"World Soul Spectacular" Vol. 6

SoulSistas And SoulBruthas! You know the deal by now. So here we go!

From Carlos Lorán:

Make Me Strong an Allen Toussaint composition worked by the Neville Brothers.

Make Me Strong - The Neville Brothers

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From Dave over at Planet Mondo:

Happy first Anniversary/Birthday!
There’s one track I’ll suggest for the full on February celebration, A is an instrumental, B is a vocal version of the same tune but what a belter.

A - 'Exus Trek'- Luther Ingram

B - 'If It's All The Same To You'- Luther Ingram

I only stumbled across these tracks a few months ago, but the moment I heard them it felt like I'd known them all my life and I've had to play them at least once a week ever since. The A side 'Exus Trek' is a glorious Northern Soul stomping instrumental, but flip it over and it's even better on the B side. A vocal version of 'Exus Trek' with heartfelt lead vocals and haunting backing vocals - and for me THE perfect Northern Soul song (I really can't understand why the vocal take was tucked away on the B side)

I don't know much about Luther Ingram except that his greatest hit was '(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right' and he appeared at Wattstax, - but I do know that 'If It's All The Same To You' and 'Exus Trek' are the distilled essence of Northern Soul and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

So lets spin them up, shake a leg and raise a glass saying here’s to another year of Soul stompers and sizzlers on the HSBD blog!

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From Jimmy The Weed:
Billy Stewart’s "Sitting in the Park" not sure if it's my favourite soul record of all time as that changes regularly but it brings back great memories of sitting in a bar called Jimmy's Corner on West 44th Street, New York celebrating my 40th birthday.

Jimmy's Corner is a fantastic bar, owned by an old boxing trainer called Jimmy Glenn it's a real old school place. Long bar with fixed stools and a really diverse crowd. Though it's just a stone's throw from Times Square, it's half a world away if you know what I mean. The walls are full of pictures of Jimmy with various boxing greats. The Juke Box is a veritable goldmine of Old Soul Classics including this gem.

Sitting In The Park - Billy Stewart

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From Euan (UK):
Barbara McNair’s Baby a Go-Go, taken from a Cellarful of Motown Volume 1, released about 5 years ago, with this track never released before. Apparently she generally had a smoother sound than this track, which just rips. The key bit that gets me are the notes down through when the title is sung in the chorus, must be some minor key, so mournful, so soulful, fantastic!

Baby A Go-Go - Barbara McNair

Note: Looking for the photo, I read that Barbara passed away earlier this month from throat cancer. RIP SoulSista...
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From Uwe in Germany:
Few words about me: I come from Germany, Düsseldorf, i am 44 years old, i like Jam, Paul Weller since more than 25 years but also Bands like Clash, Red Skins, Chameleons, Smiths and new Bands like Editors in general.

16 Tons - Redskins

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From Danyelle out of Houston, Texas:
I'm not sure if this is straight up soul since Little Milton was a blues singer but I think that blues and soul are intertwined anyway... Not sure what album this is from I got it on a mixed cd at a record shop in 3rd Ward and I think its hittin' hope you like it too..

That's How Strong My Love Is - Little Milton

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From Mike aka DJ Blueprint of This Is Tomorrow:
when you listen to this track you can hear that these guys sure had a
good time while recording this.
i have no idea who the golden toadstools were, and it seems like all the
other collectors don't know much about them neither.
the minaret label was founded in nashville in the early 60's and one of
the persons involved was shelby singleton.
after the label relocated to florida, finley duncan and record mogul
shelby singleton opened the playground recording studio, were they
recorded loads of sweet southern soul.

Silly Savage - The Golden Toadstools


As always, thanks so much for participating. There's one more collection of tunes that I'll be dropping on Friday. Until then, enjoy these gems!!

Peace and SOUL,
Dave...

BONUS: Just had to share this performance from Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings @ KCRW I stumbled on this week. SUPERB!!