Highlights

A new Kent Select 45 has just been released.

The Opals - Can't Give It Up - Kent Select City 070

First time out,  Okeh, Billy Butler are just some of the keywords that spring up, but as always the 'official' release notes tell the story far better...

Details of a recent album release from Kent

You Gave Me Reason To Live - Southern And Deep Soul From Louisiana - Various Artists CDKEND 501

A preview snippet of the release notes by Dean Rudland follows below..

Now available - Stop The War - Vietnam Through The Eyes Of Black America 1965-1974

The third and final release from Kent Records of their Vietnam trilogy spotlighting Black America’s involvement in the Vietnam war using music as the prism.

A preview of the release notes by Tony Rounce follows below...

News about 2 x 45s just released from Daptone and Penrose labels and available right now. 

 

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Come And Be A Winner - Daptone  DAP 1132

Some big news coming in for a new 7" vinyl on LRK Records in 2021...

LRK have signed a deal with Washington DC's modern soul sensation Eric Scott to put out his fantastic soulful song "Peace Bomb" which recently has been storming the UK soul charts backed with "Reach Out For me" on the B which is equally as good and soulful.

It's time for another dose of Northern Soul Connections, in this long running series member @Kenb takes the time and effort to deliver soul related facts and info through an easy to read/view format.

Northern Soul Connections #26 - Soul Sensations, The Soul Sounds and Devil Worshop

MD Records have been busy, they have just released a batch of 3 new 45s, featuring tracks from Ruby Andrews, Mary Gresham and Bottom and Company.

You can read the release notes from MD Records below...

A New Generation of Musicians Are Revitalizing Chicano Soul Music

SoCal KCET website is running a feature that takes a look at how 'A New Generation of Musicians Are Revitalizing Chicano Soul Music'

Focusing mainly on artists from the Daptone imprint Penrose label, the article uses words, photos and sound clips to good effect and is well worth the walk over..

Preview below followed by link to the article

A new crop of artists from the Southland have taken on the mantle of Chicano soul and oldies. Groups such as Thee Sacred Souls, Thee Sinseers, Los Yesterdays, The Altons, and Vicky Tafoya and the Big Beat, to name a few, have recorded music that invoke the romance, longing and nostalgia of yesteryear, while adding flourishes of other genres into the mix.

Musical genres are often phrased in a way that not only describes the style and mood that the music provokes but that also places it within a specific time period. Chicano Oldies, for example, brings to mind the romantic combination of soul and R&B created by Mexican American artists during the 1960s who were influenced by African American artists of that era as well as those who came before.

Full article can be read here

https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/a-new-generation-of-musicians-are-revitalizing-chicano-soul-music

 

 

Joe Adam’s – “That’s Not Half Bad / Stop Before You Lose Me” – Soul-Direction 004

From the Philadelphia Del-Val stable comes two unreleased tracks from Joe Adams

A stunning version of the Gene Woodbury Classic backed with an equally sublime mid-tempo heart wrenching flip.

Both tracks on 7" vinyl for the first time ever.

It was around 1999 and a stack of Del-Val and related studio reels lay in Joe Stevenson’s basement gathering dust and at the same time slowly deteriorating with the possibility of being lost forever. Looking back now I am so glad someone had the foresight to transfer them onto DAT tapes before they were damaged beyond all hope. Some of the tracks were then used for a “Best of Del-Val” CD release around 2000 by the guys at Philly Archives. This was a blessing in disguise as a few years later all the masters were lost to a huge flood in Joe’s basement destroying them beyond any repair.

I was lucky enough to receive a cut of “That’s Not Half Bad” just before or around the time of the impending release of the CD and has remained in my play box ever since. For me, the track has always been a far superior version of the Gene Woodbury release and after shaking hands on the previous Eddie Holman release, I jumped at the chance to bring this track to its first and only 45 release. After being handed a few options for a flip side I was keen to use “Stop Before You Lose Me" and after a session of playing records with Dean Anderson (well-known collector, DJ and Radio Host) and he confirmed I made a good choice.

Philly Soul has always been close to my heart and the sound that has always been my favourite. For me, these tracks showcase the best of 60s Philly Northern Soul. This may feel like a vanity project for me and maybe it is, but sometimes your heart over rules your head and in this particular instance, I am happy with that.
 

Alan Kitchener

(Soul Direction Records)

Time for another Soul Source members competition and this time we have a prize with a difference.

Up for grabs is a brand new still sealed Rare Soul Jigsaw fresh from Jazzman Records

See the info and photos below, it's a 1000 piece one so hours of fun

The Rare Soul 45s Collection 

Announcing our very own 'Rare Soul 45s Collection' 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle featuring rare soul record labels!

It's all here - northern soul, modern soul, sweet soul, latin soul, deep soul, crossover, RnB & funk! There are so many labels here we lost count!

A colourful collage of high quality label scans taken from original 45s!

◆ 1000 pieces, ultraprecise cut with satin finish

◆ Made from FSC certified recycled blue board

◆ Total size 48 x 69cm

◆ Brand new & factory sealed in bespoke box

◆ Made in UK 

RRP £18.99


Competition

Open to all members. all you have to do is go here

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/support/create/

and then choose 'Competition entries....' and just post the answer to this simple question

Question

How many label scans are there in the Jigsaw box front cover photo pictured below

The member with the correct answer will win the Jigsaw, if there's more than one then there will be a draw of all the correct answers to determine the winner.

There you go.... easy!

 


 

 

More info on the Rare Soul Jigsaw along with purchase options can be had via the below link

https://www.jazzmanrecords.co.uk/jazzman-jigsaw-the-rare-soul-collection

 

 

 

 

Wigan today is running a story regarding a planned new book all about Mr M's

Here's the info...

New book seeking to tell story of Northern Soul venue in Wigan

Have just had word of a new Jazzman release with a difference

We are still talking about rare soul vinyl, but this time around not in the usual sense....

As always with such things the actual release notes tell the story...

That time of year... 

The Soul Up North #108 Spring 2021 issue is now out and about, as always brimming with soul related words and info

Contents of this issue follow

Hours of soulful sunday ear fun via our Media forum

Check the latest adds out....

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/forums/forum/128-soul-media/

 

A new cd release (CDKEND # 500 no less) from Kent Records. Titled Moderinity this mod styled compilation is available out and about right now

Details follow below

Because of me racing a few things got missed, so I have now published on here a couple articles omitted at the time of going to the printers;

One World Records has been in touch to inform us that due to demand the release date of their much anticipated 45 by Michelle David & The True-tones titled 'Good Good Good' has now been brought forward to...

“The Stax Museum of American Soul Music announced today that it has acquired one of the world’s most prestigious and storied collections of soul music records comprised mainly of rare records by lesser-known artists from Chicago’s culturally rich South Side community from the 1960s and 1970s. The collection is from the estate of famed record collector, disc jockey, and oral historian Bob Abrahamian of Chicago, who died by suicide in 2014 at age 35.”

Thanks to Dave Withers for passing on the info on this great online documentary all about...

Arctic Records 

Friday Arts is a 30-minute arts, culture and entertainment magazine that features three distinct stories about the arts and the artists in our area. Friday Arts casts a light on some of Philadelphia's best-kept secrets in the arts.

ART OF LIFE — PRODUCED BY KAREN SMYLES

Another Soul Source competition drifts ashore

This time around thanks to Hayley Records via member Rob Moss aka @Rob Mosswe have up for grabs a mint vinyl copy of Detroit My Home Town

New single (and follow up to the great Love Is Knocking) released digitally by Izipho Soul / Angel Dove on 14 Apr is a great version of Ronnie Mc Neir's Isn't She A Pretty Thing.

Word in all about One World Records next release. Now scheduled for release on the 7th May. 

Info and clips below

Hi all!

I, like many of you I'm sure, prefer some company sleeves over others. Some of them are works of art in their design or simplicity! Wondering what everyone elses favourite company sleeves are? 

Mine are attached!

We have a very exciting new release on Big AC Records: Thinkin' About You, by a fantastic new soul singer named Carmy Love, who has previously performed with House Gospel Choir, New Street Adventure and Cool Million, to name a few.

Influenced by the “Crossover Soul” period of the late 60’s and early 70’s, “Thinkin’ About You” clicks into gear from the off, with bold brass and a funky bassline paving the way for Carmy’s stunning vocal. 

A collection of great 45 reviews written by the late Frank Jackson

site note

In the early days of the internet, one day I stumbled on a no fuss webpage, that simply featured clips of 45s and one persons brief words on each 45. Over time the writing and the selection of 45s made this site a regular revisit. Sadly as many will be aware Frank Jackson is no longer with us, however thanks to Frank Jr and Carms can revisit just some of his  past reviews