Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Stevie Wonder – Bruce W Talamon photographed them all. His images, collected in a new book, capture an era before publicists controlled their stars
Smith’s dear white america was a viral phenomenon. Launching a new collection, Don’t Call Us Dead, the poet is in polemical mood about the black experience in the US
The US president freshens America’s musical palate with a survey of tried-and-true classics and discoverable new artists ranging from soul to rock to jazz
hlcarpenter.com, 16 July 1984: Green’s performance has exchanged one form of transcendence for another, sexual love for spiritual faith, but it is still about ecstasy
British pop star, along with Tom Hands, Lily Tomlin, Al Green and Patricia McBride, awarded America’s highest accolade for influencing culture through the arts
Angus Batey: Chuck D sees rap as god-talk, Sheila E walked through fire, and Steve Arrington saved his soul … here’s what happens when stars find faith
This week Nick Hornby visits Rock's Backpages Albums Club, and to mark the occasion we bring you this discussion of his favourite songs, originally published in 2002 at Rock's Backpages itself
President Barack Obama receives a rapturous reception from supporters in New York when he sings few bars of Al Green's soul music classic Let's Stay Together
Brief letters Rise of illicit activity in our back gardens