Soul Music News

Soul Searchin' is a feature-length documentary that delves into the passionate world of rare soul music record collectors and the crate digging culture. It highlights how these enthusiasts transform obscure tracks into cultural treasures, preserving the legacies of forgotten Black, Chicano & Latino artists celebrated within the West Coast Mexican American (Chicano) community that has proved equally popular in the UK and Japan amongst Rare Soul afficionados. There is a very particular sound s

Liverpool Soul Weekender & Tuff Love Soul Club proudly present Carlton Jumel Smith & The Wax Preachers Live Performing on Saturday the 22nd of June 2025. There will be chance to meet Carlton, shake the man's hand, have a chin-wag and get your records signed, if you're that way inclined. In fact, Carlton will be around hanging-out for the whole weekender. It'll also be the official launch of CJSmith's new recording with The Wax Preachers (Teaser video attached below) 10d906cf-d132-4eac-ac

Four originally unreleased tracks finally available on vinyl/7" PRE-ORDER NOW FOR 20th SEPTEMBER  https://soul4real.es/ CARLA THOMAS (S4R36) LONELINESS / IF IT´S NOT ASKING TOO MUCH Though she was Stax Records' Queen of Soul (and Otis Redding was her king), there was much more to Carla Thomas. In 1967, even while being promoted by the name of her most recent album, The Queen Alone, she was expanding her sound, developing a cabaret act that showcased a mix of genres and styles

Keb Darge Presents The Best Of Ace Sixties Garage Punk A new vinyl comp from Ace Records, release notes and such follow below Release Notes After the success of Keb Darge’s 2023 Ace Rockabilly compilation (CHD 1637) the legend returns with another collection of music close to his heart. On “Keb Darge Presents The Best Of Ace Sixties Garage Punk” the smooth-headed maestro pulls open his curtains to reveal a selection of US garage stompers from the 60s. “Though there are a coup

Details of a recent release from Acid Jazz Records Matt Berry Featuring Emma Noble - Beatmaker / Beatmaker (Instrumental) - Acid Jazz Records - AJX635S This cover of the 1970s psych funk classic by Swedish artist Doris recently had its first outing via the first episode of 'Toast of Tinseltown', a BBC series starring Matt Berry. It's a limited-edition picture sleeve 7" vinyl release, along with a smart picture sleeve you also get as a first time exclusive the instrumental version.

News of a new album and tour dates from a new Amsterdam band... Soul Survivors - The Road Ahead (digital, CD and vinyl September 13, 2024, distribution Painted Dog Records) Soul Survivors is a new young Amsterdam band with a free spirit and a wild heart. The band has immersed themselves in soul, rhythm & blues by mastering all the old soul songs they love. With a setlist full of soul gems, they quickly built up a reputation in the Amsterdam live circuit. The band then used this mus

Out Now - Soul Up North Magazine #121 - The  Autumn 2024 issue Content goes something like this... SOUL UP NORTH - issue 121 GOOD TUNES & GREAT GROOVES Dave Halsall FUNK IN YO’ FACE – WHAT’S HAPPENING C.C. Howard Priestly FEET TO THE BEAT – VENUE REPORTS Diane Naylor / Stephen Riley SOUL IN A DIGITAL AGE John Farrar SOULFUL SEVENTIES SPINS aka ‘PLUMB’S PEACHES’ Steve Plumb CHICAGO SOUL Shane Cox CREATIVE SOUL – THE STORY SO FAR Cliff Steel PAT LEWIS

Details of an upcoming film that may be of interest... Luther: Never Too Much Release Notes: Luther Vandross’ story is being told. “Luther: Never Too Much,” the documentary film from award-winning director Dawn Porter, chronicles the story of a vocal virtuoso. Using a wealth of rarely seen archives, Luther tells his own story with assistance from his closest friends and musical collaborators including Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, Valerie Simpson and Roberta Flack. The film r

Word sent in of a new digital album release from Japan Tokyo, Japan – Dadmandog, a project bringing back the sounds of early 80s Boogie and Post-Disco, is set to release its debut full-length album, 2 Hours Behind, on 21 September, 2024. 2 Hours Behind delves into the transitional period from analog to digital in the disco scene, perfectly recreating the sound of studio sessions from that era. Laid-back yet tight rhythms, groovy basslines, and shimmering vocoder create an authentic ear

Thanks to member Mark aka @Thinksmart for flagging this release up in our forums A quick shout about the latest releases from Expansion Records featuring Bobby Hutton Release Notes This is the first reissue of the “Piece Of The Action” LP since 1973, and the CD has bonus tracks with everything Bobby Hutton recorded between 1969 and 1974. Everything taken from the original master stapes and restored. Bobby Hutton is from Detroit, Michigan and began his career after win

A quick highlight news post of a recently added feature to our active and vibrant Source Event Guide.. Source Event Guide Featured Events Intro The 'Featured Events' feature now allows promoters/organisers/members  to 'upgrade' any Event's exposure/awareness via the event listings in our Soul Source Event Guide.  For a small cost members can now 'upgrade' their own or indeed others Event Guide Entry in minutes How To take advantage of this feature, it's just a simpl

Details of an upcoming Album release have just landed,  from Soul Direction we have... The Decisions - “Color Me Blue” (The York & Sussex Sessions) - Soul Direction SDLP1001 Release Notes Soul Direction Records are proud to present the latest release in the Decisions music legacy. The Decisions – “Color Me Blue” (The York & Sussex Sessions) Soul Direction SDLP1001 Released in 12” Vinyl album format + limited CD edition. RELEASE DATE: 25th OCTOBER 2024 (PRE-ORD

An upcoming release from Soul Jazz Records - due for release on 27 September 2024 Miami Sound Vol. 2 - More Funk & Sound From Miami, Florida 1967-74 - Soul Jazz Records   Formats: 2xLP, CD and Mp3 Audio Sample ( Listen while you read) https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/audio/samplemix/94000/93037.mp3 Track Listing 1 Clean Up Woman - Betty Wright 2 Party Freaks - Miami 3 All This Love That I'm Giving - Gwen McCrae 4 Monkey Tamarind - The Beginnin

THIRD SHADES OF SORROW INCITES CULT FOLLOWING! Shades of Sorrow Vol. 3 - Rare Chicano & Blue Eyed Soul Ballads Photo of Riccardo & The 4 Most NOW AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION WHOLESALE OR DIRECT FOR PRE-ORDER SHIPS & IN STORES ON OR BEFORE 10/15/24 There’s A Reason - Riccardo & The 4 Most - Private press on the group’s own Foremost Records out of New York 1967, made up of an interracial Black and White group including bandleader Riccardo Wright (guitar), Ralph M

The latest releases from Ace records includes 2 x Kent Select Soul 45s and one Kent Repro 45 Details, scans, audio and Kent's release notes follow below...   Carolyn Crawford /Hodges, James, Smith & Crawford - It Takes A Lotta Teardrops / I’m In Love - Kent Select  098 We follow up Carolyn Crawford’s recent big selling Kent 45 ‘Get Up And Dance’ with another top class Mickey Stevenson production on ‘It Takes A Lotta Teardrops’.  The Leon Ware and Vicki Basemore

Recently had word passed on regarding a book that may be of interest to members of a certain age or outlook... Coronation Baby, Council House Kid, The 1970s: A Soulcial History  'a social/urban history for those who were there', The 1950s hailed a rapid change and a bright future for many, an exciting new Elizabethan age with over a million new council homes built for returning soldiers and those in need, for their new and growing families. Prime Minister Harold Macmillan proclai

HR 1558  Barbara Mason - You Better Stop It / Just You And Me Classic Philly soul from 1969 - her ever-popular Northern midpacer, the reissue from 2016 now on Discogs at £100+, plus here we have a never before on vinyl flip, showing 600,000 hit on youtube - a massive track from the Queen of Lowrider Soul.   'Just You And Me’      ‘You Better Stop It’            HR 1559  Tony Owens - I Need, I Need Your Love / Wishing

Jazz Funk Soul Radio are on the lookout for kindred spirits, folks who believe in the power of music to uplift, inspire, and bring people together. No need for a fancy radio voice or a PhD in musicology – just bring your authentic self, a sprinkle of charisma, and a hardrive full of good vibes! As a JFSR presenter, you'll be able to connect to like minded people in the UK as well as our global audience. Picture yourself in the comfort of your own space, sharing your favourite tune

Being reported that John Boyega and Danielle Deadwyler are to Star in upcoming Otis Redding Biopic ‘Otis & Zelma’  more info via https://variety.com/2024/film/news/john-boyega-otis-redding-biopic-danielle-deadwyler-1236161720/

A new Daptone album from Thee Sacred Souls due out today... Thee Sacred Souls - Got a Story to Tell Release Notes The highly anticipated follow-up to Thee Sacred Souls's breakout 2022 self-titled debut, Got A Story To Tell, features 12 all original new songs, a soaring statement of exquisite craftsmanship from this young band from San Diego whose story grows bigger by the day. Recorded and produced by Gabriel Roth at Penrose Recorders, in Daptone’s Riverside, CA studio, and writte

Eugene Williams & The WB's  - I'M GLAD I MET YOU GIRL / I CAN FEEL YOUR LOVE INSIDE OF ME Two previously unissued soulful delights.  These two songs come from a very damaged demo studio mastertape recorded in 1977 in New York. We know the sound quality is not perfect but good enough to be released and heard for the first time by soul music fan! PRE-ORDER IT NOW! (Release date 15 Oct 2024) Welcome EPS032 https://www.epsilonrecord.com/ EUGENE WILLIAMS & T

Just landed details of a upcoming book, the release notes follow below The Embers: The Bobby Tomlinson Story Set for November 1 Release The Journey Behind the Book and the Legacy It Captures McBryde Publishing is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of The Embers: The Bobby Tomlinson Story. Set for release on November 1, 2024, this book brings to life the incredible journey of The Embers, one of the most iconic bands in North Carolina's beach music scene. Co-authored by

A few more details on the upcoming book... The Story Of The Prestatyn Weekender  The much-anticipated Prestatyn Soul Weekenders book is now available to order! Focusing on the Northern Soul side of the event, it details each of the innovative Midnight Hour Weekenders in turn, recalling all of the incredible live artists who appeared over the twenty events. Richly illustrated in full colour with photos of those who made it so special, including the artists, DJs and dancers, it

Two new exciting releases. Thanks so much to Friendly Womack for his help in licensing the Valentinos tracks 𝗣𝗥𝗘-𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗢𝗪 for 25th OCTOBER: https://soul4real.es/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 of Candi Staton´s best tracks finally available on 7" CANDI STATON (S4R35) I CAN´T STOP BEING YOUR FOOL / YOU BET YOUR SWEET, SWEET LOVE Born in Hanceville (Alabama), Canzetta Maria “Candi” Staton possesses one of the mo

This is a story of perseverance. This is a story of how a bandleader and aspiring singer from Philadelphia discovered a young group from Camden NJ, wrote and produced their first single, and then  watched the group’s career take off in someone else's stable. There were many lessons learned the hard way; the most poignant was finding out the record business in Philly during the 1960’s and 70's was a hard nut to crack, especially when you're an unknown in the R&B world. Post Barbara Mason

Milton Davis - Headed for the Disco / All I Want to Do - Soul 7 Artist: Milton Davis Title: Headed for the Disco Label: Soul 7 Catalogue #: SOUL7047 Though allegedly a Texas native, Milton Davis first recorded in Los Angeles in 1967 as a member of The Four Tempos. When that act split, he trekked up the coast in stages, eventually settling in Portland. Here he secured the lead vocal role for local scene heroes, Slickaphonic. Though a full album of their own was taped, ano

Ace Records release day with a hat full of 45s let loose. Two additions to the Kent Select Imprint Kenneth Wright / Miss Louistine - The Souls Of Black Folks / Extra-Extra - City 097 Soul connoisseurs are adventurous folk and the emergence of a previously unknown singer/songwriter is big news among the cognoscenti. The only trace of Atlanta’s Kenneth Wright is a handful of unrecorded song titles on BMI represented by Aware’s publishing company Act One. At least a dozen of

Details of a new podcast from Charly Records Youtube based, looks like plans are for it to be a series of soul related podcasts. Promotional details from Charly Records follow below, along with a shorts trailer and the placeholder for the pilot show, which premieres 31 Oct 2024. Thursday 31st Oct 2024 "NORTHERN SOUL TIME" Join Charly for the exciting launch of the new podcast, Northern Soul Time – A Rare Soul Legacy, exclusively on the Charly Records YouTube Channel! Dive d

Just out, details follow... Acid House As It Happened by Dave Swindells. Blurb 'A brilliant title for what is already the definitive unofficial visual history of 1988. Swindells photographed the first Acid nights at Future and Shoom in March ‘88, then Spectrum, Trip, Mutoid Waste Company, events organised (or otherwise) in car parks and bus depots, all throughout that year of seismic change, ending in November with the appropriately named Adrenalin. Dave documented and wrote about

Happy to announce pre-order for volumes 5 & 6 of "From Detroit With Love", a series of EPs containing some of the best originally unissued Motown tracks, now available on vinyl / 7" for the first time. PRE ORDER NOW FOR 15th NOVEMBER https://soul4real.es/     FROM DETROIT WITH LOVE V DAVID RUFFIN ANYTHING THAT YOU ASK FOR Produced by Clay McMurray & Martin Coleman Recorded in 1969 BRENDA HOLLOWAY DON´T STAY AWAY Produced by Marc Gordon &a

Soul music lovers, The Embers: The Bobby Tomlinson Story is now officially available as an eBook and paperback through online retailers worldwide including Amazon. This comprehensive biography traces the rise of The Embers, led by original drummer Bobby Tomlinson, who steered the band through six decades of Beach Music history. But for Northern Soul enthusiasts, this book offers something especially compelling. Inside are numerous nods to the fervent UK Northern Soul crowd, who championed The Em

Press Release:  Tearra   “Just Loving You/Teeah-Louise   You Happened To Me “   SJ558 Release Date: Monday 25th November 2024 Tearra’s “Just Loving You” on it’s original U.S Midtown label due to its quality and desirability continues to regularly achieve four figure sale prices on the rare occasion that a copy comes on to the open market. Soul Junction through a licensing deal with Emandolynn Music first reissued this modern soul anthem back in 2017 as part of a dual 45 package that in

News about a upcoming re-issue from sam@equalsmusic.co.uk The re-issue of influential jazz/folk/blues singer Barbara Dane's rare original 1960 recording of “I’m on My Way”, produced by Lee Hazlewood and Lester Sill on their label 3 Trey / Gregmark. Coinciding with the re-issue is a feature film about Barbara’s life that's making waves on the festival circuit, generating renewed interest in her remarkable story. Barbara's music is intertwined with compelling narratives that link he

Geoff Waddington Feat Tameka Jackson - All That You've Got - New Single Release Latest news from Geoff Waddington, info and sample of his upcoming release... 'My new track will be released next Monday,18th Nov 2024 and then be available at online stores' Listen below   'ALL THAT YOU'VE GOT'  featuring  TAMEKA JACKSON. 'ALL THAT YOU'VE GOT-FT-TAMEKA JACKSON.mp3    

'Black Moses on 45 - for the first time in the same place, the single edit of every one of Isaac Hayes' A and B-sides from 1969-1972' A new album from Ace Records, released in cd and lp formats Hot Buttered Singles 1968-1972  - Isaac Hayes  CDTOP 1650 Release Notes Sixteen years may have gone by since Isaac Hayes’ untimely passing at the age of just 65, but he remains one of the most popular and Iconic singer-songwriter-arrangers in the history of Soul music. The albums

Two new 45s mark the (delayed) launch of a brand new Ace/Kent imprint... Soul Harmony It's looking like this 'Soul Harmony' main thrust will be all things low-rider. The first two 45s are now out, with the third release due to follow at the end of this month (Nov). Details and the release notes of the first new releases follow below... 87th OFF BROADWAY / LARRY SANDERS – INSTANT REPLAY / I’M IN LOVE - SOUL HARMONY SH 01 - Out Now We launch our Soul Harmony label with a fab

German article & video interviewing some of the people who go to non OvO clubs like Deptford Northern Soul Club, Bristol and so on... See below:  https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten-sendungen/heute-journal/northern-soul-revival-100.html

Our irregular Friday weekend Soul Event shout This weekends top Uk soul Events Please note that the above image is just a screengrab of our feature and so it is a static overview of this weeks Uk and Irish events To view the most up to date and the dynamic Source Events weekly map just go to our Event Guide page (link below) and then tap the orange 'Launch Map View (Weekly)' button The latest and dynamic map view will then popup ready for you to drill down to all the ev

Northern Connections #38  Aqua Lads re-visited, taking in the Chantells & Twighlights  The most recent issue of this long running informative series courtesy of Ken b aka @Kenb Intro sparked by the Soul Source topic “What goes up must come down” of Nov 2024… …about The Charms Unlimited and Soul Inc and very good it was too, got me thinking about a re-visit of The Aqua Lads, Chantells, etc. It’s worth pointing out at this juncture that some written information about those tha

Just released, a brand new 7 disc box set from Kent Records, the title says it all...... Goldwax Records - Memphis Soul Rarities 1964-1969 - 7 x 45 Box Set LTDBOX 022 Goldwax was the ultimate southern soul label. Here are some of the finest discoveries from their vaults, on the 7" vinyl they were intended for. Release Notes Preview This is the third in our series of limited edition 7x7" Box Sets.  The renowned Memphis 60s soul label Goldwax was a medium-sized operation w

New 45: Lights Out - Tonight - Soul 7 - 7" Lights Out - Tonight b/w Surrender Your Love - Soul 7 - SOUL7048 Singer Andy Stokes, billed as the 'Northwest King of Soul Music', may have recently worked with such industry luminaries as Snoop Dogg but, way back in the late 70s, he was fronting a hopeful Jazz-Funk group struggling to break into even just the Oregon circuit. Despite boasting members from internationally successful acts like Fantasy Records' own Pleasure, Lights Out never saw

Two new release 45s announced from Daptone Records...   Jalen Ngonda  - Illusions b/w Rapture - Daptone Out December 6th. Available to pre-order now. It is our distinct pleasure to present another massive double-sider from Jalen Ngonda and Co.. With their sophisticated arrangements and infallible, soulful grooves courtesy of some of the best musicians in the game, Jalen's voice shines through–exuding the class and maturity of an artist who has refined their craft on the

New Comp Lp from Soul4Real Pre-order now for 15th December 2024 NEW COMPILATION! 𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛 (𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔 𝗟𝗜𝗘) (S4RLP06) Pre-order now for 16th December: www.soul4real.es Tracks 𝗗𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗬 𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗥𝗘 - GIRL OVERBOARD 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗬𝗗 - I´M FOR REAL 𝗥𝗔𝗬 𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗟𝗘𝗬 - GOOD GUYS DON´T ALWAYS WIN 𝗚𝗘𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗘 𝗝𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦𝗢𝗡 - PLAY SOMETHING PRETTY 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝗱, 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘀 𝗕𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗬 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 - MY HEART´S BEEN BROKEN AGAIN 𝗝𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗬

Soul Direction are pleased to announce their next release in the Contempo Series. Ebony Evans “Loving You (Is All I Wanna Do)” SDCO1002-A Lewzarius “Step Up” SDCO1002-B Release Date – 9th December 2024 To some these won’t seem as contemporary as they have been digital since around 2006 (Ebony’s song getting a limited pressing for a weekender anniversary in Oslo in 2013) and Lewzarius coming much later. However, here at Soul Direction we loved both tracks and felt a 7” vinyl r

The Source Store Summer Sale 2023 has just started We have over 50 recently released soul 45s up for grabs, all our copies are mint condition and are sourced directly from the labels/suppliers. You can check them all out via our new  'summer sale section' here https://www.soul-source.co.uk/store/category/15-summer-sale-45s/ Full audio, scans and purchase options are available. Priced to sell, with up to 50% reductions on offer May need to step lively as there will b

The Chicago Readers great feature 'The Secret History of Chicago Music; has had a few articles added by Steve Krakow since our last visit... Dee Clark bridged doo-wop, rock ’n’ roll, R&B, and soul This underappreciated Chicago singer had his biggest hit with “Raindrops” in 1961, but everything he recorded deserves to be heard. Soulful singer Paulette McWilliams belongs at center stage In her six-decade career, she’s made countless stars sound better—but too few people kno

Peter Triska has asked me to post this letter from the MND Association in response to the donations from Susan Triska's Memorial Night at Culcheth, thanking everyone who donated an AMAZING £1500

That time of year,... A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year  to all! Best wishes on behalf of all the Soul Source team Have a jolly one!   A Xmas tune to get the festivity going... Disco Christmas - Universal Robot Band [1977] Feel free to share your goto Christmas tunes below...    

With 2025 coming up fast, it's that time of the year to wish all Source members the best for 2025 May 2025 be a most soulful one for all! Happy New Year, see you all on the other side Soul Source team

Upcoming release from Kent Records Soul Harmony - Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984 (In Perfect Harmony) CDKEND 513 Glorious soul ballad harmonising from black American combos - both celebrated and unsung. Over a third of the tracks are recent, tantalising tape discoveries. Release Notes Preview This year’s “in” black music style is the slow, sweet groove of soul harmony ballads. Interest has grown over the last decade and now the rarer of these records regularly reach four figur