We've had many threads on the definitions and semantics of the term. We have the fantastic media thread on the subject which continues to entertain and inform.

I thought I'd start a thread for people to nominate one record which they view as the ultimate embodiment of the genre.

I appreciate that these generic definitions are problematic and maybe unnecessary but hopefully this thread will give those who wonder what all the fuss is about an insight as to why fans of these records are so passionate about them.

It would be great if contributors could limit themselves to ONE record: that which is in their eyes the ultimate example of the term.

I'll start the ball rolling and nominate

RICHARD CAITON "I'D LIKE TO GET NEAR YOU" on UP TIGHT

I'll write a bit about exactly why I think it's the ultimate Crossover record a bit later, but I'm already looking forward to others' choices and am eager to see what, if any, consensus emerges.

There are no wrong answers.

I,m still not sure what classes as crossover ?

Me neither and I am even more confused after reading this thread!

Ernie Johnson? William Cummings?

Never in a million years would I have considered these to be crossover.

Just shows how much I know eh

So many to choose but if I had to nail one today it would be George Jackson - I Don't Have The Time To Love You - Mercury.

Tomorrow it'll be one of many others

A few records that define Crossover Soul for me that, of course there are many more are -

NOLAN CHANCE - I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU (THOMAS)

FRANK LYNCH - YOUNG GIRL (MY RECORD)

LITTLE REUBEN - IN THE NAME OF LONLINESS (NR)

THE VISITORS - MY LOVE IS READY AND WAITING (TRC)

However sticking to Gareth's rule of just the one. This record is the 'Crossover Sound' that I feel has all the ingredients IMHO of this widely interpreted style of Soul, all the way from New York -

DON GARDNER - YOUR LOVE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY (Mr G)

Cheers

Pat

Great idea mark, would be heaven for a nighter to play some great records all night.

If you look at how many folks get into the few venues that play class music, put the right dj's on, at a nighter,in a centrel location i would like to think it could work.

If nothing else there would be plenty of space on the dance floor,cos as we know no one dances to cross- over do they

Im sure it would too Mick but .....'us mamby pamby X-over types cant manage a nighter' or so I was told last week

See ya Sat ?

M.

A few records that define Crossover Soul for me that, of course there are many more are -

NOLAN CHANCE - I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU (THOMAS)

FRANK LYNCH - YOUNG GIRL (MY RECORD)

LITTLE REUBEN - IN THE NAME OF LONLINESS (NR)

THE VISITORS - MY LOVE IS READY AND WAITING (TRC)

However sticking to Gareth's rule of just the one. This record is the 'Crossover Sound' that I feel has all the ingredients IMHO of this widely interpreted style of Soul, all the way from New York -

DON GARDNER - YOUR LOVE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY (Mr G)

Cheers

Pat

Top Call Pat

M

Whilst we're making a case for "ultimate" x-over how's about:

C Coulter - "I can't fight the feeling" = Modern Soul

William Cummings - "Make my love a hurting thing" = Northern Soul ..... proper Northern.....

Coco & Ben - "Good feeling" = Modern Soul

To me these are what I consider to be what the definition encompasses, but I might be wrong!!

I can just about understand getting Coco & Ben and C Coulter confused, but William Cummings ????

I can just about understand getting Coco & Ben and C Coulter confused, but William Cummings ????

Help Me !!....Arthur Willis...?

I can just about understand getting Coco & Ben and C Coulter confused, but William Cummings ????

This is what Gareth pointed out - definition..

For me, William Cummings is full on and brilliant Northern but it's these differences of opinion that make life interesting..

ATB

Greg.

Overplayed and everyone's got one

That's what I heard......

Wouldnt this be some night if everything mentioned on here were played

Nice plush venue,

Hampsey, Tats, Thorley, Fenn, Ripoles etc

Any promoters up for it..................................??

Nice idea, everyone says good 'wouldn't it be great if....' but as I can testify when you do people don't support it. At the end of the day, to much politics, other promoters doing their best to strangle anything new in case their event is affected. This camp won't support that camp, these dj's won't work with those etc etc.

Sorry to be so negative, but it's the sorry state of how things have become. The amount of shite that behind the scenes has come our way with the Stafford thing from other promoters is un-believable. How can you put that on, when you know we always do this or that at that time in the month, it's so un-fair etc, etc.

I'm close to giving up.

Dave

Edited March 25, 201015 yr by Dave Thorley

One of these three surely.. .

Vernon Burch - Frame of mind

- Aint gonna tell nobody

- I'll be your sunshine.

Nice idea, everyone says good 'wouldn't it be great if....' but as I can testify when you do people don't support it. At the end of the day, to much politics, other promoters doing their best to strangle anything new in case their event is affected. This camp won't support that camp, these dj's won't work with those etc etc.

Sorry to be so negative, but it's the sorry state of how things have become. The amount of shite that behind the scenes has come our way with the Stafford thing from other promoters is un-believable. How can you put that on, when you know we always do this or that at that time in the month, it's so un-fair etc, etc.

I'm close to giving up.

Dave

don't give up on it dave!! it's bound to be a packer, stafford is folklore in the history of northern soul.!!! original building too

Ty Karim - Lightin' Up - Romark

Willie Tee - Teasin' you again - Gatur

Both already been mentioned by others - both remakes of 60's - and they both really sum up crossover for me

Adam

don't give up on it dave!! it's bound to be a packer, stafford is folklore in the history of northern soul.!!! original building too

No you miss understand. Stafford thing is a deffo, it's gonna be a packer despite somes efforts otherwise. Funny thing is, they will be there and shake me by the hand and say what a great night and how they always went.

No, i've just about given up trying to promote anything new.....

No you miss understand. Stafford thing is a deffo, it's gonna be a packer despite somes efforts otherwise. Funny thing is, they will be there and shake me by the hand and say what a great night and how they always went.

No, i've just about given up trying to promote anything new.....

i'm with you on that one, all the best with it,......jim

George Hughley That's Why I Cry Buddah

John Parker A Big Mistake Brunswick

Charles Brimmer The Feeling Is In My Heart Broadmoor.

George Wilson Here Stands The Man Who Needs You Black Circle

Jimmy Hicks Tell Her That I Love You Big Deal

Ralph Johnson Have Your Fun Master Key

Neil Reed Not As Beautiful As You Music Now

Dave

I love the Johnny Gilliam , just perfect , those strings , and brilliant vocals ......Best,Eddie

Headliners version is special too..

George Hughley That's Why I Cry Buddah

John Parker A Big Mistake Brunswick

Charles Brimmer The Feeling Is In My Heart Broadmoor.

George Wilson Here Stands The Man Who Needs You Black Circle

Jimmy Hicks Tell Her That I Love You Big Deal

Ralph Johnson Have Your Fun Master Key

Neil Reed Not As Beautiful As You Music Now

Dave

jimmy hicks-tell her that i love you,good one

jasonJIMMY HICKS - TELL HER THAT I LOVE YOU - BIG DEAL -

Edited March 25, 201015 yr by arnie j

tommy tate......if you got to love somebody

ralph graham......she sits there

bobby sheen......sweet sweet love

Trey J's- Found it all in you

Ascots-Just a few feet from the gutter

Rhonda Davis-Can you remember

Dee Dee Warwick-Where is that rainbow

So So many.....

belita woods magic corner

jimmy mack hard to understand

ella woods i need your love

maurice jackson forever my love

in my humble opinion of course

Great educative thread chaps. Nobody's mentioned Barbara Acklin Am I Still The Same Girl?

I'm no expert on this genre, quite a 'pagan' in fact, but listening to some of the sound files you're posting,

I reckon it would fall into the Crossover category. A lot of Tyrone Davis's tunes as well.

Is it because they're ten a penny and therefore not so desirable? Someone mentioned Ty Karim 'Lighten Up Baby'. I thought that was more your typical 'Northern' tune. Enlighten me por favor...

Macca

Here's your enlightenment !! Two versions of the same record sung by Ty Karim.

Lighten Up - CAR-A-MEL - 60s production very much in the Northern vein.

Lightin' Up (slightly different spelling - don't know why) - ROMARK - 70s production, much more in a crossover style

(there is a Refosoul listing of this one - so give them both a 'spin' and hear the difference).

Hope this helps amigo!

Brian

Edited March 25, 201015 yr by Brian Ellis

My twopenny worth:

Otis Jackson - Beggin' For A Broken Heart (MEGA)

Satin - Your Love's Got Me (SHELL)

Jimmy Burns - Can't Get Over (DISPO)

Sam Butler - I Can't Get Over Loving You (SRI)

These will do for now........................

Brian

My twopenny worth:

Otis Jackson - Beggin' For A Broken Heart (MEGA)

Satin - Your Love's Got Me (SHELL)

Jimmy Burns - Can't Get Over (DISPO)

Sam Butler - I Can't Get Over Loving You (SRI)

These will do for now........................

Brian

isn't satin the same as james phelps on apache?

belita woods magic corner

in my humble opinion of course

I chose Almeta Lattimore - but my god do I love the Belita Woods double sider on Moira

Good Call!

ATB

Greg.

isn't satin  the same as james phelps on apache?

Yes.

Nice idea, everyone says good 'wouldn't it be great if....' but as I can testify when you do people don't support it. At the end of the day, to much politics, other promoters doing their best to strangle anything new in case their event is affected. This camp won't support that camp, these dj's won't work with those etc etc.

Sorry to be so negative, but it's the sorry state of how things have become. The amount of shite that behind the scenes has come our way with the Stafford thing from other promoters is un-believable. How can you put that on, when you know we always do this or that at that time in the month, it's so un-fair etc, etc.

I'm close to giving up.

Dave

Actually Dave I wasn't meaning you and the guys I mentioned as the promoters, meant you lot as the 'Star Turns'

M.

Does for me mate!

My take on "Crossover" is the same as "Northern", it comes from all directions "If it's good, and it fits...then it's in!" all good ingredients, just a different flavour!

I'd class...

Gino Washington's "I'll Be Around"

Martha's "My Baby Needs Me"

Joe Tex's "Old Time Lover"

Louis Curry "Toast To you"

..as crossover myself? (one man's meat and all that!)

been so many top choices!

picking a fav for me will always change, mainly coz I aint heard 'em all yet!

Philharmonics "I Need I Need Your Love" and..

Hesitations "Is This A Way To treat A Girl"

will always be up there somewhere for me

steve

And a Toast to you with that choice

And a Toast to you with that choice

A little surprised that Jacqueline Jones - A Frown On My Face - Loadstone didn't get in the frame, always be one of my faves . Steve

A little surprised that Jacqueline Jones - A Frown On My Face - Loadstone didn't get in the frame, always be one of my faves . Steve

More of a collectors tune Steve, probably, hence the omission.

I have a treasured copy but just doesn't quite cut it into the 'ultimate' category.

Regards,

Greg.

Edited March 26, 201015 yr by ClearVinyl

Ultimate classic crossover Jeanie Tracy, Guitar Ray and Vee Gee's

But these two run a good race

Elois Scott - Broadway Love

Bernard Drake - I've been untrue

Someone mentioned 'Chaos (In My Heart)' by Vivian Copeland ...now, that is a great soul track, in my opinion. I loved it long before it crossed over (sorry for the pun).

Please read my thread about why I think "crossover" is the wrong name for this kind of music:

Loads of fantastic example of crossover soul so far.

may i add - Bob Relf -Girl, you`re my kind of wonderful

Bobby taylor - Don`t be afraid

Originals - I`m someone who cares

Barbara Brown/Carl Sims - Pity a fool

Shades of Brown - How could you love him

Patti Stokes - Is it true

Elvin Spencer - Lift this Hurt

Charles Brimmer - This feeling is in my heart

I could go on on and on .......... but my number crossover record (at this particular moment anyway !)

Roscoe Robinson - Don`t Pretend (Fame)

Mark H

...Bob Relf -Girl, you`re my kind of wonderful...

It always makes me laugh how many people ignore the posters request. Gareth said choose the ultimate crossover record.......THAT MEANS CHOOSE.....ONE..........

So in the spirit of this sentiment, i mentioned my own champion previously, so now i'll mention the ultimate one that i don't own.....ARCHIE HODGE - I REALLY WANT TO SEE YOU GIRL- NARCO.... (even though i would have gone for Richard Caiton....)

Edited March 26, 201015 yr by Brett F

It always makes me laugh how many people ignore the posters request. Gareth said choose the ultimate crossover record.......THAT MEANS CHOOSE.....ONE..........

So in the spirit of this sentiment, i mentioned my own champion previously, so now i'll mention the ultimate one that i don't own.....ARCHIE HODGE - I REALLY WANT TO SEE YOU GIRL- NARCO.... (even though i would have gone for Richard Caiton....)

Wow. No disrespect but I honestly consider that track to be very ordinary. Seriously, I really think the song is dull and the performance is weak and uninspired.

It just goes to show how different our tastes and opinions can be sometimes ...and I realise that I'm probably in a minority here but I just can't find anything good to say about it.

So if I had an original copy, Brett, you could have it. That's how kind I am.

I can just about understand getting Coco & Ben and C Coulter confused, but William Cummings ????

You're probably right about William Cummings - one of those moments, but one mans modern is another mans x-over

Wow. No disrespect but I honestly consider that track to be very ordinary. Seriously, I really think the song is dull and the performance is weak and uninspired.

It just goes to show how different our tastes and opinions can be sometimes ...and I realise that I'm probably in a minority here but I just can't find anything good to say about it.

So if I had an original copy, Brett, you could have it. That's how kind I am.

Thats ok Paul, i'd never expect anyone to eat the 'Braised Cornish brill, scallops, wild asparagus, cucumber and wasabi' meal i'd order at a restaurant, we all like alternative things, we fall in love with different women , wear different clothes.......collect different records..etc .

SUGAR BEAR - I LOVE YOU SO -

So many mentioned already I could nominate - Margie Joseph, Darrell Banks, Don Gardner (Mr G), I could go for Donald Lee Richardson 'Lesson' but in an attempt to list one not already mentioned (it might of been but if so I have missed it!!)

'I'm In Love With You' - Bobby Patterson on (the more attractive) UK Action

Back in the day a few of us in 'boro loved this - but it did not fit at all between Wigan and the Mecca

Mike

'I'm In Love With You' - Bobby Patterson on (the more attractive) UK Action

Back in the day a few of us in 'boro loved this - but it did not fit at all between Wigan and the Mecca

Mike

They weren't ready for it then Mike.

Needed a few years to go by before it became a Clifton Hall & Cleethorpes monster, for yours truly, Mike.

Sean

Alice Clark - Don't you care (Mainstream)

Sorry, just one more...please!

Shelley Fisher - I know how (to love you) Aries

Just a brilliant powerhouse mid-tempo growling bassline girly backing gorgeousness of a tuneeeeee....

LOVE it!!

Some great selections already but here,s my 3 penneth;

Sandra wright---I.ll come running back

Oscar Perry--He sent me you

Best

T.C.

SUGAR BEAR - I LOVE YOU SO -

Blimey that's good!

What's the info?

Just thought of a couple I love that seldom get heard now,

Corey Blake- how can I.....

and

Cornelius ans sisiter rose- too late to turn back now

Blimey that's good!

What's the info?

"i love you so" by sugar bear, out of texas on the drells label

Two that I don't think have been mentioned so far but are all-time gems are Herman Hitson on Sweet Rose and Merv Murphy on Simmons.

Herman Hitson on Sweet Rose

good call gareth

good call gareth

Yes. Sticking my neck out I'd say it's probably the best double-sided independent soul record ever made. By anyone. Ever.