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The Soul Boy Generation- CMFCD687 The Northern Soul Generation- CMFCD686 |
The above CD's are issued to accompany an ITV Series called SOUL - Sound of Underground London. Also to be issued are Teddy Boy, Mod, Skinhead, Mod Revival, Rare Groove and Acid Jazz Generations, and maybe more of those later.
As you would expect with the playlists for something like this there is nothing too outlandish and it is a bit on the predictable and popular side of things. Nonetheless they are nicely packaged with good notes by Eddie Pillar, and for what they are aimed at they will do well. The track listings pretty much do not need any clarification or explanation as they pretty much speak for themselves. It will be good to see how it all fits in with the context of the programme, and I guess they would make good DVD's - I don't know if that will come at this stage.
On the Northern side always good to see the Detroit monster by the Professionals, although it has been seen elsewhere quite a bit lately. Most are perennials but I like the inclusion of Edwin Starr, PP Arnold and, one of my favourite groups, Holidays. Yum Yums is pretty massive and extraordinarily rare so good to see it's inclusion as well. Otis Smith is also one that always hits with me, and when I venture into those oldies rooms Benny Troy. One two many instrumentals as I find they are not too popular these days, could've done without the poppy Devonnes. Slight oddball is Love Lights but welcome to see it, strangely been playing that one a bit myself lately.
Soul Boys contains some monster disco offerings, Anthems, many of which are covered in the Solar Reviews on these pages. Get the gripe out of the way first but why the Live versions of Roy Ayers and Curtis. British Jazz Funk also features heavily with the likes of Hi Tension, and how many times did you see them back in the day.
Classic Soul offerings from Lamont and Bobby Womack, the best tracks on show, along with Brother to Brother. Of the Crown Heights tracks that could have been chosen this one isn't the most obvious, and all the better for it.
The Northern Soul Generation-
Tracks: Frank Wilson - Do I love you (Indeed I do); Professionals - That's why I love you; Candy & the Kisses - The 81; Rose Batiste - Hit and Run; Just Brothers - Sliced Tomatoes; Edwin Starr - Agent Double O Soul; Father's Angels - Bok to Bach; Showstoppers - Ain't nothing but a houseparty; Devonnes - I'm gonna pick up my toys and go home; Saphires - Gotta have your love; Olympics - I'll do a little bit more; PP Arnold - Everything is gonna be alright; Yum Yums - Gonna be a big tthing; Holidays - Making up time; Frankie Crocker - Ton of Dynamite; Otis Smith - Let her go; Benny Troy - I wanna give you tomorrow; Chuck Jackson- Love Lights
The Soul Boy Generation-
Tracks:- Lamont Dozier - Going back to my roots; Hi tension - Hi Tension; Johnny Guitar Watson - A Real Mother for ya; Wood Brass & Steel - Always there; Roy Ayers - Running Away; Curtis Mayfield - Move on up; Brother to Brother - In the bottle; Rimshots - Do what you feel; Real Thing - Children of the Ghetto; Atmosfear - Dancing in Outer Space; Positive Force - We got the Funk; Crown Heights Affair - Say a prayer for two - Carrie Lucas - Dance with you; Coffee - Casanove; Whispers - It's a love thing; Shalamar - Second Time Around; Bobby Womack - So many sides of you; William DeVaughn - Be thankful for what you've got.
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