The In Crowd

The In Crowd - The Story Of Northern Soul

I got an email recently from someone who had visited my web site asking me to recommend some CDs to someone who knew very little about Northern Soul but wanted to know more.

That's a pretty tall order really as there are so many Northern Soul CDs on the market and a lot of them are truly awful or only have 10 tracks for ten quid!

So after rummaging through my CD collection I decided that the first one I would recommend without reservation is this one. It is a double CD containing 50 tracks compiled by those lovely people at BeeCool publishing; Mike Ritson & Stuart Russell.

The thing I really like about this CD is that it is what it isn't that determines what it is; if you get my drift. It isn't a lazy compilation of Northern Soul classics, it isn't a compilation of tracks from Wigan Casino, it doesn't have the words Wigan Casino on the cover, it hasn't been thrown together in 5 minutes just to make some money and it isn't just a compilation of obvious rarities.

It was originally released to accompany a book of the same name (now quite hard to find) which charts the the story of Northern Soul from the early 60's club scene through Wigan Casino and The Blackpool Mecca to what was then considered "the end" in about 1980. The tracks on the CDs reflect this and so there is a wide range of genres and styles here from "Little Johnny Taylor - Zig Zag Lightening" to "The Carstairs - Really Does Hurt Me Girl", from "Bobby Bland - These Hands (Small But Mighty)" to "Cody Black - Mr Blue".

This compilation is not just for those new to the scene, it is also a great record of the tracks that were played "back in the day" so if you just want to hear your favourites again; a good selection will be here. The connoisseurs and cogniscenti should also take note of this compilation set because the sleeve notes are excellent.

So; great value, great music, great sleeve notes. What more could you ask for!

Cam Cameron - They Say - Capri 101

This is one of those records that is quite difficult to find any information on. I don't know who Cam Cameron is or where the label is from; googling Cam Cameron brings up loads of references to the offensive coach of the Baltimore Ravens!

I first heard it when rummaging through John Weston's play box after he DJ'd at "These Old Shoes" soul club in London and stayed at my house afterwards. His copy was on the red label variant of the Capri label.

It actually took me another 3 years to find one, but it was worth the wait. Starting with a neat bit of drumming and horns coming in after, Cam's really quite good vocal kicks in. A mid to up-tempo, highly danceable tune it's got it all; good arrangement and backing, great vocal and group harmonies as an added bonus.

Click here to listen

Price wise this is one of those records that varies massively in price depending on whether it is getting played as it isn't that well known. I've seen it at anything from £20 right up to £100. It isn't too easy to find but I reckon a decent copy should be about £40 to £50.

R&B Podcast - Part 2

The second part of this podcast

If your idea of the best in Northern Soul music is "Al Wilson - The Snake" then look away now! No disrespect to "The Snake" really, it's a good tune in its own right but if I never hear it again it will be too soon.

This podcast is the second part of a longer podcast I put together from the sort of music I am collecting and listening to at the moment. You may not agree that it constitutes Northern Soul in the strictest sense but it does make for good listening on your ipod.

Powered by Podbean.com

Tracklist:

• Chuck Wright – The Palm of Your Hand
• The Mighty Cravers – Choo Choo Special
• Bobby Angelle – Too Much For You
• Peppermint Harris – Wait Until It Happens To You
• The Invitations – Watch Out Little Girl
• Jimmy Seals – The Yesterday of Our Love
• Jackie Shane – Comin’ Down
• Baby Washington – I’ve Got A Feeling
• Ruth Brown – Sweet Baby Of Mine
• Jimmy Ricks & The Raves – Daddy Rollin’ Stone
• Rosco Gordon – You Got My Bait
• Curtis Knight – Voodoo Woman
• The Del Vikings – Too Many Miles

Kent Records Do It Again!

Northern Soul's Classiest Rarities 3

Buying a Kent Records Northern Soul CD always gives you a good feeling that you have spent your money wisely. As well as a great selection of tracks and excellent sound quality, there is the bonus of Ady Croasdell's knowledgeable sleeve notes to give you the background to every track.

This is the third in this series (obviously!) and carries on with the same level of quality that the first two brought; in-demand tracks mixed in with classics, lesser known rarities and of course something new to tempt you with.

Recent in-demanders include "The Quotations - I Don't Have to Worry", "Darrow Fletcher - What Have I Got Now" together with the awesome "I'll Run - Paul Smith" the last two both on the Jacklyn label.

My particular favourites are the fantastic "Don & Ron - I'm So So Sorry" which you don't hear much due to its rarity (despite Dave greenhill repeatedly telling me he got it for £10); "The Servicemen - Connie" which is the equally good b-side to "Sweet Magic" and "Charles Drain - Stop and Think About It" which was new to me.

There are a couple of classics from Ty Karim and Larry Atkins on the Romark label and of course 2 unissued mid-tempo tracks from Brooks O'Dell and Eddie & Ernie. The latter being a mid-tempo almost ballad version of uptempo "Indication" which was issued only on UK Jay-Boy

The full track list can be seen at Amazon here: Classiest Rarities V3

All in all a really good CD, I've now got Vols 1 & 3 but somehow I have missed the second, I think I'll remedy that very soon indeed.

Barbara Acklin - Raindrops - Capitol 3892

Barbara Acklin - Raindrops - Capitol 3892

Uplifting 70's soul from the woman that gave us "Love Makes A Woman" in the 60's; Barbara Acklin.

Right from the intro it gets your fingers snapping and you know its a good tune. Credit to Jo Wallace for playing this to me last time she visited.

It isn't an expensive one either, you should be able to pick one up for between £10 and £20 quite easily.

Click here to listen