I admire Azizi's quite masterful essay - I really do ! But, and with equal respect, I think you might possibly have missed the tongue in my cheek... but perhaps I didn't make it clear enough. Indeed, in ten years on this forum I have often made the same mistake.

Am I serious? Yes, in that I have been listening to soul for forty years and playing it for longer than I can remember... although I have never quite mastered the right feel in playing it, I know that. But no, I was not serious, in that the question was asked light-heartedly, yet with true affection for the music. It was a fun question, and these soul cliches will be delivered with fun and laughter, and tongue in cheek... but still, with a true affection for the music.

Thank you all for bringing interesting items to light. I think Richard is absolutely right in highlighting the different approach from Stax to Tamla (I learned only recently that it was us Brits who referred to it as 'Tamla', while the Americans apparently called it 'Motown'). My two absolute top fave bass players are James Jamerson from Tamla Motown and Duck Dunn from Stax... who apparently was called 'Duck' because his real name was Donald.

Thank you soul sistah and others... you know what I'm talkin' about?!

All the best
-Cappuccino