The New Neo-Soul

“There is nothing new about soul,” says Jill Scott when responding against her music being categorized in the “genre” of Neo-Soul. She was absolutely correct. Soul music has been around for years and it just keeps revolving

and evolving to the point that you can’t readily identify who is doing the singing. This is something that soul music experienced in the 70’s: Think Bobby Caldwell, Gino Vannelli, and KC and the Sunshine Band.

Now we find a collection of artists today from all around the world creating, what we dare say, “neo-soul” music and resurrecting that vibe. And do you remember that vibe? Do you remember how you felt and the vibe that was created when you first heard the main three “neo-soul” archetypes: D’Angelo (Brown Sugar 1995), Erykah Badu (Baduizm 1996 & Mama’s Gun 2000) or Jill Scott (Who is Jill Scott?-Words and Sounds Vol I 2000)? Their sounds made you reach for the incense (Nag Champa of course), pour your favorite libation or maybe have a conversation with Lady Mary Jane and just vibe.

It was in this spirit that The New Neo Budda Mix (budda, i.e. “butter” not Buddha, but if you want to call it such so be it) was created with current artists setting a vibe the same way the archetypes did some 20-25 years ago. It’s that feeling that this playlist seeks to evoke. And to show you that the vibe from back then can vibe with the current, we slid in songs from the three archetypes’ first albums (yup, we’re dating ourselves). Oh! Also check out the back-to-back-to back play of 3 different interpretations (and spelling in one case) of Flowers by three artists from different parts of the world: 30/70 from Australia; Sara Lugo from France and Sampa the Great representing Botswana via her birthplace of Zambia. See if you can determine the three interpretations. Have a happy ears experience!!

*The use of the term “neo-soul” was only used to take you back in time to that vibe and when the term was first used and accepted. Since, we understand that this “genre” is disrespectful to the musicians who prefer not to be categorized as such.