# What is the best soul album of all time?

> From Motown polish to Philadelphia grit, gospel-soaked landmarks share the stage with smooth quiet-storm classics and adventurous future-funk experiments. Where do you stand?

*By YPB Team · Published April 16, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-soul-album-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **What's Going On**
   Marvin Gaye's 1971 concept album about war, poverty, and the environment that redefined what a soul record could be.
2. **Songs in the Key of Life**
   Stevie Wonder's sprawling 1976 double album touching politics, spirituality, and love at the absolute peak of his powers.
3. **I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You**
   Aretha Franklin's 1967 Atlantic debut that established her as the Queen of Soul with raw, gospel-fired performances.
4. **Call Me**
   Al Green's 1973 Memphis soul classic blending tender ballads, country, and gospel under Willie Mitchell's lush production.
5. **Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul**
   Otis Redding's 1965 Stax masterpiece, recorded in just 28 hours and packed with his signature interpretive anthems.
6. **Live at the Apollo**
   James Brown's 1963 landmark concert recording credited with reshaping live R&B albums for generations to come.
7. **Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963**
   Sam Cooke's raw, sweaty 1963 club performance, shelved for two decades and finally released to reveal his unfiltered side.
8. **Super Fly**
   Curtis Mayfield's 1972 soundtrack masterpiece blending lush orchestration with sharp social commentary on inner-city life.
9. **Sign o' the Times**
   Prince's 1987 ambitious double album fusing funk, rock, gospel, and pop at the absolute peak of his creative powers.
10. **Off the Wall**
   Michael Jackson's 1979 Quincy Jones-produced disco-soul triumph that launched his adult solo superstardom.
11. **That's the Way of the World**
   Earth, Wind & Fire's 1975 lush spiritual-funk landmark featuring 'Shining Star' and 'Reasons.'
12. **3 + 3**
   The Isley Brothers' 1973 genre-blending LP where Ernie Isley's psychedelic guitar leads 'That Lady' and 'Summer Breeze.'
13. **There's a Riot Goin' On**
   Sly and the Family Stone's murky, paranoid 1971 funk landmark that dismantled the band's earlier optimism.
14. **All Directions**
   The Temptations' 1972 psychedelic-soul peak, anchored by the seven-minute epic 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone.'
15. **Imagination**
   Gladys Knight & the Pips' 1973 Buddah Records breakthrough featuring the Grammy-winning 'Midnight Train to Georgia.'
16. **Back Stabbers**
   The O'Jays' 1972 Philadelphia soul masterwork combining lush strings with sharp social commentary.
17. **CrazySexyCool**
   TLC's 1994 diamond-certified blend of new jack swing, hip-hop soul, and quiet storm balladry that defined a decade.
18. **II**
   Boyz II Men's 1994 multi-platinum blockbuster of a cappella harmonies and slow-jam ballads that defined 90s R&B.
19. **Rapture**
   Anita Baker's 1986 smooth-jazz-tinged quiet storm classic anchored by 'Sweet Love' and 'Caught Up in the Rapture.'
20. **Diamond Life**
   Sade's 1984 sophisticated debut blending soul, jazz, and Latin rhythms with Sade Adu's signature cool vocals.

Tags: r&b, music, 80s, 70s, funk, soul