Capitol Northern Soul 45s - Profile

  by Dave Goodwin

published: 22 / 7 / 2015

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Dave Goodwin reflects upon 'Capitol Northern Soul 45s', a pricey but first-rate seven inch collection of both well-known and lost Northern Soul singles

Interest in the ever changing Northern Soul scene is on the up and up, and not to be outdone by this Universal is releasing ‘The Capitol Northern Soul 45s’ 7-inch box set on the very same day as it is unveiling a Chess vinyl box set as well. As you might expect from a company such as Universal, this collection is quite well-presented, and its contents range from well-known soul legends to names known only by the scene’s hardcore dancers and collectors. ‘The Capitol Northern Soul 45s’ 7” box set houses tracks from artists such as Sam Williams, Gloria Jones, Bobby Paris and Doris Troy in a celebration of the label’s soul output, and also in doing so introduces lesser clued up soulies to Universals spin-off imprints, Tower and Uptown. Northern soul aficionado and DJ Richard Searling has compiled it and provided the sleeve notes for this little gem which is “strictly limited”. The best way to give a lowdown on this is to give a listing for the tracks which are as such: RECORD ONE A – Jay D Martin – ‘By Yourself’(1968 ) This is a first time on a UK 7-inch pressing. B – Sam Williams – ‘Love Slipped Through My Fingers’ (1967 ) One of my favourite soul tracks, although I personally prefer the Ohio Players version. RECORD TWO A – The Magnificent Men – ‘Keep On Climbin’ (1967) Another first time on a UK pressing for the Blue-Eyed Pennsylvanian band. B – The Outsiders – ‘A Lonely Man’ (1966) This one is being issued legally for the very first time on a UK vinyl pressing. RECORD THREE A – The Rosebuds –‘ Say You’ll Be Mine’ (1964) A rare piece, this one has all the ingredients of the Detroit sound and it was the fifth release on Capitol's Tower subsidiary. B – The World Column – ‘So Is The Sun’ (1969) A permanent fixture at Cleethorpes! RECORD FOUR A – Alexander Patton – ‘Say You’ll Be Mine’ (1966) One of the big selling points is that this is a “first time anywhere in the world” vinyl issue for this. B – Jerry Cook – ‘I Hurt on the Other Side’ (1967) First played at The Wheel in Manchester back in 1969 and much better than the later discovered Sidney Barnes version. RECORD FIVE A – Bobby Paris – ‘I Walked Away’ (1967) A classic and a tune I used to play as an ender when I used to DJ at Northern Soul nights. B – Bobby Sheen – ‘Sweet, Sweet Love’ (1966) A song by Jerry Riopelle/ Nick De Caro and an arrangement by the great Gene Page which had Darlene Love & The Blossoms as backing singers and for me by far Bobby Sheen's best solo recording. RECORD SIX A – Gloria Jones – ‘Come Go With Me ‘(1966) After singing and writing songs for Motown, Gloria went on to do song backing and to become romantically involved with Marc Bolan of all folk! B – Patrice Holloway – ‘Stolen Hours’ (1966) A super prized Wigan Casino track. RECORD SEVEN A – Billy Preston – ‘Sweeter The Girl’s Got “It”’ (1966) B – Doris Troy – ‘Face Up to the Truth’ (1967) Another first time UK 7-inch pressing for both these tracks. The Capitol Northern Soul comes with an accompanying booklet with rare photographs and a download card but, if you want the real deal expect to have little cash left to get into your local soul night - a limited edition is available from late July and has a price listed as £82.86. Marvellous but ouch!