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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

GEORGE SMITH: Battle about opt-out provision in LURC plan gets partisan, ugly
Morning Sentinel, February 7th

Most Mainers agree that the state's 10 million acres of northern forest should remain intact, sheltering our wildlife, feeding our economy, feeding our soul. The owners of those lands share these goals. Mainers, however, are sharply divided on every...Read more

Twisted Wheel To Be Demolished For German Motel
Manchester Confidential, February 5th

THE TWISTED WHEEL, the home of Northern Soul and a rocking slice of Manchester history, could soon be demolished to make way for a 330-room budget hotel. The club has gone from strength to strength. We can get 700 people in here on a Sunday afternoon...Read more

RareCollections: Northern Soul from Downunder
ABC Online, February 5th

By Jordie Kilby & David Kilby The Northern Soul scene sprang up in the UK in the late 1960's in clubs like The Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino. Initially the music played in the clubs was popular American soul singles but as the crowds grew so did the...Read more

A Grand night of soul
Hartlepool Today, February 2nd

SOUL BROTHERS: Stevie (left), Kevan and Gary sift through a box of Northern Soul records. WHEN Kevan Turner puts the needle in the groove of the first record at A Night Of Soul at Hartlepool's Grand Hotel on Saturday, the Northern Soul fanatic will be...Read more

Rugby Union Six Nations: England keen to tap in to northern soul
Yorkshire Evening Post, January 22nd

Or star-name northern players such as Ian McGreechan, Fran Cotton, Roger Uttley, Tony Neary, Steve Smith and Mike Slemen. Any further doubters? Just rewind the clock to the North's famous 21-9 win over mighty New Zealand at Otley in 1979!...Read more

Northern Soul at RET Studio 26 & 27 Jan
WhatsOnStage.com, January 22nd

The Royal Exchange Theatre Studio is giving audiences a chance to celebrate all things northern when Exchange Education Community Partnership team up with local community organisations The Booth Centre and The Men's Room to present Northern Soul later...Read more

The Story of Northern Soul
Hull Daily Mail, January 20th

It's 1976 and for 18-year-old Eugene life should just be starting; but with a humdrum job, no romance and living in a grey Northern town, there's little prospect of adventure until Eugene gets a taste of Northern Soul - and suddenly what seemed like...Read more

Sounds of soul heading to city
Lancashire Evening Post, January 19th

Its music continues to stand the test of time and now two pals are gearing up to host a Northern Soul night in Preston for hundreds of revellers. Luke Gale, 23, from Walton-le-Dale, and Daniel Gardner, 24, from Lostock Hall, both near Preston,...Read more