Message Soul – Politics & Soul in Black America 1998 – 2008

Soul and socially conscious lyrics – they always went hand in hand. When African American Gospel mostly promises an otherworldly harmony, then its child Soul music inflects this message into secular meaning and conjures the overcoming of poverty, racism and discrimination of all kinds. Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye belong to the pioneers of  socially conscious black pop music. Their contemporary heirs might be less known, but are not less committed. In the songs of Anthony Hamilton, Donnie, Jill Scott and Anthony David black music recalls its very own mission: The rhythms of urban Rhythm’n Blues are complimented here by a sensitivity, that adresses social ills and appeals to the community founding power of Soul music. Message Soul! – Jonathan Fischer