Al Green

Al Green's passionately regal voice, flying over the supple grooves of the Willie Mitchell-led Hi Records house band, was the very definition of both Memphis soul and early-1970s R&B. Green was a virtual hit machine for the first half of that decade, but after a personal revelation he turned to gospel music, bought his own church, and became a practicing minister. Nevertheless, the spiritual recordings he subsequently released find him no less riveting a presence.

• pop
• r&b/soul
• hip hop/rap