Keep the faith: 10 overlooked northern soul classics
Britain witnessed the emergence of countless different niche music scenes during the 1970s, from the complicated compositions of progressive rock to the abrasive rebellion of punk. Maybe the most unexpected musical movement, however, happened in the north. All across the industrial towns and cities of northern England, kids began to obsess over obscure American soul records from the decade prior. This bizarre and infectious scene soon grew nationwide, with countless venues and clubs springing up to host the increasing number of amphetamine-fueled youth dances.
Originally, the phrase ‘northern soul’ was coined by Dave Godin, who ran a record shop in Covent Garden. Godin noticed that visitors from the north would covet obscure, unheard, or otherwise ignored American soul records, so he created a genre section in his shop just for those rare and collective 45s. In terms of genre, however, northern soul is difficult to pin down to one specific sound. Depending on who you ask, you could gather a multitude of different answers as to what classifies something as being northern soul.
As a general rule, northern records are those obscure tracks released on small record labels like Ric-Tic, Okeh, or Golden World Records, which never charted. The danceability of northern records is also important in their genre classification, as northern soul tends to favour faster, bass-heavy tracks, usually with a bpm of over 100. Given the scarcity and obscurity of many northern soul records, collectors have been known to fork over thousands of pounds for a single record, even if the world en-masse has never heard of the song or artist.
Of course, the northern soul scene did feature some bigger tracks. Tunes like Frankie Valli’s ‘The Night’ or Frank Wilson’s ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)’ can hardly be considered obscure, yet they remain some of the most infamous tracks from the dancefloors of Wigan Casino or Blackpool Mecca. For those who have not spent the past five decades desperately searching for unknown soul records, northern soul can be a difficult genre to break into, and the idea of having ‘classic’ northern soul tunes seems to be in direct opposition to its worship of incredibly rare songs.
In an effort to shine a light on a handful of northern soul’s most beloved tracks that are still fairly obscure to the casual or first-time listener, we have compiled a list of ten songs that are sure to fill dancefloors, despite not having the same reputation as ‘Tainted Love’, ‘Time’, or any of the other big-hitters that came to define the movement.
10 overlooked northern soul classics:
10. ‘To Win Your Heart’ – Laura Lee
The Detroit-based record label Ric-Tic released a plethora of groundbreaking soul tunes that would later become mainstays of the northern soul scene in England. Laura Lee’s debut single, ‘To Win Your Heart’, for instance, made little-to-no impact upon its initial release in 1966 but would be on regular rotation within the northern soul clubs of the 1970s. The original mono pressings of this floor-filler have been known to fetch up to £90, making it a fairly affordable record within the context of northern soul.
Ric-Tic was bought out by Berry Gordy and Motown Records in 1968, causing many of their releases to be reissued under the Motown label. This song was reissued for the English market by Gordy in 1971, after its popularity in the northern soul scene eventually became known by Motown. Regardless of pressing, though, the incredible vocals of Lee, and the heavy bass of the song, are sure to get people out on the floor.
9. ‘Getting the Corners’ – The T.S.U. Tornadoes
Originally released in 1968 via Ovide Records, ‘Getting the Corners’ was originally a B-side to the more mellow ‘What Good Am I’. The northern soul scene was often noted for its reappraisal of B-sides, and this song is a perfect example. Largely instrumental, save for a few adlibs and James Brown-esque exclamations, the two-and-a-half minute floor-filler has an innate groove to it that you cannot help but move your feet to.
The T.S.U. Tornadoes were the house band for Ovide Records, run by Skipper Lee Frazier and based out of Texas – making it something of a rarity within the American soul scene, which was largely contained to places like Detroit or Chicago. However, ‘Getting the Corners’ was also pressed on the much larger Atlantic Records, too. It certainly earns its price tag, with original Ovide copies going for as much as £200 depending on condition.
8. ‘You’re Gonna Make Me Love You’ – Sandi Sheldon
Okeh Records has always been important within American music culture, having pressed the very first vocal blues record back in 1920. However, the label became all the more infamous during the 1960s and 1970s due to its focus on groundbreaking, floor-filling soul releases. Many of these releases were adopted by northern soul DJs, including Sandi Sheldon’s ‘You’re Gonna Make Me Love You’.
The brooding vocals of Sheldon – real name Kendra Spotswood – along with its driving bassline and blaring horns, are synonymous with The Twisted Wheel, Manchester’s legendary northern soul venue. Despite being bootlegged numerous times and re-released via Epic Records, original Okeh copies of the single can still fetch upwards of £800.
7. ‘Now You’ve Got The Upper Hand’ – Candi Staton
Alabama vocalist Candi Staton is probably best remembered for her pioneering disco classic ‘Young Hearts Run Free’. Years prior to the release of that track, however, Staton was recording gospel and soul tunes for a local independent record label, Unity Records. It was with Unity that, in 1967, Staton recorded ‘Now You’ve Got The Upper Hand’, a horn-heavy song featuring Staton’s legendary vocal prowess.
The rising tension of the song, along with its infectious bassline, make it a perfect northern soul song. Due to a licensing dispute between Unity and Fame Records, the song did not get released until 1970, and it did not get played on the casino dancefloors with the same regularity as other songs on this list, but it remains a compellingly danceable song nonetheless. In fact, the song was recently reissued by Deptford Northern Soul Club, breathing some new life into the previously forgotten tune.
6. ‘Earthquake’ – Bobbi Lynn
Try to find any real information about the American soul singer Bobbi Lynn, and you will likely come away knowing nothing more than when you started. Aside from releasing four singles between 1961 and 1969, the singer has proved enduringly elusive – something that inevitably drew northern soul DJs to her work. Her 1968 recording ‘Earthquake’, released via Stateside Records, is a particular favourite among the scene, owing largely to its fast rhythm, short runtime, and the brilliant key-change partway through.
In many ways, ‘Earthquake’ is quite a sad track, as it proves that Lynn was among the finest blue-eyed soul singers of the era, and yet she then fell into the depths of obscurity. It is only through the popularity of ‘Earthquake’ that the singer has lived on over the years, with dance floors across the land still captivated by the recordings she cut over five decades ago.
5. ‘I’m A Good Woman’ – Cold Blood
One of the more contentious offerings on this list, ‘I’m A Good Woman’, exists on the border between soul and rock. Released by San Francisco Records in 1970, the song was originally recorded by Barbara Lynn in 1966. Although, again, this track was not played an awful lot within the soul scene of the 1970s, the sheer power of Lydia Pense’s vocals can cut through a dancefloor like no other. What’s more, the captivating horn section and unavoidable rhythm can certainly get a crowd moving.
Cold Blood are often regarded as pioneers of funk-rock, but this song, in particular, exists as a sign of their indisputable quality as a soul outfit, too. Copies of this single are becoming increasingly difficult to come by, particularly if you live in the United Kingdom, where it was never pressed. However, if you are lucky enough to find a copy, expect it to set you back anyway from £30 to £120.
4. ‘Love Is Wonderful’ – Paula Parfitt
Although the northern soul scene was generally focused on the records of Black American artists, a few British records made their way into the casinos, too. Among them was Paula Parfitt’s ‘Love Is Wonderful’. Born and raised in London, Parfitt’s style was worlds away from the distinctive groove of Detroit, but her music proved to be a hit with northern soul audiences despite not capturing the attention of the musical mainstream.
Recorded by Parfitt when she was only 20 years old, ‘Love Is Wonderful’ was released by Beacon Records in the summer of 1969, though it was actually released as the B-side to the far less noteworthy ‘I’m Gonna Give You Back Your Ring’. Not much is known about Parfitt, aside from her six-year period as a recording artist, but this song still makes regular appearances at northern soul nights to this day.
3. ‘Trying to find My Woman’ – Lou Courtney
Issued on Buddah Records in 1969, Lou Courtney’s ‘Trying To Find My Woman’ is a great encapsulation of that classic northern soul sound, complete with an endlessly funky bassline, a compelling horn section, and a powerful vocalist in the form of Courtney. Once a member of The Fifth Dimension, Courtney cut a plethora of singles as a solo artist throughout the 1960s and 1970s, many of which were adopted by the northern soul scene across the Atlantic.
Even within his extensive discography, ‘Trying To Find My Woman’ remains an indisputable highlight, thanks to his energetic performance and unpredictable funk-infused outbursts. Original Buddah copies of the single will likely set you back over £100, though the track was reissued by Deptford northern Soul Club back in 2020, a year prior to the death of Courtney.
2. ‘I’m Where It’s At’ – The Jades
A favourite at Wigan Casino, ‘I’m Where It’s At’ was the first of three singles released by Chicago soul group The Jades. With a strong vocalist, compelling harmonies, and a heavy bassline to boot, the song features virtually everything that makes a great northern soul anthem. Interestingly, the song also features a guitar solo, which is something of a rarity within the wider northern soul scene – though not unheard of. The solo was a sign of things to come for the band, as their later releases tended to capitalise on the rise of hippie psychedelic rock, as can be seen with 1967’s ‘Flower Power’.
Again, not a great deal is known about The Jades outside of their brief recording career. So far as we know, ‘I’m Where It’s At’ was only released as a promo back in 1966 via the Los Angeles label Nite Life and remained a hugely obscure tune until its reissue by Soul City during the early 2000s. Those original copies are still sought after, though they don’t tend to come up for sale very often, which explains why they can fetch up to £1500.
1. ‘Please Don’t Go’ – Willie Tee
Keyboardist and singer Wilie Tee was one of the architects of New Orleans funk, but he also became a big name on the northern soul scene. Tracks like ‘Reach Out For Me’ or ‘Walking Up a One Way Street’ were mainstays of the movement, but ‘Please Don’t Go’ is equally fitting of some notoriety. Released in 1967 by Nola Records, this smooth slice of soul is a little more relaxed than a typical northern floor-filler, but Tee’s fantastic vocals are essential for any decent soul night.
Like some of the other songs on this list, ‘Please Don’t Go’ is witnessing something of a resurgence thanks to being reissued on vinyl in recent years, meaning people don’t have to spend the £900 that original copies of this single tend to sell for. So, there is no excuse not to feature the pioneering sounds of Willie Tee during your next soul set.
