The problem with providing you with a nice simple definition of a soul
instrumental is that soul music is itself notoriously difficult to
define (as shown many times on this list). To further complicate
matters, a definition will (as you already mentioned) usually start with
reference to the vocal style - Gospel passion applied to secular lyrics
with an eye to the dancefloor sensibilities of rhythm & blues would be a
decent start but still sorely inadequate. So the only foolproof
description you'll get of a soul instrumental is "It sounds like soul
music, but there's no vocal on it" - not much help if you're confused
about what soul music sounds like to start with which is why a list of
examples is more instructive. Listen to a decent number of them and
you'll have no difficulty telling them apart from jazz, dancefloor or
otherwise.
All that said, if you really want some rules of thumb which would
seperate soul instrumentals from jazz, try these (none foolproof of
course):
- under 3 minutes long (that's as close to foolproof as any of these
will get)
- 4:4 time (much less foolproof, plenty of Chicago soul in 3:4)
- a string section
- either no solos at all, or very short ones on a bridge
- typically consisting of a verse/chorus structure
and most importantly
- they sound like soul records! The production and arrangements really
are mile apart and should tell you all you need to know. If it sound
like Motown, it's a soul instrumental. If it sounds like Booker T or
the Mar-Keys it's a soul instrumental
That's still a list, much less fun than a list of recommended tracks,
and tells you just as little if you aren't already familiar with the
records.
Cheers,
Ed...
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Blush: Sounds from the Soul of the 60's
http://www.btwebworld.com/blushsoul
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