You want t know about Soul music? The best way is to study soul music go do your research. In this day and age the biggest resource tool the internet can teach you alot about different artist. I'm pretty sure you can even hear snippets of their music.

Taking a portable TT looks cool but it's to time consuming. While you are still going through your 1st crate a silent killer is digging up the good stuff. Based off knowledge in his or her brain. My portable is used for sampling on the go. You hear digger say all the time look at the session players. You can learn alot by just reading.

Good luck digging for that soul...