Your All Time Top Five

[Dayo]

My girlfriend reckons I've got at least 50 records in my all time top five!

So it set me thinking, and I've almost narrowed it down. Will post mine in a day or two. Meantime, if you've a spare few minutes, how about sharing your all time top five soul records? Might take some thinking about - that's why I'm not being hasty in posting mine.

Would be great to get a short note from you about each one too, why it grooves you so much, memories etc I'm certain the comments would be as interesting as the choices themselves.

I'll bet anything that someone will post more than five! Discipline yourself!

In an ideal world we'd all comment on eachother's selections (ooooh that's a corker etc) - in practice there is never time, but I'll certainly read them all with interest, I'm sure most of us will be nodding silently in appreciation too.

Thanks in advance

Colin

[Guest Bearsoul]

BLOODY HARD THIS ...LOADS BUBBLING UNDER...BUT HERE GOES..

DARRELL BANKS 'OPEN THE DOOR TO YOUR HEART' still sets my heart racing and guaranteed to get me out of my seat, so if i'm talking to you and the first strains of this work of genius starts blasting from the speakers...don't even expect a sorry ! because i'll be gone. First heard it in Shrewsbury either The Liberal Club (upstairs) or The Music Hall...memory a bit hazy but i know i said ....what's this??? a lot....must have been 1973 at a guess when i first heard it .and realising there was unchartered territory outside of Motown & Ska which was the trend then .........Always be my number one!!!!

EPITOME OF SOUND 'YOU DON'T LOVE ME' still does it for me another i can't sit down too...it encapsulates an era for me.....still having great times....but this was my youth....it's WIGAN and trying to dance longer than my mate CHIC from Shrewsbury/Baschurch....the first sounds i heard after getting through the squeeze at the doors at my first Wigan nighter was 'Percy Wiggins' 'It didn't take much'..memory hazy but sure the next was my next choice ,,they both blew me away and it took months to get copies.....but worth the wait..!!

CARL HALL 'MEAN IT BABY' my mate Steve Plimmer (R,I,P) had an expression for such gems.......'An emotional experience on vinyl'........I rest my case

THE MASQUADERS 'THAT'S THE SAME THING' Wow !!! Stafford Biggie again took ages to get. I had the immense pleasure of seeing them live (only four numbers but WOW) at Northampton last year..I stood mesmerised like a rabbit in the headlights of a car........you think the records are good...go see them....sell your house if need be..... This side always gets me....Group Harmony par excellence...and wonderfull Guys to boot!!! THis just had to be in !!

SONNY CHILDE 'GIVING UP ON LOVE' Heart -rending version of Jerry Butler from 1965 on UK Decca

a slice of genius and surely the best thing he ever recorded. He was a distant cousin of Sam Cooke and did a tribute album to him in the late sixties...then went to the U.S.A changed his name to R.B.Greaves and had a string of Country influenced hits including 'Take a letter Maria. This is sheer Class..I never tire of it ...it's haunting !...with minimal but punchy brass accenting the switch in the middle, only discovered it a couple of years back but wouldn't go anywhere without it (play-wise)

THATS ALL FOLKS

CHRIS M

[Dayo]

Thanks for kicking it off Chris. Great selection. I'm guessing Open the Door will turn up in more than one list!

Don't know the Sonny Childe track at all. Must try and dig a soundfile or something.

I'll post mine shortly, but it's what to leave out! I started with a list of ten and now it's down to seven...

[Guest Bearsoul]

Thanks for kicking it off Chris. Great selection. I'm guessing Open the Door will turn up in more than one list!

Don't know the Sonny Childe track at all. Must try and dig a soundfile or something.

I'll post mine shortly, but it's what to leave out! I started with a list of ten and now it's down to seven...

it's really tough so many memories attached to so many tunes..but these would always be hovering there or there abouts so i went for it on the grounds of desert island discs..all male vocals but shan't apologise so many great female vocals...but these are the one's that get me every time !!!

CHRIS M

[Dayo]

Ok, here's mine (could have been fifty!) Yes, they're all well known, and for good reason!

In no particular order...

Linda Jones - Just Can't Live My Life

So, I'm at Va Va. It's 1973 and I'm just a kid. In my y-fronts is an enourmous bag of blueys (they'll never search you Col, you look too young). We'll divvy 'em up in the loo. The loo is chocka with people doing the same. Half an hour later I'm flying and the dance floor is rammed. Searling drops the needle on this and I'm in orbit. My first time with Linda. The harp intro, the backbeat, the lyrics, the breakdown... the pain drenched vocal. What a memory, what a record!

It's A Shame - Spinners

Probably the first soul record I bought. The jangly guitar intro has never been bettered for taste or sheer style. The vocal arrangement still blows me away and I just adore the way it builds in intensity. I rate the Spinners so highly that Sweet Thing is also in my top ten. Never tire of it and, like everyone, I've heard it a zillion times.

You Better Go - Derek Martin

Bought a UK demo of this blind back around 1980. Funny it had escaped the dragnet till then. Sublime vocal performance from one of the most under-rated guys in soul. The tortured "I love you" in the fade out is probably my fave part. Definitely good to the last drop.

Just Walk In My Shoes - Gladys Knight and the Pips

It's appropriate to credit the Pips on this track, because their contribution to this magical production is immense. In fact, everything about this record is so perfect to me, that I can hardly bare to play it, just on the off chance that it's not as awesome as I remember it is! My fave track, from my fave singer.

Our Love Is In The Pocket - J.J. Barnes

It's the very epitome of Northern Soul. And that's why it's here. A representative track from the golden era. Could have picked a hundred other Torch or Wheel classics, but this one sums everything up. Perfect beat, perfect tempo, perfect lyrics. Of course, I love D. Banks; it's the one I heard first. But over the years I've really grown to appreciate the slightly cooler phrasing and vocal texture that J.J. brings to the party.

Going Out Of My Head - Little Anthony & The Imperials

Perfect soul music that is almost operatic in scale and almost too gorgeous to listen to. A heavenly experience from the first note to last.

Time to push the button. I just know I'll regret leaving out the Salvadors!

Have a nice weekend

Colin

Edited March 3, 2006 by Dayo

[Guest Bearsoul]

Ok, here's mine (could have been fifty!) Yes, they're all well known, and for good reason!

In no particular order...

Linda Jones - Just Can't Live My Life

So, I'm at Va Va. It's 1973 and I'm just a kid. In my y-fronts is an enourmous bag of blueys (they'll never search you Col, you look too young). We'll divvy 'em up in the loo. The loo is chocka with people doing the same. Half an hour later I'm flying and the dance floor is rammed. Searling drops the needle on this and I'm in orbit. My first time with Linda. The harp intro, the backbeat, the lyrics, the breakdown... the pain drenched vocal. What a memory, what a record!

It's A Shame - Spinners

Probably the first soul record I bought. The jangly guitar intro has never been bettered for taste or sheer style. The vocal arrangement still blows me away and I just adore the way it builds in intensity. I rate the Spinners so highly that Sweet Thing is also in my top ten. Never tire of it and, like everyone, I've heard it a zillion times.

You Better Go - Derek Martin

Bought a UK demo of this blind back around 1980. Funny it had escaped the dragnet till then. Sublime vocal performance from one of the most under-rated guys in soul. The tortured "I love you" in the fade out is probably my fave part. Definitely good to the last drop.

Just Walk In My Shoes - Gladys Knight and the Pips

It's appropriate to credit the Pips on this track, because their contribution to this magical production is immense. In fact, everything about this record is so perfect to me, that I can hardly bare to play it, just on the off chance that it's not as awesome as I remember it is! My fave track, from my fave singer.

Our Love Is In The Pocket - J.J. Barnes

It's the very epitome of Northern Soul. And that's why it's here. A representative track from the golden era. Could have picked a hundred other Torch or Wheel classics, but this one sums everything up. Perfect beat, perfect tempo, perfect lyrics. Of course, I love D. Banks; it's the one I heard first. But over the years I've really grown to appreciate the slightly cooler phrasing and vocal texture that J.J. brings to the party.

Time to push the button. I just know I'll regret leaving out the Salvadors!

Have a nice weekend

Colin

ALL BRILLIANT...LOVE THE DEREK MARTIN..I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN !!!

CHRIS M

[Chalky]

Hmmmmm.....tough one this. First one definately never chnages, but the rest can change like the weather but here goes for now....

1. Tommy Ridgely - My Love Gets Stronger - International City...simply awesome!

2. Mello Souls - We Can Make It - Mello..the epitome of Northern Soul, rare as hens teeth, uptempo manic black soul dancer.

3. Diane Lewis - You Ain't Got A Chance. Again what Northern Soul is all about to me, great dancer.

4. Billy Hambric - She Said Goodbye/I Found True Love - Drum. Two great sides, both classic Northern!

5. Jean Wells - With My Love And What You've Got - Calla. F*cking great dancer

[Cunnie]

Don't normally do these top 5 things but i've just sent a profile off to Steve Cato's cool off site so here it is.

Thing is i could change my mind next week on e'm all apart from King Tutt.

All time top 10 (this is gonna be tough!)

1 King Tutt - You got me hung up (been my no 1 since the 1st time i heard Soul Sam play it at Leeds Central many years ago)

2 Bileo - You can win, (always brings me round when i'm feeling down)

3 Velvet Satins - Nothing can compere to you (proper northern, simple uptempo magic)

4 Jasper Street Company - Smile & Another day (cheating here, couldn't split e'm so i listed e'm both. top drawer soulful house with quality gospel vocals. If you don't know e'm check e'm out, you won't be sorry)

5 Ike Strong - Your love keeps me dancing (Northern, Modern, Disco, Funk? i dunno, bit of everything i guess. Only track in my top 10 that i ain't got so someone help me out please!)

6 The Incredibles - Crying heart (for gods sake why dosent this get played out more, awesome record & still cheap)

7 Ron Hall & the Muthafunkaz - The way you love me (What! a 2005 release in my all time top 10, just listen to it & i defy you not to dance. Point proven)

8 Darrel Banks - Open the door to your heart (Suprised? I think if your'e being honest with yourself this should be in everybody's top 10 somewhere, just an awesome slab of soul music)

9 The Pretenders - Just be yourself (See Bileo for description, best birthday present i ever recieved from my ex wife, guess she had her good sides!)

10 The Pages - Heartaches & pain (takes me back to Clifton Hall, so good to see it getting revived by guys like Butch)

Edited March 5, 2006 by CUNNIE

[Guest in town Mikey]

No srprise with number one

1) Rufus Lumley - Stronger than me. The opening line 'you destroy me' always sets the hairs on my neck on fire. Reminds me of Yate, and Wheelrights, and the Cattle Market and SS's own Gerry hippo Hipkiss.

2) Valerie Lamar - Shame. Took me 20 years to get a copy (Thanks to Dave Thorley for that ). For me Stafford, Stafford with a strong sprinkling of Stafford. I could have 95 of my top 100 tunes from those few years. Covered as Ann Sexton, and for me has the longevity of You've been gone too long.

3) Empires - Your on top girl. Great harmonies. Great tune. Great vocal. Great!

4) Larry Allen - Cant we talk it over. Its a nats breath between which record gets me on the dancefloor quicker. This or Pookie Hudson. Larry gets the vote, just (depite having the same name as a fomer Dallas Cowboys player). If I ever tire of hearing this record, then I will tire of life itself.

5) Lillie Bryant - Meet me halfway. Just perfect. For you I've done my best, but if you want to make our love a sucess......

5 Dayo? I thought this will be easy!

Edited March 5, 2006 by in town Mikey

[Guest Matt Male]

Top Five is impossible IMO, but here's five oldies that will always get me dancing if played back to back, no matter how knackered I am. Fit perfectly together in a set... hint hint...

Will Collins and Willpower - Anything I Can Do For You

Crystal Motion - Main Squeeze

Brainstorm - Lovin Is Really My Game

The Montclairs - Hung Up On Your Love

Bits n Pieces - Keep On Running Away

Pages and King Tut would also fit in nicely.

Matt

Edited March 5, 2006 by Matt Male

[Guest]

This is really hard! There are certain records that make my night on the odd occaisions that I hear them, there are others that remind me of being a little girl and playing them over and over again...

So, in no particular order...

1. Aretha Franklin - Baby, Baby, Baby

2. Bessie Banks - Go Now

these were my 2 faves when I was a child and I still love them now

3. Diane Lewis - You Ain't Got A Chance

never get to hear this 4 times in one night... lifes just not fair!

4. Softouch - After You Give Your All

thanks to Tef for putting this on a tape for me years ago. It hit me first time and I used to badger Bob Hinsley to play it - it would nearly clear the floor but for me and Gaz Kellett jumping up and down shouting the words to each other

5. Cynthia & The Imaginations - Love Is Real

just love it

Ok and then there are Eric Mercury, Eula Cooper, Barbera Mercer and Marva Josie... and many, many more!

[Guest]

This is impossible...but it's just a single page in about 10 Billion on the net so here goes..

Freddie Houston " If I Had Known" Bell acetate..or Old Town

What an incredible song, it has everything I want from a 1960's soul record, passion, emotion, and that huge brass section just kills me..

Ozz and his Sperlings "Can You Qualify" Goldenway demo

Another of those powerful rare soul sounds that turn me inside out, love that break in the middle when the lead almost wails with all those swirling arrangements.....Outstanding

F.J. Jones "Gone And Found Another" P.S.

Incredible crossover sound, right up there with the Bo Hornes/Cockerhams/Caitons of this genre....never tire of hearing this.... Especially when Jones with effortless range purrs "Found An-the-rrrrrr"..Hairs on the back of the neck time...

Roy Hamilton "The Panic Is On" MGM

Needs no words from me.... Awesome.

Bobby Bland "Lead Me On" Duke/Canadian London

Probably my favourite song that I own, I once found a brilliant beat up bar in New Orleans, full of fiends, pimps, prostitutes and murderers,this was on the juke box, must have played it about 58 times in a row.....So deep it is unreal.......pure soul music of the highest order.

Can I have a top 5 that I don't own now.........

Edited April 9, 2006 by Brett

[Guest Dan]

as everyone says, impossible

nothing obscure but working on the basis that these five have always been in my top 10 or 20 ever since i heard them first:

pyramid - soul bros inc - used to move me to tears when i heard this as a kid

man oh man - walter and the admerations - uptempo rare northern doesn't get any better IMO

you ought to be in heaven - impressions - could have five impressions records in the top five quite easily (sister love, stay close to me, woman's got soul, this is my country, i'm the one who loves you, you've been cheatin, can't satisfy, wherever she leadeth me, isle of the sirens, meeting over yonder...the list goes on and on and on...genius is an overused word etc etc)

count the days - the magnetics - awesome

can i change my mind - tyrone davis - just a wonderful record

[Soulsmith]

Jessie James - Love Is Alright

Willie & Mighty Magnificents - Check It baby

Bobby Womack - Home Is Where The Heart Is

Carl Sims - I'm Sending You Back To Him

Carl Gilbert - Crying Heart

Sorry, no real explanations.

[Guest]

Randy Brown - Love Is All We Need

Frankie Gearing - Spinning Top

100% Pure Poison - Puppet On A Chain

Jerry Butler - One Night Affair

The Innersection - I'm In Debt To You

no time to explain why I love these tunes

[Soulsmith]

Randy Brown - Love Is All We Need

Frankie Gearing - Spinning Top

100% Pure Poison - Puppet On A Chain

Jerry Butler - One Night Affair

The Innersection - I'm In Debt To You

no time to explain why I love these tunes

Nice selection there Flo

[Dave Moore]

Actually, not such a tough one for me. I like the newer things just as much but when it came down to it the list got shorter and shorter whilst these were never even considered for "rejection". Therefore must be my top 5!

Stanley Mitchell - Get It Baby -Dynamo

Darrell Banks - Open The Door To Your Heart - Revilot

Al Williams - I Am Nothing - LaBeat/Palmer

JJ Barnes - Real Humdinger - Ric Tic

Stevie Wonder - Uptight - Tamla

If I have to explain why......then you ain't never gonna understand anyway!

Regards,

Dave

www.hitsvillesoulclub.com

[Guest rachel]

Don't usually answer these sort of things because it's just too hard!! Anyway, here's 5 that would definitely be in a top however-many of mine... but I reserve the right to change my mind within the next ten minutes

Maxine Brown - Torture

The song that got me into all this in the first place, stunning vocals, great lyrics with a lot of meaning and memories for me... amazing passion packed into less than three minutes.

Tangeers - Let My Heart And Soul Be Free

Sends shivers down my spine, up the back of my neck, hair stands on end, heart racing... first heard this at a time when the lyrics really struck a chord with me, and it still gets me every time.

Mello Souls - We Can Make It

Never fails to make me grin like mad whenever I hear it, right from that intro... and if it's in a venue have to run to the floor.

Big Don's Rebellion - It Was True

Wow... those lyrics (there's a bit of a theme developing here isn't there?), amazing orchestral backing and ohhh those sighs.

Furys - Anything For You

Currently my normal ender when DJing... dark and beautiful.

Edited March 5, 2006 by rachel

[Guest]

Just re - read this thread and state again it's impossible, how could i forget Big Dons Rebellion...awesome

also Ruby and Decieved.plus.....................

[Sebastian]

F.J. Jones "Gone And Found Another" P.S.

Don't know this, any chance of a soundclip? I only have his "Put It On The Line Girl" 45 on the same label which is a very nice one.

[Guest]

Actually, not such a tough one for me. I like the newer things just as much but when it came down to it the list got shorter and shorter whilst these were never even considered for "rejection". Therefore must be my top 5!

Stanley Mitchell - Get It Baby -Dynamo

Darrell Banks - Open The Door To Your Heart - Revilot

Al Williams - I Am Nothing - LaBeat/Palmer

JJ Barnes - Real Humdinger - Ric Tic

Stevie Wonder - Uptight - Tamla

If I have to explain why......then you ain't never gonna understand anyway!

Regards,

Dave

www.hitsvillesoulclub.com

Hi Dave, i always seem to overlook the obvious records i own, but have to agree "Real Humdinger" is brilliant, first thing tomorrow when i get back from work, is to dig it out and give it's due respect.

Brett

[Guest]

Don't know this, any chance of a soundclip? I only have his "Put It On The Line Girl" 45 on the same label which is a very nice one.

Hi Sebastian, sorry i don't have a soundfile, but i'm sure John Manship has one on his site.

Brett

[Sebastian]

Hi Sebastian, sorry i don't have a soundfile, but i'm sure John Manship has one on his site.

Brett

Thanks, just checked it out.

[Guest Baz]

Just re - read this thread and state again it's impossible, how could i forget Big Dons Rebellion...awesome

also Ruby and Decieved.plus.....................

Right here goes.........

Eddie Whitehead - Just your fool - Blackjack This will always be my number one sound, the emotion in this record hurts so much, always get a lump when i hear this, it just builds and builds, first herd it on the Kent 'Northern souls classiest rareties' when that came out put the CD in the player and was completely blown away, and still get that feeling from it now!

Al Scott - What happend to yeasterday - Genuine A class oldie that will always stand the test of time, another one that is really emotional, Al delivers this with so much soul its unbeliveble, sadly had to sell tis to fund the above ........gone but not forgotten!

Big Dons Rebellion - It was true - Ethon Never gets the dancefloor acceptance it should, one i always try to include in my spots mid tempo group soul at its best...........as Brett says..awsome

The Boss Four - Walkin by - Rim Such a sad song.......but soooo good

Mello Souls - We can make it - Mello As all ready stated epitomises up tempo northern, will own one one day

Edited March 5, 2006 by Baz

[jocko]

Hmm not one I normally do either but it suits my current mood and will get me away from doing the work I should be doing.

(1) Larry Clinton - She's Wanted In 3 States, probably quoted this as my all time favorite for ever, just proper Northern Soul

(2) Eddie Parker - Im Gone. Not wanting to start the soul vs Northern debate but this is just a great great soul record that you can dance to, however what a good dancer. When he spits his own name you almost feel it hitting you on the side of the face. One of the most powerful combinations of man and instruments ever.

(3) Tamala Lewis -You Won't Say Nothing - Again for me just proper Northern Soul, a beat that kicks you along with those breathless vocals.

(4) Magnetics - I Have A Girl Only one of the list I have ever owned, no longer and even though made about a 1000% profit! I will own it again, even if it means involving, kidnap, ransom notes and brutal violence. Just a record that makes me happy and invokes the greatest memories, what more can music do

(5) Arin Demain Silent Treatment/Paris Sleepless Nights I cant and wont split them, sure there will be a double sided bootleg out there in the world to justify them together, both records remind me of a time when the pace was less important at nighters and when I was starting to really find myself in that wacky all nighter world. Could have owned both for under 50gbp and never did.

There you go, an insight into Jocks View of Northern, very nostalgic and interestingly no Just Brothers (GAAL) Mello Souls or Diane Lewis, maybe I am just a big oldies fan after all.

Now can't stop thinking of top 5 Non Northern records, maybe for later (should I also do a top 5 pop stompers just to prove some rumours are right!!)

Okay back to the world of project plans.

Cheers

Jock

[Guest Gavin Page]

Randy Brown - Love Is All We Need

I still love this.

Great Artisit,Great Song,Great Album !

What a good choice !

[Guest]

The Kittens - Ain't No More Room (great song with attitude)

Bobby Treetop - Wait 'til I Get To Know Ya (simply can't resist the drumsrolls on this one)

Joy Lovejoy - In Orbit (hypnotizing vocals, great tempo)

Ella Fitzgerald - Get Ready (puts the Tempts and Rare Earth versions to shame. Makes you wish Ella had done more soul recordings like this)

The Marvelettes - I'll Keep Holding On (don't know what to say about this except that it's brilliant.)

[Makemvinyl]

Marvin Gaye / Darling your wonderful

Tony Clarke / Entertainer

Jr Walker / too many(plump for )These Eyes

Betty Crutcher / Sugar Daddy

4 Tops & Darrell Banks (tie) Baby I need Your Loving / Open the Door to Your Heart

Sentimental old bassrard

Edited March 5, 2006 by MAKEMVINYL

[Dave Moore]

Hmm not one I normally do either but it suits my current mood and will get me away from doing the work I should be doing.

(1) Larry Clinton - She's Wanted In 3 States, probably quoted this as my all time favorite for ever, just proper Northern Soul

(2) Eddie Parker - Im Gone. Not wanting to start the soul vs Northern debate but this is just a great great soul record that you can dance to, however what a good dancer. When he spits his own name you almost feel it hitting you on the side of the face. One of the most powerful combinations of man and instruments ever.

(3) Tamala Lewis -You Won't Say Nothing - Again for me just proper Northern Soul, a beat that kicks you along with those breathless vocals.

(4) Magnetics - I Have A Girl Only one of the list I have ever owned, no longer and even though made about a 1000% profit! I will own it again, even if it means involving, kidnap, ransom notes and brutal violence. Just a record that makes me happy and invokes the greatest memories, what more can music do

(5) Arin Demain Silent Treatment/Paris Sleepless Nights I cant and wont split them, sure there will be a double sided bootleg out there in the world to justify them together, both records remind me of a time when the pace was less important at nighters and when I was starting to really find myself in that wacky all nighter world. Could have owned both for under 50gbp and never did.

There you go, an insight into Jocks View of Northern, very nostalgic and interestingly no Just Brothers (GAAL) Mello Souls or Diane Lewis, maybe I am just a big oldies fan after all.

Now can't stop thinking of top 5 Non Northern records, maybe for later (should I also do a top 5 pop stompers just to prove some rumours are right!!)

Okay back to the world of project plans.

Cheers

Jock

Jock

That could so easily have been my top 5!! 4 of your selections were almost in mine!! Great minds eh?

Regards,

Dave

www.hitsvillesoulclub.com

[Dave Moore]

Hi Dave, i always seem to overlook the obvious records i own, but have to agree "Real Humdinger" is brilliant, first thing tomorrow when i get back from work, is to dig it out and give it's due respect.

Brett

Hi Brett,

I had to "eject" this or Edwin Starr - I have faith in you - Ric Tic. JJ j...u....s....t.... shaded it with the intro.

I'm a big fan on "instant intros". Hence the inclusion of Stevie Wonder. The simplicity yet instant POWER of Jamerson and the guys at their pinnacle. With this backing track even I could have had a hit!!

Regards,

Dave

www.hitsvillesoulclub.com

[Guest Awake 502]

Clyde McPhatter / One more chance

Took me five years to find this after first hearing it at Cleethorpes.

Eddie Parker / I'm gone

Thelma Lindsey / Prepared to love you

Two of Detroit's finest, power and emotion.

Dean Courtney / (Love) You just can't walk away

Still looking for that elusive issue, always reminds me of Poke at the Winter Gardens all-dayers, a lot of people buggered of to the Lifeboat for a few beers and missed out on an hour of pure class, that guy had such taste.

Williams and Watson / Too late

Eddie Foster / I never knew

Heaving dancefloor, sweat in the air, ahh the memories of my early years on the scene...

[Guest Netspeaky]

Impossible to do really, as it changes by the minute, but here it is:

The Velvelettes - "These Things Keep me lovin' you"

You just have to have one Motown record

Imperial C's - "Somebody Tell Her"

Rare Group Northern

Marie Night - "Come Tomorrow"

Deep and Soulful

Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers - "Does your Mamma know about me"

Told a lie a 2nd Motown Must

Tobi Legend - "Time will pass you by"

For the memories

[Simsy]

Soul Brothers Inc - Pyramid

Best record ever made. Reminds me of St Ive's alldayers.

Magnificent Men - All your lovin's gone to my head

A record I loved and played to death - bought from Dave Evison

Mello Souls - We can make it

Has every ingredient to be (and is) a fantastic track

Roy Hamilton - Crackin' up

Soul music with balls. Nuff said.

Timi Yuro - It'll never be over for me

Emotional building dancer

[BrianB]

I have at least 18 records in my top 5, so as I eat my butties pondering how wonderful life is that we can listen to this beautiful music, I will put these 5 down.

Frankie Beverley - If Thats What You Wanted

Bobby Hebb - Love Love Love

Barbara Mills - Queen of Fools

I'm Gone - Eddie Parker (Is Billy Sharae a relation of Eddies?)

The Motown one - Currently, Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin and Tammi

How can we possibly have a top 5, or top ten, or top twenty? Good thread Dayo.

(Can't believe I left the Velvets, Marsha Gee, Mary Love, Mello Souls and all the rest out)

[Winnie :-)]

Time will pass you by

Good Feeling

Crying over you

World of happiness

Show and tell

Three peramanently in there, the others drift in and out of my top 5 dependent on my mood

Winnie:-)

[Reg]

Here's 5 off the top of my head...I'll probably think of 5 more in a minute

Carl Hall-What about you

Clyde McPhatter-One more chance

Masqueraders-How Big is big

Brown Sugar-Game is over

and one that reminds me of being 14 again...Maxine Brown-Let me give you my loving

[Dayo]

you ought to be in heaven - impressions - could have five impressions records in the top five quite easily (sister love, stay close to me, woman's got soul, this is my country, i'm the one who loves you, you've been cheatin, can't satisfy, wherever she leadeth me, isle of the sirens, meeting over yonder...the list goes on and on and on...genius is an overused word etc etc)

Great taste Dan. Totally agree, would love to have had an Impressions track in my top 5. You Oughta Be In Heaven (love the sax solo) would have just shaded it over Gypsy Woman.

Colin

[Dayo]

This is really hard! There are certain records that make my night on the odd occaisions that I hear them, there are others that remind me of being a little girl and playing them over and over again...

So, in no particular order...

1. Aretha Franklin - Baby, Baby, Baby

2. Bessie Banks - Go Now

Bessie Banks was bubbling under my top five. It's so girlie, but so deep and dramatic. Great choice!

Thought I might have seen more deep soul tracks mentioned in this thread...

[BrianB]

Can someone take one record out of my top 5 for me, cos I can't possibly leave out The Tangeers, Let My Heart and Soul Be Free.

Bloody sold it for a fiver, you would have thought the guy who bought it might have taken pity on a guy with 2 kids and no money!!!!

[Mark Bicknell]

Oh my god...the sixty four thousand dollar question, i've thought about this long and hard and i've kept it to the records i still hold in my collection as one or two already mentioned here i've moved on...lol so here goes........

George Blackwell - Can't Lose My Head - Smoke - Simply sums up the whole Northern Soul ethos, perfect gritty sexy vocal, awesome backbeat and backing vocals, proper Northern in every tradition.His voice just does something to me, without question this is what's it all about for me, mid 60's, thumping beat and a record with atmosphere...number one for me on any all time list.

Jimmy Burns - I Really Love You - Erica - As above proper Northern, this had to be in my top five, how i got, where i got, when i got it and who i got it from.....him....lol, is a magical tale, a very special record to me and one of the athems of the scene, pure Chicago magic.

The Volumes - That Same Old Feeling - Impact - For male vocal harmonies nothing else for me at least even comes close to this epic Detroit production, a true super group of the rare soul scene who made some stunning records but this is their masterpeice.

The Four Tracks - Like My Love For You - Mandingo - One word 'Awesome'

Bettye Lavette - Only Your Love Can Save Me - Calla - Simply the best female vocalist in the world, does me in everytime i play it.The lady has and is class so is this record, to sing about it you have to have lived it she has, the emotion, the power and oh the SOUL!!!!

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

[Guest Baz]

The Four Tracks - Like My Love For You - Mandingo - One word 'Awesome'

God i forgot about this record, can i have six

[Guest Polyvelts]

Like many have said - This is impossible ! The only way to separate 5 records from the thousands, and rarity and trying to be clever goes right out the window- its purely the hairs standing up on the back of your neck tingle factor.

These tracks do it for me:

Jackie Lee - Oh my Darling

Fantastic Johnny C - Don't depend on me

Herbert Hunter - I was born to love you

Don Ray - Born a loser

Shit ! That's only four !

Al Williams - I am nothing

[SteveM]

Willie Hutch - Love Run Out

Imperial C's - Someone Tell Her

Ronnie McNeir - Sitting In My Class

Little Anthony - Better Use Your Head

Lynn Varnado - Wash and Wear Love

[Guest in town Mikey]

Ronnie McNeir - Sitting In My Class

So many tunes mentioned on this thread that on another day could have easily made my top 5, but this one, and Larry Clinton - She's Wanted, are the 2 closest.

Amazing to think some people will live their whole lives and never know such aural perfection. Sometimes (normally about 5am in some smokey room somewhere 100s of miles from bed), I question my sanity in the quest to hear Northern Soul music. But when records like these and so many others are mentioned, and I realise some of my closest mates wouldnt have a scooby what they sound like. I actually feel very lucky, and not a little humble.

[Dayo]

Like many have said - This is impossible ! The only way to separate 5 records from the thousands, and rarity and trying to be clever goes right out the window- its purely the hairs standing up on the back of your neck tingle factor.

These tracks do it for me:

Jackie Lee - Oh my Darling

Fantastic Johnny C - Don't depend on me

Herbert Hunter - I was born to love you

Don Ray - Born a loser

Shit ! That's only four !

Al Williams - I am nothing

Jackie Lee - another one of my bubbling unders! Shoulda made it ten!

[Guest mikew4]

On the the understanding that I can change my mind later:

Jay D Martin By yourself

Darrell Banks Open the door..

Velvelettes These things will keep me ......

James Bynum Time passes by

Yvonne Baker You didn't say a word

Great times.

Mike.

[Guest johnm]

These are some of my favourites in no order

You Baby - Jackie Trent ---> I just like it

The right track - Billy Butler --->

Out on the floor - Dobie Gray

I'll do anything for you - Doris Troy

Girl (why do you wanna make me blue) - Temptations

and extras if allowed

It only happens - Jackie Wilson

Lucky to be loved by you - Willie Hutch

[caseoftyme]

At this moment in time these are my favourites

Call me Tomorrow (they will have changed)

Chuck Jackson - Chains of Love

Frankie Beverly & The Butlers - If That's What You Wanted

Patti & The Emblems - Gonna Love You A Long Long Time

James Carr - That's What I Want To Know

Sydney Barnes - I Hurt On The Other Side

I've also been listening to a lot a Ben E King lately, you know those sweeping intrumental breaks (Magic Moments, Amore etc.)

[Guest johnm]

At this moment in time these are my favourites

Call me Tomorrow (they will have changed)

Chuck Jackson - Chains of Love

Frankie Beverly & The Butlers - If That's What You Wanted

Patti & The Emblems - Gonna Love You A Long Long Time

James Carr - That's What I Want To Know

Sydney Barnes - I Hurt On The Other Side

I've also been listening to a lot a Ben E King lately, you know those sweeping intrumental breaks (Magic Moments, Amore etc.)

Chuck Jackson - Chains of Love

This one came in at number 8 in my list..............followed by 'all over the world"

[Guest Richard Bergman]

Tough call...it can change from month to month to be honest ...

George Hobson - Let it be real

Roy Hamilton -Panic is on

Ella Woods - I need your love

Curtis Mayfield -Makings of you

Jerry Washington - Don't waste my time