Seltmann The Art of Soul Covers

In the early 1960s, when African American music broke out of the church and artists like Ray Charles and Sam Cooke infused gospel with secular lyrics to reach a new audience, the 7" single became the medium of choice. The early soul LPs were mostly compilations of successful singles, enriched with cover versions. This radically changed in 1971 when Marvin Gaye released "What's Going On" against the resistance of his label Motown. After that, there was no stopping. Sly & The Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, The Temptations, James Brown, and countless woefully overlooked groups used the medium to comment on social issues and experiment. Songs stretched over ten minutes, breaking away from the radio-friendly three-minute format. Additionally, the music acquired a visual aesthetic; musicians gained a face and shared their stories on the back covers. Those who previously swooned over Al Green's voice could now hold an LP featuring him lounging in a white suit on a wicker chair. Today, original LPs are traded for sometimes staggering sums. Record stores and online marketplaces are booming. The tactile experience of the record, the crackle when the needle hits the groove, the analog playback, and not least the DJ culture have simply resisted the logic of technological progress. It is said that the dead live longer, and this certainly applies to the LP. This calendar is dedicated to that aura that only an original pressing can possess.