If you're new to the fantastic world of Northern Soul this is a pretty damn fine place to start exploring it. Notwithstanding it's a collection from the recently released film set in and around the Northern Soul scene of the 1970s (filmmakers are not immune to horribly mangling their supporting music), this is right on the button for capturing the spirit and joyful exuberance of a special music scene which amazingly is still little known to those who did not live through the period.
The problem with any Northern Soul collection is where to start; it's a vast field and whilst there are some 'standards' that seem to prop up most compilations (e.g. Dobie Gray's 'Out on the Floor' and Al Wilson's 'The Snake'), thereafter one can get lost in a huge pool of largely unknown black American soul music. But the fact that it is unknown doesn't mean to say it is in any way sub-standard or the poor relation to Motown; quite the opposite.
This collection shows just what utterly brilliant music Northern Soul DJs unearthed- this being no better epitomised by Frank Wilson's 'Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)' which appears on this compilation. And the rest of these two discs will give you a really good flavour of a musical genre just waiting to mined. This collection is not faultless of course - I for one would question the inclusion of Tom Jones in any Northern Soul collection. But the presence of the peerless Jimmy Radcliffe and his anthem 'Long After Tonight Is All Over' for me redeems any small slips in authenticity.
So, if you want a Northern Soul 'starter' pick up the soundtrack to SoulBoy - and then begin your exciting exploration of the wonderful world of Northern Soul. Oh, and play it loud!