Soul Up North Oct 2006 Review

SOUL UP NORTH OCT 2006 REVIEW

As usual the 'fans fanzine' is packed with record reviews, interviews, events stuff, CD release's and a whole host of every thing else to do with soul. The October 2006 issue features as usual on the opening pages 'Good Tunes Great Grooves' from Dave Halsall with the likes of The Gems on Riverside, Carol Jones on Mutt which is one I've picked up myself recently, The Four Tees on Vee-Jay amongst others as always alittle background on each disc and values.

You've got part 2 of the Jimmy Raye interview with a great pic of him accepting the Key to the city of Niagra from Mayor O'Laughlin. Howard give us some vinyl hot of the presses with the latest offerings from grapevine and Timmion.

One article that did stand out for me was the A-Z of soul from Steve Copeman giving us a B for this issue with lables like Bright Star, Baby luv, Blue Rock, one of my fav labels Big Top! don't you just think the white demos are gorgeous? Bullet and Big Smokey, each record gets a review with scans. I've picked out Othello Robertson as an example and its one that I've been playing too, but unfortunately not on the baby luv label.

Baby Luv - Othello Robertson - So in luv

As soon as the stylus hit's the wax and the music hits you in the sensory sections - you knowthis is THE BUSINESS. The backing track has everything for today's discerning (60's rare soul dancer or listener).you'll have to buy the mag to see the rest

Our own toodarnsoulful (Liam Quinn) from these pages presents us with a in-depth interview with Larry (mo) Jackson, one question that was put forward to him with a little snippet of the answer was. what was it like as an up and coming group living in America and trying to break into musical stardom, at a time of civil rights movements ect. "Like Charles Dickens would say - Its was the best of times, it was the worst of times".

Shane Cox gives us his wonderful Chicago Soul, properly my favourite city for producing soul music..shock horror above Detroit I hear you muttering! With reviews of Chuck Bernard on New Breed and Johnny Moore on Bright Star, also as an added extra you've got a Chicago special from Shane that features the excellent Syl Johnson who was over earlier in the year performing live at Lowton I think? with complete discography and background on his efforts of giving us many a good record if you aint got one in your collection you cant go wrong with 'I've got to get over'.

More record reviews for the funk crowd, Mark Hansons reviews, early soul & R&B from Craig Butler and of course Ted & Linda's excellent R 'n' B scene, with the likes of The Demons, Connie Questell and Luther Thomas (always wondered how long that would take to get the attention it deserves from the r&b crowd)

Chalkys La-beat CD review is a great read and can be found in the articles section of this very site, Sean O'Connor's Modern happenings in the north west, and news and grooves from the modern side with Mark Randle

More Interviews with Pat Powdrill, spanning three pages, with background info, and complete solo discography, the latest CD's from Kent, Ace, Soul brother and grapevine get a quick once over from Howard, and finally Mike Finbrow give's the deep collectors some soulful words and reviews to get their teeth stuck into.

All in all a mighty fine read, go and grab your self a copy.later my fellow soul fans, need a beer after writing that lot!

If you want to contact howard to get a copy.

Tel 01484 535999 or email

Baz