Mike

News and details about a recent release from Kent Record. Billed as 'The first career anthology of one of soul music’s most beloved female vocalists' this is a comp that if we ever had an album of the month slot on here then this would be a contender. The opening paragraph of the release notes on Ace record websites by Tony Rounce set the scene... Soul music has never had a singer with the extraordinary vocal power of New Jersey’s Linda Jones. Her arsenal of vocal shrieks, wails, passion, sanctity and full-on fire has enthralled soul fans since she burst onto the scene with her breakthrough hit ‘Hypnotized’ in 1967. Those who know and love her work will vociferously tell you she is, simply, the greatest female soul singer of all time. At the very least, she is up there with any of her internationally famous peers, yet her catalogue remains largely unrecognised outside of soul’s inner sanctum.... Details and previews follow below , Check out the Ace Records website link below for both purchase and full release notes Juno Records Preview Player Track Listings 1. Hypnotized 2. Lonely Teardrops 3. I'm Taking Back My Love 4. Take The Boy Out Of The Country 5. Fugitive From Love 6. You Hit Me Like Tnt 7. Give My Love A Try 8. A Last Minute Miracle 9. What've I Done (To Make You Mad) 10. My Heart Needs A Break 11. That's When I'll Stop Loving You 12. Just Can't Live My Life (Without You Baby) 13. I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow 14. Can You Blame Me? 15. Ooh Baby You Move Me 16. I Do 17. If Only We Had Met Sooner 18. I Can't Make It Alone 19. Stay With Me Forever 20. Behold 21. Not On The Outside 22. I'm So Glad I Found You (with The Whatnauts) 23. I've Given You The Best Years Of My Life 24. Your Precious Love Video Trailer Cover Ace Records Website Link - for full release notes and purchase options https://acerecords.co.uk/precious-the-anthology-1963-72

The latest episode in the Tv Ones great Unsung series titled 'Unsung: Bobby 'Blue' Bland' was broadcast last week in the Usa and its a good one, the episode can be viewed below... UNSUNG Watch Unsung: Bobby Blue Bland 'See the story of the soul man whose songs may have become more famous than him' 2019 Updated Note the promo is now only available online in UK - USA viewers have the full documentary https://tvone.tv/show/unsung-4/

News about a upcoming 2017 release... Deluxe CD RELEASE DATE (CD): January 13th, 2017 Deluxe Limited Edition LP Available for Record Store Day’s Black Friday Event Only! RELEASE Date (LP): November 25, 2016 Never-before issued recordings from legendary Motown guitarist, Dennis Coffey, captured live at Morey Baker’s Showplace Lounge in Detroit in 1968. One of the Funk Brothers, as featured in the Grammy award winning documentary “Standing in The Shadows of Motown”, Coffey has played with countless musicians from Quincy Jones to Barbra Streisand, and Michael Jackson to Stevie Wonder. Hot Coffey in the D was produced by Mike Theodore and Coffey, the same team that produced the recently rediscovered folk singer Rodriguez’s debut album Cold Fact (1970) and the soundtrack to the Academy Award winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man”. These recordings showcase Coffey in his prime, raw and unfiltered, with fellow Detroiters organist Lyman Woodard (former musical director for Martha and the Vandellas) and drummer Melvin Davis (Smokey Robinson, Wayne Kramer). The package features striking cover art by acclaimed comic book artist and Metro Detroit native, Bill Morrison (The Simpsons, Futurama), rare photos, as well as essays by veteran music journalist and album co-producer Kevin Goins, who interviewed Dennis Coffey, Melvin Davis and Mike Theodore for the project, and Resonance producer Zev Feldman. via http://www.resonancerecords.org/release.php?cat=HCD-2024 In the late '60s, Dennis Coffey was a fixture in the fertile Detroit soul recording studio scene, where he helped shape the sound of countless hits for Detroit's indie soul labels Golden World, Ric-Tic, Kelmac and Revilot, among others. Jack Montgomerys "Dearly Beloved," The Reflections' "Just Like Romeo and Juliet" and Darrell Banks's "Open the Door to Your Heart" are just a few of the Northern Soul classics of that era that Coffey played on. At the same time, organist Lyman Woodard was the musical director for Martha Reeves and The Vandellas (Heat Wave) and Melvin Davis was busy cutting 45s of his own as a vocalist on the Groovesville, Fortune and Mala labels and landing a number regional hits including This Love Was Meant To Be/Save It (Never Too Late). more via http://denniscoffeysite.com/hot-coffey-d-burnin-morey-bakers-showplace-lounge/ Side A: 1. Fuzz (8:17) 2. By The Time I Get To Phoenix (7:09) 3. The Look Of Love (11:45) Side B: 1. Maiden Voyage (7:06) 2. The Big ‘D’ (4:13) 3. Casanova (Your Playing Days Are Over) (7:04) 4. Wade In The Water (7:52)

Jazzman records have just been in touch with Soul Source, passing on news that they now have available a new line of Record Boxes for sale exclusive to their website. The blurb follows below and have to say at first glance that they do look like a must have for serious record types. The boxes are available in a variety of sizes (60 -120) and colours, check out the link at the bottom of this piece for the full details. Introducing our own range of brand new 45 cases, in equal measure stylish and functional, solving the age-old problem of storing, transporting & displaying your precious 45s once and for all. Custom made in limited numbers and modelled on the timeless mid-century design aesthetic of original 1950s and 60s 45 cases from the USA, these iconic record boxes don't just look fantastic, they have been built to last for many years to come. Ugly, bulky industrial flight cases they are not. No cheap plastic or flimsy cardboard either! These are the ultimate wooden cases for all serious 7" record collectors. Available now via Jazzman Records website http://www.jazzmanrecords.co.uk/accessories

Pama International and Record Kicks Word that Record Kicks have signed the renowned UK’s Dub-Fuelled RockSteady-Soul band Pama International and the release of their first single “Heatwave”, which is available now in all digital stores and in limited edition 45” vinyl come 20 January 2017. After 7 years Pama International return not only with a new line up but also a new album and a new single release. The album is titled “Love & Austerity” and is lined up for a spring 2017 release via the Record Kicks label. The single is taken from the album and the a side is their take of the Martha Reeves & The Vandella’s motown classic “Heatwave” which has featured already in various dj playlists. Flipped with 'Skies Are Blue' now available digital wise, with the vinyl 45 now available to pre-order and due to be released Jan Pre-ordering does opens up various options, 150 limited clear vinyl presses and so on, follow the link below for all details of these offers. <a data-cke-saved-href="http://pamainternational.bandcamp.com/album/heatwave-skies-are-blue" href="http://pamainternational.bandcamp.com/album/heatwave-skies-are-blue">Heatwave / Skies Are Blue by Pama International</a> Blurb: In their first 10 years Pama Int’l recorded 9 albums, 3 BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale sessions, won the Rebel playlist on BBC 6, and became the first new act to sign to Trojan Records in 30 years. Their collective nature saw them work with members of The Specials, Madness, Steel Pulse, Style Council, Galliano, Kasabian, Billy Bragg and Jamaican legends, Derrick Morgan, Dawn Penn, Dennis Alcapone and Rico Rodriguez to name a few; constantly touring with, among others, Toots & The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Prince Buster and Mick Jones (The Clash). The new Pama International line-up is built around the founder/keyboard player Sean Flowerdew together with guitarist Lenny Bignell, and it stars the beautiful lead vocal harmonies of Jewels Vass (Mad Professor - Zion Train) and Anna Uhuru, drummer extraordinaire Bullit (The Wailing Souls - Lee Perry - Max Romeo) and, from Pama International’s original days, Gary Alesbrook (Kasabian) on trumpet. To support the release of their ‘Love & Austerity’ album the band will kick off 2017 as part of the official Trojan Records UK club tour and 6 dates with the reformed Dead 60s. https://pamainternational.bandcamp.com/album/heatwave-skies-are-blue

Passed up to Soul Source by a member, word about a news article currently being run via the North East Uk based The Chronicle Newspaper website http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk that may be of interest. The article is all about a collection of 4000+ northern 45s up for auction via North Shields auctioneers Featonby’s on December 5 2016. The member has been informed on whose collection it may be but as the details are not definite and information is hard to find via the websites this does needs confirming before publishing. Information such as auction details does seem a bit scarce on it all, so a good dig may be needed, but anyway here's the links News Article on The Chronicle Live website 'A huge archive of Northern soul records amassed by a Tyneside devotee is to be auctioned amid international interest The collector has been described as a legend in his field and would fly to the United States to find records and then have them shipped back to this country,” said auctioneer Darren...' http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/tyneside-auctioneer-set-sell-4000-12240079 Featbys Auction Website http://www.featonbys.co.uk/

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 buy this lp back when it was released in 1975 and it was quite a memorable purchase. Memorable as it turned out to be one of the lps that did open/expand my ears/taste quite a bit. At the time of purchase I was just a young 14 year scally type who thought he knew everything, when I got my hands on this lp some of the tracks didn't really hit it off with me on first play, stuff like Little Sonny, Rance Allen etc was quite far out (in its literal meaning) to kids like me at the time. But slowly over time with repeat plays those tracks slowly drew me in deeper and deeper. Anyway what does make the sleeve notes interesting reading is not so much the track reviews but rather the opening and closing paragraphs written by Ian d. This was the 'soul' narrative that was being said and pushed out at the time and being taken in by kids like myself. Though given the title of the comp and the cover picture the 'right on-ees' in the notes does make you smile now. No matter, here's the notes in easy to read text format... Cover (the worse northern soul ever comp cover ?) At a time when the words 'Northern Soul' have become a rather hackneyed cliche of describing basic, brash, fast, dance music, it is a refreshing change to suddenly find an L.P. dedicated to the real thing! As various new records run up the charts under the guise of 'Northern Soul' one wonders exactly how long it will be before the record buying public will realise that they have been brainwashed into buying sub-standard product. For the people who look no further than the top thirty for their tastes in fast-beat soul, this album is not for you. For the people who are willing to discover authentic Soul with that Northern beat and for the legion of fans of Northern music who are already aware of the treasures around this is the real McCoy! Having said that, what better record to kick off with than the immaculate 'At Last'. Right from the first two beats the Temprees superb harmonies compliment the brisk backing and give the classic song a brilliant re-working. This record established itself as one of the biggest records in the North and quite rightly so! Possibly the most commercially successful record on this album is 'Happy'. Of course the title epitomises what the record is all about and William Bell's bouncy vocals belt along and carry lyrics which make everybody wonder why they've ever worried. A record which should be played everytime you're feeling low! Instrumental time and here we go with Little Sonny's re-working of Ramsey Lewis 'Wade in the Water'. A Northern favourite at the best of times, and Little Sonny's version adds a new dimension to this classic dancer. The normally deep Soul and Funky Johnnie Taylor hits a solid Northern groove with Wylie and Hestors 'Friday Night'. Johnnie rips his soul out on this gutsy song .... and what a beat! A real 100% true Northern dancer which always packs the dance floors. The Gospel Veteran, Rance Allen turns up with a Northern goody and a high wailing rendition of 'There's Gonna be a Showdown'. Once again another gutsy item which belts along with Rances' voice hitting almost impossible notes. Of course Rances' roots show through this one right from the Gospel harmonies to the clanking piano in the background but this shows yet another branch of Northern Soul which the media continues to ignore. Hitting back with the happy Northern sounds are Mel and Tim with Philip Mitchell's 'Free for All'. A fabulous intro immediately starts the record and then Mel and Tims sweet-soul voices carry the joyful singalong lyrics. As with the Temprees record, once again,.a brilliant arrangement and a credit to all involved. Annette Thomas, who still remains relatively unknown delivers a modern but unmistakably Northern sound with 'You need a friend like mine' This is one which gathered many plays. when first issued and is just the sort of record which will probably spring up in a year or two, and have people•kicking themselves for not getting to it first! The Staple Singers although not associated with Northern Soul somehow hit the groove with 'Oh la de da'. Yet again another happy beater (and why not) with Mavis, Pop and Co. yelling the title backed by a frenetic beat. Not a record for devout intellectuals but who the hell actually thinks on the dance floor! A record to shed inhibitions to. Little Milton leaves the monologues behind and comes up with a relatively little known Northern dancer entitled 'Bet you I Win'. As always that typical Stax sound in evidence and Little Milton gets in perfect voice for this strutting item. Old Northern favorite Major Lance adds to his list of classics with 'That's the Story of my Life'. Perhaps not as well known as his other items but a completely captivating slab of Soul with the Major's smoothly shrill voice fighting against a perfect dance beat. As with the other records mentioned this side must be in line for some future plays. Here we go again with stalwart Jimmy Hughes who brings us perhaps his best known dancer, 'Chains of Love'. This has always been a much loved side in the North and it fully deserves its unbending popularity from those who dig real Soul. And now what a classic, we have Jones and Bloomburg's invigorating version of the 'Right Track'. The song, which has now joined the ranks as one of the handful of true Northern Soul anthems is beautifully handled by J. and B. with that ever important beat very much in evidence. Finally Margie Joseph. Once again, not a Northern heroine but Margie teams up with 'Medicine Bend' and wraps her delicious vocals around the lyrics and creates a nice danceable little item. And so there we are! Perhaps not a collection of sides which are all well known or even commercially viable but I do promise you that every cut is SOUL!, and that is a word which several parties do not seem bothered about. Look at the charts today. How many Soul records are there in the top thirty? 4? 6? 8?. But listen again are they not simply pop records sung by black people? When was the last time you saw a black singer really belting his heart out? Listen to the Staple Singers, Rance Allen and Johnnie Taylor tracks! When was the last time you heard a Soul record in the charts without computerised string sections and faultless harmonies? Listen to the Jimmy Hughes, Major Lance, William Bell and Mel and Tim tracks, and you'll realise what is missing in today's music! Hence for those of you who are already acquainted with these songs you'll already know what a gas this album is. For those of you who have just turned on to these records Congratulations you've got SOUL! D. J. FRANK (Ian Dewhirst) Cleethorpes All Nighter Lincolnshire Soul Club Samantha's Sheffield All Nighter Leeds Central Creative concept: Dave Godin italic emphasis added by site Tracklist 1–The Temprees - At Last 2–William BellHappy 3–Little Sonny - Wade In Water 4–Johnnie Taylor - Friday Night 5–Rance Allen - There's Gonna Be A Showdown 6–Mel & Tim - Free For All 1–Annette May Thomas -You Need A Friend Like Mine 2–The Staple Singers - Oh La Da Da 3–Little Milton - Bet You I Win 4–Major Lance - That's The Story Of My Life 5–Jimmy Hughes - Chains Of Love 6–Jones & Blumenberg - The Right Track 7–Margie Joseph - Medicine Bend Credits Compiled By – Dave Godin Sleeve Notes – D.J. Frank (Ian Dewhurst) Notes Sleeve Notes D.J. Frank AKA Ian Dewhirst Cleethorpes All Nighter Lincolnshire Soul Club Samantha's Sheffield Allnighter Leeds Central

A new month almost and so here's the what Ace Records has out this month shout.. En Anglais . . . Et En Americain Pop Sylvie Vartan CD £11.50 The queen of French pop’s best English-language recordings from New York, Nashville and London, 1962-1968. Featuring several unissued tracks as well as an exclusive interview with Sylvie herself. Chartbusters USA - Special Country Edition Country Various Artists (Chartbusters) CD £11.50 Two dozen top-tier mid-to-late 60s country hits that crossed over to the Hot 100. Rhythm On The Radio - Oval Records Singles 1974-1987 Pop Various Artists (DJs) CD £11.50 Founded in Clapham by Charlie Gillett and Gordon Nelki, Oval Records released a great range of music over its 30-year existence. From swamp pop to new wave to Afrobeat to house, here are 22 gems. Precious - The Anthology 1963-72 60s Soul Linda Jones CD £12.92 The first and only career anthology of Soul’s most beloved female vocalists. Full info via http://acerecords.co.uk/