Our Readers Picked the 50 Best Soul Albums of the 1970s

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Music means an awful lot to the readers of SoulTracks, and so they’re passionate about the soul music of their lives. So when we asked them to help choose some of the greatest music of the past 60 years in a series of reader polls, they jumped right in.

Over the course of several weeks, thousands of SoulTrackers nominated and then voted on the Greatest Soul Albums of the 1970s. The results were a great selection of 50 essential albums for Soul Music lovers. You may or may not agree with the choices (no fighting please!), but it’s tough to go wrong with any of these. For soul music lovers, this is a binge-worthy list

You can click on the album covers (or the blue highlighted words) below to listen to or purchase the albums at Amazon.com.

AND CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RESULTS OF OUR OTHER POLLS 

1  Earth Wind & Fire

 That’s the Way of the World  

2  Marvin Gaye

 What’s Going On

3  Stevie Wonder
Songs In the Key of Life
4  Michael Jackson
Off The Wall
5  Marvin Gaye
Let’s Get It On
6  Curtis Mayfield
Superfly
7  Al Green
I’m Still In Love With You
8  Stevie Wonder
Innervisions
9  The O’Jays
Ship Ahoy
 10   War
The World Is A Ghetto

11. ParliamentMothership Connection

12. The SpinnersThe Spinners

13. The Isley Brothers – 3 + 3

14. The Stylistics – The Stylistics

15. The Commodores – The Commodores

16. Isaac Hayes – Hot Buttered Soul

17. Roberta Flack & Donny HathawayRoberta Flack and Donny Hathaway

18. Rufus feat. Chaka KhanAsk Rufus

19. Marvin GayeI Want You

20. Maze – Inspiration

21. Donny Hathaway – Extension of a Man

22. Heatwave – Too Hot to Handle

23. Average White Band – AWB

24. Gladys Knight & the Pips – Imagination

25. Barry White – I’ve Got So Much to Give

26. Isaac Hayes – Shaft

27. The Temptations – All Directions

28. Minnie Riperton – Perfect Angel

29. Four Tops – Still Water

30. Sly and the Family Stone – There’s a Riot Goin’ On

31. Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted and Black

32. Kool & The Gang – Wild and Peaceful

33. Norman Connors – You Are My Starship

34. Natalie Cole – Inseparable

35. Ray Goodman & Brown Special Lady

36. Earth Wind & Fire All N All

37. Bill WithersStill Bill

38. Stevie WonderTalking Book

39. ChicC’est Chic

40. Harold Melvin & The Blue NotesWake Up Everybody

41. The JacksonsDestiny 

42. Donna SummerBad Girls

43. Diana RossThe Boss

44. Four Tops Keeper of the Castle

45. EnchantmentOnce Upon A Dream

46. Prince Prince

47. Ohio PlayersHoney

48. James BrownHell

49. Smokey RobinsonA Quiet Storm

50. TavaresSkyhigh

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