#ZORA100: The Soul Of A Nation

One Grain of Sand by Odetta (1963)

"Odetta reminds listeners of the generations of music made by the folk who transcended the brutality of their captivity by scoring music that insisted upon the sanctity of their souls."

— Daphne Brooks

Anyone Who Had a Heart by Dionne Warwick (1964)

"Warwick is one of the most charted female artists in modern music — of any genre — and her international pop success started with this sophomore effort."

— @Naima

Where Did Our Love Go by Diana Ross and The Supremes (1964)

"Motown’s most celebrated girl group reigned, well, supreme on this ear candy of an album that featured sweet angelic harmonies."

— @Vanessa_KDeLuca

I Put A Spell on You by Nina Simone (1965)

"Like a wave of fresh air wafting through a window on a hot summer night, Simone’s elegant and emotional delivery washes over you, offering both relief and release."

— @Vanessa_KDeLuca

Dance Party by Martha and Vandellas (1965)

"The tracks, including the world-famous single, 'Dancing In The Streets,' are intended to make you move and groove to that classic ’60s doo-wop sound, made famous by Motown."

— @JolieRancher

You’ll Sing A Song, I’ll Sing A Song by Ella Jenkins (1966)

"The First Lady of American Folk Music enthralled generations of children with her friendly voice and call-and-response singing on this iconic children’s album"

— @AdrienneWrites

I Never Loved a Man The Way I Love You by Aretha Franklin (1967)

"This is Franklin’s breakthrough album that transformed the fundamental landscape of popular music culture."

— Daphne Brooks

You’re All I Need by Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye (1968)

"Though cancer cut her life short at 24 years old, Terrell made an indelible mark during Motown’s dominance of the 1960s."

— @Tapperific

Stronger Than Dirt by Big Mama Thornton (1969)

"The grit and intensity of Big Mama Thornton’s vocals made her a force. The brazen blues singer released her biggest hit 'Hound Dog,' featured on Stronger Than Dirt, in 1953—three years before Elvis Presley did."

— @Tapperific

First Take by Roberta Flack (1969)

"In the age of Aretha dominance, some dismissed Flack’s comparatively understated vocal style as uninspired. But the carefulness in her delivery is now appreciated as part of her brilliance."

— @naima

Color Me Country by Linda Martell (1970)

"A year before Linda Martell released Color Me Country, the only album she recorded, she became the first African American woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, a prestigious weekly country music stage show."

— @Tapperific

Amazing Grace by Aretha Franklin (1972)

"This is the greatest gospel album in the history of recorded music. The project is deeply felt, emotionally complex, musically diverse, and delivered with the confidence of a genius."

— @danamo

Be Altitude: Respect Yourself by The Staple Singers (1972)

"From gospel music to creating the soundtrack of the Civil Rights movement to embracing hippie counterculture, Mavis, Pops, Cleotha, Yvonne, and Pervis Staple reinvented themselves over and over."

— @AdrienneWrites

Imagination by Gladys Knight & The Pips (1973)

"The record showcased a track-after-track grit that cemented Gladys’ superstar status for generations to come."

— @AdrienneWrites

Perfect Angel by Minnie Riperton (1974)

"Like the delicate baby’s breath she often wore in her hair, Riperton’s airy and sweet songbird stylings epitomize this five-octave range singer who left us way too soon."

— @Vanessa_KDeLuca