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Back in 1966 (the 20th of May to be exact) the latest edition of the Detroit Free Press Newspaper had on offer a lengthy feature on Detroit's Golden World Records, concerning itself with such topics as the studio, the recording process and artists such as JJ Barnes and Edwin Starr Thanks to the ever-expanding online newspaper archives (this one being newspapers.com ) you can read this feature almost as easy as on the day it was first published... Found on Newspapers.com -
Yesterday 30.12.12 we said goodbye to one of the most iconic clubs of the 60's , the Twisted Wheel at Whitworth street.The day was so memorable in that it proved you are never too old to dance and have a good time. They came out in their droves all those King Bee's from the Brazenose street and many that frequently attended Whitworth street. I felt so privileged to listen to their stories and gasp with excitement at listening to them talk of times past. I had MIllie on my left te -
Groovesville Soul Club Opening Night Jan 2009 Lookback I have copied a couple of reviews from the opening night of Groovesville Soul club The next night will be Sat 18th April same time same place, book your tickets early as we will be opening the R&B room for the first time Andy Kempster & Toby GROOVESVILLE SOUL CLUB Johnny Fingers Despite the 'Small' setback of my 'Clamping' encounter - resulting in me actually being out of pocket on a night that should've
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Thanks to Steve Foran, as have for you his view on last Fridays nite at Great Moor Club in Stockport. Orignally posted on Soul-Talk email list Just thought I would post a listing of our soul night last night. Fri 22 Feb. The evening was not like our usual nights. In Stockport we have lost two soulies recently. Firstly Nick Stamp died tragically on Christmas Day. Nick was a really nice lad, 38 with a family. Married into an extended soul family and a keen scooter fan. It was the fi
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Half of 60s Phoenix soul duo plucked from obscurity “I’ll need to get a ride with you," said Ernie out of the middle of nowhere. We were waiting for his turn to sing Karaoke at the AmVet Post #15 at 7th St. and Broadway in South Phoenix Wednesday night. "I live at 13th and Pima on the west side,” he followed. "I wish I would have known you were going to need a ride, Ernie," I said. "I have to leave early, before you sing the last time, sorry." He walked from there and would walk
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Various Artists - Harmony Of The Soul Vocal Groups 1962-1977 – CDKEND 409 This is the fourth instalment of Kent’s “In Perfect Harmony” Series, which concentrates on the sweeter side of group soul spanning the length and breadth of America, highlighting lesser known artists as well as including higher profile acts like; The Pretenders, Brothers Of Soul, Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces and The Mad Lads. The CD contains 24 tracks of which, nine are previously unreleased (including two demo’ -
Background information on the passing of a well-known and much loved personality from the West Midlands' Soul Scene followed by funeral and wake dance details (PLEASE LOOK AT FUNERAL INFORMATION, AS THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE TO THE EVENING SOUL DANCE ARRANGEMENTS). My beloved wife and soulmate of 40 years, Helen who died recently of cancer, aged only 58, after a rollercoaster struggle with the scourge for 18 months. Helen Pereira - "Queen Of The Go-Go" Being born in Dudley and living in th -
Hermon Weems Obituary Native Detroiter Hermon Weems was born on February 21st 1938. He began his musical career as a teenage member of a street corner group known as The Sparrows during the early 50's. The groups other members were Al Hamilton, Charles Harris, Paul Leslie and Phil Townsend. The Sparrows were regular performers on the city wide talent show circuit, with their biggest night coming with their appearance at the city recreation centre on Davison. Where they appeared on the -
Marc F from Germany recently travelled across seven seas to the Hideaway, and going by what he wrote had a right old time. Here's his view on the nite and what he dished out. The Hideaway was great, the people involved even better, namingly Mike Warburton, Neil Henderson and of course Paul Welsby. Also it was great to meet Lee Miller for the first time in person (cheers mate!). Lots of understanding, open-minded and knowing soul fans! I hardly can think of one recent night th
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Car still dead thanks to the usual yorkshire curse coming into play at lifeline last week, so this weekend was looking grim till was saved by a phone call from Steve offering a lift to the Hideaway up in Manchester. Never been before so yeah why not. Full car set off, dodgy internet maps and fact Picadilly station has 6 fronts led to a bit of a walk from carpark but got there in end. Nites are upstairs in a smart pub and soon as walked in could tell were in for a good nght by feel of place. -
Review below was posted recently on Soul-Talk and thought it be worthwhile passing on for all to read as gives a top insight to current Berlin Scene. Sounds like its worth the bus journey . Stacks of playlists etc (just read below then hit read more) january 12. saw the first Hip City Soul Club event at its new venue, the privatclub in berlin-kreuzberg. a nice, quite 60ish venue,situated in the basement of a bar/restaurant (you actually have to go through the toilet doors to find its
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By E. Mark Windle. March 2020 When I asked reissue / retrospective soul label owner Garry Cape about the motivating factors for his 2020 return to the soul market with the reactivation of his Hit and Run label series, issues of mortality seemed to be at the top of the list: “I guess it had something to do with my good friend John Anderson becoming ill and passing away recently. It made me think. I’d had some health issues a few years back. What if I was gone? I generally work al -
Induction Date : 01 November 2014 Category : Outstanding Contribution A living legend to some, where do you start to map out the life and achievements of someone that has been at the forefront of the Northern Soul scene for so long, surely he has soul music running through his veins? Promoter, DJ, Record Dealer and Head of Publishing at Kent/ Ace Records, it’s because of his unending quest for the sublime music that we cherish that his n -
Date Of Induction: 01 November 2014 Category: Male Vocalist Edwin Starr’s name will always reverberate wherever soul music is discussed. His story is a typical one of talent v circumstance and although he made a good living from his vocal skills he will always be remembered in his homeland for the one song that, in 1970, pushed him into the national spotlight, Edwin Starr — “War b/w He Who Picks A Rose” — Gordy 7101. But as any self respecting fan can tell you, there was so much mor -
Date Of Induction: November 2014 Category: Female Vocalist When I realised Linda Jones was going to make the first list of inductees to our Northern Soul Hall Of Fame I have to admit to allowing a small satisfying smile cross my lips. For just about all my adult life I’ve marvelled at the lady’s talent and ability and her contribution to the lives of soul fans deserves no less than to be recognised by those very same fans to whom she is -
Date Of Induction : 01 November 2014 Category : Female Vocalist Maxine Brown was born in Kingstree South Carolina on 18 August 1939 and first started singing during the long, balmy summer days alongside her sister and an upstairs neighbour. The product of a turbulent marriage The girls became quite accomplished as a three part harmony outfit but Maxine’s sister wasn’t as interested in spending the summer singing so the girls sought out -
Date Of Induction : 01 November 2014 Category: Pre Production Andrew Alexander Terry was born in Hempstead , Texas , in July 1940. By the time he was eight years old the family had moved permanently to Detroit, Michigan. After attending Elementary School , Terry attended Cass Technical High School on the downtown west side of the Motor City , where he studied music properly for the first time ."I took up the baritone sax , because no one else wanted to play it" he explained to Rob M -
Date Of Induction : 01 November 2014 Category : Post Production The name Richard Popcorn Wylie has always been a legendary one in Northern Soul history , to see his name in the credits on a 45 is likely to quicken the heartbeat, knowing that the record you are about to hear will usually be very special, like a guarantee of quality. As older record collectors will testify, when young and still learning, if you saw the name R. Wylie on a 45 you bought it blind! You knew you wouldn’t b -
Induction Date 01 November 2014 Category: Male Vocalist Roy Hamilton, during his illustrious 15 year singing career, was known by many nicknames: Mr. Rock and Soul, The Gentle Giant, and, most notably, The Golden Boy of Song. But few of these nicknames fully encompass the majesty of his voice, the influence he had on the artists of his generation, or the legacy his music has left behind. He was idolized by Elv -
Induction Date: 01 November 2014 Category : Female Vocal Group When the film ‘Standing In The Shadows Of Motown’ hit the screens over a decade ago, it finally let the world in on what was one of the music industry’s best kept secrets. The group of musicians who had laid down the tracks to what became known as ‘The Sound Of Young America’, had been airbrushed out of most of the story of the rise of Detroit’s musical empire based at 2648 -
Inducted: 01 November 2014 Category: Mixed Groups Ask any northern soul fan about the Exciters and they probably won’t mention their number 4 hit from 1962. They will however, tell you about the buzz they get from dancing to “Blowing Up My Mind” or their live performance at Wigan Casino, or even the record that launched Ian Levine’s career as a record producer. Although members of The Exciters had performed previously, (Herb Rooney had been a member of The BelTones and The Continental -
Date of Induction: 1 November 2014 Category: Female Group The story of the Marvelettes is a fascinating insight into the early beginnings of the black musical scene in Detroit that would export ‘The Sound Of Young America’ to the rest of the world. With Berry Gordy’s embryonic record company starting to emerge as a major player on the city’s musical landscape, the songs of the Marvelettes resonated with a whole slew of categories of mus -
Date Of Induction: 01 November 2014 Category : Male Vocal Group The Masqueraders, have spanned a recording career of over 50 years and still enjoy the original line up of members from their beginnings half a century ago. Their story and history is one of musical struggle. Only their determination, sheer toil, perseverance and belief in what they were capable of held them together over these years. To have stayed together for such a length of time is almost unique. Groups like The Four Tops, -
Date Of Induction: 01 November 2014 Category: Male Group The Precisions singing group are enmeshed in Detroit’s golden era of soul music having actually had a record label established in the Motor City, specifically as a vehicle just for them. When high school friends Paul Merritt, Michal Morgan Willie Norris and Fred Shockley established the group in the early sixties little could they have imagined that the name of The Precisions would appear, (albeit a different line up), as a he -
Date Of Induction: 01 November 2014 Category : Mixed Group The Sapphires were a trio consisting of a girl and two guys. Their outings on Swan would consolidate a production team that would become legendary and whose names would transcend the Philadelphia city limits and indeed the borders of their home country and be regularly heard from the lips of rare Northern soul fans as far away as other continents. Discovered by fellow Philadelphi -
Date Of Induction: 01 November 2014 Category : Pre Production When the name of Van McCoy is uttered in record bars of soul clubs around the world it’s in revered tones. That’s hardly surprising given that Mr McCoy could lay claim to being the most prolific independent record producer as far as Northern Soul productions are concerned. Not only a producer but a songwriter, arranger and sometimes artist himself the world acclaimed him for the international smash dance hit “The Hustle” b -
Date Of Induction : 01 November 2014 Category : Post Production Most collectors of Northern Soul records will have the name of Weldon A McDougall III nestled in their 45s collection somewhere. A native of Philadelphia Weldon was born at the Mercy Douglas Hospital in West Philly and was raised by his mother Eleanor having been named after his father and Grandfather. His interest in music was sparked as a student at West Philadelphia High School where he first encountered George Tindle -
Hello All, HOME MADE CDS IS TOTALLY WRONG. Recently i have noticed several so called soul fans selling home made/pc burnt bootleg cds of current reissue product at a few venues, now this is totally out of order and these people should be at the very least named and shamed and at worst be kicked out of the venues with there so called cds close behind them or up their bottoms side ways on. The likes of Ady Croasdell at Ace/Kent, Garry J.Cape and John Anderson at Grapevine 2000, Tim Brow
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Yann Vatiste How long have you been collecting? I discovered a mixture Northern Soul, R&B, Latin, Ska, Jazz, Acid Jazz & Funk music on the Mod scene in the late 80s. I slowly started collecting records around the age of 15 as I had a very good friend called Spider who was a musician with an incredible collection of French EPs and thousands of soul, r&b and jazz records. I spent hours at his house, making tapes, taking notes and discovering black American music. D -
E. Mark Windle, March 2020. Among other genres, Elvis Presley was informed by the blues. Even as a young teenager, the songs he heard on Beale Street were a source of significant musical inspiration. And it would not be unreasonable to suggest that his interpretation of Arthur Crudup’s blues number “That’s All Right” helped kick-start the teenage rock ‘n’ roll revolution. But if that’s true, then “Hound Dog” provided the pace. It was almost inevitable that Elvis’ take on the song, wh -
Basically it's the history of Northern Soul in the 70's. This is what really happened. Grab a cuppa and hopefully enjoy this... NORTHERN SOUL IN THE MEDIA - "BLACK MUSIC" by Pete Smith Black Music magazine first hit the streets in December 1973, heralding itself as "the first complete black music magazine", probably in an attempt to distance itself from Blues & Soul which was ostensibly a soul/disco magazine. BM's intention was to cover the whole spectrum from blues to jazz, g -
How To Sing Your Way Out Of Jail: The Charles L. Blakely Story In 1969, a 20 year old Charles Lorenzo Blakely along with fellow members of the street gang he hung out with became involved in a shoot out with another rival Milwaukee street gang which resulted in the death of one of their rivals members. Following the arrival of the Police, the shoot out developed into a high speed car chase with Charles being the driver of one of one of the evading vehicles. Charles’s vehicle was eventu -
In 1969, a 20 year old Charles Lorenzo Blakely along with fellow members of the street gang he hung out with became involved in a shoot out with another rival Milwaukee street gang which resulted in the death of one of their rivals members. Following the arrival of the Police, the shoot out developed into a high speed car chase with Charles being the driver of one of one of the evading vehicles. Charles’s vehicle was eventually brought to a halt when the Cops shot out all four tyres which caused -
As we continue to profile our guests at the Home Run Soul Club (more can be found HERE including Dave Ripolles, Pat Bleasdale and Chris Anderton) our aim is to build an archive of those we've had play whilst offering a little sense of who they are and what drives their passion for soul. For our first home run Soul club birthday we've picked another great character from the scene (with a great story) and a some of the records you might hear on the day. Phil Shields How -
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 -
I Love Detroit - Sonny Munro - Falcons Interview Conversations with Americans can run the full gamut of human intelligence, understanding and thought. On a recent trip to Detroit I encountered a white bar tender in his late 20s, working at a renowned restaurant in the city, who seemed fascinated by the sight of a sterling five pound note I was showing a fellow patron. As he inspected it a couple of questions sprung forth. “Who is this woman?” he inquired. I politely responded that it was t -
Rob Moss delivers his view on the recently broadcast BBC4 TV programme Motor Citys Burning - Detroit from Motown to the Stooges I love Detroit — ‘Motor City’s Burning’ The title sounded fantastic. ‘Motor City’s Burning’ — ‘A documentary looking at how, during the 1960s, the blue collar Midwestern city of Detroit became home to a musical revolution that captured the sound of a nation in upheaval’ and ‘Detroit from Motown to the Stooges’ to quote the BBC’s own promotional blurb. Surely t
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A end of the year view from Rob, includes info and background of Tokays, Buddy Smith, Tony Clarke and more I love Detroit December 2008 by Rob Moss In the Chinese zodiac 2008 is the Year of the Rat. It is supposed to be a time for hard work, activity and renewal. A time to begin a new job, get married or start new enterprises. What a load of tosh. In reality, the only good thing to have happened this year, that even slightly resembles these predictions, is the election of Barack Obama
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In the days before computerized information flow, most Detroit performers’ awareness of any interest in their musical output from the 1960s or 1970s, anywhere in the world, was almost non-existent. Most had given up the dream of stardom or notoriety, and had selected alternative forms of employment. To be suddenly informed by a white man with a funny accent decades later, that a song, or songs, they had recorded in their teens or early twenties and completely forgotten about, were now popular wi
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Just a intro about myself as requested...(Posted originally to go with 6 pac sessions from Ian) Ian Cuncliffe Just a intro about myself as requested. I started to collect soul-r&b records around 1966 while at senior school, this was the music that was being played in the youth clubs around the northwest which I attended . I left school in 1969 around that time I started to go to Blackpool Mecca with all my skinhead mates, its around that
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Ian Levine Interview Part 1 from Manifesto site note orig up in 1999 From the time before SWONS Reproduced with kind permission from Manifesto mag, see fanzine section for details Note the layout of these articles is text only and doesn't represent the mags layout In the seventies you either loved him or hated him such was the strength of feeling caused by this man. His crime? tantamount to breaking one of the ten commandments, he played records that had a beat not insta -
OK carrying on the interview series, Dave Rimmer respected DJ and also editor of one of top mags Soulful Kinda Music, agreed to give Soul Source a bit of time, read the results below: Dave Rimmer: Heres a interview with Dave before he embarked on his new career as webmaster! OK carrying on the interview series, Dave Rimmer respected DJ and also editor of one of top mags Soulful Kinda Music, agreed to give Soul Source a bit of time, read the results below: Q. OK Dave for the v -
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 -
Some may ask "Who is Bobby Brooks Wilson" Well there is a clue in his surname and photos of Bobby give further hints to who he is! His story is a true rags to riches tale. Bobby Brooks Hamilton was born in New York (1961?) but as an infant he found himself in the foster care system in South Carolina where he grew up in Columbia. His childhood was a sorry one where he suffered numerous ailments and childhood diseases from rickets to bronchitis and spent some years in a body cast -
Native Detroiter Ivy Jo Hunter was born Ivy George Hunter on August 28th 1940. As a child his parents sent him to music classes where he learned to play the Trumpet and Euphonium. Which pre-teens saw him perform with the Detroit City Youth Orchestra. Ivy’s mother told her son that being a professional musician was a very unsecure future and persuaded him to take up art at High School. Upon leaving High School Ivy also realized the life of an artist was tough going so he joined the army as an ele -
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 -
Jackie Wilson - Artist Of The Week Jackie Wilson Biography Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) was an American soul singer and performer. A tenor with a four-octave range, Wilson was a prominent figure in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. Wilson was considered a master showman and one of the most dynamic singers and performers in pop, R&B, and rock & roll history, earning the nickname "Mr. Excitement". Wilson gained initial fame as a member -
Intro Bill Buckley from Souljazzandfunk.com recently got in touch with us regarding a recent (Nov 2024) Ep release from James Hovay, that he thought deserved exposure. You can read Bill's review further below Long time readers may be familar with James recent 2022 releases, this time around the five track EP does take a similar path and would say that the description 'the soundscape is the classic sound of 60s Chicago' is a most valid take. Review, details and video clips follow -
Hi. Today on my radio show I did an interesting interview with legendary Chicago soul singer Jan Bradley. Bradley grew up in the Robins, IL, a South Suburb of Chicago. In high school she began singing lead with a local group called the Passions (a male group who later recorded as the Swinging Hearts). While performing at a talent show, Chicago promoter and owner of the Formal record label Don Talty discovered the group. Don decided to keep Bradley as a solo singer so Bradley left the group to pu -
Something to read… Something I wrote a few years ago hoping to get in Record Collector magazine. Apparently they only run features on artists who might have a new collection or whatever. And it’s a bit long Jerry Butler - The Iceman Cometh As 1966 made way for 1967, Jerry Butler’s career was at something of a crossroads. The 27-year-old had moved to the security of the well-heeled Mercury label following the financial meltdown of his previous label, Vee Jay, but so far there had b
