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R&B & Soul Music

R&B & Soul Music

Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated as R&B or RnB, is a genre of popular African-American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a heavy, insistent beat" was becoming more popular. In the commercial rhythm and blues music typical of the 1950s through the 1970s, the bands usually consisted of piano, one or two guitars, bass, drums, saxophone, and sometimes background vocalists. R&B lyrics focus heavily on the themes of triumphs and failures in terms of relationships, freedom, economics, aspirations, and sex. By the 1970s, the term rhythm and blues changed again and was used as a blanket term for soul and funk. In the 1980s, a newer style of R&B developed, becoming known as "Contemporary R&B". It combines elements of rhythm and blues, soul, funk, pop, hip hop and dance.

Soul music is a popular music genre that originated in the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues and jazz. Soul music became popular for dancing and listening in the United States; where record labels such as Motown, Atlantic and Stax were influential in the civil rights era. Soul also became popular around the world, directly influencing rock music and the music of Africa. Catchy rhythms, stressed by handclaps and extemporaneous body moves, are an important feature of soul music. Other characteristics are a call and response between the lead vocalist and the chorus and an especially tense vocal sound. The style also occasionally uses improvisational additions, twirls and auxiliary sounds. Soul music reflected the African-American identity and it stressed the importance of an African-American culture. The new-found African-American consciousness led to new styles of music, which boasted pride in being black.

Close up shot of Annie Lennox, Eurythmics photographed in London in 1983 by Brian Aris

Annie Lennox

Stunning shot taken in 1983 of Annie Lennox wearing a striking make-up style that was originally created by artist Sue Mann

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Chic (CH001JF)

Chic

All four members of Chic cannot help but groove to the same beat.

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Eurythmics (EU001GM)

Eurythmics

The Eurythmics captured during a photo shoot in Paris, 1986 for the cover art for their album 'Revenge'

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Glastonbury Noel Gallagher (NOEL001JF)

Noel Gallagher

Noel Gallagher performing with Oasis on The Main Stage in 1995 during Glastonbury's 25th Anniversary Festival

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Horace Panter Compilation 2 (COMP002HOPA)

Horace Panter Multi-Cassette Technicolour

Signed limited edition technicoloured cassette art print by Horace Panter featuring 24 different images including The Clash & Sex Pistols

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Amy Winehouse sat at the table in a Primrose Hill cafe in 2004 photographed by Jake Chessum

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse captured in a Primrose Hill cafe during a photo shoot with Jake Chessum in February 2004.

Prices from £595.00
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Amy Winehouse photographed backstage by Jill Furmanovsky at the Union Chapel, Islington London 2006

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse captured in the corridor of the Union Chapel - "She seemed particularly happy that night" - Jill Furmanovsky

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Glastonbury Joe Strummer (JOES001JF)

Joe Strummer

At the 1995 Glastonbury Festival Joe Strummer relaxes behind the scenes

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Amy Winehouse onstage at the V Festival in 2008, photograph taken by photographer Mark Mawston

Amy Winehouse

"At the time, the chances of this gig actually happening at all seemed very remote, Amy arrived an hour and a half late for her slot."

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Amy Winehouse sat on a bench in a North London laundrette in 2004 photograpghed by Jake Chessum

Amy Winehouse

Stunning image of Amy Winehouse taken in a North London launderette during a photo shoot in winter 2004.

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Amy Winehouse wearing a blue dress photographed by Jake Chessum in Primrose Hill in 2004

Amy Winehouse

February 2004, Amy Winehouse is captured in a launderette in Primrose Hill by Jake Chessum

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Amy Winehouse at the Union Chapel in Islington in 2006 photographed by Jill Furmanovsky

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse performing onstage at the world famous Union Chapel in Islington, London in November 2006

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Glastonbury Bob Dylan (BD005JF)

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan captured with his classic stare whilst performing on The Main Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in 1998

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Glastonbury Jarvis Cocker (PULP001JF)

Jarvis Cocker

Jarvis Cocker performing one of his signature moves with Pulp on The Park Stage during the 2011 Glastonbury Festival

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Glastonbury Jeff Buckley (JB005JF)

Jeff Buckley

Jeff Buckley performs at Glastonbury in 1995 as part of his Mystery White Boy Tour

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Glastonbury Liam Gallagher (LIAM001JF)

Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher owning the stage whilst headlining with Oasis at the Glastonbury Festival in 1995

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GLASTONBURY PAUL WELLER

Paul Weller

Paul Weller performing on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2015

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Portrait of Amy Winehouse created by artist Horace Panter commissioned by the Amy Winehouse Foundation

Amy Winehouse

Stunning Horace Panter portrait of Amy Winehouse commissioned by The Amy Winehouse Foundation.

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Colour photograph of Amy Winehouse performing at the Union Chapel in 2006 shot by Jill Furmanovsky

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse photographed backstage at the Union Chapel, Islington during her Little Noise Sessions acoustic charity gig in November 2006

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Amy Winehouse sitting in a North London laundrette in 2004 photographed by Jake Chessum

Amy Winehouse

Candid black & white photograph of Amy Winehouse taken in Camden, London in February 2004

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Amy Winehouse wearing a parka at Primrose Hill in 2004 photographed by Jake Chessum

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse all wrapped up on a freezing day on Primrose Hill in February 2004.

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Amy Winehouse lying on the sofa on her flat  in Camden Town in 2004 photographed by Jake Chessum

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse at home in her flat in Camden Town in February 2004

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Glastonbury (GLAS003ANDI)

Glastonbury

This atmospheric photo perfectly captures the spirit of Glastonbury with its ticker tape sky.

Prices from £125.00
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Glastonbury Flags Field (GLAS001ANDI)

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The flags and sign for the Glastonbury Festival sit against the tranquil calm of the Somerset countryside

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Featured Prints

Red Hot Chili Peppers (CP001MA)

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Contact sheet of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers photographed at Hyde Park, London in 1991

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Oasis (OAMR001JF)

Oasis

Noel recalls "Maine Road was where we all used to go as kids. So I was standing there, trying to make sure I never forgot this moment"

Prices from £2,000.00
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Amy Winehouse sat on a bench in a North London laundrette in 2004 photograpghed by Jake Chessum

Amy Winehouse

Stunning image of Amy Winehouse taken in a North London launderette during a photo shoot in winter 2004.

Prices from £595.00
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David Bowie (DB001POST)

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Exclusive David Bowie print specially created by The Postman for Rockarchive, based on a photograph taken by Dave Hogan at Live Aid in 1985

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Pink Floyd (PF005ANWH)

Pink Floyd

Relaxing backstage at Abbey Road Studios during the recording of debut album 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'

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Screen print of Prince created by artist David Studwell

Prince

Limited edition screen print of a mugshot of Prince created by artist David Studwell

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Featured Artists

Bob Marley (and the Wailers)

Bob Marley (and the Wailers)

Bob Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, & guitarist who achieved international fame & acclaim.

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Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck is one of rock’s most respected and dynamic instrumentalists. He is widely regarded as a “guitarist’s guitarist”.

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Björk

Björk

Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk is an Icelandic singer-songwriter.

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Oasis

Oasis

Oasis was an English rock music band formed in Manchester in 1991, to date the band has sold over 70 million records worldwide.

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David Bowie

David Bowie

David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.

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Queen

Queen

Queen are a British rock band credited with making significant contributions to such genres as hard rock & heavy metal, among others.

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Featured Collections

***New Arrivals***

***New Arrivals***

Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.

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Born In The USA

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The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best

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Contact Sheets Print Collection

Contact Sheets Print Collection

Our contact sheet print collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.

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Graphic Art Print Collection

Graphic Art Print Collection

Browse our collection of popular graphic art prints including iconic images by Storm Thorgerson and stunning work by contemporary artists.

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Jake Chessum

Jake Chessum

During his 30 year career Jake Chessum has shot defining images of musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Jay Z, The Beastie Boys & David Bowie.

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Jill Furmanovsky Collection

Jill Furmanovsky Collection

Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists

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