Any description of smooth soul not only crosses geographical designations to include a broad assortment of soul artists, but also pretty much begins and ends with Barry White. While other singers such as Motown's Marvin Gaye (Let's Get It On, I Want You), Memphis' Al Green (Let's Stay Together), and Philadelphia's Spinners (Mighty Love) would put out velvety, romantic albums amidst their other stylistic ambitions, White made them the sole focus of his recording career, becoming soul's ultimate love man with his parade of lengthily named smash singles between 1974-79. As White became synonymous with the lush sound of smooth soul--an elegant and sensual potion of slyly funky, slow-to-mid-tempo rhythms, sexual innuendo-laden lyrics, and oftentimes, opulent strings--others such as Bill Withers, Minnie Riperton, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes experienced similar success in the mellow 1970s, although history has perhaps unfairly lessened their contribution in the face of White's legend.

Notable Artists: Barry White; Marvin Gaye; Al Green; Bill Withers