(ThyBlackMan.com) When you think about soul and funk legends of the ‘70s and ‘80s, certain names dominate the headlines — but true music lovers know Carl Carlton belongs firmly in that conversation.

We've had Top Tens of Sixties soul (largely classic) and Seventies soul (mostly great). Now it's Eighties soul and some might feel it's a Top Ten too far. The likes of Luther Vandross and Alexander ...

Much like the 1980s themselves, country music during the decade was ... well, varied. Artists such as the Judds burst onto the scene with a pop-influenced sound that's now as iconic as their '80s ...