The Most Expensive Soul Albums Ever Sold on Discogs

If you’re a fan of Discogs, then you’re likely familiar with our regular roundups of the priciest items sold each month in the Marketplace. These lists are typically monopolized by classic rock vinyl with a few coveted cassettes, CD box sets, and other limited releases peppered in.

Now we’re diving deep into a specific genre: soul music. Here are the most expensive soul albums ever on Discogs.

Soul originated in the United States throughout the 1950s and ’60s, but its influence on other musical styles is vast and profound. Artists such as Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye define its earliest years, but the genre is still going strong today. Its exact definition can be hard to pin but is best described as a blend of rhythm and blues, jazz, and gospel whose elements are often seen in rock, hip-hop, and funk. It is intrinsically wound with the Black American experience.

The most expensive records below reflect the peak years of soul, which was dominated by 7-inch releases in the 1960 and ’70s. Honestly, this ranking makes for one hell of a playlist. While it doesn’t necessarily include all of the essential songs or artists of the style, it does provide a great sampling of sensuous soul tunes.

You’ll notice one major outlier to the overall trend at No. 1: Prince’s Black Album, which currently holds the record (pun intended) for the most expensive item sold on Discogs of all time. Prince ordered all copies of the record destroyed before its drop, however, a few survivors still exist today. It was eventually released on cassette and online, but the original vinyl is the only time it was ever pressed on wax, hence the outstanding price tag.

Are any of the records in your collection? What about these specific releases? What are you playing them on? If we had even one of these lovelies — especially that Black Album — we would have to spin them on something as quality as the direct-drive Technics SL-1500C.

Top 30 Most Expensive Soul Records

Candi Staton – Now You’ve Got The Upper Hand

Sold for $2,936.16
Label: Unity Record Company
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Released: 1969
The Sizzling Starlistics – I Need Someone

Sold for $2,950.00
Label: Love Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1973
Johnnie Walker And Jacqueline Dee – Farewell To Welfare

Sold for $2,999.00
Label: Earwax
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1980
The Phonetics – Don’t Let Love Get You Down

Sold for $2,999.99
Label: Trudel Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1964
The Jokers – Soul Sound

Sold for $2,999.99
Label: Sko-Field
Format: Vinyl, 7″
Country: US
Released: N/A
Little Nicky Soul – I Wanted To Tell You / You Said

Sold for $3,000.00
Label: Shee Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1964
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On

Sold for $3,000.00
Label: Tamla
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold
Country: US
Released: 1971
Salt & Pepper – A Man Of My Word / Linda

Sold for $3,100.00
Label: Heatwave
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1969
E. Williams – Trade My Soul To The Devil / My Love Waits For Me

Sold for $3,127.66
Label: Jaa Dee
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1964
Vondells – Soldier Boy

Sold for $3,191.49
Label: Airtown Custom Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1968
Jimmy Burns – I Really Love You

Sold for $3,191.49
Label: Erica Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1965
The Group Featuring Cecil Washington – I Don’t Like To Lose

Sold for $3,319.15
Label: Prophonics Studios
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1966
John Harris And The Soul Sayers – What Can I Do / Hangin’ In

Sold for $3,350.00
Label: Kerston Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, White Label
Country: Germany
Released: 1967
Little Nicky Soul – I Wanted To Tell You / You Said

Sold for $3,417.55
Label: Shee Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1964
Soulfull Strutters – How Happy We Will Be

Sold for $3,488.37
Label: Strut Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Stereo
Country: US
Released: N/A
The Dogs – Don’t Try To Help Me

Sold for $3,499.00
Label: Treasure
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1967
The Professionals – That’s Why I Love You / Did My Baby Call

Sold for $3,500.00
Label: Groove City Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1967
Soul Incorporated – My Proposal / Message To Michael

Sold for $3,600.00
Label: Coconut Groove
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1967
The Saints – Love Can Be / I’ll Let You Slide

Sold for $3,638.30
Label: Wigwam
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1973
Willie Tee – Teasing You Again / Your Love, My Love Together

Sold for $3,829.79
Label: Gatur Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1972
Bob & Fred – I’ll Be On My Way (Part 1)

Sold for $3,829.79
Label: Big Mack
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1966
Johnny And The Brothers Of Soul – Goodbye, Sam

Sold for $3,999.99
Label: Lifetime Recordings
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1971
Sag War Fare – Don’t Be So Jive / Girl! You Better Change

Sold for $4,000.00
Label: Libra Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1972
Dynamic Five – Love Is The Key

Sold for $4,250.00
Label: United Artists Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Test Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1978
Robert Tanner – Sweet Memories

Sold for $4,468.08
Label: Megatone
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1970
William Powell – Heartache Souvenirs / Chicken Shack

Sold for $4,468.08
Label: Power-House Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: N/A
Bernie Williams – Ever Again / Next To You

Sold for $5,106.38
Label: Bell Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1969
Ray Agee – Hard Lovin Woman / I’m Losing Again

Sold for $6,401.16
Label: Soultown Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1967
Larry Clinton – She’s Wanted

Sold for $7,000.00
Label: Dynamo
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1965
Prince – The Black Album

Sold for $27,500.00
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Canada
Released: 1987