It's a Soul Thang

A lot of what used to be "soul" was Motown music. I have a boxed set that is great -- Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971. If you don't want the earlier stuff, just looking through the song list on Amazon might provide some new names and titles.

Try Funky Nassau, The Meters, the Counts, early Commodores (from the 70s), Tower of Power, Graham Central Station, (most of these are a combo of funk and soul with horns) as well as the Five Stairsteps, Freda Payne, James Brown, Jr Walker, the Stylistics and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas just to name a few for the more sounful stuff you are referring to.

Just what I had on mind Fmpnd. Tower of Power performed a while back near here and were still great. I'd also add Harold Melvin among others. Many you mention are those that I remember well when mentioned. Funk is cool, too. Bootsy, Parliament and all.....and of course, JB goes without needed mention! :-)

How bout some specific titles, too. Some artists kinda were around the board. For instance, the Temptations. Many only think of My Girl and such as that, but Sky's the Limit and Psych Shack are very different - the long version of "Smilin' Faces" (on Sky) is to be blown away by - very "urban" and with a killer, repetetive bass lien that draws you in like a magnet.