StreetSounds collections, through to running one of the saviours of classic and modern soul, the incredible Expansion record label.
ROBBIE VINCENT
Broadcaster
There is no one quite like Robbie, which explains why we still get dozens of people contacting us to join our "Bring Back Robbie" campaign. One of the finest DJ's this country has ever heard.
TOBY WALKER
Soul music saviour
Toby deserves much credit for producing one of the finest soul resources on the internet - take a look below at his superb Soul Walking site. And he does this for absolutely no profit. Soul music needs a few more heroes like Toby.
TONY MONSON
Broadcaster and soul pionner
Tony Monson is one of the pioneers of good music, having being part of the early days of pirate radio and leading the soul music revolution in the 1980s. He continues to do great things with the incredible Solar radio, now online.
GREG EDWARDS
Gold, Soul Spectrum, Saturday and Sunday evening
The soul legend continues with the show he started on Capital Radio in the mid seventies. Sounds just as good today as it did back then, there are no better soul shows than this!
MASTER J
Unknown FM, Soul AM, Sundays 10am-12pm
If you love 80s soul and jazz funk, then the incredible Soul AM is as good as it gets. Featuring the classic gems and also lesser know rare grooves, each carefully selected by a man who is indeed a master of the good groove.
NORMAN JAY MBE
BBC London, Giant 45, Sunday evening
A fantastic show from the legendary DJ, serving up a variety of genre all under the one category of quality. Plenty of old soul, jazz funk and rarities for lovers of good music.
PETER YOUNG
Smooth, Soulful Saturday, Saturday evening
Another great of radio, Peter Young, still providing the best in soul music and much more. Always worth a listen - just a shame his show clashes with Soul Spectrum!
TONY MONSON
Solar Radio, Monday to Friday, 10am-1pm
One of the all time greats continues to lead the way in soul music, now on the fantastic online station, Solar Radio. We only wish it was back on FM. A definitive station for soul fans!
Station: DANCEGROOVE RADIO
Internet and DAB Radio Station
The best station we've found for lovers of 80s soul, funk and disco. Plays a tremendous selection of the those hard to find rare grooves and lesser known gems from this glorious era. Take a listen now.
SOUL UNSIGNED site
Giving new soul artists the exposure they deserve
Solar Radio's Phil Driver's commendable site. Promotes the work of unsigned and independent soul, funk & jazz artists through the monthly show on Solar Radio and Phil's own independent record label Soul Unsigned Records.
SOUL WALKING definitive site
Amazing soul resource
Soul Walking is the most incredible soul music resource on the internet. What its owner Toby Walker (see above) has done is nothing short of incredible. If you want to learn about good soul music, look no further.
SOUL AND FUNK MUSIC site
Detailed soul and funk resource
Another great soul site, comprising a database of fantastic soul and funk albums mostly from the seventies and eighties. Great if you are trying to locate details of your favourite soul lps, with plenty of material loaded on and other excellent features.
If you would like to discuss soul music, suggest an artist we should feature, correct any mistakes or come on board as one of our musical editors, then visit our "Talk" section now.
You can also post all your comments, read other articles, and have your say on the state of today's music in our interactive talk site.
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