Yoni's Living Room Soul Chart

  Walking in the footsteps of a fool - Ben E. King (Atco)

Early soul, from 1962, this record flopped in comparison to its three hit predecessors - Stand by me, Amor, and Don't play that song. Not in my living room though. Sentimental and a trifle poppish it may be, but Ben E. King injected so much soul into it.

  Christmas in Vietnam - Johnny and Jon (Jewel)

I've finally gotten hold of a good copy of this Xmas/Vietnam soul classic after owning two unplayable copies in the past. Last year I featured the record of the same title by Private Charles Bowens & the Gentlemen from Tigerland. This was released at about the same week (late 1966), and is quite similar in feel, and yet it's not the same song.

  I lost a true love - Danny Wagner & the Kindred Soul (Imperial)

Outstanding Northern Soul record from Danny and his kindred, who happen to be 'blue eyed', i.e. white. I love the hook on this one where the male backing vocals go one way while Danny goes another singing "I feel so bad, I lost the true love that I once had". Co-written by one (still slim) B. White.

  Don't talk like that - Clarence Murray (SSS Int'l)

I re-discovered this recently when I heard it on soul24-7.com. Southern soul with a Northern Soul beat. Clarence's voice reminds be a bit of Don Covay on this one.

  Midnight Brew - Melvin Carter (AMG)

Time for an instrumental interlude. This would make an ideal theme tune for a soul radio program. There must be a lot of copies of this around, as this is one of the last records I see listed for $2-3.

  Call on me - The Dynels (Atco)

This track appears on Kent's So Soulful 70's compilation, although actually released in January 1969, picked up by Atco after a 1968 release on Vent. A Philadelphia recording, produced by Gamble & Huff, which caters to the "crossover" section of the Northern Soul scene. The liner notes on the Kent CD claim that it features a male lead vocal and female backing, but to my ears it sounds all female, and I think the lyrics back this view ("I got what you need little boy", on a 1968 recording, can't be man singing can it?). In any case - enough trivia, this is simply a wonderful record!

  That's when I'll stop loving you - Bobby Harris (Turntable)

Two years ago I featured the wonderful "Mr. Success" by this singer who was unashamedly influenced by Sam Cooke, and whose only chart hit was the moving lament to Sam, "We can't believe you're gone". This must be my third favourite Bobby Harris track, with the just the aforementioned two topping it. Not many singers could extract so much emotion out of the somewhat cliched lyrics. The Sam Cooke touch is there of course, and I am not complaining. Thanks to both John Ridley and Martin Goggin for introducing me to this track over the last few weeks.

  Color him father - The Winstons (Metromedia)

From time to time I include on this page a track that has been a part of my life for decades. Here is one: different lyrics, subtle melody, perfect backing on this record that hit for the Winstons in 1969.

 Only your love – Paul Kelly (Dial)

One of the things I like best when I get tapes from my soulful friends is when I discover a track which I actually own. Instead of bothering about having to find it on the dealers' lists and worrying about how much it would cost, I just pick it up out of my collection and put it straignt into my living room playlist box. Here is one such track, that's been hiding on the flip side of Chills and Fever for several years until Martin Goggin recently taped it for me. Reminds me of my famous proverb "Behind every great dance track there's a ballad".

  Crying clown – Eddie Parker (Triple B)

Another one contributed by Martin Goggin.  Mid paced Detroit magic, featuring Eddie's usual powerful vocals. This was also done by Billy ShaRae.

  You've been leading me on – Steinways (Oliver)

Nice mid-rarish double sider (b/w My heart's not in it anymore). The Steinways were the Laddins until around 1964.

  My  magic corner – Belita Woods (Moira)

I heard this one a few weeks ago on Mike Ritson and Stuart Russell's brilliant Bee Cool program on www.soul24-7.com - (Wednesday nights at 10 PM UK time) and it has stuck in my mind, so here it is for your listening pleasure. Great Detorit mid paced crossover swayer from 1969. Flip side of Grounded.

Magnus Blomquist points out he's got this record on Karen (white demo).

  A woman's love – Joe Valentine (Ronn)

No particular reaon for including this one, other than it's one of my favourite soul ballads, and has not been featured so far on my site. Slow slow deep soul from the Texas guy who was not too prolific but had a few other nice records, one of them being "I can't stand to see you go" also on Ronn.

  You messed up my mind – Clay Hammond (Kent)

All time classic recently released on UK Kent's Southern Soul Brothers CD (Clay Hammond & Z.Z. Hill on US Kent). 

   I worship the ground you walk on – Etta James (Cadet)

Not to be confused with the Walter Rhodes gem (cf. the John Ridley page), this Penn/Oldham compisition was cut during one of Etta's Muscle Shoals sessions in 1968. Flip side of Etta's excellent upbeat version of "I got you babe".

  She's A-1 - The Knight Bros. (Checker)

Not a new record for me by any means, but listening to it in my Living Room last week I thought to myself, have I really not included this on my site so far? I have a special weakness for deep soul with happy, in-love lyrics, and I think this is one of the best records ever made of this genre.

  A fool like me - Johnnie Taylor (Stax)

This is the flip side of "Jody got your girl and gone", and as I was recording "Jody" for my requests page, I listened to this side, and almost burst into tears missing good old JT. Once this may have been a bit too sentimental for me, but I guess I'm getting a little softer as times go by.

  Never never let you go - Eddie Floyd & Mavis Staples (Stax)

In 1969 Stax Records had a project coupling most of its prominent artists to record male/female duets, releasing the outcome as the "Boy Meets Girl" double LP, with some tracks like this one also released as singles. A big commercial success it wasn't, but I do like the LP and I'm glad to see it finally re-released on CD format by UK Ace. This is one of my favourite tracks from this project, with Eddie Floyd's mellow voice nicely contrasting Mavis's Staples stronger vocals on this pleasant mid-pacer.

  I found a girl - Valadiers (Godry)

To have been right there, in early 1963, as the Motown sound exploded, and not to have made it must not have been a pleasant experience for the Valadiers. I don't know too much about this group, or if members of it achieved success later on, but in my book this lovely dancer is one of the best early Motown productions, even if somewhat poppish and not one for absolute soul purists. I love the horns on it - somehow they remind me of Jamaican rock-steady type horns on labels such as Studio One and Treasure Isle; can it be that there's a trombone in there? Thanks once more to Cosmo Cruz for this one.

  Seems I'm never tired of loving you - Swordsmen (Ninandy)

Ninandy is a label known to the Northern Soul crowd through records by Roy Roberts and Sam Wymon. The label was owned by Andy Stroud, Ninca Simone's husband, hence its name. There were only five 45's released, but the Swordsmen 1969 RCA album credits Ninandy for production. Again this was played on Cosmo Cruz's Milwaukee rare soul radio show. A very good deep soul ballad, sounds much like a late 60's male duo type record.

  Big blue diamonds - Little Willie John (King)

If you're a frequent visitor to these pages you should know by now that LWJ is one of my favourites of the pioneer generation of soul msuic. His vocals were utterlly soulful way before the term soul music was coined, always exhibiting a deep sadness, probably reflecting his own troubled pesonal life. I've had this song before on the Living Room Top 40, as sung by Tommy Tate on Okeh, but this is an earlier version, from 1962, again contributed by the SOTN's friend Mr. Martin Goggin.

  My darling my darling - Geroge Freeman (Epic)

Martin Goggin seems to be the world's best source for Sam Cooke sound-a-likes; this one goes deep into the Sam Cooke mould - and although this is a secular record from 1970, musically it stems from the 50's gosepl heritage of Sam Cooke, not his pop career.

  Over here, over there - Frank and Vivian (Sen Town)

Great deep soul duet featured on one of Cosmo Cruz's recent radio shows, and may I remind you again to tune in to this wonderful show if you are in the Milwaukee area, Tuesdays 3-6 P.M. , see www.wmse.org.

  Get out (and let me cry) - Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (Landa)

Way before their big Philadelphia International hits with Teddy Pendergrass, they recorded this, their first R&B chart hit (1964), with John Atkins on lead vocals, which appears on an excellent Philly compilation released in 1998 on Jamie/Guyden (still in Philadelphia), by the title of "Storm Waning"; as far as I know this is the only CD release for this Northern Soul classic. Must be one of the longest no-beat intros around, but the 30 seconds wait is proven well worth it once the rhythm begins.

  Standing in the darkness - The Ethics (Vent)

Another Philly dance gem off the "Storm Warning" CD. Released in 1970, it sounds a lot like a 1967 Motown record (could have been an H-D-H composition for the Four Tops), but if you listen closely the guitar sounds hints to the sound of Philadelphia that was about to be redifined at the time.

  Stereo Freeze - The Stereos (Hyde)

Some nice hard core funk for a change, late 60's funk that is.

  Is it over? - Otis Clay (Cotillion)

Back to classic deep soul, and this is off the excellent Atlantic deep soul compilation by Kent, Sanctified Soul. Produced by Willie Mitchell, this excellent record predicted Clay's move from Chicago lables to Hi.

  Feed the flame - Ted Taylor (Atco)

Penn/Oldham classic, also recorded later on by Percy Sledge and Spencer Wiggins, but this is the original and the best version. Ted really let his tenor voice soar on this one.

  Just like she said she would - Soul Ambassadors (Sound Stage 7)

This group led by Bobby Ledford is not to be confused with the Philadelphia Ambassadors - and I think I've already mentioned somewhere on this site that there were yet more Ambassadors groups (e.g. the blue eyed "Too much of a good thing" ones). Anyway I've had two classics by this group - the haunting ballad "There's something on my baby's mind", and the uptempo "Make love to my woman"; this one may not be as good, but it's still quite worthwhile.

  Cry on - Tracy Nelson (Mercury LP)

Tracy Nelson, a white blues/folk artist, recorded this astonishing rendition of the Allen Toussainbt written, Irma Thomas early 60's classic, for a 1968 LP (titled "Living With the Animals").

  Speak words of love - The Fiats (Universal)

This early (1964), romantic, atmospheric, not too well known northern soul gem appears on Goldmine's "Detroit: The Northern Soul Years".

  That's all right - Ed Crook (Tri Sound)

Again northern soul from Detroit, this time a true classic - can't get much closer to the classic "northern soul" sound - great string section, hard, soulfully breaking vocals.

  Part of me - Johnny Adams (Watch)

Another gem from the Tan Canary, courtesy of Mr. Len Romano who has kindly sent me a CD compilation of Watch material, recently released Mardi Gras Records in the USA, containing this track that apparently had not been released before on CD. So simple, yet so soulful is this early soul ballad (1964), featuring Johnny's wonderful soaring vocals.

  Dancing in a dream world - Clarence Ashe (J & S)

A charming early soul ballad (1964), you can just hear on it how doo-wop evolved into soul. On the other side of this is "Troubles I've had", a monologue ballad that Clarence Carter later recorded as "The few troubles I've had".

  Put a smile on your face - E. J. & the Echoes (Diamond Jim)

This soulful mid-tempo item enters my living room hit parade via Lost Soul Oldies vol. 7; I've just received volumes 7 and 8 of this CD series, which made me fully realise that I need the whole set! 15 volumes out already and hopefully more to come. The label is also called "Lost Soul Oldies", it's a west coast USA label, and I must say this is a wonderful surprise; the type of music to be found in this series, uptown group harmony sounds, has been lately also dipped into by the ITP label (see reviews section), but this series seems to go even deeper, unraveling rare gems that have not seen any chart action, yet are consistently of high musical quality - and unlike northern soul or even southern deep soul, has not until now seen much reissue action. Hopefully a review and track listings will follow on this site.

  What you gonna do - The Brilliants (Frisco)

Another one taken from the Lost Soul Oldies series, this time off volume 8 - this is just one of many group soul gems on this volume, that also includes the Steelers' brilliant "Crying bitter tears".

  All I want is you - Pic & Bill (Charay)

A wonderful love ballad, one of my all time favourite records. When I first heard it I was sure it was by a male/female duo, relating the high pitched voice singing the lyrics "I don't care so much for diamond rings, brand new clothes and all of them fancy things" to the female part, but apparently I was wrong.

  It's your voodoo working - Charles Sheffield (Excello)

From time to time my living room is invaded by the sounds of pre-Soul R&B, and now this wonderfully atmospheric R&B record (from 1961) is doing it, courtesy of Nicci Talbot. Reminds me of Homework by Otis Rush which I featured some time ago, and the beat (Cha-Cha-Cha influenced?) is similar to that of Etta James - Seven Day Fool (also featured on these pages). I dare you to not dance when this is played. I hear that the original 45 is quite rare and its price is well into the three digit zone, but you can also get it on the Excello Story CD, vol. 4, 1961-1975 (Hip-O Records/UNI).

  Especially for you baby - The Four Puzzles (Fat Back)

Great soulful, slow Northern Soul classic. Written by Samuel Culley of the Diplomats, apparently Fat Back was owned by members of the Diplomats.

  How can I forget you - Rocky Roberts & the Airedales (Durium LP, Italy)

Rocky Roberts and the Airdales (a self contained band) had a few releases in the early 60's on Roulette and Atco (even an LP), before buying one way tickets to Italy, which proved a good move since they became pop stars there. They released several albums on Durium, first containing just soul music and sung in English, then mixing soul and pop sung in Italian. Rocky Roberts's claim to fame within the northern soul world is "Just because of you", but as often happens, this is just the tip of the iceberg of a long and varied career. This is one of my favourites by Rocky and the Airdales, the best version of this Jimmy Holiday ballad by far. Not a new record in my collection, but I still play it a lot, and I wonder if anyone out there shares my interest in this group. Also check out "Crazy" by Wess (Johnson) and the Airdales on the funky page.

  Doctor, doctor - The Intruders (Gamble)

My favourite by this group, classic Philly ballad, flip of "When we get married", a hit for them in mid 1970. I've always liked Little Sonny's disctinctive, charmingly off key vocals.

  Congratulations - Gene Anderson (Hi)

Actually this was released twice, once in 1972 as by Gene Anderson and the International Hookup (b/w Mixed emotions), and then in 1974 again as by GA with no group/band credited (b/w Baby love). Mr. Anedrson had a lengthy though not too successful career, and this ballad is the best of his brief encounter with Hi, Willie Mitchell magic all the way.

  The chase is on - The Artistics (Brunswick)

Two reasons for the inclusion of this Northern Soul classic on my LR Top 40 now - first, I was reminded of how good it is listening to it on a Cosmo Cruz radio show, and secondly, a couple of weeks ago I had told a friend that I was not a big fan of the Brunswick label (what I meant was, relative to other Chicago labels), but since then my living room has had an influx of of Brunswick sounds, which just goes to show you. The other sounds are Barbara Acklin's excellent Fool fool fool (cf. below) and...

  Love is gone - The Chi Lites (Brunswick)

This is from 1968, preceding their big Brunswick hits, but already sounding remarkably similar to their subsequent early 70's recordings, with those sweet, sad soaring Eugene Record vocals. Featured on the recent Westside Brunswick compilation, "We're a Lover".

  Since God made woman - nobody rest - Mark IV (Mercury)

Ahm... not exactly politically correct, not for that matter correct in any way, (I mean it's true that nobody seems to rest much these days, I'm just not sure who's to blame). Still it's a terribly catchy track by the Roy C managed Mark Four, to be found on the flip of their first and biggest Billboard R&B chart entry, "Honey I still love you", 1972. Thanks one more time to Cosmo Cruz for this contribution.

  Bring it on home to me - The Animals (MGM)

A big thank you to Nicci Talbot for reminding me of this wonderful track - IMO the best version of this much covered Sam Cooke classic. This is British R&B at its best - by no means a pop cover version, by all means a true contribution to the world of R&B, and at the risk of repeating myself, I'll say this again: it's music like this by the Animals, Rolling Stones, Them, Manfred Mann, Spencer Davis Group etc. that first got me into soul music, and I have a feeling I'm not the only one.

  Well there goes my heart - Tommy Brown (ABC Paramount) 

Tommy Brown had several 45's in the 50's and early 60's, this is his last 45 from 1965, and the 50's/doo wop style is still evident, though reinforced with a lot of soul. Another one from Martin Goggin's steady stream of deep soul gems.

  We can't believe you're gone - Bobby Harris (Atlantic)

In the 60's there were a handful of soul singers that sounded uncannily like Sam Cooke. Bobby Harris was one of the best. A while ago the Living Room featured his Shout classic Mr. Success (1966). About a year before that he released this heartfelt tribute to the Sam Cooke. I've had this on 45 DHC, but apparently this is a bootleg and the original was released on Atlantic, as Mr. Martin Goggin informed me. Another one for volume two of Kent's Sanctified Soul (Atlantic deep soul) CD.

  La de da I'm a fool in love - James Phelps (Argo)

While on the subject of Sam Cooke soundalikes, here's another classic. While I'm not awfully moved by the "La de da" lyrics, this record does has a special cheerful charm.

  You lied, I cried, love died - George Freeman (Okeh)

And last Sam Cooke resurrection for this time comes from George Freeman, this being his only release on Okeh, in late 1969. I guess this is how Sam Cooke would have sounded had he lived at the turn on the 60's. Very nice midtempo stuff, and thanks one more time to Martin Goggin for this track. Sometime in the future I plan to do a whole Sam Cooke tribute page, including the original man's music as well as the above artists and others such as Willie Hightower, the Ovations, Hoagy Lands and more.

  Fool fool fool - Barbara Acklin (Brunswick)

The late Ms. Acklin's first release on Brunswick, this was not a national hit as were several of her subsequent releases for the label, but was one of her best. Very good arrangement featuring a dominant piano base line, great beat and one of Barbara's best vocal performances. Another contribution by Pat Cummings a.k.a. Mr. Cosmo Cruz.

  Nothing sweeter (than you love) - Eddie Hill (M-S)

Continuing the thread of Detroit Soul from the last batch of Living Room faves, this is one of my favourite motor city sounds, reminiscent of contemporary (early 65) Motown sounds, but slightly bolder. Eddie's recording career consisted of just three releases, one on Thelma, (You got the best of me / Baby I cried) , one on Ge Ge (I can hear you crying / I can't help it) and this one, with part two on the other side.

  I don't care I don't care I don't care - James Crawford (King)

James Crawford released only 8 45's, all in the mid sixties, but he is one of these artists that seem to have hit soul gold, artistically of course and not commercially, every time they went into the studio. His shimmering ballad "I'll work it out" is featured on the "Deep Soul of James Brown" feature (Crawford being a JB protege). This is an uptempo number from early 1965, still a little early-60's R&B styled, with a jumping beat that I just can't resist tapping my foot to. There's a sort of a bridge here with a different beat, and while beat changes I don't particularly like, in this case it's subtle enough to allow me to continue tapping in the same tempo, so I guess it's OK. JB's influence is quite apparent on this one.

  I'm giving up baby - The Rayons (Decca)

Another gem sent in by Martin Goggin, this ballad sounds to me like it could have been recorded in the Stax studios, especially the horn section sound like the Memphis horns c. 1968. Well, Martin confirms that it's a Memphis recording, albeit produced by Willie Mitchell. Since I am sticking to my date estimate, this was before Mitchell developed his "factory soul" early 70's Hi sound, when his production still sounded rather similar to Stax, esepecially if he did use the Memphis Horns, which he ofren did. In any case, this is an excellent piece of deep soul.

  Po boy - The Entertainers featuring Bobby Conerly (Ovide)

Last one for today's batch of Martin Goggin Goodies. Somewhere on the thin line between being musically adventurous and just off-key, I think it's the former option in this case. Certainly not a song to sing along to, but you know it's often these more original records that really become all time favourites.

  Doll face - Little Willie John (King)

A big thanks to Cosmo Cruz who has sent me tapes of his fine Milwaukee soul show, Tuesdays 3-6 P.M. www.wmse.org. His show is somewhat R&B tinged, and this is an aspect of soul music that I have been meaning to enhance in this site. This is from august 1962, a time when this soul music pioneer was already past his chart hits, but what a soulful, anguished delivery he puts on this one, on top of a wonderful jumping beat. As Martin Goggin pointed out to me, the other side of this 45 is "Big blue diamonds", a classic ballad later covered by Little Johnny Taylor and Tommt Tate (the latter is featured on this page).

  Stepping stone - The Wallace Brothers (Sims)

This is no newie in my living room, I first heard it about 25 years ago. But from time to time I listen to some such "oldie", and wonder just how fresh it still sounds today. So I've added to my Living Room Top 40 some favourites that still give me the goose pimples today, for your listening pleasure. Hopefully a Wallas Bros discography will be featured on this site eventually, as they are among my favourite soul duos.

  Book of memories - Percy Wiggins (Atlantic)

I couldn't believe that is was not included on the Sanctified Soul compilation (Atlantic deep soul, by Kent records), but apparently since they included They don't know, they thought one Percy Wiggins track was enough. Well, I assume this means there must be a volume 2 up and coming. A magnificent country soul ballad. While I'm at it, when will there be a CD release for Atlantic/Atco gems like In between the heartaches (featured on the LR Top 40). / Too far gone - Donnie Elbert, and Don't try it again - Artie Christopher.

  A woman needs to be loved - Tyrone Davis (Dakar)

The version by Cicero Blake has seen been included in a couple of CD compilations, but to me this version slightly tops Cicero's. This is a soul masterpiece. The two lead guitars are pure magic, and Tyrone gives it everything he's got. This was the b side of "Can I change my mind", confirming again the fact that behind many a soul hit lies a deep soul gem.

  People in love - Johnny Nash (Jad)

Johnny Nash was certainly his own man. Not only did he discover Johnny Daye, Soul of the Net star, but he had a series of outstanding releases of his own on a series of self owned labels. In the late 60's he ventured into reggae, and cut some hits in Kingston. This is from his reggae period, albeit a slow, hauntingly beautiful ballad, featuring a marvelous acoustic guitar. Don't be put off by the somewhat naive lyric, it fits the mood of the record perfectly.

  I'm the one who loves you - Darrell Banks (Volt)

A great Don Davis production, that somehow escaped inclusion in the Volt LP "Here to Stay". Sadly Darrell Banks wasn't, but his music certainly is.

  I've come to save you - The 8th Day (Invictus LP)

also released as by 100 Proof aged in Soul (Hotwax)

Some more Detroit soul: this seems to be a Steve Mancha track, perhaps recorded a few years earlier, perhaps by Don Davis. The 8th Day wasn't exactly a real group, but more of figment of HDH's imagination, but on most releases credited to the 8th Day, Eddie Davis was the lead singer, while at the time Steve Mancha sang lead 100 Proof. John Soul Smith and Michael Lofthouse tell me that this same track was released as the B side of 100 Proof's somebody's been sleeping, at least in the UK. - but wait, now that you mention it, I've got this 45 on Hotwax and it's the US B side too. BTW the track was written by Clyde Wilson, aka Steve Mancha, too. More about this by Andrew Hamilton: The one by Eighth Day sounds like the same track but the mix is different. Steve mancha also sang their big hit "She's Not Just Another Woman" ( taken from 100 Proof's debut album intact). Eight Day's version of "I've Come To . . . is looser, the bass intro on 100 Proof's version is not as prominent as it is on Eight Day's rendition, neither are the background singers. Melvin Davis and Bruce Nazarien sung lead on most of the other Eight Day tracks. The group was assembled as "She's Not Just Another Woman," was flying up the charts, Tony Newton and Virginia McDonald (Magic Tones, Undisputed Truth) were also members. HDH says they released the 100 Proof Track by Eighth Day because they thought it was a hit and wanted it out; but didn't want to intefer with the progress of "Somebody's Been Sleeping In My Bed," by 100 Proof. - Thanks for the inside information Andrew!

  I don't wanna lose you - Steve Mancha (Groovesville)

If you'd like to check whether the above 8th Day track is indeed sung by Mr Mancha/Wilson, check out this gem by him, that later found its way to the Rare Stamps LP on Volt (J. J. Barnes and Steve Mancha).

  Another day lost - Reuben Bell and the Casanovas (Murco)

Included in Kent's Shreveport Southern Soul CD, this 1968 track doesn not sound too southern yet is one of my all time Murco faves. More like a big city mid-sixties group harmony sound, this track has everything going for it - great beat, interesting lyrics, original backup vocals, and a superb lead from Mr. Bell.

  I wanted to tell you - Little Nicky Soul (Shee)

Minor-key northern soul tracks are especially atmospheric. Intentionally or not, volume four of Goldmine's For Millionaires Only series features three such gems. This one comes from New York, produced by Richard Tee.

  I can't stay away - The Caressors (Ru-jac)

Second minor key northern soul track off FMO 4 is a one-off 45 by the Caressors on this small Baltimore label (not to be confused with Rojac - Big Maybelle etc.)

  Why (I want to know) - Nat Hall (Loop)

Two versions on this one featured on FMO 4, the second one being by Willie Mason and All the King's Men on Ka-La-Ma. Again minor-keyed and perfectly atmospheric to suit northern soul allnighters.

  This love was meant to be - Melvin Davis (Mala)

Classic Detroit production and vocals on this mid-pacer from the man who gave us "I must love you" and "Find a quiet place". I've had this record for about twenty years but did not realise how good it was until my friend Martin Goggin included it on a recent tape.

  Back in love again - The Patterson Twins (Star Fox)

1973 recording by the twins who had a not too prolific but impressive recording career. This one sounds like a cross between Bobby Womack and George Jackson - need I say more to persuade you to click the sound buttons? Thanks again to Martin Goggin for this one. The record also came out on King.

  Once in a lifetime - Jimmy Robins (Tangerine)

The "I can't please you" man contributes his mighty voice to this magnificent 6/8 beat ballad - telling all the single fellas and ladies out there not to give up hope to find that special one and only. Final Martin Goggin contribution for this time.

  Love Transfusion - Little Milton (Stax)

Little Milton is another singer who like Jimmy Robins had a beautiful soulful growl. After a successful recording career on Checker he landed at Stax in the early 70's. This may well be he best recording for this label, heaven knows why it wasn't released at the time. Now made available on Kent's Let's Crossover Again compilation CD.

  City of fools - Colette Kelly (Stax)

Very atypical for 1969 Stax - amongst the classic southern soul from Johnnie Taylor, William Bell etc. came this record sounding like an early 60's big city dance sound. I'll have to check my sources to see if this was a lease job as I suspect. In any case, this record was treasured by UK northern soulies, and is now available on Kent's Let's Crossover again CD.

  Let me be the fool - Abe & Marion Ester & the Casanovas (Murco)

My favourite new find on Kent's Murco CD - 1967 ballad that sounds dated for its release date yet wonderfull sweet and naive. A far cry from Abraham & the Casanova's funky sides such as "The Kangaroo Pt. 2".

  Unsatisfied - Lou Johnson (Big Top)

Second entry for Lou Johnson on the Soul of the Net's charts. The first was his early 70's funky outing for Volt, "Frisco here I come", while this is I think his best Northern Soul styled record, recently made available on the Goldmine's CD compilation, Big Top Soul Cellar. I find a rather strange contrast between the joyful chugging rhythm and the unhappy lyrics, but that doesn't spoil my enjoyment of this great record, which incidentally is featured in Ian Levine's Video documentary "The Strange World of Northern Soul", with Lou adding a newly recorded lyric (albeit to a messed up with backing track), and proving to still be an excellent singer.

  One way lover - Volumes (Amecian Arts)

Another northern soul favourite from the Big Top Soul Cellar CD. The Volumes are a frequent name on the northern soul scene, although I assume there might have been several Volumes groups around. Another good record which surely is by the same fellas is "Gotta give her love" on the same label.

  She'll come running back - Mel Britt (FIP)

For anyone who still thinks northern soul is all about Motown clones and 100 mph stompers, listen to this one and forever change your views. This is as soulful as soul music gets. Not an easy record to acquire, but a simple way to own the track is to get Goldmine's recent "Kev Roberts Presents 100% Casino" CD. And thanks to Pete Smith for deciphering the line "Lord made Adam, and he made Eve yeah, made them both yes he did, a little naive, yeah" a while ago.

  Did it ever cross your mind - Jimmy Burns (Minit)

A slice of uptempo bluesy soul courtesy of Martin Goggin, (as are the next three entries - thanks again Martin!). Mr. Burns sounds somewhat like Tyrone Davis, doesn't he, and the arrangement is also a bit reminiscent of "Can I Change My Mind"; as this record was released in late 1969, a few months later than Davis's classic, the influence may well be there, although this record is much more upbeat and certainly original enough to merit appreciation 30 years on.

  No you for me - The Climates (Sun)

Someone might have easily fooled me into believing these were the Mad Lads. Same combination of doo-woppish backing harmonies, soft yet soulful lead and classic early soul, horn laden arrangement.

  I'll always love you - Chuck-A-Luck and the Lovemen (Tay-Ster)

The more I hear this one, the more I get into it. A very slow ballad, which almost stops my heart beating. Talking about influences as I did on the above two tracks, on this one it's definitely Otis Redding's spirit that's all over this record; but this is so good it's like actually having a new release by Otis Reddding.

  I catch myself crying - Leon Byrd (Seventy Seven)

A little slab of heartfelt self-pity from this graduate of the Sam Cooke class of soul singing, who I have not heard of before. Not sure about the vintage year either; this label is the 70's counterpart of John Richbourg's Sound Stage Seven operation, started in 1971. The catalog number seems to

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