I frequently have a tendency to delve into researching a particular subject, only to find myself veering off course after about a month or so, leaving some interesting facts sat on my computer’s desktop. Some might attribute this behaviour to ADHD, but who knows?
Navigating the soul and R&B scene can be a labyrinthine journey, unbelievably it’s a small world where boundaries can blur effortlessly. Delving into research often leads to a mass of discovery, and you can easily lose track of
We are now hitting issue #36 of this very long running informative 'Northern Connections' series from ken Brown aka @Kenb
Northern Connections # 36 Deception
Today (2023) it would hardly be considered the crime of the century to operate a 'near victimless mail scam' or cause a deception for the benefit of a few 45 records. However, not so in Virginia 1972. Back then, defrauding a record club and stereo tape club carried a U.S. District Court indictment. Some still may say t
FOOTIE AND 45s WEEKENDS By Dave Moore
As lifelong Burnley Football Club fans, I am so chuffed that Bev, my Grandkids, (who are also season ticket holders) and the club, play a central role in this tale. We left Burnley in 1985 but as a family we still attend most home games and quite a few away games which, when your grandson plays grass roots football on Saturday and Sundays, can be a challenging programme at the best of times, as even the home games result in a 300 mile round trip for
Now at #35 in the long running informative 'Northern Connections' series by @Kenb.
Northern Connections # 35 - Child Of Friendship, Train Robbers
The eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted two different addresses on the 2 versions of Natural Records 1516. 1516 25th Ave versus 1510 16th St. The latter being a small room and the location for Black Unity, Inc-at least from 1971 to 1974. Black Unity, Inc was incorporated in 1967 and was essentially founded to raise the political conscio
Introduction
For over 15 years I wrote a monthly column in the now defunct Manifesto magazine, latterly under the editorship of Mike Ritson. This was a premier, glossy monthly publication that in my opinion surpassed everything since Black Music and hard copy Blues & Soul went under. Most of my submissions were record reviews interspersed with articles on labels and artists. My many box files contained information from various sources from old copies of the Detroit Free Press to heart f
MD 117 – Blinded by Pride / I Found A Love – The Sensations
At MD Records, our main mission has always been to ensure that the music we release is handled fairly and ethically. We put a significant amount of effort behind the scenes to ensure that all legal requirements are met before we make a release public. Sometimes, this task can become challenging when dealing with tracks that come with limited information. This challenge becomes even more pronounced when many of the people who contri
There is an opportunity to celebrate Lea Manor and meet up with friends on 23rd September 2023. The promoters are Martyn Bradley, Kev Spittle, Sharon Spittle and Kev Bodley.
Martyn has been out and about over the last year or so and had many folks asking for a Lea Manor meet-up. So, finally, it’s happening!
As many of you will be aware, Martyn, Kev and Sharon were also promoters of the popular United Sounds of Soul (USoS) events. These were also nights with a loyal following and reputa
Today, we have another story to share - the remarkable tale of The Gambrells, a previously unknown girl group from the heart of Detroit. Thanks to the efforts of our researcher and label partner, Jordan Wilson, and the discovery of long-forgotten studio tapes within the Pioneer Studio vault, we can now shed event more light on the incredible journey of Sharon, Pat, and Sandra.
The Gambrells, a trio consisting of sisters Sharon and Sandra Gambrell, along with their close friend Patricia Hunt
We have just reached #34 in @Kenb's long running informative 'Northern Connections' series. Read and digest below
Northern Connections # 34
Lew Hanson, Mary Mundy & Soul Syndicate/Seven Sense
Insurance City Records said it would give 10% of its profits to The Newington Children's Hospital & Bellevue Square Boys Club, from (this} its first original production release. The record was cut at Creative Sound and released in early 1972.
Two musicians and three businessmen started
The latest Northern Connections episode, it's #33 in this long running series from Kenb
Northern Soul Connections #33 - The lnvaders / E.Lampkins
Figuring out the participants of, and then 'attaching' them to, Earth Record Co F/W 18740 A-B has been a tricky business!
The result has mainly fallen to investigating a mash-up of USA geography, people time & place, and combining it with some intuitive wild ass guesswork.
There was a number of differing Louisiana 'Invaders' (plus at
Burford Fishback - A man with many irons in the fire (aka Sonny Fishback / Sonny Fisher)
Burford 'Sonny' Fishback was born in Nashville, Tennessee but moved to Louisville, Kentucky at the age of 13. He attended Madison Jr. High there in 1953 and in 1957 he transferred to Central High School joining Mohammad Ali there. Sonny's plan and dreams included becoming a nightclub singer and a recording artist. In 1957 Sonny wrote a song called "You Ain't Going Nowhere" which was a mild local hit. S
Around 1968, a Philly vocal group, the Naturals, were looking for a fresh bunch of musicians to back them up on live shows. A local band found out about this and made contact with the singers. Thus the Soul Crusaders and the Naturals teamed up to form an 11 strong ensemble. There were already a number of recording groups using the name the Naturals and so their managers came up with an appropriate new name for them; the FUTURES. Life & their career progressed for the Futures & after 4 ye
The latest Northern Connections episode #32 from Kenb
Northern Soul Connections #32 i.e. that is Disciples of Soul
Disciples of Soul-Phantom
The Disciples of Soul vocalists on 'Together' & 'That's The Way Love Goes' were Bill Ferrell, Steve McKeown, and Bud Rand. They were under the management of Jeff Reed (Rand & McKeown names you can find on the Phantom label & credits) and the sides were recorded in the summer of 1968 and released in Feb 1969.
Whenever I've lis
The upcoming release of the Shrine Vinyl Lp from Kent Records stirred Andy Rix aka @Andy Rix to pass on his second set of his Shrine related sleeve notes, the ones written for the 'Shrine - the Rarest Soul Label Vol.2' 2000 Cd release, which dovetails nicely with the set of original uncut sleeve notes from the Shrine Volume One Cd already posted in our Article section (link at bottom)
Shrine - the Rarest Soul Label Vol.2 Sleeve Notes by Andy Rix 2000
The story of Shrine Records, from i
30 Years Of Northern Soul In Todmorden.
A commemorative booklet issued at the Charity Anniversary Evening 20th April 2001. Walsden Cricket Club
Site note the first 2 pages of this booklet are reproduced in text format below, the other pages are via scanned images only.
Todmorden is known around the world as an important centre for soul music due to the Goldmine record label. Accolades fall thick and fast on the label and its leading light. Tim Brown. There are in life very few tru
Anyone who grew up listening to pop or R&B radio in Philadelphia (as I did) in the late 1960’s is familiar with The Show Stoppers’ raucous hit, “Ain’t Nothin’ But a House Party”. Frequenters of the Soul Source website may be familiar with the song from its release on Beacon in 1968 (more on that below).
In 2017, the song was featured as the lead cut on Kent Soul’s excellent compilation, Nothing But a House Party – The Birth of the Philly Sound 1967-1971, a Compilation of the Year pick b
Gripped by the Flu over Christmas and new year I needed something to keep the brain engaged and fill the endless hours, and it seemed the right time to delve into something that had been at the back of my mind for a while. So, it was time to scratch the itch, venture into the abyss of the internet and get going. With Paracetamol and Cold and Flu remedy at my side the journey began.
Throughout the years there have always been strange situations and circumstances surrounding the music busin
Northern Soul Connections #31 - Welcome to the latest in this now very long running series of soul connected connections from Ken B aka @Kenb
Northern Soul Connections #31
Colstar label, FIRE, VIP's, Magicians
A San Francisco Pop Festival that never happened, an associated album of that festival that didn't have the artists perform who were credited on it, and a Kiwi mod behind it.
Upfront. I'm genuinely fond of the people and company's written about in this piece. Non of wh
We regret to learn of the sad passing of Bonnie on 8th June 2020 and of Anita on 31st December 2022
The Pointer Sisters achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s. Their career spanned four decades and their repertoire has included such diverse genres as pop, disco, jazz, blues, soul, funk, country and dance.
The Pointer Sisters have won three Grammy awards and received a star on the Hollywood Hall Of Fame in 1994. The group had 13 US top 20 hits between 1973 and 1985
Chuck Cockerham Interview (albeit A Very Brief One).
After following up on a few leads I finally got to speak with the man behind the voice of one of the most iconic crossover records of all time, “Have I Got A Right” released on the Bell records subsidiary label Mala, the one and only Mr Chuck Cockerham. A very nice guy who agreed to briefly answer one or two of the questions that I wished to put to him. He is reputedly working with another party regarding the compiling of memoirs for a fu
Northern Soul Connections #30 - The Seventh Sense - The latest in this now very long running (30!) series of soul connected connections from Ken B aka @Kenb
The manager of The Seventh Sense was James Shaw, Shaw Records SH-1. He was mostly a realtor at Lindsay & Shaw Real Estate, 13 Middle Turnpike, East Manchester, Connecticut- the same address as on the SH-1 Shaw Records label. James was an Irishman and brought big bands like Woody Herman to the Hartford area, at places like Pagani's C
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
“Miss Motown” Raynoma Gordy & Jack Gibson By Graham Jarvis
"Miss Motown"
The "Miss Motown" record (is one of two 45's) that completely surprised, excited and confused any and all "Motown" collectors or "Motown" interest, when one of the two 45's suddenly appeared on "Ebay" in 2015. The 45 record on a Motown Label was a gift to an unknown "Miss Motown" in 1964. This summary is how we finally resolved the "Miss Motown" mystery, following numerous searches, records
Northern Soul Connections #29 - Murphys Law - The latest in this long running series of soul connected connections from Ken B aks @Kenb
Murphy's Law: "Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong"
Roscoe Murphy Jr was 34 years old when he ran Mel's Record shop at 2130 S. 7th, which as it happens was destroyed by faulty
electrical wiring and eventual fire in Jan 1973. The record shop and apartments were owned by Paul, Sylvan & Stephen Gross.
Well known around Philadelphia as r
The Martiniques a short lived three 45 group from Detroit and if some believe LA.
Detroit has produced many wonderful obscure acts who recorded a few 45s (sometimes less) and then disappeared with very little known about them. The Martiniques were one such group and until recently nothing was known, just assumptions and myths. There was also confusion over the various recordings and doubts they were the same group, Danceland and Me-O for instance.
Thanks to Andy Alonzo one of the membe
Northern Soul Connections #28
The Strange case of the Imaginations - Fraternity Records
It's time to visit another Northern Soul Connection - Ken drops in on a strange neighbourhood...
In the second half of 1967 a member of a young Dayton group went to see Tom Campbell to 'pitch' their plans, aspirations and dreams.
Tom Campbell was a radio personality at WONE and became a columnist at the Dayton Daily News. From the mid 60's to early 70's Tom ran 'Campbell's Corner' and 'Off-t
Project Awakening - Black History Month USA February
Also known as African-American History Month, it was first observed by students and faculty at Kent State University in 1970. In 1976 it evolved into a month-long celebration and became a national holiday when President Gerald Ford recognized “the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history” in a speech to mark the United States Bicentennial.
Moses B. Norman-Orangeburg chan
As the years past it seems more and more archival material is becoming available online, local papers just being one available source for looking back.
The British Newspaper archive being just one current source, be a bit wary as once you start digging the hours may fly past.
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
Used the North Wales Soul Club as an example as it did play a part in my own soul youth, while just a 13 year old kid at the time of the article, memories of
Ella Woods & Miss Lady by Kenb
Ella Woods was born in Lexington, Mississippi and moved with her family to L.A when she was 5 years old. She studied opera/classical at U.S.C and majored in English Literature at Redlands. In 1970 she spent 18 months with The (Buck Ram} Platters.
It's said she completed a love song for "Slaughter", a 1972 blaxploitation low-budget film starring Jim Brown. However no soundtrack LP was ever issued. (The theme song for Slaughter was written and performed by
The Drifters Girl throws a spotlight on the murky world of a music industry often marked by accusations of betrayal, exploitation and plagiarism through a complex web of accusation and counter accusation. Soul music history is of course rife with such tales, but few matched The Drifters in its scale and length.If you probe a bit further you find a litany of broken promises and contracts , poached talent and double crossing that many football fans might recognise.The Drifters Girl musical pre
The latest (#27 no less) in the long running series of 'Northern Soul Connections' from @Kenb
Teens With Talent
Guests on the late Bob Abrahamian's Sitting In The Park radio shows would occasionally mention Teens With Talent (TWT).
The show of that name was first presented Sunday 17th Feb 1963 at the Studebaker Theater, in the Fine Art Building, sponsored by Sears Roebuck Y.M.C.A. The main principles behind that first TWT were Al Johnson & Johnny Nixon. Al Johnson was an
Pee Wee Ellis, best known for his ground breaking work with James Brown, had worked as Esther Phillips' bandleader back in the 1970's; in an interview in (I believe) The Wire back in 1995 or so, he said he had some beautiful live show tapes which he would have liked to see released as a tribute to her. Esther has always been one of my favorite female vocalists; I produced and annotated the 1984 Savoy Jazz "Complete EP Savoy Sessions" set (originally a double LP - one LP of early 1950's Johnny O
Article found online about the group formed circa 1965 in San Diego and recorded "This Is The Day" on John B Kopit's" KOPIT label.
This is the Day: Breaking Out of Obscurity with THE INMATES
Jon Kanis sets the controls for San Diego, 1966.
The Inmates, 1966. L to R: John Poppe, Steve Phillips, Gale Kellogg, Jim Conder, Lloyd (Kenji) Kozuma, Tom Kruze.
[Photo: Cecil Caufield) Ugly Things
Have you heard the one about the garage band from Ocean Beach, California, who, after
A REVIEW OF 'IT AIN'T RETRO DAPTONE RECORDS & THE 21ST -CENTURY SOUL REVOLUTION: JESSICA LIPSKY'
(JAWBONE PRESS)
Daptone Records, the Brooklyn -based record label reached it’s 20th anniversary this year. With any celebrations under a pandemic having to be kept small they are releasing a live album from their 2014 soul revue at the famous Harlem Apollo in October before that, just out is ; It Ain’t Retro: Daptone Records & The 21st -Century Soul Revolution by Jessica Lipsky, a
Soul on Screen :
An appreciation of Soul music's portrayal by Hollywood and some future options?
In anticipation of the cinema release of “Respect” I thought I'd prompt discussion on previous biographical films, and raise a few suggestions for some future ones. I have focussed on drama-based productions as opposed to the many excellent range of documentaries available which warrant a separate focus. I have also restricted it to Black music which has delivered its fair share of Hollywo
Most of us go through life essentially simply surviving, the dull reality of real life often puts paid to any dreams or aspirations that many of us have, the odd night out and drink at the weekend to break the monotony of real life, of work, bills, debts and the struggle to put food on the table and your kids don’t go without. Often a cruel twist of fate can lead to an adventure that one doesn’t expect and gives you the kick needed to realise those dreams, no matter how unrealistic they may see
Doris Duke - Deep Soul Queen
Another quality fully featured article by @Peternickols
Again to ensure that both his layout, images and text layouts are respected we have published this as a pdf version
A scan of a newspaper article back in the day, 1978 ...
Life and soul of long Wigan nights written by Michael Nally in Wigan
Dave and Goliath. were kicking their heels outside the· Casino Club in Wigan in the early hours of yesterday morning. hoping for a lift home. Dave, 17, a fitters...
This week sees the 10th anniversary of the death of Amy Winehouse. I thought she deserved a personal tribute on these pages. Whilst she won’t be everyone’s taste it would be hard not to ignore her impact and achievements .
Amy’s Roots
Amy’s roots were forged in the migration of her great great Grandfather from Minsk , Belarus to Londons East End in the 1890’s . By the time Amy was born in 1983 the family had settled , with many other East End Jewish families in the North Lond
Last year we (Soul Source) had the pleasure to publish a quality fully featured article by @Peternickols
We now have a revised version of this article submitted by Pete
To ensure that both his layout, images and text layouts are respected we have published this as a pdf version
' I have finally completed a completely new and much more detailed article on Timmy Willis. '
It's time for another dose of Northern Soul Connections, in this long running series member @Kenb takes the time and effort to deliver soul related facts and info through an easy to read/view format.
Northern Soul Connections #26 - Soul Sensations, The Soul Sounds and Devil Worshop
Northern Soul Connection #26(click twice for best view)
Site info - You can check out Kens other quality 26 Northern Connections all available via his 'activity' profile page, the link foll
First one of 2021. Ken b's latest Northern Soul Connections #25
Northern Soul Connections #25 Lewie & The 7 Days and friends from the Show-Me state
(click twice for best view)
Site info - You can check out Kens other quality 24 Northern Connections all available via his 'activity' profile page, the link follows below...
More articles from KenB
Related Videos
Black Music Matters: Is a change gonna come?
Black music has been the soundtrack to my life. It is the gift that keeps on giving. Like whisky it matures with age. It resonates even deeper now in today’s post truth world just as much as it did in the 1960s and 70s when the protest song and socially conscious lyrics were more common.
If you have never ventured into the “Rn B and soul” section in a record shop or had any inclination to include black music on your Spotify playlists may I
LARRY PAYTON, CHICAGO.
This post is an incomplete file with which I have two choices; leave it to gather dust no doubt never to see the light of day again or to share it as it stands with you guys in the Soul community. I can’t envisage receiving any more relevant information unless this post prompts some memories from out there.
Larry Payton first came to my attention while researching the life and times of Jerry Murray aka Jerry O for my book about him published last year. Due to Larry
There's been a bit of talk around the Norma Jenkins version of 'Try Love'. Thought it might be timely to share this article Keith Hughes wrote 25 years ago with a bit of assistance from myself.
Published in the 'Yesterday-Today-Forever' fanzine, issue 21 March 1996
Obviously 25 years have passed and more songs out of NY have come to our attention in that time but, as I said, this article is 25 years old so we didn't do too badly
Welcome comments on other NY recordings e.g. Carol M
Sandy Hollis : Lost Detroit Soulstress Found.
In 2008 Soul Junction Records issued a cd album project on the Detroit group, The Falcons entitled “Good, Good Feelings” which featured their entire Big Wheel label output. The album also featured both sides of the then unknown artist Sandy Hollis’s Big Wheel 45 “I’m Tempted/Tables Will Turn” which incidentally featured The Falcon’s on backing vocals. Now having spent many years tracking down artists in the pursuit of records and master tapes it
Northern Soul Connections #24 - Soul Reflections... who, where, what
Sonny Harris And The Soul Reflections, Vancouver Soul Reflections, Soul Reflections feat Carroll Jones, Beloit-Wisconsin Soul Reflections, North Carolina Soul Reflections
Ken B's latest northern soul connection #24
Northern Soul Connection #24 (click twice for best view)
Site info - You can check out Kens other quality 23 Northern Connections all available via his 'activity' profile page, the
'Where's Wigan - a Londoners Guide to Northern Soul' - BBC London radio station GLR 1999
Digging through the 6-pacs led to this packed away show from the late 1990s. Rather than just dump it on mixcloud have dug out the text that accompanied the show on here at the time...
As always with these type of digs, ask bear in mind that the text and the show are now over 20 years old
A radio show on GLR titled "Where's Wigan", subtitled "a Londoners Guide to Northern Soul"
The
Florence Alabama Music Enterprises, or simply FAME, the world-renowned recording studio and record label owned by Rick Hall in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. It produced a wealth of hit records for many artists and was instrumental in creating the sound of Muscle Shoals.
As well as the hits the studio and label also had an amazing amount of material that didn’t make the charts or was simply left in the can. However Ace Records struck a deal to go through the vaults and subsequently many trac
Dave Godin A Northern Soul, a biography by Stephen Stevlor.
Review by Damian Conaghan.............. aka Dim @Dim
Those of us who regard ourselves as Soul Music fans have heard of Dave Godin. My introduction to him, along with many of my peers, was via his column, during the early 1970s, in Blues & Soul magazine, where his musings gave due weight to the beauty of the music we love. A few of our number got to meet him and a few got to know him to varying degrees. But I never met
