Best Soul and Jazz Records for Sampling

Soul and jazz records have powered sample-based music since the early days of hip-hop. Clean drums, horn stabs, string sections, and emotional chord progressions make them ideal for chopping and flipping. This guide covers what to look for, which labels and eras to target, and where to find those records.

Why soul and jazz work so well

Soul and jazz from the late 60s through the 70s often have isolated sections—a drum break, a few bars of strings, a bass line—that you can loop or chop. The arrangements leave space, and the recording quality is usually warm and full. Funk and soul drums in particular sit in a sweet spot: punchy but not overly processed, so they layer well with other samples.

Labels and eras to know

Soul and funk

Stax, Motown, Philadelphia International, and smaller labels like Brunswick and Curtom produced countless tracks with memorable breaks and hooks. Look for B-sides and deep cuts; the hits have been sampled to death. Late 60s and early 70s soul often has raw drums and simple arrangements that are easy to isolate.

Jazz

Jazz from the 60s and 70s—especially on Blue Note, Impulse!, and CTI—offers rich chords, modal vamps, and drum solos that chop into great one-shots. Look for tracks with a steady groove rather than constant soloing. Soundtrack and library LPs from the same era often have similar instrumentation with even more structured, loop-friendly sections.

Where to find them

Record stores with a strong soul and jazz section are the classic source. Discogs is invaluable for researching labels, pressing variations, and current prices. Use "similar items" and label pages to discover more. Online digging on YouTube and streaming can help you preview before you buy. For a full rundown on digging—thrift stores, dollar bins, and online crates—read our guide on how to find rare vinyl samples.

Soul and jazz are just the start. Library music and soundtracks offer similar vibes with even more obscure material. For that, check out our post on library music and soundtrack LPs for sampling.