How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Otis Redding, Macy Gray, Shalamar, The Temptations, George Clinton, James Brown, Queen Latifah, Beyoncé, Martha Reeves, The Vandellas, Ike and Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Charlie Wilson
. They are the Soul Artists selected among the 326 Posts we publish this week.
1. Who originally wrote and released the song “Respect” that Aretha Franklin famously covered?
- A Smokey Robinson
- B Otis Redding
- C Marvin Gaye
2. What style did Macy Gray incorporate into “Sexual Revolution” from her second album *The Id*?
- A Country
- B Disco-pop
- C Reggae
3. Which notable venue hosted Shalamar’s 2013 performance featuring “Second Time Around”?
- A Indigo2
- B Madison Square Garden
- C Royal Albert Hall
4. Which Temptations song features Dennis Edwards on lead vocals, marking a significant end in the group’s production history with Norman Whitfield?
- A My Girl
- B You’ve Got My Soul On Fire
- C Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone
5. What did George Clinton describe as “just Funkadelic by a different name” after a label fallout?
- A The P-Funk All Stars
- B The Commodores
- C Sly and the Family Stone
6. On which TV program did James Brown perform “The Payback” in September 1974?
- A Soul Train
- B American Bandstand
- C The Midnight Special
7. Which artist adapted Bob Marley’s “Who the Cap Fit” at the 1999 tribute concert in Jamaica?
- A Queen Latifah
- B Alicia Keys
- C Wyclef Jean
8. What Chi-Lites song sample underpins the horn section in Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love”?
- A Oh Girl
- B Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)
- C Have You Seen Her
9. Which television host helped introduce Martha & The Vandellas to a national audience in 1965?
- A David Frost
- B Ed Sullivan
- C Johnny Carson
10. “You Got What You Wanted” was released by which dynamic duo in 1968?
- A Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- B Ike & Tina Turner
- C Sonny & Cher
11. Who was 18 years old when releasing “For Once in My Life” on Motown in 1968?
- A Marvin Gaye
- B Stevie Wonder
- C Diana Ross
12. Which Charlie Wilson track spent 13 weeks at number one on the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary Chart?
- A You Are
- B Charlie, Last Name Wilson
- C There Goes My Baby
Tracklist
1 . Otis Redding . Respect |
2 . Macy Gray . Sexual Revolution |
3 . Shalamar . The Second Time Around |
4 . The Temptations . You’ve Got My Soul On Fire |
5 . George Clinton . Pumpin’ It UpP-Funk All-Stars release their debut album . ‘Urban Dancefloor Guerillas’ (1983) |
6 . James Brown . The PaybackPolydor publish James Brown’s fortieth album . ‘The Payback’ (1973) |
7 . Queen Latifah . Who The Cap FitLauryn Hill, Chrissie, Jimmy, Erykah et al pay tribute to Bob Marley (1984) |
8 . Beyoncé . Crazy In Love |
9 . Martha Reeves & The Vandellas . Dancing In The Street |
10 . Ike and Tina Turner . You Got What You Wanted |
11 . Stevie Wonder . For Once In My Life |
12 . Charlie Wilson . You AreCharlie Wilson releases his fifth album . ‘Just Charlie’ featuring ‘You Are’ (2010) |
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. Otis Redding penned “Respect” in 1965, later transformed by Aretha Franklin into a defining anthem. Redding’s version reached the top five on the Black Singles Chart but received a notable revival through Franklin’s cover, which became associated with feminist empowerment.
2. Macy Gray’s “Sexual Revolution” blends disco-pop with funky arrangements, marking a stylistic evolution on her second album, “The Id.” The track hit moderate chart success and marked a shift from her debut sound.
3. Shalamar returned to Indigo2 for a 2013 performance, part of their revival tours. Known for blending R&B, disco, and timeless grooves, “Second Time Around” remains a live staple.
4. “You’ve Got My Soul On Fire” featured Edwards and was the last of Whitfield’s production with The Temptations. It highlighted growing creative tensions within the group, marked by extended instrumental focus over vocal harmonies.
5. Clinton described the P-Funk All Stars as Funkadelic’s evolution due to label issues. The group’s work continued Clinton’s themes and deep funk grooves beyond Parliament’s formal end.
6. James Brown graced “The Midnight Special,” delivering “The Payback” amid signature funk and infectious showmanship. This TV moment underlined his “Godfather of Soul” status.
7. Queen Latifah covered “Who the Cap Fit” at Marley’s tribute, showcasing a cross-genre homage to Jamaican legends. Her rendition appeared on an all-star tribute album, bridging reggae’s influence with her style.
8. “Crazy in Love” samples “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)” by the Chi-Lites, forming its brass backbone. Beyoncé’s hit garnered pop culture acclaim and Grammy accolades for its infectious collaboration style with Jay-Z.
9. Ed Sullivan introduced Martha & The Vandellas to national TV, enhancing their profile during the 1965 appearance. Their catchy “Dancing In The Street” performance remains a Motown anthem.
10. Ike & Tina Turner’s “You Got What You Wanted” exemplified their powerful R&B energy. Released in ’68, it formed part of their prolific catalog which shaped their enduring legacy.
11. Stevie Wonder, at 18, launched “For Once in My Life” as a definitive version, shaking off resistance to upbeat Motown renditions. The recording featured Motown’s signature studio collaborators.
12. “You Are” by Charlie Wilson topped the Urban Adult Contemporary Chart, cementing Wilson’s mark on R&B with heartfelt ballads and soulful delivery, supported by an engaging music video.
For THE FULL SOUL ARTISTS COLLECTION click here
