READ ALL ABOUT IT: ELI 'PAPERBOY' REED HAS SOUL
Let's debunk two myths right now. 1) White men can jump. Ever see a high-level volleyball match? Case closed. Also, type "Henry Bekkering" into YouTube's search engine. 2) White people can make great soul music. This second assertion will take a little more elaboration.

In the '60s, African-Americans dominated the soul genre, but a handful of Caucasians emerged who could legitimately compete with the major players. Artists such as Rare Earth, Van Morrison, the Band, Lee Michaels, 100 Proof (Aged in Soul) and Steve Marriott (Small Faces, Humble Pie) created bodies of work that still send shivers down spines of all colors (or they ought to).

Today there seem to be fewer great young soul singers of all races. Which is why when a Jamie Lidell or an Amy Winehouse (or someone like D'Angelo in the '90s) comes around, some critics can't help hyperventilating over their talents. Allston, Massachusetts' Eli "Paperboy" Reed is one of the latest melanin-deficient musicians to raise hopes among soul connoisseurs for his retro neo-soul (or is it neo retro-soul?).