Millie Jackson - Soul For The Dancefloor - Kent recent release

While a bit of a delayed piece, this look at a recent releases from Kent is part of a inhouse revamp of the articles section. A new section has been opened where soul source will take a regular indepth look at recent cd releases of a rare and northern soul nature. including scans, clips and where possible a chance for members to win the actual cds

The section has already started with Chalkys tip top review of the recent Soul Junction Falcons cd (has been updated to include a comp and clips added) and getting things moving on here's the first look at two recent releases from Kent

MILLIE JACKSON

SOUL FOR THE DANCEFLOOR

CDKEND 297 LABEL KENT

This 22 track 2008 comp from Kent featuring a selection of Millie Jackson's work takes a bit of a different road than you may first expect when you see Millie Jackson. Though if have got past the first coffee of the day moment then the title may have given the game away. In fact the press notes make the claim that this collection is "quite possibly, the finest ‘true soul’ femme vocal, dance album, of all time " which while such claims may be contended by some, they could be said to indicate just how strong the thrust of this comp is. Add the fact that edits have been made to some of the tracks to re-inforce the dancefloor aspect of this release then you should get the picture.

As always the presentation of thiis cd is as strong as you expect from Kent. Stand out effective artwork and graphics and a informative 12 page booklet featuring more photos, with Sean Hampsey commentary on the tracks and artist being the main meat and the final page containing notes on the recording side of things and the actual editing carried out for the release by Ady C brings the phase "attention to detail" to mind

Again the press/release notes from the Kent website (link at bottom) are up to the usual standard...

Millie Jackson spares no blushes — she tells it like it is. After she came to international prominence with her first Spring release, A Child of God, Millie created an impressive repertoire of Grade-A, no bull, soul music in her own straight-talking and earthy style. She’s renowned and revered for her ballads and concept albums revolving around sex wars and infidelity, so this month’s release is a bold move. Here we have re-visited the best dance tracks from her impressive 16 album Spring catalogue and cut straight to the chase with the aptly titled “Soul For The Dancefloor”… a 22 track Kent compilation, which is a feast of soulful, danceable numbers. It winds up being, quite possibly, the finest ‘true soul’ femme vocal, dance album, of all time.

22 solid dancefloor delights, but strictly not Disco fodder. The songwriting talents of George Jackson, Bobby Womack, Phillip Mitchell, Ashford and Simpson etc, see to it that even the most hairy-chested soul fan is completely satisfied.

Northern Soul fans should be delighted with Millie’s first ever 45, the stomping My Heart Took A Licking (But It Kept On Ticking), whose mere title is enough to conjure up adrenalin filled dance floors. They will also be pleased to discover several others that meet the criteria of Motownesque. Tracks such as Close My Eyes and I Miss You Baby will win many more fans for the fraternity. Those with a lust for the Modern or Deeper side will be overjoyed to have album tracks like Somethin’ ‘Bout Cha, You Can’t Turn Me Off and You Can’t Stand The Thought all on the same CD.

The 21st century soul DJ will find this compilation indispensable as the raps and segues of the original concept LPs have been edited where appropriate, for instant punch. He’ll be especially pleased to hear and play the debut issue of the US 45 mix of If That Don’t Turn You On, debuting here. It’s so strong we’ve opened the whole package with it.

When this CD puts such gems as Breakaway, Love Doctor and Don’t Send Nobody Else into context, true soul music lovers won’t be able to resist picking the original vinyl up for a song and I’m sure some of those price tags will start creeping up over the next few months. Millie has shown herself capable of matching most male singers in all sorts of ways, over the years. Here she takes on Little Milton with her reading of We’re Gonna Make It and then fellow Chicagoan, Darrow Fletcher and his Rising Cost Of Love; and gives a stunning performance every time. Her duet with Prince Phillip Mitchell on Fancy This is an unexpected bonus and yet again, all shades of soul fans can unite in their acclaim for House For Sale; just as they will do for this exquisite CD.

By Sean Hampsey & Ady Croasdell

As always informative press releases that could say actually puts quite a few cd sleeve notes to shame. The tracks listing is below and members can now listen to 1 min clips of the whole cd via the link below

player link to hear clips of All tracks

Track Listings

1. IF THAT DON'T TURN YOU ON

2. BREAKAWAY

3. ALL I WANT IS A FIGHTING CHANCE

4. YOU CAN'T STAND THE THOUGHT

5. I MISS YOU BABY

6. DON'T SEND NOBODY ELSE

7. A HOUSE FOR SALE

8. SOMETHIN' BOUT CHA

9. YOU CAN'T TURN ME OFF (IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNING ME ON)

10. RISING COST OF LOVE

11. ASK ME WHAT YOU WANT

12. CLOSE MY EYES

13. MY MAN IS A SWEET MAN

14. MY HEART TOOK A LICKING (BUT IT KEPT ON TICKING)

15. A LITTLE TASTE OF OUTSIDE LOVE

16. GOSPEL TRUTH

17. PUT SOMETHING DOWN ON IT

18. LOVE DOCTOR

19. HOW CAN I MAKE SWEET LOVE TO YOU (IF YOU WON'T STAND STILL)

20. WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT

21. FANCY THIS

22. A LETTER FULL OF TEARS

Final view is that the title of this release is the trick here , "soul for the dancefloor" is as good as title as can be for this selection of soul tracks with a dancefloor edge. However dont be fooled into thinking that we're talking soul diluted for the dancefloor if anything its the other way around.

Recommened !

While a bit delayed its still available via the usual outlets amazon etc and so if have missed this five starrer of a release

Last time looked amazon was doing some offer for this and recent Brooks O'Dell release together.

speaking of Brooks O'Dell check out earlier article

Competition !!!

We have on review copy up for grabs to all members of soul source, all questions are fresh from the old morning tv quiz school

to win a copy of this cd please answer following question via the email site /feature here

including member username

name the group who recorded this song on Atlantic records in 1974

DON'T SEND NOBODY ELSE

the correct answer drawn out of the soul source top hat in 7 days time will win !

dont forget can hear the track if memorys playing up

More info on Kent records inc catalog listings can be found on the Ace Records website link below

http://www.acerecords.co.uk