This is knockout.
Luminous, swinging, soaring soul music from 1971; richly arranged by Horace Ott.
Hank Jacobs was an accomplished West coast keyboard player, who smashed it with So Far Away in 1964.
One of his four releases on Alton Scott’s LA-based Call Me label, the slamming Elijah Rockin’ With Soul is a Northern favourite; whilst the more sophisticated, cool, sunroof-down East Side is a Popcorn and Lowrider go-to.
‘Regarded as the epitome of Northern Soul by many aficionados, I’m Gone, by Detroit’s Eddie Parker, captures the adrenalin and anger of a busted relationship, as he tells of his determination to start again — elsewhere. Expertly produced by Jack Ashford, one of Motown’s key Funk Brothers, the pulsating rhythm drives home the sense of riled frustration.
‘The flip Crying Clown is musically and thematically miles away: heartbreak and sorrow over a beautiful ballad backing.
‘Two of the greatest soul recordings from the 1960s.’
Killer balladry for the Lowrider massive.
Great, great soul music: authentically, rawly heartfelt and emotionally generous; beautifully expressed.
Conwell leads the Exits in a Northern favourite, on the flip.
Hotly recommended.
A brilliant, tough, mid-70s funk work-out; and some nostalgia, with wistful falsetto and low-riding narration.
The UFB was formerly known as Bump And The Soul Stompers, led by Jerald ‘Bump’ Scott, from Kansas City.
Invoking The Delfonics’ Do You Remember, and flipping its melody the other way around. Recorded at the Damon Studios in Kansas City (owned by Victor Damon, inventor of the spring reverb).
Arthur Russell’s 1978 disco smash for Sire Records, in collaboration with Nicky Siano, deejay at The Gallery in New York.
Wilbur Bascomb plays bass… Allan Schwartzberg, David Byrne, Miriam Valle, Peter Gordon, Peter Zummo… Arthur plays cello and piano.
Remastered from the original tapes. With liner notes by Peter Gordon, Peter Zummo and David Byrne.
Ravishing two-step rare groove from 1983; sophisticated, swinging, and heartfelt.
Backed with a bustling, super-infectious, boogie-down tribute to Muhammad Ali. Hot like classic Fatback, and sure to rock the house.
Lovely stuff, both sides; nattily sleeved.
A reissue of the 7” issued by ABC in 1974.
Two songs co-written by McKinley Jackson and Lamont Dozier’s brother Reggie; produced by Jackson.
A double header from the Detroiter. Both highly-sought-after sides are reissued here for the first time.
Only previously issued as a UK promo 7”, Lend A Hand became one of the biggest ‘modern’ Northern Soul tracks of all-time after spins at venues like the Highland Room at the Blackpool Mecca, and Wigan Casino. The track was first championed by DJ Colin Curtis in 1974.
From 1969, Come See What’s Left Of Me is on the mellower side of Northern Soul, but still a dancer, and another classic. First ushered onto the Northern scene at the Stafford All-Nighters back in 1985.
This is the sublime, eleven-minute version, featuring vocalist Gavin Christopher.
Big Theo Parrish record.
Backed with the promo-only disco mix of Saturday Night, lavished with percussion by Sheila E.
Murders.