The Best Soul & R&B Albums of the 1970s
Our pick of the essential soul & r&b records released in the 1970s, ranked.
-
1What's Going OnMarvin Gaye
What's Going On
A seamless song-suite on war, poverty and the environment, Gaye's defiant break from Motown's hit factory. Lush, jazzy and politically urgent, it reframed what soul could address. Often called the greatest soul album ever.
-
2Songs in the Key of LifeStevie Wonder
Songs in the Key of Life
A double album of staggering range and generosity, the centrepiece of Wonder's golden run. Funk, jazz, ballads and social commentary all sit comfortably together. Exhaustive, joyous and essential.
-
3InnervisionsStevie Wonder
Innervisions
Tight, visionary and politically charged, blending synth-funk with social realism on tracks like 'Living for the City'. Wonder plays much of it himself. A peak of the singer-songwriter-as-one-man-band ideal.
-
4Super FlyCurtis Mayfield
Super Fly
A socially conscious soundtrack that outshone its film, layering lush strings and funk over unflinching street narratives. 'Freddie's Dead' and the title track are classics. Beautiful and clear-eyed.
-
5Let's Get It OnMarvin Gaye
Let's Get It On
A landmark of sensual soul, lush and intimate, home to its iconic title track. Warm and influential. A genre cornerstone.
-
6Here, My DearMarvin Gaye
Here, My Dear
A raw, sprawling divorce concept album of startling candour. Bold and reappraised. A cult favourite.
-
7Talking BookStevie Wonder
Talking Book
Where Wonder's classic period truly opens up, home to 'Superstition' and 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life'. Warm, funky and melodically rich. A perfect entry to his run of 1970s masterpieces.
-
8Let's Stay TogetherAl Green
Let's Stay Together
Smooth, sensual Memphis soul defined by Green's falsetto and Willie Mitchell's warm production. The title track is a standard for good reason. A bedroom-soul cornerstone.
-
9Call MeAl Green
Call Me
A peak of Hi Records soul, smooth and warm with country touches. Sensual and beautifully produced. One of his best.
-
10There's a Riot Goin' OnSly and the Family Stone
There's a Riot Goin' On
A murky, exhausted masterpiece that answered the optimism of the 60s with funk's dark night of the soul. Dense and influential. A radical, essential record.
-
11Still BillBill Withers
Still Bill
Warm, plain-spoken soul of enormous craft, home to 'Lean on Me' and 'Use Me'. Direct and timeless. His finest record.
-
12Young, Gifted and BlackAretha Franklin
Young, Gifted and Black
A soulful, mature peak of gospel-charged R&B. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.
-
13I Want YouMarvin Gaye
I Want You
A lush, sensual concept album of slow-burning soul. Smooth and beloved. A high point.
-
14CurtisCurtis Mayfield
Curtis
A lush, socially conscious solo debut. Smooth and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
-
153+3The Isley Brothers
3+3
A peak of funky soul and rock guitar, home to 'That Lady'. Smooth and influential. A 70s classic.
-
16Extension of a ManDonny Hathaway
Extension of a Man
A lush, orchestral peak of soulful depth. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
-
17That's the Way of the WorldEarth, Wind & Fire
That's the Way of the World
A peak of lush, uplifting funk-soul, home to 'Shining Star'. Polished and joyful. Their best.
-
18Maggot BrainFunkadelic
Maggot Brain
A psychedelic-funk landmark opening with a guitar elegy for the ages. Wild and visionary. A genre cornerstone.
-
19One Nation Under a GrooveFunkadelic
One Nation Under a Groove
A joyous, danceable funk peak of communal energy. Tight and influential. A genre high point.
-
20Mothership ConnectionParliament
Mothership Connection
A cosmic, horn-driven P-Funk landmark of sci-fi groove. Funky and influential. A genre cornerstone.
-
21Music of My MindStevie Wonder
Music of My Mind
The album where Wonder seized creative control, all synths and invention. Bold and beloved. A turning point.
-
22Fulfillingness' First FinaleStevie Wonder
Fulfillingness' First Finale
A reflective, funky peak of his classic run. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
-
23I'm Still in Love with YouAl Green
I'm Still in Love with You
A warm, sensual Hi Records peak. Smooth and beloved. A high point.
-
24Amazing GraceAretha Franklin
Amazing Grace
A towering live gospel album, the best-selling of her career. Powerful and historic. A landmark.
-
25Just as I AmBill Withers
Just as I Am
An intimate debut of acoustic-leaning soul, introducing 'Ain't No Sunshine'. Honest and understated. A quietly perfect record.
-
26Pieces of a ManGil Scott-Heron
Pieces of a Man
A foundational fusion of soul, jazz and spoken word, home to 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised'. Sharp and influential. A proto-rap landmark.
-
27FreshSly and the Family Stone
Fresh
A loose, funky post-Riot record of reinvented grooves. Influential and warm. A genre favourite.
-
28ShaftIsaac Hayes
Shaft
A funky, cinematic soundtrack landmark, home to its Oscar-winning theme. Sleek and influential. A 70s classic.
-
29Ship AhoyThe O'Jays
Ship Ahoy
A lush, socially conscious Philly-soul peak. Powerful and beloved. A high point.
-
30C'est ChicChic
C'est Chic
A peak of sophisticated disco, home to 'Le Freak'. Sleek and huge. A genre cornerstone.
-
31RisqueChic
Risque
A peak of sophisticated disco-funk, home to 'Good Times'. Sleek and hugely influential on hip-hop. A dancefloor landmark.
-
32All 'n AllEarth, Wind & Fire
All 'n All
A lavish, spiritual funk-soul peak. Polished and beloved. A high point.
-
33Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo SyndromeParliament
Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome
A cosmic P-Funk peak, home to 'Flash Light'. Funky and beloved. A high point.
-
34Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will FollowFunkadelic
Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow
A wild, psychedelic-funk landmark of acid-rock intensity. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.
-
35The World Is a GhettoWar
The World Is a Ghetto
A smooth, socially conscious funk-soul peak of Latin and jazz textures. Groovy and warm. A 70s favourite.
-
36Trouble ManMarvin Gaye
Trouble Man
A lush, jazzy soundtrack peak of cinematic soul. Smooth and beloved. A cult favourite.
-
37RootsCurtis Mayfield
Roots
A lush, socially conscious soul peak. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.