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: 1969The Sizzling Starlistics – I Need Someone
Sold for $2,950.00
Label: Love Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1973Johnnie Walker And Jacqueline Dee – Farewell To Welfare
Sold for $2,999.00
Label: Earwax
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1980The 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: 1964The Jokers – Soul Sound
Sold for $2,999.99
Label: Sko-Field
Format: Vinyl, 7″
Country: US
Released: N/ALittle 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: 1964Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
Sold for $3,000.00
Label: Tamla
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold
Country: US
Released: 1971Salt & Pepper – A Man Of My Word / Linda
Sold for $3,100.00
Label: Heatwave
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1969E. 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: 1964Vondells – Soldier Boy
Sold for $3,191.49
Label: Airtown Custom Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1968Jimmy Burns – I Really Love You
Sold for $3,191.49
Label: Erica Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1965The 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: 1966John 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: 1967Little 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: 1964Soulfull Strutters – How Happy We Will Be
Sold for $3,488.37
Label: Strut Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Stereo
Country: US
Released: N/AThe Dogs – Don’t Try To Help Me
Sold for $3,499.00
Label: Treasure
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1967The 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: 1967Soul Incorporated – My Proposal / Message To Michael
Sold for $3,600.00
Label: Coconut Groove
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1967The Saints – Love Can Be / I’ll Let You Slide
Sold for $3,638.30
Label: Wigwam
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1973Willie 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: 1972Bob & 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: 1966Johnny And The Brothers Of Soul – Goodbye, Sam
Sold for $3,999.99
Label: Lifetime Recordings
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1971Sag 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: 1972Dynamic Five – Love Is The Key
Sold for $4,250.00
Label: United Artists Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Test Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1978Robert Tanner – Sweet Memories
Sold for $4,468.08
Label: Megatone
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1970William Powell – Heartache Souvenirs / Chicken Shack
Sold for $4,468.08
Label: Power-House Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: N/ABernie Williams – Ever Again / Next To You
Sold for $5,106.38
Label: Bell Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1969Ray Agee – Hard Lovin Woman / I’m Losing Again
Sold for $6,401.16
Label: Soultown Records
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1967Larry Clinton – She’s Wanted
Sold for $7,000.00
Label: Dynamo
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1965Prince – The Black Album
Sold for $27,500.00
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Canada
Released: 1987
Published in partnership with Technics.
