Eccentric Sweet Soul Various Artists

So what is Sweet Soul? Maybe the sweet spot between lowrider and symphonic soul? Lush yet vibrant production, seemingly wrapped in audible silk, sure to give every listener pause. Either way, if one thing is certain, its purpose stays perfectly clear. Pleasure, low and slow, bajito y suavecito. Every kiss begins with soul, or sweet soul for low rides.

Sweet soul is the predecessor to what we now call modern soul. It came into its own in the late ’60s and ’70s, alongside—but apart from—the grittier, funk-driven soul dominating the airwaves. Where that music pushed hard rhythms and raw emotion, sweet soul softened the edges. It favored melody, warmth, and polish, giving it a calm, lush feel that made it easy to return to, and easy to love, even de- cades later.