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Vintage Northern Soul Vinyl Records

Northern Soul does not refer to a music genre per se. Rather, it is the phrase used to describe the late-1960s-though-1970s dance club and music scene in northern England. The kids at clubs like The Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino would dance all night long (literally) to fast-paced 45s of Detroit and American soul.

Unlike most types of collectible vinyl records, the Northern Soul 45s that are generally worth the most today are not necessarily the ones by the best-known artists. Gloria Jones, Jackie Wilson, and the Imperials were all popular in the clubs, but when it comes to Northern Soul 45s, the more obscure the artist, song, and label, the better...

The reason for the focus on the lesser-known 45s is the scarcity of the discs that were played, and subsequently popularized, at these clubs. In some cases, each club had its own playlist, if you will, based on the prized 45s in its DJs collection. Today, serious collectors attempt to replicate not just the sound of the Northern Soul experience, but also the sound of particular clubs by searching for the 45s that were their signatures.

For example, according to former Wigan Casino DJ Kev Roberts, back in the day the most popular Northern Soul 45 at his club was an unreleased single by Frank Wilson called "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)." Wilson, who worked for Berry Gordy at Motown, had recorded the song in 1965. Of the 250 or so demos that were pressed, only two are known to have survived. Yet this arcane track was a monster on the Wigan dance floor. In May of 2009, one of the copies sold at auction in England for £25,742.

Other collectible Northern Soul vinyl 45s include "Because of My Heart" by the Butlers with Frankie Beverly (Rouser); "No One Else Can Take Your Place" by the Inspirations (Breakthrough); "Lady in Green" by the Magnetics (Bonnie); "Show Stopper" by the Cashmeres (Hem); "Let Me Make You Happy" by Billy Woods (Sussex); and "Can’t Get Over These Memories" by Jon & the Weirdest (Tie).

One of the many interesting aspects of Northern Soul was the belated popularization of songs that had languished for years in the States only to find new life in Great Britain. The most illustrative example of this phenomenon was "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me," which was recorded by The Tams in 1964 and reached number 41 on the U.S. charts. Seven years later, in 1971, that same song charted at number one in the U.K. for three weeks, thanks exclusively to its popularity with Northern Soul enthusiasts and club DJs.

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Recent News: Northern Soul Records

Source: Google News

Regulars toast reopening of popular pub
This is Staffordshire, May 24th

The Westport Road pub has a new dance floor as the owners look to capitalise on the venue's popular Northern Soul and Motown dance nights. The pub has long been popular with the region's scooter riders who have also given their backing to the...Read more

Guitarist Steve's a Soul Rider
This Is South Devon, May 24th

The Guildhall will welcome stylish mods and soulful sisters from all over the South West for a live set from Steve and a bevy of renowned Northern Soul DJs spinning an eclectic fusion of Mod, Indie and Northern Soul tunes all night long...Read more

Time to still be life and soul
This is Leicestershire, May 23rd

Well, if you were into Northern Soul music in the 1970s, then this scene might well be familiar to you. While few dancers may throw moves like this in city nightclubs today, in the 1970s, Leicestershire had its fair share of Northern Soul club nights...Read more

Indie rockers Parlovr show they have soul, Kook Soul, to be specific
Montreal Gazette, May 22nd

MONTREAL - Take a seat, neo-soul, Northern soul and psych soul; make way, Philly, Chicago and Detroit soul. There's a new groove on the move called “kook soul.” And while, admittedly, it sounds more crazy train than soul train, if Montreal's Parlovr...Read more

Indie rockers show they have soul
Montreal Gazette, May 22nd

Take a seat, neo-soul, Northern soul and psych soul; make way, Philly, Chicago and Detroit soul. There's a new groove on the move called “kook soul.” And while, admittedly, it sounds more crazy train than soul train, if Montreal's Parlovr has its way,...Read more

Coogan 'signs up for Northern Soul'
The Press Association, May 17th

the movie about the 1970s underground music movement that took northern England by storm. The Little Film Company is drumming up international sales for the simply titled Northern Soul and introducing the project to buyers for the first time in Cannes...Read more

Steve Coogan to star in 'Northern Soul'
Variety, May 16th

By Diana Lodderhose CANNES -- Brit thesp Steve Coogan is set to star in "Northern Soul," a feature pic about the 1970s underground music movement in Northern England. Coogan, who recently wrapped shooting for Michael Winterbottom's "The King of Soho,"...Read more

Cannes 2012: Steve Coogan Tunes in to 'Northern Soul'
Hollywood Reporter, May 16th

British comedian and actor Steve Coogan is set to return to big screen music roles after signing to star in Elaine Constantine's Northern Soul. Coogan, who starred as Factory Records founder Tony Wilson in 24 Hour Party People, has agreed to star in...Read more