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I enjoyed this more than the first volume. I think that is about me not the first CD though. I kind of feel instinctively it is more my experience for soul artists to be covered by pop and rock artists rather than the other way round, but this stands up in its own right.

Two more 1970's era Modern Soul compilations coming in November on Interstate 'This Time Will Be Different' covers Philly and 'This Love Is For Real' covers Chicago. The tracklistings avoid the obvious plays so worth a look.

Loving the double Expansion releases of Soul Togetherness and Spirit of Philadelphia 4. Getting the Soul Togetherness CD via Amazon means you can download the extra tracks in the digital deluxe version for free. The Ryle, Phonte and Eric Roberson and Kindred The Family Soul albums have now arrived and as good as I hoped. Ryle is from the band Cool Million. It strikes me as positive that Modern Soul sound can incorporate the post-disco boogie style. I got a new compilation release by Dean Rudland in the J&D label imprint called 'Extra Added Soul' that is well worth picking up along with the Northern Soul and Funk specific CDs. Tony Monson's Ethereal Magic volume 2 on Expansion is due soon, the first was a welcome addition to their coverage as I've enjoyed the radio show. Also looking forward to Eric Benet release, the song I heard from it on Solar was good. There is a good double of Melba Moore due soon with plenty of her Buddah tracks. It would be great for Kent or Expansion to compile Buddah properly. We haven't had many Modern Soul releases. 'Some Modern Soul' is still one of my favourite releases ever.

Often it is that they fail to pick up a distributor at the festival or further phase of funding to complete a final edit and mastering for release (or both). Lots of small scale funded films sit 95% done in limbo.

Hi everyone, I just read on Soul Tunes that Kashif has died aged 56.

I enjoyed the Maxwell but it is a slow grower and subtle. It is an album that took a few listens to appreciate and takes its time. Less immediately accessible that a lot of recent Soul albums. New Phonte and Eric Roberson joint album arrived today.

How 'soulful' is the Louie Vega? I will have to have a listen. Thanks.

Anyone heard the Leon Timbo album? On my list. New Eric Benet due soon I think too. Loved the Anglo-Saxon Brown reissue this year, Spinners on Expansion and Rockie Robbins were great too. So many great reissues. Forgot the James Hunter Six new album this year but I struggle with new albums in mono, it seems so artificial. It's not like it's going to be played at The Flamingo and needing to be in mono. The Anderson Paak album although marked as Rap related R&B is more like a modern soul album and one I share interest with my son on. I enjoyed it more than Mayer Hawthorne who musically is enjoyable but his lyrics are far too shallow for adult listening. I think Ace and labels are owed thanks for getting more comfortable with 1970s and early 1980s soul and including it more on their compilations. It has been welcome and at this distance blends in well with earlier songs.

I am cultivating my kids. My older son now sees strong links across soul to hip-hop and is a devotee of Isley Brothers, George Clinton, Motown, Stax, popular northern soul and funk. It's only so long before his interest takes him to a nighter with me then he'll be hooked for life. If that doesn't work then back-dropping robots.

Yes the reissues side has been particularly strong this year and very enjoyable listening. I was not sure about Kylie Auldist so will check that out. I need to hear of the new Bob Baldwin. Got this far and none of us mentioned Gregory Porter yet.

I am waiting for the new Kindred to arrive from USA, not heard it beyond radio plays. I don't know Kejam Majek so will check it.

Hi everyone, it is the time of year with Soul Togetherness release due very soon where we feature Modern Soul in the year. There have been many releases in this year such as Soul on the Real Side #5, Soul Survivors compilation, British Collective, Sean Escoffrey, Incognito, Frank McComb, Anthony David, Ryle, Anthony Hamilton, Maxwell, Charles Bradley, Zo!, Natasha Watts, Greg Dean, Suffers, King, Babyface, Jaheim and many more I have forgotten. Disco Soul Gold has continued its excellent growth and a new, unexpected Spirit of Philadelphia volume 4 is released next month. Reel Music have Soul Love 2016 coming soon as is the album by The Excitements. Then it will be Soul Lounge and Luxury Soul soon. It has also been a great year for Modern Soul Radio with Solar leading, JazzFM back on DAB playing more soul, CrackersFM, CruseFM, HotFM and dozens more internet radio stations plus MixCloud of course. This feels like a gold era for Modern Soul that carries the sound onwards of Northern Soul. How is it shaping up for you this year?

I'll be happy to cover the site and books at https://squareendknittedtie.tumblr.com. Coverage of soul books is proving popular there.

Danny Williams - Whose Little Girl Are You The Falcons The Five Royales Eugene Pitt was mentioned so his band The Jive Five

Big Maybelle Roy Hamilton The Drifters Larry Williams introduces Johnny Watson of course.

Teddy Randazzo is known more for '50s pop recordings generally than his soulful songs and productions. The Velvets Johnny Otis Jimmy Scott

Johnny Maestro & The Crests Little Anthony & The Imperials The Platters Little Willie John Hank Ballard

Interesting topic. We need to untangle songs by pop artists with Northern Soul spins in the first flush of their career such as B.J. Thomas. Frankie Valli or Jerry Fuller with those you mention trying to keep relevant in their latter stages. Some initial thoughts, Wayne Fontana's 'Something Keeps Calling Me Back', Gary Lewis, Brian Hyland 'Joker went Wild'. However these were contemporary artists rather than 1950's ones carrying on. Doo-Wop artists from '50s will be relevant as they adapt to the 'new' soul sound. Off out now so will have a think.

I received the book for Father's Day yesterday which was nice so read it while listening to Stuart on Richard Searling's Radio Stoke show talking about it and selecting songs that are mentioned in the book. It was a good way to combine reading with appropriate listening. The Radio Stoke show is available for 30 days to listen to online or download at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03xfqt1 A full track listing is at the show page.

I agree. Going beyond tracks on compilations I have been buying her albums on CD which are highly varied and well made. I do adore songs combining sixties sound with more modern production, it makes for good music on headphones while travelling.

I remember the shock when early 60s, even late 50s R&B started to be played. It would clesr floors then over time a different set of of younger dancers would come on. I'm a bit hazy on precisely when it was precisely, feels late 90s-early 2000s. With the beat having a different emphasis and before faster R&B/doo-wop started to be played that feels more like NS, this music was troubling to the people returning to the scene in droves at the time expecting to hear the same music. I really enjoyed the fast hard R&B soul played a little before that from Jimmy Fraser, Fats Domino even Sammy Davis Jr's scorching Not For Me.

I had left the NS scene and was on the early house one in 86-88 dancing to and buying 12s of Ten City, Virgo, Marshall Jefferson, J. M. Silk, Mr. Fingers, Frankie Knuckles,late Salsoul and Prelude, Peech Boys, New York early Garage, Detroit Model 500, Frankie Bones, Arthur Baker, early Todd Terry productions. Same impulse as NS collecting vinyl. John at Arcade Records here in Nottingham had made the shift before us and confused everyone when he played at Rock City and locally with sets more like Greg Wilson than NS. I was one of those banging on about it in NS from about 89 when I was back and doing both in parallel. At that time popular NS was feeding into contemporary dance a tiny bit along with funk, rare groove etc but it was a while before it started to cross back.

Hi,a thought for a topic. A list of when styles of soul started to be played in the NS/MS scene(s) from sixties to now. Early R&B, Funky Soul, some Soulful House, Beat Ballads, midtempo Big City, 70's floaters etc. Some of this is obvious, but some less I envisage. This will also show what styles were introduced into NS after the original era (let's say early 80s approximately). For example I recall when the R&B sound came in during late 90s and how friends then returning to the scene could not hear it as NS. Before that I struggled with some of the subtle midtempo songs typified as Stafford TOTW but were part of a style shift and exploration at the time. Of course now it's all part of the diverse mix I enjoy. So let's see if this creates any interest.

Yes that is how it works so long as you have a connection to access the songs. You can also set it to Store some music locally by tagging it if you won't have any connectivity over phone or WiFi temporarily. With GooglePlay they are accessible in or out of the house, via WiFi or phone connection, on computer browser or mobile apps. It is free so you can have a no-risk go at it. Only paid aspect is if you want their channels which I found turned up obvious rather than much rare NS oriented Soul. Happy to help if you message me directly.