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The Story of Soul - Part Two - the Journey to New Jack City, via Funky Town and neo soul.

With the 80s proving that there was a global audience for the new sound of soul and R&B, the emergence of new artists creating it proved exciting. From Luther Vandross to Anita Baker, and not just in the States – the UK chipped in with the likes of Central Line and Heatwave which in turn inspired chart-toppers Soul II Soul, Mica Paris and Lyndon David Hall.

The styles diversified, with the edgier New Jack Swing attracting the developing hip-hop crowd with its distinctive production sound and style. On the opposite end of the spectrum the sound and feel of neo soul saw the emergence of artists like Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, who brought back the relevance of quality writing and performance that lasts the test of time.