That's the statement I struggle with.
I don't see eye to eye with the idea that you could in truth sell a record that you like (as if you would) to fund something that will keep you in the public eye, hence my statement 'Is that what it's all about?'
Now I know that without the one-upmanship angle there are a thousand records I wouldn't know and love, so I can't complain as a listener, and I know to some extent that I'm playing devils advocate here. I alsounderstand that soulies aren't like your common or garden mobile jock.....but my computer, still, says "No!"