UNSUNG HEROES OF SOUL #Hi Records

Syl Johnson was a blues-based soul singer whose recordings were sampled by the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Jay-Z, Kid Rock and Kanye West.

Ann Peebles sold albums and singles to the soul market throughout the 1970s, but never really broke through to the pop audience. Her biggest crossover hit, "I Can't Stand the Rain," reached a modest #38.

Overton Vertis “O.V.” Wright was a gospel-inflected singer whose body of work influenced the likes of Robert Cray and Taj Mahal.