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A very Happy Birthday to the incredible Teddy Riley, born Edward Theodore Riley on October 8, 1967, in Harlem, New York. It is difficult to look at popular music in the late 1980s and through the 1990s without marveling at the visionary work of Teddy Riley. As a songwriter and producer, he was pivotal in […]

The post Celebrating Teddy Riley’s Birthday – The King of New Jack Swing appeared first on SoulTracks.

(October 6, 2026) No matter who he or she is, or was, it’s happened to you before: a chance meeting, mutual chemistry and an instant connection that turned a building relationship into a fiery romance. Chats or calls that brightened your days and moments that heated your nights…until. Maybe it was a misunderstanding, too many […]

The post First Listen: Will Downing is ready to “Fight For Love” appeared first on SoulTracks.

(October 5, 2026) Well, it’s that time of year again!  We’re beginning to plan our 2025 SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Awards, the world’s leading award dedicated to independent soul music. The awards will be coming in December, but we will be getting ready and voting long before then. And we need your help!  From now until October 19, we will […]

The post Now Accepting Nominations – SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Awards appeared first on SoulTracks.

(October 5, 2026) Back in early 2025, Taiwanese soul singer Yufu first grabbed our attention with the track release of “When?” after a SoulTracks First Listen feature highlighted his rising portfolio of soulful self-produced music. Since then, he’s released the full-length album, Heal Me Good, and made considerable noise with his brand of nostalgic funky […]

The post World Premiere: Hot newcomer Yufu returns with “Side Effects” appeared first on SoulTracks.

October 6, 1982 – Lionel Richie goes solo with debut album He was on top of the world as the lead singer and principal songwriter for The Commodores, but on this day in 1982, Lionel Richie completed a much anticipated career move, becoming a solo artist and issuing a massive selling self-titled solo debut album. It […]

The post On This Day in 1982: Lionel Richie leaves the Commodores to go solo appeared first on SoulTracks.

Back in 2017, Memphis singer Porcelan arrived on the scene with about as strong an endorsement as a young soul artist could have: legendary songwriter and producer David Porter serving as executive producer of her debut project. Porter, a SoulTracks Lifetime Achievement Award winner, had long since secured his place in music history through his […]

The post Lost Gem: Legendary Stax man David Porter helped Porcelan find the “Real Thing” appeared first on SoulTracks.

Happy birthday to the late, great Richard Street of The Temptations, born on October 5, 1942. Street was a mainstay in the Temptations during the 1970s and 80s and was the lead vocalist on several major hits. Born in Detroit, he was a child prodigy, talented both as a pianist and as a singer. His […]

The post Happy Heavenly Birthday to Richard Street of the Temptations appeared first on SoulTracks.

Happy birthday to singer supreme Heather Headley, born October 5, 1974. She is a star of stage and radio whose talent seems to know no bounds. Heather Headley, the enchanting songstress, has carved her name into the annals of soul music with a voice that resonates with passion and authenticity. Born on October 5, 1974, in […]

The post Happy Birthday to R&B and stage star Heather Headley appeared first on SoulTracks.

(October 3, 2026) — Contemporary jazz favorite Brian Culbertson is marking a major career milestone with the announcement of his 30th album, The Midnight Tapes, due February 5, 2027. For the new project, Culbertson took a decidedly hands-on approach, playing every instrument himself — 44 in all — including piano, bass, drums, guitar, trumpet, trombone, […]

The post Jazz great Brian Culbertson to release 30th album appeared first on SoulTracks.

(October 3, 2026) Another high-profile music copyright dispute has reached the courts, this time involving one of the most recognizable songs of the past half-century. Mattie Music Group, representing rights in the Bill Withers catalog, has filed suit in federal court in California, alleging that Grammy Award winner Olivia Dean’s 2025 song “I’ve Seen It” […]

The post Lawsuit claims Grammy winner Olivia Dean copied a classic Bill Withers song appeared first on SoulTracks.

There weren’t many soul music acts that were bigger in the 1970s than The Spinners. The quintet, working with master producer Thom Bell, issued a series of charttopping albums and one hit after another — songs that are revered now as much as they were back then. But amid all of the hits was a song that […]

The post SoulTracks Lost Gem: The Spinners teamed with the NBA’s Dr. J for a basketball music rarity appeared first on SoulTracks.

(October 2, 2026) Over the past few years, SoulTrackers have gotten to know Michael J. Calhoun, cofounder of the legendary band Kinsman Dazz Band (later the Dazz Band), who has carried that group’s legacy into the 2020s with a string of hits and SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Award nominations. But Mike also has an alter ego, […]

The post First Listen: Kinsman Dazz Band’s Michael J. Calhoun shows his alter ego appeared first on SoulTracks.

Today we celebrate the birth of the great singer/songwriter, India.Arie, born on October 3, 1975. The Colorado born sister emerged in the early 2000s as a fresh voice whose music transcended genres and really spoke to the depths of human identity. With a career that’s not just about music but also about self-love, empowerment, and […]

The post Happy Birthday to the iconic India.Arie appeared first on SoulTracks.

Happy birthday to Freddie Jackson, born October 2, 1956. Freddie Jackson’s forte has been sophisticated, romantic soul ballads aimed at adult audiences, but he is also capable of tackling urban contemporary dance numbers and even the occasional jazz tune. Yet, unlike many of his peers, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker and Peabo Bryson included, Jackson never managed to make […]

The post Happy Birthday to R&B great Freddie Jackson appeared first on SoulTracks.

(October 1, 2026) Ladies, if you’re good and grown you’ve already been there, you already know the type: he’s your brand of tall dark and handsome the chemistry is crazy and you can’t get enough…unfortunately, other women can’t either, and he doesn’t seem to mind the extra attention. You’re thinking he’s the one, and he’s […]

The post First Listen: Tanya Nolan is feeling “Reckless” appeared first on SoulTracks.

L.T.D. was one of the great groups of the 70s and early 80s. With Jeffrey Osborne’s vocals fronting the great musicians of that group, they issued hit after hit for several years. When Osborne left in 1981, The New Birth singer Leslie Wilson joined and gave the group an absolutely fantastic performance on “Love Magic,” […]

The post SoulTracks Lost Gem: L.T.D. more than survived on “Love Magic” appeared first on SoulTracks.

Happy birthday to Howard Hewett, born October 1, 1955. Howard Hewett is one of the most talented soul singers of the past four decades. In group settings, as a guest vocalist and as a solo singer, Hewett’s virtually irresistible voice has wrapped itself around material of various quality – turning good songs into great records and […]

The post Happy Birthday to R&B great Howard Hewett appeared first on SoulTracks.

(September 30, 2026) Usually, when a person makes the decision to make amends for hurting someone, they want to be more than just forgiven. A small – or not so small – part of them wants reconciliation and absolution. However, some people apologize because they want to repair the harm that they caused, and it […]

The post First Listen: Lizzen gives her “Apologies” appeared first on SoulTracks.

(September 29, 2026) We are devastated to report the unexpected passing of longtime music executive, promoter and label founder Ray Caviano, an influential behind-the-scenes figure whose career touched some of the biggest names in soul, pop and dance music. The news of his passing has led to words of praise and gratitude from artists and […]

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(September 29, 2026) For more than four decades, Jerry Lawson helped define the sound of a cappella music as the unmistakable lead singer of The Persuasions. Now his widow and former manager, Julie Lawson, is helping keep his music and stories alive with a new weekly radio program, Beyond A Cappella. SoulTrackers know Jerry as […]

The post New radio show to honor Persuasions lead singer and soul great Jerry Lawson appeared first on SoulTracks.