Mike

There's That Beat Issue #9 Issue number 9 of this fine soul magazine now out and about. A brief description from the There's That Beat Website follows, along with a video advert and ordering info. Unfortunately this issue starts by paying tribute to four of the soul world’s most iconic figures who in the space of a couple of months threw off their mortal coils and passed on. All four of them will need no lengthy introduction to readers of this particular magazine as I’ll guarantee their names are of the household variety as far as readers are concerned. It was felt that their contribution to the music was of such significance that their passing should be recorded within our pages and the legacy of their lives can be found here as we remember, Norman Whitfield, Richard “Popcorn” Wylie, Levi Stubbs and Andrew “Mike” Terry. Gone, but certainly never forgotten. The Unifics are a group that doesn’t get a lot of dancefloor action, but just put a needle to any one of their records and you’ve got quality soul harmony. Jason takes a look at the entire career of the Unifics past and present, as well as an entire feature about the solo projects of their lead singer, Al Johnson. This is the first time their careers have been documented in great detail. Lou Johnson is an artist at the top of many soul fans’ list of singers they would love to see perform live. We hope that can happen but until it does, Pete Burns delivers the story of this remarkable vocalist from his early days as a youngster in Brooklyn, NY right through his days working with giants Burt Bacharach and Hal David, his first appearances in Britain on the TV show Ready Steady Go and brings us up to date with Lou’s discography. The European Soul scene has flourished in the past decade or so producing many events that continue to grow in stature. Lots of soul 45s were released in Continental Europe, many of them in beautifully crafted picture sleeves. We thought it time that we showed this segment of the soul record collecting World in all its glory. There are some great pic sleeves featured and some of the releases beg the questions How? Why? For instance how did Leroy Taylor’s wonderful (but commercially disastrous), Oh Linda end up with a fantastic picture sleeve that could be purchased in Spain for a few pasetas? It’s a fascinating slice of the collectors world that TTB will be returning to, in order to expand the series to include many other countries releases to add to the Spanish and French ones contained in this first look at the subject. This piece was intended to include the Motown releases of the era also but, to make room for the tribute to our four departed heroes it was decided to feature the Motown releases in the next issue. Our Philadelphia resident Hitsviller Mr. Weldon A McDougall III reports on the latest additions to the city’s Walk of Fame inductees that include a number of “our” favourite people, some of whom have featured within these pages already. Weldon has a habit of getting his camera right at the center of any action and we appreciate him taking the time to contribute. The 4th Hitsville Soul Weekender took place in Spain in September and we record the frivolities as well as report on some of the music and 45s that saw their spotlight on the club’s Technics this year. Available now online Video Advert "

UK Film out in a few weeks has an interesting approach to the soundtrack Words below Clubbed is in UK cinemas nationwide on 16th January 2009. CLUBBED - a journey through family and fear set in the violent world of 80s clubland. Danny - a lonely factory worker intimidated by life - is battered and humiliated in front of his kids in a random act of violence. His already bleak existence sinks further into the abyss. On the verge of total breakdown, he decides to fight back. He meets a group of nightclub doormen who take him in and give him the confidence to stand his ground. As he is drawn deeper into their world, he becomes embroiled with the local gangland boss, setting in motion a chain of events with shockingly brutal consequences. The soundtrack to Clubbed features a selection of some of the stand out club tunes from the early 80's scene. Original Jamaican Ska, Northern Soul classics, Dance anthems and unforgettable R&B all beautifully fuse together to form a small piece of perfection. The original music which predominantly features a wonderfully, contemporary orchestral score by composer Paul Heard revolves around four distinct character themes which reflect struggle, relationships, betrayal and growth. Paul co-founded the Manchester based band M-People which during their ten-year reign as the world's no. 1 dance act, sold more than 11 million records. Their best known singles were Moving On Up and Search For a Hero while their 1994 album, Bizarre Fruit, was in the UK charts for some 2 1/2 years. Clubbed's writer Geoff Thompson hails from Coventry, the home of the Two Tone movement of the late 70's and early 80's. This sound took the energy and the politics of punk, but replaced buzz saw guitars with choppy rhythms, horn sections as well as the style and rhythm of Jamaican Ska to create a distinctive style. This musical innovation took its roots from Caribbean Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae. It was honed into the multi-racial sound of Two-Tone by bands such as The Specials, The Selecter and The Beat. Clubbed's soundtrack embraces all these influences as it takes us on a musical jouney through this defining era. Full list of commercial tracks that are featured in CLUBBED: 1. GOOD TIMES Performed by Chic 2. KEEP THE FIRE BURNING Performed by Gwen McCrae 3. THERE'S GOT TO BE RAIN IN YOUR LIFE Performed by Dorothy Norwood 4. WALKIN' UP A ONE WAY STREET Performed by Willie Tee 5. TRAIN TO TAMPA Performed by Sam Dees 6. IF YOU WANT ME TO BE MORE OF A WOMAN (YOU GOT TO BE MORE OF A MAN) Performed by Lorraine Johnson 7. WARLOCK Performed by Jackie Mittoo 8. FORGET ME NOTS Performed by Patrice Rushen 9. DETERMINATION Performed by Roland Alphonso 10. CRY TO ME Performed by Loleatta Holloway 11. EVERYBODY DANCE Performed by Chic 12. NOBODY'S GONNA GET YOUR MAMA Performed by Peggy Scott 13. HUGH MINGUS Performed by Nine Ton Peanut Smugglers 14. I'LL GET OFF AT THE NEXT STOP Performed by Carol Anderson 15. RIDING HIGH Performed by Faze-O 16. JAMAICA SKA Performed by Byron Lee & The Dragonaires 17. TWENTY YEARS LATER Performed by Bobby Hutton 18. GET ME BACK ON TIME, ENGINE NUMBER 9 Performed by Wilson Pickett 19. IS IT LOVE YOU'RE AFTER Performed by Rose Royce 20. FUNKY SOUL Performed by David Batiste & The Gladiators 21. CRAM Performed by Tony Cook 22. GETTING UPTOWN (TO GET DOWN) Performed by United 8 23. TESTIMONY OF A FOOL Performed by Bobby Purify 24. BLOWING MY MIND TO PIECES Performed by Bob Relf 25. ANYTHING IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR Performed by Sam Dees