Neal Conway, a celebrated pioneer of soulful house and urban retro music, is on a mission to bring the soul back into the music industry. With a rich history that includes working with legends like Roy Ayers and creating the iconic hit “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless),” Conway is now leading a movement with his own label, Urban Retro Music Group (URMG). For Conway, launching URMG is more than a business move—it's a cultural statement.
He seeks to revive the essence of musicianship, thought-provoking lyrics, and socially conscious messaging, taking inspiration from artists like Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway.
URMG sets itself apart from today’s mainstream labels by embracing live orchestration, strings, horns, percussion, and true musical arrangements. It’s Conway’s answer to a landscape where synthetic sounds and AI-generated tracks dominate. His approach honors the organic artistry of an earlier musical era while crafting something relevant for today’s listeners.
As founder of URM SoulPowerRadio, Conway is also making waves in broadcasting. The station isn't just about spinning hits—it’s a cultural archive and an education hub. It introduces Gen Z and Gen Alpha to the roots of the music they enjoy today, much of which samples the work of earlier generations. Rather than chasing trends, URM SoulPowerRadio champions the underground and grassroots music scenes, intentionally avoiding overplayed mainstream content.
Conway believes that returning to organic production is not just a preference—it’s a necessity. “Music is almost not music anymore,” he says, lamenting how the synthesizer, once a complementary instrument, has become the backbone of much of today’s production. The shift away from studio musicians and live bands may have been cost-effective, but it has left a sonic void. His call to action is clear: to preserve the soul and richness of music, we must return to live instruments and real musicality.
His own sound—an eclectic blend of jazz, neo-soul, and house—reflects his commitment to music that speaks from the soul. Conway sees these genres not just as stylistic choices, but as vehicles for deeper meaning and social connection. Where many labels focus solely on profitability, he sees an opportunity to revive music’s power to spark social change.
One of the projects he’s most excited about is the upcoming Urban Retropolitan Movement Project, a collaborative album inspired by Quincy Jones’s genre-defying productions. The album will feature acclaimed neo-soul artists such as Deborah Bond, Lori Williams, Colie Williams, and SOULe. Conway describes the collective as a “musical family” working together to define the URMG sound—a blend of message-driven music with rich, soulful production.
Despite a digital landscape increasingly shaped by AI, Conway sees a hopeful future for live-instrument-driven music. He points to artists like Louie Vega and platforms like Mixcloud and underground DJs who are helping to lead the charge. Having taught master classes in music technology at UMBC, Conway has seen firsthand how students are now rediscovering vinyl, soul, and the feel of live instrumentation. Though Gen X musicians may not have fully passed the torch, younger listeners are showing a hunger for authenticity.
Still, the road isn’t without its challenges. With major labels owning many radio stations, Conway notes that breaking through with grassroots music requires persistence and strategy. He likens it to water slowly carving the Grand Canyon—a slow but powerful force. His solution: keep building the audience through URM SoulPowerRadio, college radio, and independent media. Steady exposure, he believes, will eventually shift the cultural tide.
From DJ sets to digital broadcasts, Conway is creating platforms where timeless music can thrive in modern spaces. He’s confident that soul-rooted music still has the power to connect deeply with today’s youth, particularly because of its exclusivity and underground appeal. That very dynamic helped take “Gypsy Woman” from a club hit to a global sensation.
Looking to the future, Conway envisions URMG producing at least three Grammy-nominated projects within the next three years. For SoulPowerRadio, he’s aiming for 100,000 listeners by spotlighting unique programming—shows like “The Iggie Da Que Show” that highlight old-school funk and deep-cut classics, along with fresh mixes of house, neo-soul, and jazz.
Neal Conway isn’t chasing trends—he’s shaping a movement. In an industry often driven by algorithms and automation, he’s putting musicianship, message, and meaning back at the center of sound.
