Authentic soul music and superstar musical performances are the consistent theme and backdrop for Soul Men, the comedic film directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film was released nationwide on November 7th and the soundtrack, which showcases the aforementioned music, is in stores now.

The film stars entertainment icons Bernie Mac, who passed away on August 9th, award-winning actor Samuel L. Jackson, and includes a cameo appearance by Isaac Hayes who died the day after Mac in unrelated circumstances.

In his last movie performance, popular comedian Mac, Jackson and Grammy winner John Legend (who makes a special appearance in the movie) play members of a fictitious group, The Real Deal.

More than providing the musical narrative for the movie, the soundtrack for Soul Men stands alone as a solid album that faithfully recreates the legendary sound and flavor associated with Stax Records at the height of its popularity in the late 60s through the mid-70s.

With a slate of top contemporary artists including Grammy winner John Legend, neo-soul stars Anthony Hamilton, Leela James and Ryan Shaw, cult favorites Sharon Jones with her band The Dap Kings and Me’Shell Ndegeocello among others, the Soul Men soundtrack focuses on some of the greatest music classics from the Stax catalog.

For more information on the film and a sampling of the soundtrack you can visit the official website, soulmen-movie.com.

Aretha Franklin is already known the world-over as the Queen of Soul, but now according to a recent poll conducted by Rolling Stone magazine she can also consider herself the greatest singer of the rock era.

The results of the poll placed Franklin, 66, ahead of Ray Charles at No. 2, Elvis Presley at No. 3, Sam Cooke at No. 4 and John Lennon at No. 5. The magazine surveyed 179 musicians, producers, Rolling Stone editors, and other music-industry insiders.

The 100-strong list was published earlier this month in an issue of Rolling Stone that featured four different covers.

In the issue R&B singer Mary J. Blige writes, in a testimonial, that Franklin is “the reason why women want to sing.” Former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, who was No. 15 on the list, describes Presley’s voice as “confident, insinuating and taking no prisoners.”

Besides Franklin, the only other living people in the top 10 were Bob Dylan at No. 7 and Stevie Wonder at No. 9. Marvin Gaye was No. 6, Otis Redding No. 8, and James Brown No. 10.

Other notables included Paul McCartney at No. 11, one place ahead of his idol, Little Richard; and Mick Jagger at No. 16, also one ahead of a key influence, Tina Turner. Among the top 25, 50-year-old Michael Jackson was the youngest, coming in at No. 25.

Voters included Metallica frontman James Hetfield, folk singers David Crosby and Yusuf Islam, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, punk rock veteran Iggy Pop and English pop star James Blunt. They each submitted their top 20 choices, and an accounting firm tabulated the results.

For more information on this issue of Rolling Stone, including images of actual voter ballots, you can visit their site, rollingstone.com.