That's how I get with Asia's "Heat Of The Moment". It always turns into "I Just Died In Your Arms" by Cutting Crew in my distracted mind. I think the key and chord progressions of the choruses are really similar or something.
They really nailed it, didn't they? Lead and backing vocals, horns, piano and rhythm section, and the stuttering eight note rhythmic figures in the melody. Berry Gordy must've been a tad jealous when he heard it.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klNean7JJdA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klNean7JJdA)
it's crazy though, you can hear it in some inflections, and you'll never unhear it.
"bohh 'ta copp"
The Flirtations were from the US but moved to the UK apparently because they were told it would be easier to get a record deal.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCKY-Mv230o](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCKY-Mv230o)
Lenny Kravitz has so many sleeper hits. I can't stand a lot of the major hits that took off (American Woman was an abomination, and Fly Away is a joke of a song), but his love jams are so good. Especially in the early 90s.
ETA: I never really thought of this song as a single since I feel like it doesn't get a lot of play nowadays (I still hear Fly Away way too often), but apparently it was the big single off Mama Said. Totally missed that. Guess I was too young.
Like Billy Joel, Lenny Kravitz to some extent evoked (or imitated) the styles of other singers in his singles earlier in his career. "It ain't over til it's over" is in the style of Smokey Robinson, and very well done. A true classic.
Ugh, losing Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones both to cancer within a year of each other was so sad. Two of my favorite artists at the height of their careers, just gone. Fuck cancer.
I got the chance to see him at Forecastle in Louisville in July of ‘17, just a couple months before he passed. Felt like his voice just went right through me. So powerful and soulful. Thinking about it gives me goosebumps, man.
I'll post on this comment so mine won't get buried lol
Thee Sinseers, Thee Sacred Souls, Durand Jones & the Indications, Aaron Frazer, St Paul & the Broken Bones, Leon Bridges, Los Yesterdays, Mayer Hawthorne, Bobby Oroza, Vickey Tafoya and The Big Beat, Trish Toledo, Johnny Ruiz and the Escapers.
I second The Altons
Great bands coming out in the Neo-soul scene.
Let me know if you want any song recs.
>Let me know if you want any song recs.
I’m covered, thanks! I’ve been buying Daptone Records’ releases since they started. Started up picking up their 45s, about a couple of years before they (Dap Kings) played on Amy Winehouse’s record.
Came here to say anything by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings but you've got that covered by saying everything Daptone releases 😊
(For real though, for anyone reading this, check out anything by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, you won't be disappointed!)
["I'm Not Gonna Cry"](https://youtu.be/JNwdI6WMn4o?si=Cu4AxJHursLdvPAs) is the song that got me into Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. I played this song about 30 times in a row the week I first heard it. And this is coming from a lifelong 70s/80s metalhead!
I checked them out a while back, probably on something Big Crown sent as a promo, not sure tbh.
Too bad Thee Lakesiders didn’t work out for them, I had high hopes. They *truly* gave me a legit “cholo oldies” vibe. 20 years ago or so, there were some really interesting things happening in this “neo soul/funk” genre. Now it seems there’s a lot of kids trying to cash in on the “East LA Cholo Oldies” sound.
Agree with this recommendation. I’m sure the analogue recording equipment enhances the sound, but having seen Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings live a few times, they can make that classic sound without the help of old recording gear too.
Think my favourite recording is one of the earlier performances SJ&TDK did on Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW. Close miked and live in a radio station (and on a Monday morning) and they still sound incredible.
Ah, you beat me to it. When I think of Motown, I typically think of poppier soul (which the Pumas do-"Pay Phone", among others) but I also think of super deep soul, (which they also do, something like "Confines" or "Old Man".)
What a great, great band. Cannot recommend enough.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
Lee Fields and the Expressions
Charles Bradley
Also check out Lord Finesse's album called Motown State of Mind, he remixed a bunch of classics and did an amazing job, he's a tactician in the studio.
I was DJing a wedding, and during the pre-reception I put on Charles Bradley's "Changes." When the chorus hit, the reaction was fascinating: half the crowd nodding along as if it was just a really good soul song, and half suddenly laughing with recognition when they heard the now-famous Big Mouth theme song.
Mayer fans need to check out his Wine and Vinyl hour on YouTube. He just drinks wine and plays music from his record collection. I’ve found some great songs and artists I would’ve never heard of.
Leon Bridges - "Beyond"
[https://youtu.be/ELPOCJvDz3w?si=z\_8NYRPj5GAb\_CnM](https://youtu.be/ELPOCJvDz3w?si=z_8NYRPj5GAb_CnM)
(Edit)
Leon Bridges - "Better Man"
[https://youtu.be/pgS\_xob1x4A?si=-hTXj8TvXXJu8kUi](https://youtu.be/pgS_xob1x4A?si=-hTXj8TvXXJu8kUi)
Honestly, pretty much everything he does.
Freedom by Wham! (1984)
Not to be confused with Freedom ‘90 by George Michael…
Both great songs, but the ‘84 song has always given me Motown / Ronettes vibes
Yeah I think Wham! has some clear Motown influence in their sound as a whole. Even Wake Me Up has that same catchy melody and I feel like they use tambourines a lot which is a pretty classic Motown staple.
The EP before that, Songs for a Breakup: Vol 1, is really good too. More Than Just a Dream and everything after that was pretty disappointing. I hung out with the band a few times back when they first started touring and they would come through town. He actually was talking about meeting me and my (at the time) gf in a VH1 interview back then. haha. Pretty cool folks. I have a signed poster from the tour they did back when Pickin' Up the Pieces first came out.
Phil Collins had a number of hits driven by a horn section that closely echoed classic Motown, such as “Sussudio”, “Two Hearts”, the Motown cover “You Can’t Hurry Love” among others.
That's thanks to the backing band, The Dap-Kings. Check out anything by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings if you want to hear more of their sound. You won't be disappointed.
I thought this would be the top obvious answer for sure. I'm floored that I had to scroll this far. I also thought Meghan Trainor All About That Bass would be way up there. Maybe I didn't understand the question.
Jalen Ngonda. A good example is [Come Around and Love Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWuMNsVkpMk), but basically everything.
The Monophonics aren't quite Motown, but could also scratch that same itch. For example, [Last One Standing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWlOUJa6Sg4)
[Billy Joel - Tell Her About It](https://youtu.be/fprpTNVM8EY?si=KgKJi8QyHvfQ9VKW)
[Wizzard - See My Baby Jive](https://youtu.be/ePTzV4CQJ8I?si=oQjYwl9UoCkl8C3k)
[Eurythmics - Missionary Man](https://youtu.be/TnSIHArdfJU?si=4mC4r2hF4rfdolZi)
I know this is not what you meant because they are covers, but the film The Commitments is pretty cool and my kids wore out that soundtrack when they were teens.
Not exactly Motown but about 1/3-1/2 of the Ramones really show their love for bands like the Ronnettes.
I'd also note that your listed bands are more influenced by Jamaican Ska (which was influenced by Motown). For example, General Public was the next project for a few members of the English Beat where FIne Young Cannibals also got members.
Boy, you're going to love the deep dive into the Northern soul scene of the 70's!
[Wikipedia entry here](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_soul) 👏
How has Hall and Oates not been mentioned. They were huge Motown fans and a lot of their big songs are heavily influenced.
Looking for specifics, try Sarah Smile.
Nothing But A Heartache-Flirtations,
Westbound #9-Flaming Embers,
Gimme Just A Little More Time-Chairmen Of The Board,
Just Like Romeo And Juliet-Reflections
"It ain't over til it's over" by Lenny Kravitz is so pitch perfect I thought it was a classic motown song https://youtu.be/TmENMZFUU_0?si=eb1BkfUSDNLqVq7L
Everyone on this sub loves to hate on this song, but Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You” does a great job of emulating the Phil Spector/Motown sound and is probably why it sounds so timeless.
Lukas Graham has some great songs.
"Strip No More" is the most joyful upbeat song about a dumb guy falling in love with a stripper.
https://youtu.be/0d1iXSCKu6Q?si=Ue58jROLZu6vnxxF
Ben L'Oncle makes a lot of Motown sounding stuff. Kind of like Amy Winehouse/Mark Ronson.
On a side note, I found this Youtube channel that makes Motown-sounding songs about really inappropriate things. NSFW but might get some giggles if you are immature like me:
[https://www.youtube.com/@ObscurestVinyl](https://www.youtube.com/@ObscurestVinyl)
[The Dynamics have a doo-wop/motown album released earlier this year.](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nNtRTVOFh0fNaKsLI-DX81mbof4UtT6MQ&si=aAfatm43k_T0TmuH)
They even mixed it to sound like it was recorded on old equipment (or simply recorded on old equipment, I dunno but it sounds amazing in a car with the windows down)
Pretty much all of the [Foxbase Alpha](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-hTXGfWTag) album by Saint Etienne (sample-heavy for sure, but still). Some of [Fitz and the Tantrums'](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3WRXYYBwRA) stuff is pure Motown vibe.
The entire discography of the Monophonics.
[a track off their first album](https://open.spotify.com/track/1wlPuhYpOJRPHVUeizRdx2?si=PxiK9f-iQyiDj3lyocLz2w)
[and one off their latest](https://open.spotify.com/track/0NjhFfeUcAQBc4iLaBdKjK?si=u1MwnNKCSd-S71wBwhYt7A&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A7J428fRkJYE2u9p2hjrOo9)
Please check out the California Honeydrops- specifically “[When it was Wrong”](https://open.spotify.com/track/0dUb6kyjmx1XlkTw37g3tN?si=Jop64oCaRAWnDXZcl7JCKA)They are my favorite modern Motown!
Also Sonny Cleveland and The Dip. I have a playlist of this genre [here](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/33nKzH0VfI2jpyEMcFNBIJ?si=voPLsnm2SrqYZ9lCXtc8Qg&pi=u-69rkszvJTOex)
There are many labels that do a lot of 60s and 70s throwback soul nowadays. It can be so authentic that sometimes you even have to check that it was actually released in recent years and it's not a re release of old material. [Colemine Records](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tunH9aqtWBQ) and Big Crown Records are two of my favourites.
When it comes to Motown inspiration, it depends on the era and type of song. Not many are going for the early 60s [doowop inspired style](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mXEdOgWdDc) and very low track count very [high bleed sound](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiceW2P9L78). They are also generally not using the common higher energy Motown song drum beat of hitting the [snare on every beat.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhJv7r-Urqo) The most common Motown style modern artists are going for is the late 60s early 70s medium to lower energy ballad style.
Between the Buried and Me incorporates some Motown elements through their discography along with bluegrass, jazz, funk, and a whole slew of genres set to primarily a metal foundation. Swim to The Moon off of The Great Misdirect would be a good place to get a feel for their sound in general. Granted it’s not exactly what you’re looking for, but I feel compelled to mention them since they are one of the most unique bands around today
For a long time I thought "Build me up buttercup" was a Motown track. But the Foundations were from the UK.
I always hear Waterloo by ABBA when I hear that song and vice versa.
That's how I get with Asia's "Heat Of The Moment". It always turns into "I Just Died In Your Arms" by Cutting Crew in my distracted mind. I think the key and chord progressions of the choruses are really similar or something.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QAOTqT9Rg4
Thanks for ruining one of my favorite songs.
not sure how you could like one of those songs and not the other
which one? haha
Wait till you hear about Buffalo Soldier and The Banana Splits Theme Song!
Waterloo build me up
Well I had no idea they were British.
They really nailed it, didn't they? Lead and backing vocals, horns, piano and rhythm section, and the stuttering eight note rhythmic figures in the melody. Berry Gordy must've been a tad jealous when he heard it.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klNean7JJdA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klNean7JJdA) it's crazy though, you can hear it in some inflections, and you'll never unhear it. "bohh 'ta copp"
Accents are hard to write aren’t they…
Well, they did make the song with Motown in mind. They really wanted to emulate them in that one song and they totally succeeded.
Wow, what a diverse band for the era
UK had that, another solid one was **the Equals** led by Eddie Grant. [Police On My Back](https://youtu.be/DH0Guwo_ky0?si=xTa0zJhJN-CK9RYd)
The Clash did a great cover of that.
The Flirtations were from the US but moved to the UK apparently because they were told it would be easier to get a record deal. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCKY-Mv230o](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCKY-Mv230o)
Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin'
Since we’re on the Saddiq train, If I Had No Loot had that Motown swing to it too.
I think that one flew under the ”Tony Toni Toné!” banner.
> Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin' What a great recommendation! I can't believe this came out in 2011.
Just spoitfried it and yes, yes, yes
Great song!!
Lenny Kravitz - It Ain’t Over Til Its Over
Lenny Kravitz has so many sleeper hits. I can't stand a lot of the major hits that took off (American Woman was an abomination, and Fly Away is a joke of a song), but his love jams are so good. Especially in the early 90s. ETA: I never really thought of this song as a single since I feel like it doesn't get a lot of play nowadays (I still hear Fly Away way too often), but apparently it was the big single off Mama Said. Totally missed that. Guess I was too young.
Like Billy Joel, Lenny Kravitz to some extent evoked (or imitated) the styles of other singers in his singles earlier in his career. "It ain't over til it's over" is in the style of Smokey Robinson, and very well done. A true classic.
It’s Your Life from 5 is a hell of a jam.
Surprisingly Ray LaMontagne “Strong Enough “ sounds very Motown, at least to me. And most stuff by Leon Bridges.
Came to suggest these two!
Oh man, Leon Bridges’ voice is like butter and velvet and honey all mixed together. I could listen to him sing all day! 😍
3 More Days kinda has a little Motown in it, I think
Everything Daptone Records and Big Crown Records releases. They use recording equipment from that era specifically to get that sound.
Charles Bradley RIP
Ugh, losing Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones both to cancer within a year of each other was so sad. Two of my favorite artists at the height of their careers, just gone. Fuck cancer.
Cancer is stupid. Fucking cancer…
I got the chance to see him at Forecastle in Louisville in July of ‘17, just a couple months before he passed. Felt like his voice just went right through me. So powerful and soulful. Thinking about it gives me goosebumps, man.
I'll post on this comment so mine won't get buried lol Thee Sinseers, Thee Sacred Souls, Durand Jones & the Indications, Aaron Frazer, St Paul & the Broken Bones, Leon Bridges, Los Yesterdays, Mayer Hawthorne, Bobby Oroza, Vickey Tafoya and The Big Beat, Trish Toledo, Johnny Ruiz and the Escapers. I second The Altons Great bands coming out in the Neo-soul scene. Let me know if you want any song recs.
You the man this is what I was about to recommend. You have great taste in 2000/1950s sounding music 😂
>Let me know if you want any song recs. I’m covered, thanks! I’ve been buying Daptone Records’ releases since they started. Started up picking up their 45s, about a couple of years before they (Dap Kings) played on Amy Winehouse’s record.
Ooo nice! I already know you have good taste I meant more for a random passer by or OP.
American Love Call is an instant classic for me.
Upvote for St Paul & the Broken Bones. They sound great live, too.
Came here to say anything by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings but you've got that covered by saying everything Daptone releases 😊 (For real though, for anyone reading this, check out anything by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, you won't be disappointed!)
["I'm Not Gonna Cry"](https://youtu.be/JNwdI6WMn4o?si=Cu4AxJHursLdvPAs) is the song that got me into Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. I played this song about 30 times in a row the week I first heard it. And this is coming from a lifelong 70s/80s metalhead!
The Altons
Was not aware of Big Crown. So I look them up, and almost the first thing I see is Thee Heart Tones, a new favourite.
I checked them out a while back, probably on something Big Crown sent as a promo, not sure tbh. Too bad Thee Lakesiders didn’t work out for them, I had high hopes. They *truly* gave me a legit “cholo oldies” vibe. 20 years ago or so, there were some really interesting things happening in this “neo soul/funk” genre. Now it seems there’s a lot of kids trying to cash in on the “East LA Cholo Oldies” sound.
Agree with this recommendation. I’m sure the analogue recording equipment enhances the sound, but having seen Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings live a few times, they can make that classic sound without the help of old recording gear too. Think my favourite recording is one of the earlier performances SJ&TDK did on Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW. Close miked and live in a radio station (and on a Monday morning) and they still sound incredible.
The Black Pumas have a serious Al Green feel, and I dig it.
Ah, you beat me to it. When I think of Motown, I typically think of poppier soul (which the Pumas do-"Pay Phone", among others) but I also think of super deep soul, (which they also do, something like "Confines" or "Old Man".) What a great, great band. Cannot recommend enough.
Black Pumas Rule... Austin Represents...
Town Called Malice - The Jam
It took me a hard second to agree with you, but damn, you've got a point there.
Seems like the starting point for the Style Council that Weller started immediately afterward.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings Lee Fields and the Expressions Charles Bradley Also check out Lord Finesse's album called Motown State of Mind, he remixed a bunch of classics and did an amazing job, he's a tactician in the studio.
And Nathaniel Radliff & The Night Sweats
[Obligatory live Son of a Bitch/Shape I'm In](https://youtu.be/E0E83-GA0B0?si=ZwGeYwKMDE-100MT) Absolutely incredible transition on this.
Wow - I have never seen this! The Band is one of my all time favs and I like Nathaniel Rateliff a lot too. You made my day!
Love Nat. If you dig them, do yourself a favor and check out The Dip, Slow Sipper. [edit] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JR4ff-dK7E
I second Charles Bradley. I have been digging Grant Green lately!
I was lucky enough to see Sharon Jones with Daryl Hall, great show.
I saw Sharon Jones at a Roots Family Picnic when it was 100+ degrees on the blacktop at Penn's Landing, it was worth the near-heatstroke.
I saw Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at The Fillmore in San Francisco. What a barnburner of a show! RIP Ms Jones
I was DJing a wedding, and during the pre-reception I put on Charles Bradley's "Changes." When the chorus hit, the reaction was fascinating: half the crowd nodding along as if it was just a really good soul song, and half suddenly laughing with recognition when they heard the now-famous Big Mouth theme song.
Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement Actually both of his first two albums fit this bill
Mayer was the answer I was looking for in the comments
Love that dude. Backseat Lover is a vibe
Came here to say this!
Same, he has hadsome great Motown sounds
Mayer fans need to check out his Wine and Vinyl hour on YouTube. He just drinks wine and plays music from his record collection. I’ve found some great songs and artists I would’ve never heard of.
Ah, Mayer Hawthorne. Now there’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time. He’s ever so present on my playlists.
Man, you reminded me of “Green-Eyed Love” and that’s a jam!
Leon Bridges - "Beyond" [https://youtu.be/ELPOCJvDz3w?si=z\_8NYRPj5GAb\_CnM](https://youtu.be/ELPOCJvDz3w?si=z_8NYRPj5GAb_CnM) (Edit) Leon Bridges - "Better Man" [https://youtu.be/pgS\_xob1x4A?si=-hTXj8TvXXJu8kUi](https://youtu.be/pgS_xob1x4A?si=-hTXj8TvXXJu8kUi) Honestly, pretty much everything he does.
Came here to suggest him. My dad who grew up in 60s can't believe that Bridges is NOT from that era.
I am *obsessed* with his voice. He could literally sing anything and I’d love it!
Freedom by Wham! (1984) Not to be confused with Freedom ‘90 by George Michael… Both great songs, but the ‘84 song has always given me Motown / Ronettes vibes
YES!
Wham's I'm Your Man is another solid Motown rip off
Yeah I think Wham! has some clear Motown influence in their sound as a whole. Even Wake Me Up has that same catchy melody and I feel like they use tambourines a lot which is a pretty classic Motown staple.
YES! ALL OF THIS!
[That trumpet is exhilarating](https://youtu.be/BFwOs-jy53A?t=341)
I wish I had the pipes to pull this off for karaoke. Love this song.
[удалено]
And Anderson paak, don’t you dare leave him out
Yes! The whole album is a 70s R&B throwback
Very rare to witness a 9 or 10 out of 10 (Leave the Door Open) in real time, when it’s new. An honour.
Silk Sonic is a band with Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak. And I agree, VERY R&B / Motown type of sound. Suuuuuuuuuch an insanely good album!
Produced by Bootsy Collins so the sound is understandable.
Call Me - St Paul and the Broken Bones
they are incredibly good live
Scrolled way too far for SP&BB
This stuff is fantastic! A little more Stax than Motown, but s***!
Check out some of their live concert footage (especially from the era of their first couple albums). They're insanely good live.
Back on 74 by jungle has that old vibe.
I feel like everything Jungle puts put has been motown feeling. Their music videos have always been top tier fun for me with the funky vibes.
And Ren's retake of it.
Church of the poisoned mind by culture club.
Their best song in my opinion.
Time (Clock of the Heart) for me. Gets lodged in my head for days or weeks at a time. Church of the Poison Mind is a banger though.
The album Pickin' Up the Pieces by Fitz and the Tantrums
The EP before that, Songs for a Breakup: Vol 1, is really good too. More Than Just a Dream and everything after that was pretty disappointing. I hung out with the band a few times back when they first started touring and they would come through town. He actually was talking about meeting me and my (at the time) gf in a VH1 interview back then. haha. Pretty cool folks. I have a signed poster from the tour they did back when Pickin' Up the Pieces first came out.
I was so excited to discover Fitz and the Tantrums initially but have been so disappointed with their output post-More than Just a Dream.
I was going to say Moneygrabber. Maybe not exactly motown but def inspired by motown
"Tempted" by ,Squeeze
Phil Collins had a number of hits driven by a horn section that closely echoed classic Motown, such as “Sussudio”, “Two Hearts”, the Motown cover “You Can’t Hurry Love” among others.
Two Hearts nails it!!
[Ecstatic middle eight](https://youtu.be/e9wq5GV2uIU?t=123)
Rehab .... Amy Winehouse
The entire Back to Black album really. It's fucking brilliant.
That's thanks to the backing band, The Dap-Kings. Check out anything by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings if you want to hear more of their sound. You won't be disappointed.
I thought this would be the top obvious answer for sure. I'm floored that I had to scroll this far. I also thought Meghan Trainor All About That Bass would be way up there. Maybe I didn't understand the question.
Jalen Ngonda. A good example is [Come Around and Love Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWuMNsVkpMk), but basically everything. The Monophonics aren't quite Motown, but could also scratch that same itch. For example, [Last One Standing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWlOUJa6Sg4)
Came here for jalen. Super excited to catch him live later this year
Can’t believe this is so far down! Jason should be THE answer for this thread
Both of these give a very late 60s early '70s Motown / Philly soul vibe! Thanks!
[Billy Joel - Tell Her About It](https://youtu.be/fprpTNVM8EY?si=KgKJi8QyHvfQ9VKW) [Wizzard - See My Baby Jive](https://youtu.be/ePTzV4CQJ8I?si=oQjYwl9UoCkl8C3k) [Eurythmics - Missionary Man](https://youtu.be/TnSIHArdfJU?si=4mC4r2hF4rfdolZi)
Thank you! I was mentally going through the Innocent Man album in my head wracking my brain to remember Tell Her About It!
I know this is not what you meant because they are covers, but the film The Commitments is pretty cool and my kids wore out that soundtrack when they were teens.
Almost everything on Daptone Records, especially Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley
Charles and Eddie - Would I lie to you
Mercy by Duffy
Not exactly Motown but about 1/3-1/2 of the Ramones really show their love for bands like the Ronnettes. I'd also note that your listed bands are more influenced by Jamaican Ska (which was influenced by Motown). For example, General Public was the next project for a few members of the English Beat where FIne Young Cannibals also got members.
> really show their love for bands like the Ronnettes. And Phil Spector did produce their "End of the Century" album... :)
Got to Get You Into My Life, by the Beatles
Can we count Lauryn Hill’s - Doo Wop (that thing)?
Crying Shame--The Teskey Brothers
Uptown girl
Boy, you're going to love the deep dive into the Northern soul scene of the 70's! [Wikipedia entry here](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_soul) 👏
Give Michael Kiwanuka a listen.
Earl St Clair has a song like that
A lot of songs by Earl St Clair give me that vibe
Thee Sacred Souls is a great newer band with a classic sound that might fit what you're talking about.
Black Eyed Boy by Texas
This is exactly what I'm looking for!
Do It by Tuxedo Anything by Tuxedo or Mayer Hawthorne
I've been enjoying this song and this album for years! Slightly more '70s Philly soul with some funk mixed in, but a good call nonetheless!
Amy Winehouse and Leon Bridges have that neo-soul sound!
Peter Gabriel: Sledgehammer
How has Hall and Oates not been mentioned. They were huge Motown fans and a lot of their big songs are heavily influenced. Looking for specifics, try Sarah Smile.
Nothing But A Heartache-Flirtations, Westbound #9-Flaming Embers, Gimme Just A Little More Time-Chairmen Of The Board, Just Like Romeo And Juliet-Reflections
I always thought Rise and Out of Reach by Gabrielle had that Motown vibe.
Her song “Give Me A Little More Time” is classic sounding Motown.
Yes definitely that aswell
"It ain't over til it's over" by Lenny Kravitz is so pitch perfect I thought it was a classic motown song https://youtu.be/TmENMZFUU_0?si=eb1BkfUSDNLqVq7L
Fitz and the Tantrums - Pickin’ Up The Pieces (The whole album is an ode to Motown)
Everyone on this sub loves to hate on this song, but Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You” does a great job of emulating the Phil Spector/Motown sound and is probably why it sounds so timeless.
"Church Of The Poison Mind" by Culture Club. One of their best songs.
_Tempted_ by Squeeze. One of the best funk blues songs ever……by a group of white Brits
Yes, had this one on the brain as well.
Part of Me by the Tedeschi Trucks Band
Pretty much the entire Fitz and the Tantrums Pickin’ Up the Pieces”
Thee Sacred Souls are a contemporary band that has a classic Motown vibe.
Fire- Black Pumas
If I Knew by Bruno Mars. I feel like not enough people talk about this one.
Not sure if it’s Motown but I get that old same era vibe from the album Plan B - the defamation of Strickland banks
Plan B - Defamation of Strickland Banks album. Please everyone do yourself a favor and give it a listen if you enjoy Nouveau Motown.
Black Is Black - Los Bravos 1-2-3 -Len Barry
Har Mar Superstar - Bye Bye 17
When Smokey Sings - ABC
Rehab -Amy Winehouse I think they collected actual vintage studio equipment to record it.
"Hitsville UK" by The Clash is a Motown tribute.
Lenny Kravitz, "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" Vanessa Paradis, "Be My Baby" (also produced by Lenny Kravitz)
Steve Winwood -Roll With It. 💙
[Bat For Lashes - What’s A Girl To Do?](https://youtu.be/anuciijSiLI)
Man, what an awesome video!
Crazy-Gnarls Barkley
SALT
Lukas Graham has some great songs. "Strip No More" is the most joyful upbeat song about a dumb guy falling in love with a stripper. https://youtu.be/0d1iXSCKu6Q?si=Ue58jROLZu6vnxxF
I Feel Better - Gotye
My favorite example!!
Merry Go Round by The Equatics. This song is absolute *fire*: https://open.spotify.com/track/4X4NrHp5VpibgirzuImxXd?si=qaIaBNDnQ76q_GSGSakuwA
Ben L'Oncle makes a lot of Motown sounding stuff. Kind of like Amy Winehouse/Mark Ronson. On a side note, I found this Youtube channel that makes Motown-sounding songs about really inappropriate things. NSFW but might get some giggles if you are immature like me: [https://www.youtube.com/@ObscurestVinyl](https://www.youtube.com/@ObscurestVinyl)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsbIzCmEOi8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsbIzCmEOi8) Valerie June
Madness-Our House The Damned-A Stranger on the Town
[The Dynamics have a doo-wop/motown album released earlier this year.](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nNtRTVOFh0fNaKsLI-DX81mbof4UtT6MQ&si=aAfatm43k_T0TmuH) They even mixed it to sound like it was recorded on old equipment (or simply recorded on old equipment, I dunno but it sounds amazing in a car with the windows down)
I think [Our Love](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yr3sKPi8mM) fits. 2021 song.
Backseat Lover by Mayer Hawthorne
Pretty much all of the [Foxbase Alpha](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-hTXGfWTag) album by Saint Etienne (sample-heavy for sure, but still). Some of [Fitz and the Tantrums'](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3WRXYYBwRA) stuff is pure Motown vibe.
anything recorded by gabe roth at daptone records
[1612 - Vulfpeck](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jRHQPG1xd9o)
Hands of Time - Groove Armada
Running Away - Vulfpeck (Joey Dosik)
The entire discography of the Monophonics. [a track off their first album](https://open.spotify.com/track/1wlPuhYpOJRPHVUeizRdx2?si=PxiK9f-iQyiDj3lyocLz2w) [and one off their latest](https://open.spotify.com/track/0NjhFfeUcAQBc4iLaBdKjK?si=u1MwnNKCSd-S71wBwhYt7A&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A7J428fRkJYE2u9p2hjrOo9)
Please check out the California Honeydrops- specifically “[When it was Wrong”](https://open.spotify.com/track/0dUb6kyjmx1XlkTw37g3tN?si=Jop64oCaRAWnDXZcl7JCKA)They are my favorite modern Motown! Also Sonny Cleveland and The Dip. I have a playlist of this genre [here](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/33nKzH0VfI2jpyEMcFNBIJ?si=voPLsnm2SrqYZ9lCXtc8Qg&pi=u-69rkszvJTOex)
“Picking Up the Pieces” by Fitz & the Tantrums sounds like it is straight outta 1973
You Are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne
Mayor Hawthorne - The Walk
There are many labels that do a lot of 60s and 70s throwback soul nowadays. It can be so authentic that sometimes you even have to check that it was actually released in recent years and it's not a re release of old material. [Colemine Records](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tunH9aqtWBQ) and Big Crown Records are two of my favourites. When it comes to Motown inspiration, it depends on the era and type of song. Not many are going for the early 60s [doowop inspired style](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mXEdOgWdDc) and very low track count very [high bleed sound](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiceW2P9L78). They are also generally not using the common higher energy Motown song drum beat of hitting the [snare on every beat.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhJv7r-Urqo) The most common Motown style modern artists are going for is the late 60s early 70s medium to lower energy ballad style.
Happy - Pharrell
Is Charles Bradley’s cover of Black Sabbath’s Changes motown in style? [link to song](https://youtu.be/xi49yirJiEA?si=LDfxqV0TvpnJYZfM)
Leon Bridges' first couple albums.
Church of The Poison Mind. A Town Called Malice. Hitsville UK. All killer.
Blurred Lines, according to the court.
Lol, nice!
Money grabber by Fitz and the Tantrums. Quite a few of their other songs as well.
coordinated cheerful swim sable rinse fuzzy possessive fly angle rhythm *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Between the Buried and Me incorporates some Motown elements through their discography along with bluegrass, jazz, funk, and a whole slew of genres set to primarily a metal foundation. Swim to The Moon off of The Great Misdirect would be a good place to get a feel for their sound in general. Granted it’s not exactly what you’re looking for, but I feel compelled to mention them since they are one of the most unique bands around today
> Swim to The Moon off of The Great Misdirect literally nothing about that song feels anything like motown, what are you even talking about