What Makes a Soul Track “Northern”?
As dealers in rare vinyl the allure of the Northern Soul genre is very strong. Prices for some 7 inch singles are in the 10's of thousands. But whenever we've looked at buying collections or even individual records at auction demand is so high that we get priced out. None of the team at Car Boot Soul were old enough to party during the heyday of Wigan Casino. Indeed, the best dealers in the genre tend to be DJs from that era such as John Manship and Pete Smith. We've therefore had to rely on serendipity to amass some cracking tracks that fit the bill. The truth is we don't really think of Northern Soul as a genre we want to push too much - it seems to be so widely overused. Just search ebay for Northern Soul vinyl and you'll see how many people use the term to try to sell average soul record collections. But nonetheless it is interesting that this subculture emerged and that, there is an unmistakable dna to a Northern Soul track. Also fascinating is that most of these tracks were written without any knowledge of how they would be re-positioned into a uniquely British soul subculture. So let’s talk about what actually defines a Northern Soul track. At Car Boot Soul, we asked ChatGPT to a quick checklist to help figure it out:
- Tempo: Around 120–140 BPM—it needs to get your feet moving, not put you to sleep.
- Beat & Groove: A driving 4/4 stomp with a snare that smacks you upside the head (in the best way).
- Instrumentation: Think punchy horns, prominent bass, maybe a sprinkle of strings. It channels that classic ’60s Motown or upbeat soul vibe.
- Song Length: Short and sweet, clocking in around 2–3 minutes on a 7-inch single. Northern Soul DJs don’t mess around with extended jams.
- Era & Sound: Typically 1960s to early ’70s, complete with analog warmth and the occasional crackle.
- Vocals & Emotion: Vocalists go big—emotive, gospel‐tinged, full of heartbreak or euphoria. If you can’t feel the singer’s passion, it probably won’t fire up a Northern Soul dance floor.
- Rarity Factor: Some collectors want rare 45s pressed on obscure labels, but if it’s got that stomping sound, it’s a candidate.
In short, Northern Soul isn’t just about high BPM or old 45s—it’s an entire soul music subculture built on energetic, driving beats that keep the dance floor packed. And that’s exactly why we’re still hunting these magical records down in dusty crates at every car boot sale. This week we released around 500 7" soul singles for sale at carbootsoul.com. Below are a list of 10 Northern tracks and 10 not quite northern tracks. Enjoy!
10 Northern Soul Tracks We Love
Let’s jump into some stone-cold classic Northern Soul 45s. These records deliver the unstoppable energy that’s made Northern Soul a legendary scene:
- Billy Butler – “Right Track” (Okeh) A definitive Northern Soul anthem. If your heart doesn’t skip a beat by the second verse, you might need a new pulse.
- Major Lance – “Investigate” (Okeh) Pure Chicago Soul. Major Lance’s Okeh catalog pretty much defines mid‐’60s dancefloor gold.
- Jack Montgomery – “Baby, Baby Take A Chance On Me” (Revue) A mythical rarity cherished by hardcore collectors. Loaded with that signature Northern Soul vocal urgency.
- Don Thomas – “Come On Train” (NUVJ) A 1973 gem that stayed under the radar for a while. Breaks out into a fierce soul stomp once it hits the chorus.
- Linda Jones – “Fugitive From Love” (Blue Cat) Linda Jones’s voice could shake walls. Perfect for flipping a sleepy room into an all‐out Northern Soul dance party.
- The Elgins – “Heaven Must Have Sent You” (Tamla Motown) Classic Motown vibe: bright horns, vibrant vocals, and a total floor‐filler at every half‐decent Soul night.
- The Precisions – “Into My Life” (Atco) A rousing Detroit Soul roller that oozes dancefloor swagger. One spin, and you’ll see why it’s beloved.
- Hoagy Lands – “The Next In Line” (Laurie) Crisp arrangement, driving beat, and a vocal that lifts you straight into the stratosphere. Undeniably danceable.
- Gene Chandler – “Nothing Can Stop Me” (Soul City reissue) A Chicago stomper from the Duke of Earl himself. Ready‐made for sweaty Northern Soul clubs.
- Garnet Mimms – “Looking For You” (United Artists) High energy, big brass, bigger vocals. A must‐have for any Northern Soul devotee’s box of rare soul 45s.
The “Not Quite Northern Enough” Playlist
These ten tracks might check some boxes—like era and sound—but never quite skyrocketed to Northern Soul stardom. Still, they’re absolute belters for your next party or crate‐digging session.
- Bettye Lavette – “My Man (He’s a Lovin’ Man)” Gritty, early ’60s approach. Great for warming up before you bust out the unstoppable stompers.
- Sam Anderson & The Telstars – “Standing at the Edge of the Sea” This King Records shuffle leans R&B. If you like it raw and sweaty, step right up.
- Irma Thomas – “Break‑A‑Way” (Imperial B-side) Buried on the flip to “Wish Someone Would Care.” Enough energy to electrify any soul set—once you know where to find it.
- Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles – “All or Nothing” Patti’s vocals: unstoppable. This track just never got that big NS push. Shame, because it’s brilliant.
- Little Betty – “Why Did You Do It?” (Savoy) Raw, mid‐’60s goodness. Might be too unpolished for some, but that’s what makes it fun.
- Donald Height – “You’re Gonna Miss Me” (Shout) A hidden gem with punchy horns and a plaintive vocal. Criminally underappreciated in Northern Soul circles.
- The Traditions – “Something Gone Wrong” (Barclay) Polished soul with a hint of heartbreak. Could have been massive if the right DJ had latched onto it.
- Margie Hendrix – “Don’t Destroy Me” (Sound Stage 7) She belts this like her life depends on it. Gritty, honest, and overshadowed by bigger names at the time.
- Tony Alvon & The Belairs – “Stone Soul Candidate” (Atlantic) Where funk and soul meet, with big drums. A borderline track that never broke the Northern barrier.
- Donald Austin – “Crazy Legs” (Eastbound) A funky 1972 instrumental that closes out a night nicely. Imagine swirling lights and that bass line thumping in your chest.
Why We Love These “Almost Northern” Tracks
They’re underplayed, often overshadowed by the canonical anthems. But hey, we’re Car Boot Soul—we live for rummaging around in the margins, unearthing hidden soul gold. Put these in your rotation, and you might just spark the next wave of improbable dancefloor fave