As part of the release promotion of Mark IV - Hang Ups / Give Me Just A Little - Cordial Recordings
Cordial Recordings have pushed out an interview with Otis Brown Jr regarding his time with Mark IV
Interview
Are you from New Jersey originally?
No I’m actually from Summerville, South Carolina originally. Summerville is this little town near the east coast. I attended South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. .
Was your introduction to music was play
Northern Soul Connections #6 by @Kenb
into my ark, 2 by 2...
Northern Connections hits issue #6! Latest in this series of soul infographics from Kenb takes a 2 x 2 connection as its theme....
By E. Mark Windle
Texan Don Robey was an entrepreneur, community celebrity; and some report an individual who used threats and violence to get his way. But whether a man of stature, malevolence or elements of both, he followed many business avenues and was successful in most of them. Robey’s entertainment enterprises, including ownership of four of the biggest and most prolific R&B orientated labels in Texas – Peacock, Back Beat and Sure-Shot, has secured his place within web pages of t
Northern Soul Connections #5 by @Kenb
Three of 'The Philadelphian Funk Brothers'
It's time for another in this now firmly established northern soul infographic Northern Connections series
This one involves three of 'The Philadelphian Funk Brothers'
Northern Connections #5...
It's the spring issue of member @Kenb's now regular infographic Northern Connections series
This time around there's a debonair touch to the connections
Northern Connections #4...
Spring 2017 Points Of View
A new month under way, just seeing the back of winter off, there's a spring both in the air and in the step, so let's have a go at this...
Spring 2017 Points Of View - a new series set up to get some discussion going on concerning some interesting/relevant 2017 soul related topics.
Start things off...
Northern soul and age in 2017... carry on regardless ?
Well it could be argued that if you ever need an example of an 'elephant in the room" t
Joey Jefferson is a well known producer and label owner that released many excellent 60s soul sides. Breakthrough & Mutt & Jeff are two of Joey’s labels that are of the most interest to Rare & Northern Soul collectors. The most highly sought after 45 on Breakthrough is of course by “No One Else Can Take Your Place” by the Inspirations. Over the years myths and misinformation has surrounded the recording. Johnny Hendley who recorded solo on Mutt & Jeff and later on TIE as John &
member @Kenb has just passed up the third in this ongoing series of soul music themed infographic 'connections'
Here you go time for # three and its a timely 'Valentines' connection..
Northern Connections #3... 'Valentines' connection
member @kenb has just passed up the second in this ongoing series of soul music themed infographic 'connections'
Here you go here's the second...
Northern Connections #2... what's in a name
Was having another dig around the soul source back garden, and stumbled on this...
Another scanned sleeve notes ocr (not sure) type of thing done in the last century, this time around the scan is from the Charly Comp Lp "Rare Soul Uncovered" with the notes being written by Dave Evision.
The notes are not really that related to the actual tracks, its basically a take on the 'History Of Northern Soul' as it was circa 1984. As always these notes do provide a 'snapshot' in time of attitudes
Happy New Year
I think it's been a vintage year for books on the history of soul music. As the original soul music generation mature some of them are using their knowledge and passion to produce some fantastic, well written books that have all ready provided me with hours of enjoyment. I've chosen four so plenty of scope for others to add their preferences.
1. Spinning Around - The History of The Soul LP A-K by John Lias.
Lias emerges as a major writer on soul music and by
Member @Kenb has just passed up the first in a forthcoming series of soul music themed infographic 'connections'
Here's the first...
Northern Connections #1...
The current forum topic called Stax Dancers reminded me that had once 'ocr' scanned the sleeve notes of my copy of this old 70s lp comp titles Stax Northern Disco Sounds. While the cover has to be one of the worse northern comp covers around, the actual sleeve notes written back then by @Ian Dewhirst may now make interesting reading as they do provide a snapshot in time of attitudes and such and as have not seen them in easy to read text format thought they may be worth a pass on...
I did b
It has taken a long time for the news to reach me but I felt it wholly appropriate to pass on the news that Linda Tate died in July 2015 at the age of 72.
Linda was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and lived most of her life in Metuchen. Linda was an international relations coordinator for Merck and Company for 33 years before her retirement.
Linda is known to us through her recordings at Shrine Records, as Linda & The Vistas, and Assault Records where she fronted the Pretenders
A Monday morning indulgence! Like me you may have come across the page/site the bitter and sweet dot com a few times on your travels, if you haven't, then read on . The page is basically a mix of all sorts of soul related text though the main meat is the background info on this great too good to be a classic track by The Bitter & The Sweet – I Wont Have Any Babies For You
Here's a clip of the info, link follows
The Bitter and The Sweet hails from Detroit’s North End Northern High
Thank you to The Blue-in-Green Blog for permission to reproduce this article.
Nick Pride & The Pimptones formally introduced themselves through their debut album on Record Kicks in 2011, ‘Midnight Feast of Jazz’. In itself the album was an inspiring concept record: a soul band’s interpretation of jazz music – and it’s a concept that served the group well. ‘Rejuiced Phat Shake’ subsequently followed in 2014 which was the group’s first collaboration with Légère Recordings, and saw them
THE RICHARD CAITON STORY
Compiled by David and Val Box 2016
With a lot of help from Richard Caiton, Garry J. Cape and Paul Mooney
Ask an American soul fan to name their favourite New Orleans’ artists, and they will probably choose Allen Toussaint, Lee Dorsey, The Meters, Irma Thomas and Robert Parker. Ask a European or Japanese soul fan the same question and they are more likely to select Willie Tee, or an even lesser known artist such as Richard Caiton, a forgotten figure
The Esquires: The Family Tradition Continues.
The Musical Legacy of one of Milwaukee’s finest harmony group’s is being kept alive by their children.
The original Esquires were a vocal group from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, originally formed in 1957 as a high school group by Gilbert (Gil) Moorer, his brother Alvis, and their sister Betty. They originally began performing under the group name of Betty Moorer & The Esquires.
The Esquires (from left) Sam Pace,
A review of Eccentric Soul: Sitting In The Park - Various Artists
In Eccentric Soul: Sitting In The Park, The Numero Group pays homage to the life and work of the late Chicagoan Bob Abrahamian. Abrahamian was devoted in the celebration of “Chicagoland” and made it his obsession to discover and document Chicago Area Soul recordings from 1960 – 1980. He showcased these discoveries on his weekly radio show on WHPK which championed obscure Sweet and Group Soul, putting a spotlight onto many
The There's That Beat! Guide To The Philly Sound (Dave Moore and Jason Thornton)
Review by Mark Windle
Yes, this tome has been a long time coming. And in two ways. Not only reflected by the journey author Dave Moore and graphic designer Jason Thornton have had from book conception to publication, spanning over at least six-plus years I believe - although the precursors which got them there cross a lifetime of a love of soul music, and at that, on both sides of the Atlantic. A book lik
The current crop of seven inch box sets have divided opinion amongst collectors. Some say it has dumbed down the Dj fraternity, some want to see more previously unissued material or LP only tracks rather than tracks that have previously had a release on a 45 and in some cases are pretty common. I don’t know the criteria laid down when compiling or how much quality unissued material is available. It could be more sets are scheduled and a balance has to be struck.
Whatever the complaints th
Back in the day, Sarah Collins’ Dad, Phil, was one of the coolest mods in town. He drove a customised Lambretta, wore the sharpest suits and was seen in all the right places. But most of all he was envied for his massive record collection. It helped that he’d been brought up living in pubs in Leeds so had access to all those 45s with the extra large hole in the middle which had been playing on jukeboxes. Music for him was a passion, and he was most passionate about Soul, Northern Soul &
THE LARRY BANKS & THE SERVICEMEN STORY
The Servicemen, four members of the US Airforce and one from the US Army, were a highly talented vocal group. However with just a few releases to their name and two or three other songs in the can they didn’t find the fame their talent deserved….at least not in the USA.
However, several thousands of miles away in the United Kingdom, in clubs up and down the country DJs and dancers sought out worshiped The Servicemen and their records b
The Chairmen Of The Board can trace its roots back to The Showmen, a group founded by “General” Norman Johnson in Norfolk, Virginia. The group are best remembered for “It Will Stand” and gave us other tracks such as “The Wrong Girl”, “Take It Baby” & “Our Love Will Grow” which although none where big hits in their native United States they found some success on the UK Northern Soul dance scene.
Holland, Dozier and Holland having left Motown formed their own label Invictus and in tu
I don't like country music at all; the instruments used, the style of vocal delivery, even the 'look' of country artists puts me right off ….. .... … plus I have painful memories of going to the Greyhound pub in Edlington for soul nights and being confronted by loads of idiots dressed in cowboy gear & stetsons, wearing imitation colt 45 guns who thought it was their C&W night. ANYWAY, that aside, I have known that I like some country songs for many years …. the ones performed by Candi St
Dan Penn - Close To Me: More Fame Recordings CD CHD 1477
Few can deny Dan Penn’s place amongst the good and the great of soul music composers, sometimes churning out memorable songs on his own, or more often than not, with a notable side-kick such as Spooner Oldham, although many consider his best work came in conjunction with Chips Moman when they worked together on the classic “The Dark End of the Street”.
But Penn wasn’t simply a composer, as he had a voice to match his composition
The Popular Five were almost popular for a brief period in the late 60's. However, they soon faded from sight leaving the group's lead singer to cut a solo outing that escaped in August 1973. Even though none of their 45's charted, they did also gain release outside the US and so they form a legacy of sorts for this short lived soul group.
The Popular Five grew out of classic doo wop group the Chords. The Chords were responsible for one of the most iconic doo wop cuts of all time; "Sh-boom"
This release is the second CD to focus on the labels owned by Al Sears, a renowned saxophonist of the 40’s and 50’s. The first CD was way back in 2002. This compilation has been a long time coming and continues were the first left off. Here we have unreleased masters, demos, flips sides of the previously featured 45s and more.
Without spoiling the reading of the liner notes a brief bit of background may be needed. Al, after writing the hit “Castle Rock” in the early 50’s set up two pub
The MVP’s 1971 release for the Buddah label, “Turning My Heart Beat Up” has become one of the most iconic records to have ever been spun on The Northern Soul Scene, due to its inclusion as part of the soundtrack of Granada Televisions 1977 documentary, ‘This England”. On the much maligned night their camera’s entered the underground nocturnal world of Wigan Casino.
There have been several different schools of thought throughout the ensuing decades as to whom the group really were? From clai
I was never a Mod. Ok, I had the sta-prest trousers and the Ben Sherman shirts, listened to some of the music, but would never have classed myself as a Mod. This was rural south-west Scotland we are talking about, not one of the major cities where you could find numerous clubs playing the music you enjoyed. However, visiting bands at the local Town Hall were generally from the north-west of England, so there was more often than not an r&b, Stax/Atlantic and of course Motown influence in the
REVIEW - RARE SOUL BIBLE VOLUME 2. BY DAVE RIMMER
Dave Rimmer is a well-known and respected figure in Northern Soul circles and in his 25+ years on the scene has DJ'd just about the full length of the U.K. As well as Europe so clearly he knows his onions,
His second instalment of his "Rare Soul Bible" series is a welcome source of reference for artists & label info such as release dates, label release numbers as well as those very useful flip side titles, so for this type of refer
Stuart Cosgrove Young Soul Rebels - A Personal History Of Northern Soul - Polygon Press - ISBN 9-781846-973338
Stuart Cosgrove is a world acclaimed author, journalist, and broadcaster on both radio and TV. In fact, in 2012 he won a BAFTA for Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympics. He’s been Broadcaster Of The Year in Scotland, and held several executive positions at Channel 4 (And was responsible for signing the show ‘Friends’ to the Channel in the UK.), and hosts a weekly show on R
For the next Together event on this Saturday 28th May 2016 we've got Teenage Fanclub guest Djing. They've been long time Soul and Northern Soul fans and have done an interview with Peckham Soul about the influence soul music has played in their music...
A Northern Soul - Teenage Fanclub's Gerard Love talks Soul music
Influential in spreading the attitude and ethos of independent music to a wider global audience, Teenage Fanclub are both an important and much loved band. By immersing th
RONNIE CANADA From Sly, Slick & Wicked to the Cleggy weekender
Ronnie Canada really is an 'international man of soul'. Starting out in Cleveland way back in the early1970's, he got his break in the music business with S.O.U.L. (acting as their roadie + sound & lighting technician). The group was centred around lead singer Larry Hancock and Ronnie has never forgotten the kindnesses that Larry showed him all those years ago. Back then Larry was already a veteran in the biz, having led t
California Soul - Funk & Soul from the Golden State 1967-1976 CD BGPD 298
First of all, I'm probably not the best individual to review this album, as my knowledge of the Funk genre is at its best limited - perhaps this will give a more balanced review let's see!
A varied selection of tempos from the West Coast spanning the period of 1967 - 1976, as you would probably, there is a fair degree of funk orientated tunes from a selection of respected Californian purveyors such as Dore, M
Mainstream Modern Soul 1969-1976 - Various Artists (Mainstream Records)
Mainstream had many guises over its life. Started by Bob Shad in 1964, it initially focussed on issuing Jazz and Soundtrack LP’s, by the mid-sixties it moved onto its second musical phase as it found success with Psych, Garage and Rock bands. This carried on till the early 70s when its focus again changed, this time to a more Soul/Funk and eventually Disco leaning and it’s this period that this CD focusses on.
T
THE INDEPENDENTS – JUST AS LONG – THE COMPLETE WAND RECORDINGS - CD REVIEW
“Group/ Smooth Soul, Soul” is style description that the Independents fall under in to in the ‘All Music Guide to Soul’, which goes on to add that they “specialised in almost melodramatic, overwrought, but perfectly performed love songs”, something that is clearly defined in the twenty-two tracks of this recently issued Kent cd.
Perhaps not one of the top acts to come out of Chicago, they just manged a couple of
‘Kill 'Em and Leave: Searching for the Real James Brown’ by James McBride. Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson ISBN-13: 978-1474603638.
When it comes to the listening side of soul music, there are still one or two avenues down which I have yet to wander, however, I enjoy nothing better than reading about the wide spectrum of sounds and more so the artists who created that music, whether it be in those dedicatedly produced fanzines of yesteryear, or the numerous books that find their way
In anticipation of Peckham Soul’s upcoming 'Together' event with Belle and Sebastian's Chris Geddes, Together resident DJ Craig Jamieson was lucky enough to grab an interview. Belle and Sebastian are one of the UK's most important independent bands, picking up Brit Awards, Mercury Prize Nominations and Lifetime achievement awards along the way. But soul music has always played a role in their music. A journey into Northern Soul’s obsession – Chris tells the tale of his first Stax compilations to
BACK TO THE RIVER - MORE SOUTHERN SOUL STORIES 1961-1978 BOX SET CD REVIEW
If you have opened up this piece in the hope of reading an unbiased review then I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed. I first got into soul music in a major way when Otis Redding's 45 version of “My Girl” entered the UK pop charts back in November 1965. Ahead of that date, I had been into tracks by the Drifters, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, Ben E King, Dionne Warwick, Four Tops, Major Lance, Inez Fox, the Tempta
IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR ! Robert, Eugene and Albert Hamilton.
There is little doubt that the most famous family name in Detroit, during the late 1950s,1960s and early 1970s, was Gordy. The family's prodigal son, Berry Jnr., and the rest of his extended clan, had combined to create a musical monolith that dominated local, regional, national and international affairs at the time, and continues to exert considerable influence in the modern era. Yet, among the myriad of performers, players and p
Jack Ashford Just Productions - CDKEND 447
Personally I hate recycling! paper in this bin, garden waste in that bin etc etc ......but back in Detroit in the late sixties Jack Ashford was the top man when it came to the recycling of band tracks, many rescued from the recently defunct Pied Piper production set up.
Backing tracks previously used for the likes of the Hesitations, September Jones & the incredibly talented Lorraine Chandler were sweetened, remixed & furnished with fre
I did wonder at one time after listening to some Motown compilations from some sources if all the quality recordings done by Motown had seen the light of day. However, wonder no more because since Ace/Kent via compilers Mick Patrick and Keith Hughes locked themselves in Motown’s vaults I’ve some absolute classics have found their way to a new audience. Not only have we had various releases covering various acts we have also had compilations covering Motown’s Guys and Girls. Love And Affection
The A & R Man by William Mickey Stevenson - ISBN 9780692366332
When I buy a non-fiction book I am looking for two things basically: I want the book to be well written, and I want to learn something from it (After all, that’s the whole point of a non-fiction book isn’t it?)
Unfortunately this book hits neither of those targets particularly well !
Perhaps my expectations were too high ? I’ll admit that I read books like this to gather all the minute details of the background inf
South Texas Rhythm ‘n’ Soul Review 2 is Kent’s second dip into Huey P Meaux’s rich RnB back catalogue. Much has been written about Meaux’s insalubrious business activities and his abhorrent personal life, so I’ve tried to look past the man and focus solely on the music. Meaux had no colour boundaries and was equally comfortable recording; black, white or hispanic artists in search of a hit and this current offering as with its predecessor reflects this. This CD also contains a broad spectrum
BOOK REVIEW SPINNING AROUND – A History of the Soul LP Vol.1 by John Lias
If any soul fans have coffee tables, then this is the definitive book to place atop that table. Not only does it look very impressive with it's bold black hardback cover and red graphics with white text, but it will impress any visitors that pick it up. What it does is what it says on the cover; this encyclopedia of soul knowledge runs to over 400 pages and lists just about every detail a fan would wish to
MOTOWN – THE SOUND OF YOUNG AMERICA
BY ADAM WHITE and BARNEY ALES
PUBLISHED BY THAMES and HUDSON LTD
Not another Motown book, I can hear some/many of you mutter, and to be honest, I have to include myself amongst them.
My bookshelves contain numerous titles on the sound that could be judged as the stepping stone to Northern Soul and beyond, with an assortment of authors, artists and those associated with the Detroit label telling their versions of the phenomenal story that t
The Solid Solution Story
The Solid Solution were a five piece soul harmony group from Detroit Michigan. Who during 1978 recorded the highly acclaimed “Loving You” album for the short lived Silver Spoon record Label. Although at the time of the album’s release and following an initial period of local success unforeseen circumstances would eventually conspire against the group reaching the success they so richly deserved.
Al Perkins, DJ, Song Writer, Producer, Label Owner and Singer.............................
The multi-faceted star shone bright for a while in Detroit. He started his DJing career down in Memphis after moving there from Brookhaven, Ms. In Memphis he honed his skill as a DJ alongside fellow jock's Jay Butler and Fred Goree, all of whom would eventually move up to Detroit and join WJLB and later Martha Jean The Queen's WQBH station on East Grand Blvd. Once on the air Al acquired the nick name
CD REVIEW – Dave Hamilton's Detroit Soul Volume 2 KENT
The CD opens with “Party Time” by Chico & Buddy (of the Tokays but performing here as a duo). Even though this dates from 1970, it has the throwback sound of a mid 60's Sam & Dave call & response track. Fast and quite funky, the strong vocals really make this cut. A track that could successfully grace the decks at any late night soul party.
The CD features quite a few numbers from Dave Hamilton himself and most are m
![Going Deeper Nick Pride & The Pimptones [Interview]](https://www.soul-source.co.uk/uploads-soul/monthly_2016_11/nick.thumb.jpg.ddd992f61a0bdd00ceb128b1255e8e1e.jpg)
