Tommy Søvik – Soul Voices: Soul with a message 1960-1980 – MessagePress NOR Book+7″

A richly illustrated book exploring how Soul music became a powerful voice for justice, identity, and spirit. It dives into an era when music was more than entertainment, it was a way of speaking truth, building community, and expressing resistance.

Soul Voices is about Afro-American musicians turning music into a powerful force in the fight for civil rights and Black empowerment. From local record shops to the national charts, the book highlights hundreds of 7″ singles that captured everyday life, resistance, and joy in segregated America. Alongside legendary artists, Soul Voices brings attention to overlooked performers whose songs became ‘survival kits on wax’ for a generation seeking freedom and justice.

The book shows how every lyric is part of a larger story, one that speaks of a continent, of millions of lives, of hope, struggle, and joy. Individually and collectively, they offer a powerful window into African American life during some of the most transformative decades of the 20th century. Ultimately, these lyrics are both a time capsule and a teacher.

Soul Voices includes some of the most celebrated figures in soul music, such as James Brown, Marvin Gaye and Nina Simone. But the heart of this book lies with the hundreds of lesser-known voices whose messages still resonate.

This book invites readers to rediscover those voices. They deserve to be heard.

Each first edition of Soul Voices includes a limited edition 7″ single with two previously unreleased tracks from a rare 1973 test pressing:

LISTEN here:

tracklist:

A-side: Unknown Artist – Peace, Love and Understanding
B-side: Unknown Artist – Get Out Brother

A limited pressing of 500 copies, featuring two powerful Soul tracks from a rare 1973 test pressing. The audio has been carefully restored to maintain the character of the original disc, while improving clarity. No confirmed information exists about the artists or musicians involved. Only handwritten titles and the date January 23, 1973 appear on the disc.

All revenue from this release will be held in escrow for two years. If the original creators come forward, the funds will be made available to them. If not, the full amount will be donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

This single is an exclusive part of the book release Soul Voices: Soul with a Message 1960–1980 and not available seperately.

About the author:

Tommy Søvik is a historian, teacher, DJ, record collector, and writer based in Oslo, Norway.

Born in Bergen, he discovered Soul music at the age of 15 and has been immersed in it ever since. While many are drawn to the rhythm, his lifelong passion has also embraced the blues, the side of the music that speaks of life, struggle, dignity, and resistance.

For decades, Tommy has not only collected and played records, but also listened closely to what they say. This focus on message and meaning forms the foundation of Soul Voices.

As a long-standing figure in the Norwegian soul scene, he has organized countless club nights, played at venues across Europe, and built a reputation for both musical taste and historical insight. He co-founded Oslo Soul Experience, a club that ran for over 15 years and became a global meeting place for Soul enthusiasts.