Birth Of Soul Vol 4 Various Artists (Birth of Soul)

£11.70

Genre:
60s Soul
Label:
Kent
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDKEND 275

When we started Kent’s “Birth Of Soul” series, in 1996, the idea was to cover what was then a neglected area of our music. In recent years collectors, connoisseurs and DJs of various black music scenes, have delved deeper in time and discovered some wonderful songs and rhythms; in fact, it could be said a whole new musical world has opened up to them.

Many of the labels from this early 60s era were long-established black music outfits who struggled to adapt to the new soul scene, though they were, sometimes unwittingly, already issuing 45s in that genre. Labels like Flip, Rendezvous, 4J and J&S failed to last effectively past the middle of the decade. Tougher competitors like Old Town and Vee-Jay soldiered on and the majors carried on regardless, buffered by big stars and financial security. The main players of the soul years, though, was fresh talent that swept away much of the old music.

For UK soul fans, the new labels that they found while searching for this era’s best sounds are novel and intriguing. They have refuelled interest in buying vinyl at affordable prices, before the soul scene’s DJs and high rollers priced it out of sight. Of course, the crossover effect between the R&B and popcorn scene, on one hand, and the Northern Soul scene, on the other, has caused certain records to spiral in value. However, the relative accessibility of the discs, compared to the genuine scarcity of many Northern Soul items, means that even the highest-prices have a ceiling, whereas classic Northern rarities are now for wealthy people only.

The “5” Royales’ Catch That Teardrop sold well enough locally on the Home Of The Blues label to warrant an ABC national release. Although that disc hit the £500 mark, as it was the hottest record on the scene for a long time, it never went much higher as copies do turn up intermittently. A similar effect could be seen with Marv Johnson’s Come On And Stop, one of a series of his releases on United Artists that were hits and would have had a sizeable first pressing. Records like these have opened up the game for aspiring DJs with limited funds and they’ve only had to sell their scooter, not their car, to be able to say they’ve got the hottest sound around.

The BIRTH OF SOUL series is not particularly aimed at the dancers, though this CD reflects the increased interest in that area. These early soul efforts were just as exciting for ballad singers and the ‘black pop’ writers of the Brill Building and similarly-inspired workplaces. Ironically, it was these songwriters who inspired the Beatles and other British invasion groups so much, who eventually suffered from those group’s overwhelming success. The writers had to retire or adapt very quickly. The participants on and behind these songs were either coming to an end of their short-lived careers (the music business is, after all, ephemeral and ruthless) or starting out on a great adventure. For us watching from afar, in time and space, it is a fascinating drama with exquisite conclusions.

By Ady Croasdell

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Track listing

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Side 1

  • 01 Preview Come On And Stop - Marv Johnson

  • 02 Preview Catch That Teardrop - The "5" Royales

  • 03 Preview Lil' Valley - The M&M's & The Peanuts

  • 04 Preview Bossa Nova Baby - Tippie & The Clovers

  • 05 Preview Irresistible You - Bobby Peterson

  • 06 Preview I Can Tell (I'm Losing Your Love) - Lena Calhoun & The Emotions

  • 07 Preview Take Your Heart - Betty Willis

  • 08 Preview Puff (Up In Smoke) - Kenny Lynch

  • 09 Preview On My Own Two Feet - Hal Miller

  • 10 Preview A Clock That's Got No Hands - Della Reese

  • 11 Preview Jack Be Nimble - The Intruders

  • 12 Preview I Don't Love You No More (I Don't Care About You) - Jimmy Norman

  • 13 Preview Crying For My Baby - Harold Burrage

  • 14 Preview Troubles With Girls (Of Today) - James Conwell

  • 15 Preview You'd Be Crying Too - The Matadors

  • 16 Preview The Gypsy Said - The Fiestas

  • 17 Preview I Came Running (Back From The Party) - Wade Flemons

  • 18 Preview Where Is The Boy Tonight - The Charmaines

  • 19 Preview Please Don't Cry Anymore - Ketty Lester

  • 20 Preview Pretty Little Girl Next Door - Bobby Day

  • 21 Preview My Heart Is On Fire - Billy Bland

  • 22 Preview Gee, What A Girl - The Persians

  • 23 Preview Don't Lead Me On - Mr Tears (Paris)

  • 24 Preview Trouble I've Had - Clarence Ashe

Delivery & Returns

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

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