the soul capital of the world?

[button]

Ok so pound for pound, which US city would you say gave us the greatest soul and funk music? There are the big names in history like Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, NOLA, Philly and so on. But then you've got the smaller cities. Although not as prolific, some of them put out some seriously heavy records as well. I'm thinking of places like Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Baton Rouge etc... Then also, there are the bigger cities that never got a lot of credit in the Historical sense. Places like Houston or Miami. I definitely don't have an answer to this. I'd be comfortable saying that the Rust Belt as a region put out some seriously massive cuts on all fronts, and is probably where I'd start. But to narrow it down to one city is too tough. Anyone?

 

[SoulOnIce]

There really can't be a capital city, because the styles are
too diverse. The styles are too distinct to be compared so
generally. In other words, Detroit. haha.

 

[button]

Detroit

Agreed. Well that concludes this thread I suppose.

 

[beatlust]

it isnt durango colorado.

 

[luck]

Detroit

Agreed. Well that concludes this thread I suppose.

Until the one Mr. Canal lets us all know that Detroit is where The Lizards come from and that New Orleans is the One True Funk And Soul City Ever.

 

[breadwinner]

digging for soul in detroit =

 

[pickwick33]

digging for soul in detroit =

is that bad or good?

 

[pickwick33]

But then you've got the smaller cities. Although not as prolific, some of them put out some seriously heavy records as well. I'm thinking of places like Indianapolis, Milwaukee,

Some killer soul records may have come from those cities, but to call them soul capitals is a stretch.

 

[Deejay_OM]

if it's not detroit...it's chicago...


if it's not chicago...it's either nyc or l.a.

 

[Big_Chan]

 

[meatyogre]

if it's not detroit...it's chicago...


if it's not chicago...it's detroit

 

[Birdman9]

if it's not detroit...it's chicago...


if it's not chicago...it's detroit

Can DC get a close 3rd? I would say Chicago and Detroit are in a three-way tie with Memphis as the top spots.

 

[ness]

detroit. detroit. detroit.

so many labels pre-motown. so many people making music.

but the whole funk triangle in the midwest, ohio, illinois, indiana.

 

[The_Hook_Up]

Memphis.

All the ingredients were here, raw R&B, gospel...I would argue soul was born here.

More like a syncronicity with Detroit...happened at the same time in two different places, but I gotta rep the hometown.

 

[TNG]

I don't know how it could not be Chicago. Anyone who's ever seen Dante's discography knows this is true.

 

[Deejay_OM]

I don't know how it could not be Chicago. Anyone who's ever seen Dante's discography knows this is true.

and yet...it's detroit...

 

[DJFerrari]

How about a March Madness style bracket to determine the winner? I'd pick Detroit

 

[Deejay_OM]

How about a March Madness style bracket to determine the winner? I'd pick Detroit

I've said my final four...

Detroit (winner), Chicago (second), L.A., NYC

 

[Soulhawk]

I don't know how it could not be Chicago. Anyone who's ever seen Dante's discography knows this is true.

pfffff

Dante would list Andy Warhol as a Pittburgh artist & you know that ain't right

 

[DJFerrari]

How about a March Madness style bracket to determine the winner? I'd pick Detroit

I've said my final four...

Detroit (winner), Chicago (second), L.A., NYC
I'd replace LA and NYC with NOLA and Memphis. You gotta give it up to them for being associated with soul music more. LA and NYC (and Chicago) had more output just cuz of the size of the city, but nobody really associates those cities with soul when speaking of them.