Here is a timeless playlist by Essential Media Group, full of essential soulful classics from the 40s, 50s, 60, 70's, 80 and today, including the Philly Soul, and Northern Soul eras. All together with our lates and greatest Soul releases. Enjoy. Send all 

Soul Essentials

Hailing from the Camden, New Jersey / Philadelphia area, a part of the country that became a breeding ground for great vocal groups such as the O’Jays, Stylistics and Blue Magic, three veteran vocal greats come together to form “TRU” - a highly versatile trio that brings the sweet sound of Philly Soul forward for a new generation. Led by James "Jimi" Williams, “TRU” also features vocal great Sim Streeter and the charismatic Billy Maynor. For the new single "I'm Still Waiting For You," the group teams once again with legendary producer Butch Ingram and the equally legendary Society Hill Orchestra to create yet another great piece of modern Philly Soul. Once again, “TRU” have not only carried on the tradition, they have also proven that the sound and vibe of Philly Soul is very much alive and well, thanks to their determined efforts.

I'm Still Waiting for You

Tru - I'm Still Waiting For You

Hailing from the Camden, New Jersey / Philadelphia area, a part of the country that became a breeding ground for great vocal groups such as the O’Jays, Blue Magic and the Stylistics, three seasoned singers come together to form “TRU” - a highly versatile trio that brings the sweet sound of Philly Soul forward for a new generation. Led by James "Jimi" Williams, “TRU” also features the gifted and charismatic Billy Maynor and Ricky Style. Fresh off the success of recent single “I’m Still Waiting For You,” the group reconvened with legendary producer Butch Ingram and his ultra-talented Society Hill Orchestra to create yet another great piece of modern soul in the new full-length offering "Someday We'll All Be Free." Once again, “TRU” have not only carried on the tradition, they have also proven that the sound and vibe of Philly Soul is very much alive and well, thanks to their determined efforts.

Someday We'll All Be Free

Tru - If I Told You.mp3

Tru - I Got My Mind Made Up.mp3

Tru - I'm Still Here.mp3

Tru - All Over Your Face.mp3

Tru - Show You The Way To Go.mp3

Tru - That's The Way Love Goes .mp3

Tru - I Wanna Be By Your Side.mp3

Tru - Let's Make A Baby.mp3

Tru - Someday We'll All Be Free.mp3

Na’eemah Harper is a vocalist with a rare, unforgettable tone and amazing stage presence. She has recorded and shared the stage with artists such as Lauryn Hill, L.L. Cool J, Pink, The O'Jays, Al B. Sure!, Evelyn “Champagne” King and many more. She was thrilled when she was asked to participate in this wonderful recording of Syreeta’s classic “I Wanna Be By Your Side” with the vocal group “TRU.” Coming from Philadelphia and growing up in the Philly sound, it’s finally time for Na’eemah to step to the center of the stage.

I Wanna Be By Your Side

Na'eemah Harper - I Wanna Be By Your Side Ft. TRU

While not the most flamboyant member of the iconic Philly outfit, Richard Pratt was a key to the act’s success, with his formidable writing skills and immense vocal prowess, helping to make Blue Magic one of the truly great vocal groups of the 1970s, and Philadelphia soul royalty.  Formed by Temple University student Ted 'Wizard' Mills, with some friends, the group scored an early hit with Mills' composition "Spell." When the other members who participated in the recording balked at touring, Mills merged with local band Shades of Love (Richard Pratt, along with Vernon Sawyer, Wendell Sawyer, and Keith 'Duke' Beaton) to form the nucleus of Blue Magic that would top the charts for years to come. The five members of Blue Magic reunited in 2018 for an episode of TV One's music biography show, Unsung. It was the first time they had all been together in nearly three decades, and they mulled over the possibility of a full reunion, though that never materialized. Now, with the untimely death of Pratt in early 2022, that dream has faded. As we celebrate the half century of musical greatness he brought to the world, we still have his music to carry us through. Pratt had recently gotten together with his dear friend and legendary producer Butch Ingram to record a new song he had written. "Sweetest Girl In The World" marks the final time Pratt would grace a recording studio, and we are all the more fortunate to have yet another memento of his supreme talent that will surely inspire future generations of Philly Soul artists for years to come.

Sweetest Girl In The World

Richard Pratt - Sweetest Girl In The World ( Instrumental)

Richard Pratt - Sweetest Girl In The World

A quartet of supremely talented vocalists: Lorna Young, sisters Alicia and Denise Amaro, and Sandra Gail Brown all come from musical families and grew up singing in church from an early age. This new group call themselves Fillies Finazz, and they truly are Philly's finest. Lorna Young, the brainchild behind this new aggregation, knew the minute she assembled this fine cast of experienced vocalists that she had indeed found something special. Between the Amaro sisters impeccable blood harmony, and the unique, diverse stylings of Young and Brown, Fillies Finazz represent a vocal quartet at the top of their game. The group met with the famed Philly Soul producer Butch Ingram from Society Hill Records to discuss a new recording project and work began in earnest on the recently released full-length album “Singing For Tomorrow.” After three subsequent advance singles garnered positive reviews from DJs and music professionals from around the world, the fabulous foursome delivers yet another potential hit with their stellar take on a classic gem from The Emotions, “So I Can Love You” which opens the album with a flourish. Presented here is a special mix of the track geared for radio, as well as an instrumental version.

So I Can Love You

Fillies Finazz - So I Can Love You (Instrumental)

Fillies Finazz - So I Can Love You (Radio Mix)

Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes were one of the dynamic groups that came out of Gamble and Huff’s Sound of Philadelphia and went on to become one of the most popular acts of the 1970s. Carrying on this long standing tradition of excellence, “The Legendary Bluenotes” now consist of Sugarbear Aikens, Sonny King, Rock’n Ramon Bentley and Frank Lee. The group recently reconvened with famed producer Butch Ingram to record its well-received second full-length offering entitled “Where Is My Baby.” Presented here is the standout track from that album, “Anything For My Baby,” a wonderful original penned for the group by Ingram which has been newly remixed for this special single release.

Anything For My Baby (Radio Mix)

The Legendary Bluenotes Feat. Sugarbear - Anything For My Baby (Radio Mix )

Augustus "Gus" Georgia is such a devotee of The Godfather of Soul that he actually changed his surname (real name: Augustus Riley) to pay tribute to the little town in the Peach State where the late great James Brown was raised. Being able to sing and perform Brown's complete catalog is his stock and trade, so he hooked up with one of the hottest production teams in Florida to record and deliver a well-received tribute album. The blitz of positive feedback from club and radio DJs proved that Gus was definitely on to something special. With touring still problematic due to the state of the world, Gus headed back to the studio and recorded the follow-up "Synthetic Substitution - Disco Loops & Breaks" just to prove that he wasn't a one-trick pony. The new album was culled from a wide range of funky soulful material - taking some of his personal favorite jams and reinventing them in a style that places the accent on funky loops and breaks to bring the best bits forward. With a few original tunes mixed in for good measure, and only one James Brown song which appropriately ends the album, Augustus Georgia truly shows us the depth of his range through the symbiotic relationship he's obviously developed with his team of producers. The lead single from the new album, "I've Got Just The Thing," is a complete reworking of Lou Courtney's 1967 soul funk hit featuring a total of four mixes including bonus instrumental and acappella takes for the discerning bedroom DJ.

I've Got Just The Thing

Augustus Georgia - I've Got Just The Thing

Augustus "Gus" Georgia first made a name for himself as a masterful interpreter of the late great James Brown's music, infusing it with his own modern sensibilities. Spending countless hours in the studio with his team of producers, Gus has emerged as a skilled songwriter in his own right, while still retaining all the funk and swagger of his main inspiration. Gus keeps bringing the music forward with each passing release, and his new single, "Stir The Beans," is yet another example of his exceptional talent and creativity. The new single includes the original studio mix plus bonus extended, instrumental and acappella takes.

Stir The Beans

Augustus Georgia - Stir The Beans

Flashback

Closer Than Close

Do You Get Enough Love

Essential Media Group LLC. is a South Florida based record label specializing in multiple genres encompassing all eras of Folk, Blues, Jazz, Classical, World, Rock, R&B and Pop including current Hip Hop, Dancehall, Reggaeton and Dance/Electronic Music.