Here are some websites you absolutely must visit if you're a fan of soul music, R&B music, and the music that brought them about. A trip through the history of Rhythm & Blues is a trip through the history of America. Enjoy the ride... we'll meet right back here.

Martin Rivas - Mart appears throughout NYC a few times a week performing vintage soul and left-of-center songs from other genres on acoustic with his buddy Craig Meyer on percussion... Mart also has a few albums of original material for sale. Check it out!

AMG All Music Guide - an excellent starting point. Provides comprehensive bios of nearly every artist in every genre of music, along with maps that link artists and styles to each other in terms of influence and effect.

Jeff Kazee - Keyboardist for Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Steve Cropper, and a member (for one show, anyway) of What It Is.

Felix Hernandez' Rhythm Revue - Felix is fast becoming as legendary as those deejays he idolizes! Catch his show every Saturday morning on WBGO, 88.3fm.

Soulsville U.S.A. - The home of the history of Stax Records of Memphis, TN. Learn about the new Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Stax Music Academy, being built on the site of the legendary Stax Recording Studio on McLemore Avenue in Memphis.

The Motown Historical Museum - It's still there, unlike Stax... the recording machines, the drums, the piano, the vibraphone... there's no substitute for seeing it in person (get there while you can!), but this will get you started.

Otis Redding - The greatest soul singer. Ever.

Soul Patrol - All things soul.

Sweet Soul Music - Internet radio station devoted to the great Soul Music of the 1960's. Broadcasting in broadband, and playing deep, rare prime cuts of pure soul!

Memphis Rock n Soul Museum - A must-visit (along with about 500 other places) next time you're in Memphis. Prepared by the Smithsonian Institution, combines the histories of Rhythm and Blues with Rock and Roll, focusing on the cultural influences and effects of both forms of music. Like we said, an absolute must-visit... if you want to make a musical pilgrimage, all roads lead to Memphis.

Sun Studio - Yes, the birthplace of rock and roll, but did you know that what many consider to be the first-ever rock and roll record was recorded right here, not by Elvis Presley, not by Jerry Lee Lewis... but by Ike Turner? Yes! "Rocket 88" was sung by Jackie Brentson, but written and played on piano by Ike.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum - An awful lot of R&B artists are enshrined here... it's definitely worth a visit.

Country Music Hall of Fame - You'll be surprised how intertwined the evolution of R&B is with the evolution of Country music and the blues. Complete your education by paying a visit.

Liquid V - John's buddy Greg's band...

Average White Band - The funky soulsters from Scotland!

Tower of Power - The funky soulsters from Oakland, CA!

The Funk Filharmonik - An absolutely dynamite northeast-based cover band (much like us!), featuring Tommy Bowes, former lead singer of Tower of Power.

GMS Drums - The only drums you'll see John Rogers sitting behind!

Al Green - The official website of the great Rev. Al Green.

Rhino Records Soul & R&B Catalog - Ready to buy some of the great music you hear What It Is cover at their soulful R&B revues? You can find most of it here at Rhino Records!

 

Plenty more links coming soon! If you'd like to suggest one, e-mail us!