The work of African-American artists was referred to as "race music" until Billboard magazine adopted the term "Rhythm and Blues" in the late 1940's.
Early R&B evolved from Blues (chords and riffs) and Jazz (swing rhythms and a horn-driven line-up). By the mid-1950's the subgenres Doo Wop, Electric Blues, and New Orleans R&B had emerged. Urbanized R&B became the Soul of the 1960's from which Funk emerged a decade later.
Urban is the smooth, polished R&B/Soul of the 1980's and 1990's. Contemporary R&B retains the slick production values while reclaiming the grit and spirit of classic R&B and Soul.
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- Soulgalore Audio samples, articles, chat, soundcards, discussion forum, and shopping links.
- E-Jams An interactive music survey with contests, chat rooms, trivia, music charts, bulletin boards, merchandise, links and music information.
- Showtime At The Regal Theater The Regal Theater provided some of the greatest black live entertainment in Chicago. Site details pictures and history.
- East Coast Groove Article about the 70's east coast bands.
- Soul Walking Toby Walker's guide to soul music, including over a thousand biographies of artists.
- Topix: R&B News about rhythm and blues, collected from various sources on the web.
- Stax Museum of American Soul Music Official site features history, music, merchandise, and news on the home of the Memphis Sound.