Sound Atlas声音世界地图

A field guide to musical styles For listeners & music makers

244 styles
5 styles
Music family

Soul, Funk & Gospel

Church, dance floor and '70s funk: the warmth and groove of Black music.

Gospel is the source, soul took it into pop, funk stressed the groove, disco moved it to the dance floor, and neo-soul made it loose and intimate again after the '90s.

A 1960s neighbourhood theatre on a city corner, people queueing under a neon marquee, a singer onstage framed by red curtains and horn players.
A 1970s house party with a glittering mirror ball, silhouettes of dancers in flares, a bass guitar bouncing in orange and purple light.
A light-up dance floor glowing tile by tile, a giant mirror ball scattering dots across the walls, dancers frozen mid-move in pink-violet haze.
A sunlit wooden church, an original robed choir raising hands, light beams from tall windows.

What they share

  • Powerful voices
  • Groovy bass and drums
  • Horns, organ and electric piano

How to choose

Starter prompt

Classic soul funk, 105 BPM, tight funky drums, slap bass, punchy horn section, Hammond organ, powerful soulful vocals, warm 1970s groove

A general starting point for this family; swap in a specific style’s keywords for sharper results.

Side by side

StyleEraBPMMoodGood for
SoulLate 1950s–1970s70–120Warm & intimateNostalgicGroove & energyRomanticRomance · Stage & idols
FunkMid-1960s95–120Groove & energyBright & sweetRebellious & boldHype & thrillParty & dance floor · Battle & action
Disco1970s110–130Groove & energyBright & sweetNostalgicHype & thrillParty & dance floor · Stage & idols
Gospel20th century–present70–130Bright & sweetWarm & intimateEpic & vastHealingRitual & sacred · Stage & idols
Neo-SoulLate 1990s–present70–95Warm & intimateCity nightCalm & focusedRomanticRomance · Night drives & city walks

All styles