Progressive Soul

Progressive soul is a Soul subgenre which builds beyond the genre's roots in Rhythm & Blues in a progressive, diverse approach drawing on a broad range of influences, developing in the late 1960s and rising to prominence in the early 1970s. The genre markedly shifts away from more simplistic verse-chorus Pop Soul songwriting, retaining its strong melodies and distinctive soulful vocal style but incorporating a greater degree of harmonic complexity, more technical performances, and a diverse sound palette drawing on Jazz, Funk, Rock, Blues, and even Orchestral Music (particularly in a related style known as "cinematic soul"). As its name indicates, progressive soul is a sister genre to Progressive Rock, often featuring extended structures and a more studio-based, album-oriented format; in addition, it often makes more prominent use of the electric guitar and newer technology like synthesizers and effects units.