Sound of Soul Records
Sound of Soul Records is a historic independent soul, funk, and rhythm-and-blues label based in Richmond, Virginia. Founded by late producer, songwriter, publisher, and music entrepreneur August Moon, the company was established during the golden era of independent Black music 1965 and became part of Virginia’s important soul and funk recording legacy.
The Sound of Soul catalog includes original recordings and musical compositions connected to August Moon Music, including the influential funk recording “Seven Minutes of Funk” by The Whole Darn Family. Its distinctive bassline and groove have crossed generations, inspiring and being sampled in recordings by prominent hip-hop and popular-music artists.
Today, Sound of Soul Records continues under the stewardship of the Sound of Soul Records Music Trust and is led by CEO Publisher A. Max Smith, the son of founder August Moon. Carrying forward his father’s legacy A. Max Smith oversees the preservation, protection, and expansion of the catalog while guiding the label into new creative and commercial opportunities.
The company’s mission is to preserve its master recordings, protect and administer its intellectual property, recover unpaid royalties, document its chain of title, and introduce its historic catalog to new audiences.
The company’s current development strategy includes authorized vinyl and CD reissues, digital releases, synchronization licensing, documentaries, collector editions, anniversary projects, merchandise, educational content, and carefully developed new recordings inspired by the original Sound of Soul legacy.
Sound of Soul Records is also developing Sample Beatz Records, a specialty music and media platform dedicated to celebrating the connection between original soul and funk recordings and the hip-hop songs they later inspired.
Sample Beatz projects are designed to combine music, history, and collector culture through original catalog recordings, newly created remixes, sample-breakdown content, producer stories, archival photographs, detailed liner notes, limited-edition vinyl, collectible CDs, and educational media.
Through Sample Beatz, Sound of Soul Records seeks to give proper recognition to the original artists, musicians, writers, producers, publishers, and independent labels whose recordings helped form the foundation of hip-hop production.
Rooted in independent Black music entrepreneurship and guided by a modern catalog-development vision, Sound of Soul Records represents a living bridge between Virginia’s soul and funk heritage and the global music industry of today.
Sound of Soul Records — Preserving the Sound. Protecting the Legacy. Building the Future.
Sample Beatz Records — Where Original Soul Meets Hip-Hop History.