Vibe Vibe
  • News
    • Entertainment
    • National
    • Sports
    • Events
    • Movies & TV
  • Music
    • Videos
    • New Releases
    • Live Reviews
    • Album Reviews
    • Music Premieres
  • Features
    • Digital Covers
    • Opinion
    • Lists
  • Style
    • Fashion
    • Lifestyle
  • Vixen
  • Viva

Follow Vibe

The Vibe Mix Newsletter

All things VIBE. Daily - Straight to your inbox.
By subscribing, I agree to the
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
All things VIBE. You have signed up and will start receiving the Vibe Mix Newsletter immediately.
Music Videos New Releases Live Reviews Album Reviews Music Premieres
Nostalgia, Ultra: 5 New Artists Bringing Retro Soul to R&B

Nostalgia, Ultra: 5 New Artists Bringing Retro Soul to R&B

March 22, 2012 - 5:20 pm by VIBE

From R.Kelly and Raphael Saadiq to Amy Winehouse and Adele, music has seen a notable retro movement in R&B the past few years. And it's no wonder why--there's a certain heart that can be attributed to soul music of the past. With VIBE recently premiering Austin Brown’s retro-tinged “City of Angels," we figured we'd put you on to a few more artists riding the same wave. Come along and ride on our fantastic voyage. We're taking you back in time, 21st century style. —Stephanie Long

Nostalgia, Ultra: 5 New Artists Bringing Retro Soul to R&B
1
6

Nostalgia, Ultra: 5 New Artists Bringing Retro Soul to R&B

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
2
6

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

What’s interesting about Sharon Jones is that she doesn’t consider this band's music to be retro at all, “but we are doing R&B,” she said in an interview. Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings also aren't necessarily new to the music scene. The group’s been doing the damn thing since the '90s, but it wasn’t until late 2011 that their vintage sound caught on to the mainstream, nabbing the ears of VH1, and gaining them a feature on the network’s “You Oughta Know” list. Their latest effort "Soul Time!" revives the spirit and feel of 70’s funk and soul. “He Said I Can” is one of its standouts. Listen to "He Said I Can" here
Michael Kiwanuka
3
6

Michael Kiwanuka

“Lord, I need good, good lovin,” the British soul singer croons on his song from his "Tell Me A Tale" EP. With a voice as moving as Bill Withers’, it’s almost uncanny how easily Michael Kiwanuka could have been a star in 1971. Instead, he’s making his way in 2012, already winning the year’s BBC Sound of 2012 poll. Listen to "Tell Me A Tale" here
Aloe Blacc
4
6

Aloe Blacc

If you’ve been closely following VIBE, you remember Aloe Blacc’s “You Make Me Smile” video that we shared a few weeks ago. We’ve been checking Aloe ever since he landed the "How To Make It In America" theme song with “I Need A Dollar” (Yup – that was him), so it was only appropriate that we included him here. Listen to "I Need A Dollar/Life So Hard" here
5
6

Graffiti6’s debut album "Colours" boasts vibrant splashes of psychedelic R&B and pop. If you need a comparison, think Gnarls Barkley. No Cee-Lo here, but with lead singer Jamie Scott noting childhood influences such as Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, you can bet their single “Free” resonates with just as much soul. Listen to "Free" here
Gary Clark Jr.
6
6

Gary Clark Jr.

The Gary Clark Jr. we’ve come to know since Rolling Stone crowned "Bright Lights" as one of the best albums of 2011 is gritty, earthy and rugged. But “Please Come Home” offers a softer side of the soulful up-and-comer, capturing him in a heartfelt attempt to lure his girl back into his arms. Whether or not he wins back his prized woman is a mystery, but one thing’s for sure: that Motown falsetto would have left Eddie Kendricks proud. Listen to "Please Come Home" here
In This Story:
  • Music
  • FACEBOOK
  • TWITTER
  • EMAIL ME
6
View the next gallery
Kanye West's 'Air Yeezy 2' Sneaker Likely to Be Released in April

The Vibe Mix Newsletter

All things VIBE. Daily - Straight to your inbox.
By subscribing, I agree to the
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
All things VIBE. You have signed up and will start receiving the Vibe Mix Newsletter immediately.

Top Stories

Style

23h ago

Nike x Virgil Abloh Release ICONS Sneaker Book Published By TASCHEN

Style

3d ago

Bob Marley x Cult Of Individuality Collab On New 2021 Capsule Collection

News

1w ago

Cardi B Lands Leading Role In Comedy ‘Assisted Living’

  • News
  • Music
  • Features
  • Style
  • Vixen
  • Viva
  • Contact Us
  • ADVERTISING

© 2021 Vibe Media, LLC. All rights reserved. VIBE is a registered trademark of Vibe Media, LLC.

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • AdChoices
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • EU Privacy Preferences
  • Billboard
  • The Hollywood Reporter
  • VIBE