Atlantic Soul

When Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson started their independent label back in 1947, could they have envisioned the soul-music powerhouse that would emerge? Guided in the studio by producer Jerry Wexler and engineer Tom Dowd, Atlantic became a place where soul virtuosos came to break through. Donny Hathaway ("The Ghetto"), already a successful songwriter and session man, came into his own at Atlantic. Joe Tex, a hit-making songwriter for others, charted big-time with his proto-rap in the super-funky "Skinny Legs and All." And Aretha Franklin, stifled at former label Columbia, moved to Atlantic, expressed herself at last, and earned due "Respect" as "the Queen of Soul."

Some Atlantic legends — such as Joe Tex, who had the first Southern-soul/pop crossover hit with "Hold What You've Got" — are forever linked with the label. Yet for many soul artists, Atlantic was one stop on long and varied careers. The Ikettes, whose steady stream of modest hits quietly made them one of the most successful female R&B groups of their time, hit for Atlantic with the Ike Turner-penned "I'm Blue (the Gong Gong Song)," while Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells recorded the poignant ballad "I'm Still Waiting," written by the great Curtis Mayfield, before slimming down to a trio and becoming LaBelle.

"Good God almighty!" sing the Dynamics on the soul smoothie "Ice Cream Song." Their heartfelt interjection is intended to make a point about everlasting love. But they could just as well be shoutin' over the depth of the Atlantic Records catalog, where you'll find solo hits for each member of soul supergroup Soul Clan (composed of Solomon Burke, Arthur Conley, Don Covay, Ben E. King, and Joe Tex) as well as the outfit's smash-hit-that-might-have-been, "That's How It Feels." Meanwhile, Roberta Flack explores her own depth with jazz-inflected album cuts like "Gone Away," and Aretha Franklin does it "My Way" and makes yet another cut all her own.

Founded by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson in New York City before the second half of the last century even began, Atlantic Records started out as a small, indie label devoted to jazz and R&B. It wasn't long, however, before Atlantic — catalyzed by dedicated genius, including that of legendary soul producer Jerry Wexler and engineer Tom Dowd; key relationships with Southern-soul studio Stax and distribution giant Warner Bros.; and an astounding instinct for talent — became one of the all-time great soul generators. Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, the Spinners . . . the list of Atlantic soul greats is matched only by the depth of the label's soul catalog, the best of which we've painstakingly gathered right here in playlists of hits, choice album cuts, and rarities.