Suppose as the thread starter I best reply to some of the points & my reasons for posting.
Well my main reason for posting I'd have thought was fairly obvious, my disgust at the constant dilution of the UK Soul scene as we know it. Northern Soul burger vans getting plugged all over the net, Retro shoes from days gone by jumping on the back of our music scene, I repeat 'MUSIC SCENE' to sell their products. JLS & Tom Jones plastered all over the cover of a magazine called 'Blues & Soul' Err hello, the clue is in the title of the mag or maybe not anymore. Sorry Tony as maybe I was a bit harsh on Eddie Piller & Lister from Red Dwarf.
Just how much further down this road can our beloved music scene go before it disappears up it's own arsehole.
Can just see it now. This weeks X Factor will feature the talentless wanabee's singing the Wigan Casino classics. Oh yes they're all there, The Snake, Tainted Love, Out On The Floor. Think it can't happen? Well last year they did a Motown week so it's not as far away as you think really is it?
Now let's switch channels to BBC 1. Ah good old Strictly Come Dancing from the Blackpool Tower Ballroom but wait, what's this? John Prescott & his partner doing 'The Northern Soul'. Shake that talc Brucie (hope he don't attempt a backdrop!!!).
Over to the movie channel, surely that's safe but what's this we see, Soulboy 4 - the 30 year return.
Now let's address some of the points raised by some on the thread.
Interesting to see that most of the so called New Soul releases were what I'd class as Retro Soul (Daptone, Lee Fields etc) & were also mostly 7" vinyl releases. Make of that what you will but don't think I'm knocking them as some of them I actually own & they are very good too.
Also interesting to see some of the comments between Boba & Sutty, 2 people I have the upmost respect for.
Noted Boba's comments regarding no more Soul music being made after the late 70's & also that Sutty runs an excellent site called Essential Modern Soul.
Found the comments from Bob strange to say the least but noted them as he's from the States & not brainwashed by things on our side of the pond. Just wondered where Soulful House fits into the no Soul after the late 70's as it's probably one of the last Uptempo Soulful Dance music genre's (IMO).
Might I suggest a visit to EMS Boba as it might be an eyeopener for you & I for one would love to read your views on it & I'm sure Paul (Sutty) would too.
Now another point I must bring up r/e my RIP comment. While you all visit EMS be sure to look at the 'Upfront' forum that covers new release Soul. I'm sorry but most (not all) of the music on there (& other places) has morphed itself into what I can only describe as mid to downtempo RnB.
Now I for one used to rush home from work every day to listen to some great danceable Soul music on there but now the majority of what is pushed down our throats just ain't got that energy any more. Know some of that is down to certain individuals on there posting for the sake of it regardless of quality. There are exceptions but they seem to be less & less each year.
Even sites like traxsource that used to throw up several quality releases each week now struggle to offer probably only a couple of things a month that are worthy of a download. Really do take my hat off to guy's like Mark Randle & Roger Williams who still manage to turn up quality new release music but hell it must be hard for them with some of the dross that's around now.
One last mention before I leave this thread for a few more day's & it's to Jocko.
Smart, Stirrer or Bonkers? Gotta be Bonkers