Not only has Arkansas produced a president, but also critically acclaimed, successful musicians of varying genres: Pharoah Sanders, Art Porter, Sr., Art Porter, Jr., Al Green, Ne-Yo, Johnnie Taylor, Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, etc., etc., etc. Although Arkansas native, Al Bell, is most famous for his work with Stax Records, just two hours away in Little Rock, art teacher, Lee Anthony, launched True Soul Records in 1968, home to several independent soul musicians. Music collectors from around the world have searched for the rare, deep soul cuts produced through this studio, which amounted to a room in the back of Soul Brothers Record Shop, also the brain-child of Mr. Anthony. Underrated, but never forgotten, Mr. Anthony’s efforts have recently been recognized with a compilation of True Soul’s music, and a tribute concert honoring the talented musicians and singers that graced the studio. We at Neosoul Rhythms have curated a list of articles to give readers an overall sense of the historical significance of Lee Anthony’s vision for supporting Arkansas artists through True Soul.
Snapshot: Arkansas based independent soul music label, founded in 1968 by Lee Anthony. Anthony opened up the first black-owned record store in Arkansas, Soul Brothers, in 1966. The store is said to have anchored Little Rock’s soul and funk scene at the time. True Soul Records operated from 1968 to the mid-1980s.
True Soul ... Honest!
http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/news/1347-true-soul--honest.html
True Soul Recording Studio
https://www.discogs.com/label/91469-True-Soul
True Soul Records Compiled
https://www.clashmusic.com/news/true-soul-records-compiled
The Groove Seeker: True Soul: Deep Sounds From The Left Of Stax, Volume 1
https://alarm-magazine.com/2011/the-groove-seeker-true-soul-deep-sounds-from-the-left-of-stax-volume-1/
JOHNNY AND DOLORES: TRUE SOUNDS
https://www.oxfordamerican.org/magazine/item/319-johnny-and-dolores-true-sounds
True Soul Records Tribute – Remembering Jazz, Funk, Blues and Soul Pioneers of Arkansas
http://www.smoothjazztimes.com/true-soul-tribute-remember-pioneers-arkansas-jazz-funk-blues-soul/
Funk label True Soul Records gets tribute concert
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/feb/22/funk-label-true-soul-records-gets-tribu/