Source Team

The just gone Easter Weekend saw 5 new releases from Kent/Ace records, 2 on the Select imprint, 2 on the Repro and one on their Measured Mile one. Details, audio and Kents release notes follow below... Sylvia & The Blue Jays / The Soul Children -Put Me In The Mood / Standing In The Safety Zone - Kent Select 092 The unknown Sylvia & The Blue Jays cut two tracks for Stax, a southern ballad and this atmospheric, laid-back funky dancer. We first put a version out by Memphis keyboard player Art Jerry Miller who rather swamped the song in organ on our “Let’s Crossover Again” CDKEND 174 in 1999. Underneath that lead instrument was a great vocal performance that we later found out was Sylvia & The Blue Jays. CITY_092-1-1.mp3 CITY_092-2-1.mp3 Jesse Davis / Gus Jenkins - Night Bloomin' Jasmin / Tricky Too - Kent Select 093 Best known for ‘Gonna Hang On In There’, its storming Northern Soul flip side, the more subtle ‘Night Bloomin’ Jasmin’’ also has admirers on the rare soul scene. Modernists, in particular, will go for the suave jazz-elegance of this recording which is even scarcer than its original A side - due to being one of two different flips. CITY_093-1-1.mp3 CITY_093-2-1.mp3 Bobby Garrett / The Bob & Earl Band - My Little Girl / My Little Girl - REPRO 16 What is Northern Soul? Well, you could start with the pounding, but vocally-restrained, soul of Bobby Garrett’s ‘My Little Girl’ as a prime example. When the UK’s Jay Boy issued the instrumental version from the two-track master tape in 1972, Northern Soul kids who craved instrumentals were in ecstasy. At last, the two are coupled and issued on the famed Mirwood imprint – just as they should be REPRO_16-1-1.mp3 REPRO_16-2-1.mp3 Tobi Lark - Challenge My Love / Sweep It Out In The Shed - REPRO 14 In the 70s ‘Happiness Is Here’ was the standard, Motown-influenced, Northern Soul play by legendary Detroit artist Tobi Lark. By the 80s and 90s soul fans tastes had matured and the slower and deeper ‘Challenge My Love’ took over to such an extent that it was the go-to Lark recording. The final twist was the discovery that its flip, the moody and bluesy ‘Sweep It Out In The Shed’ was a new floor-filler to spin to the R&B-loving dancers. REPRO_14-1-1.mp3 REPRO_14-2-1.mp3 Act I - It's The Same Old Story / Night Of The Wolf - MEASURED MILE 517 The latest 7" single on Bob Stanley's MEASURED MILE label is a floor-filling double-sider. The percussion-and-woodwind driven ‘Night Of The Wolf’ has been played out at northern soul nights in the UK, at Brooklyn discotheques in the mid-70s, and originally it was an Italian progressive rock album track. Much loved by everyone. It was issued as a super-rare US 45 in 1975 under the name the Al Foster Band, and this is its first official reissue. ACT 1's 70s modern soul midtempo classic ‘It’s The Same Old Story’ also got played out in the early discos of New York, Chicago and LA, but it was only ever an album track. This marks its first ever release on a DJ-friendly 7" NW_517-1-1.mp3 NW_517-2-1.mp3 Availability 45s available via Ace Records website - (tap), and various record stores including our very own Source Store - (tap)

Press release just passed on... Margate Soul Festival is back and bigger than ever, it's simply the best beachside festival this summer, packed with soul legends! Taking place on 2-4 Aug, it will be Margate's biggest and most eco-friendly festival, and it's also the longest running - this year is its 22nd year. We have a huge new beachside stage down on the prom behind the iconic Lido where you can dance right next to the sea. This year's epic headliners include House Gospel Choir / Dexter Wansel / Heatwave / Izo Fitzroy and finally legends Harold Melvin's Blue Notes. Plus more stages across Margate Old Town, a sunset bike ride with mobile soundsystem, a Balearic beats stage and lots of collaborations happening with venues and pop ups all over town (more on this after Easter). Imagine swaying to soulful melodies with the iconic Margate coastline as your backdrop – pure bliss! A complimentary "soul train" will take festival-goers on a soulful journey from the station straight into the heart of the action. The festival promises an unforgettable weekend steeped in soul, sunshine, and good vibes. It's going to be the best beachside festival you can go to in the UK this year! Website https://margatesoulfestival.co.uk/

News of 4 new 45s due out from Daptone and available as a bundle from £21 (£25 for the colour bundle), or as individual 45s, release notes below Daptone 45 Drop Out March 29th Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings "Don't Wanna Lose You" b/w "Don't Give a Friend a Number" We are proud to present two unreleased sides from the late Queen of modern soul, and her Dap-Kings. Recorded during the sessions for Soul of a Woman and penned by sax stalwart and Daptone co-founder Neal Sugarman, "Don't Wanna Lose You" is a heavy slice of soul sophistication teeming with groove and vibe. "Don't Give a Friend a Number" is a haunting, R&B tinged mover whose eerie background vocals provide the perfect backdrop for Sharon to take an unqualified lover to task. Leon Dinero "Heartbreak" b/w "Cut Both Ways" Leon Dinero returns with more rocksteady magic from producer Victor Axelrod. Originally written and recorded by James Hunter, "Heartbreak" gets the Axelrod treatment, turning this mid-tempo R&B gem on its head, reinventing the modern classic with a deep island groove that gets in your bones. The laid back vocal and tasteful organ give "Heartbreak" a wholly fresh vibe whilst staying respectfully true to the original. On the flip is "Cut Both Ways" an instrumental version courtesy of The Inversions. One listen and you'll find that these are some of the baddest musicians in the game. Jalen Ngonda "Here To Stay" b/w "If You Don't Want My Love" An unreleased gem from the Come Around and Love Me sessions, "Here to Stay" is a gorgeously breezy ballad that will most definitely appeal to fans of the sweet soul output from our Penrose imprint. A standout track from the aforementioned long player, "If You Don't Want My Love" delivers a one-two punch of class and style that harkens back to the sounds coming out of Motown in the late sixties and early seventies. Coupled with Jalen's uncommonly soulful voice and lyrical prowess you have another top-shelf composition that can hang with the very best of 'em. Lee Fields "Two Jobs" b/w "Save Your Tears For Someone New" Arguably the very best soul singer alive, Lee comes correct with two massive tunes from his critically acclaimed Sentimental Fool LP. With the deep piano intro, frantic shuffle and pleading vocal "Two Jobs" has the conviction of James Brown with the swing of Bobby Bland. A sound very few folks could pull off, yet Lee triumphs with command and swagger in equal measure. "Save Your Tears for Someone New" is a deep, dark R&B ballad tailored-made for Lee's ferociously soulful voice. A veritable masterclass in rhythm and soul. https://shopdaptonerecords.com/collections/45s

News about a new Northern Soul CD sent in from Wienerworld Released on Friday the 29th March, the press release follows below... Northern Soul 2024 CD Cat. No: WNRCD5127 £12.99 Welcome to Northern Soul 2024, a sizzling collection of 24 new recordings capturing all the essence of classic Northern Soul by vintage soul artists and fresh new talent! The first "Northern Soul" series CD since 2012, with three new songs written with Fiachra Trench for the first time in 35 years! This brand-new Northern Soul 2024 release captures all the essence of the classic soul records of the sixties and early seventies. The 2024 release of Northern Soul features three brand new songs from Fiachra Trench. Together Levine and Trench sold twelve million records in the 1980s and after 35 years they are bringing the sizzle back into the lives of every Northern Soul fan! This album is a treasure box of 24 tracks including new recordings from The Flirtations, Jimmy Helms, Angelo Starr, Pat Lewis, Sidney Barnes, Nat Augustin and Lorraine Silver. Since 1975 - nearly 50 years ago – Ian Levine has written and produced more than 2500 songs, pioneering the 80s High Energy sound, writing the million-selling anthem of that genre, reuniting more than 100 former Motown artists for his Motorcity project in the late 80s and producing boy bands like Take That, Blue and Bad Boys Inc. Returning to his Northern Soul-roots, Levine has amassed 40 pop hits in the UK. Undoubtedly, since the BBC did Northern Soul at the Proms, the music is now more popular than ever. So get down to the dance floor and enjoy this sizzling collection of vintage and brand new Northern Soul talent. Track Listing: 1) The Flirtations – Moving At The Go-Go 2) Lorraine Silver – One Week At A Time 3) Elliot Zimmerman – Trapped In Stormy Weather 4) Sharon McMahan – Moving On 5) Venicia Wilson – Luckie 6) Jennifer Dee – On The Horizon 7) Tahira Jumah – Face Behind The Mask 8 ) Angelo Starr – Drown In My Own Tears 9) Sidney Barnes – Dancing On The Weekend 10) Richie Sampson – Lay Down My Defences 11) The Concentrations – Sandcastles 12) Earnestine Pearce – Eyes On The Target 13) Pat Lewis – Misunderstood 14) Tahira Jumah – Suffer In Silence 15) The Flirtations – Queen On A Throne 16) Lorraine Silver – Fever Raging Out Of Control 17) Elliot Zimmerman – Heading Up North 18) Angelo Starr – Another Lonely Christmas 19) Jimmy Helms – My Heart Is Helpless 20) Nat Augustin – Whenever You Need Someone 21) Venicia Wilson – I Can’t Stop This Feeling 22) Jennifer Dee – Endless Possibilities 23) The Concentrations – Playing The Part Of A Fool 24) Pat Lewis – Just A Little Appreciation More info via https://www.wienerworld.com/product/northern-soul-2024/