Though shorn of the more overtly shoegazer-styled elements of their debut A Storm in Heaven, the Verve's sophomore effort A Northern Soul is no less epic in scope, forging a heavier, more traditionally psychedelic sound infused with a chaotic energy which mirrors the emotional upheaval at the heart of Richard Ashcroft's songs. Reportedly produced under the influence of excessive drug use, the album is harrowingly intense, its darkly hypnotic momentum steered by Nick McCabe's spiraling guitar...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13

In the last half of the 1960s, the King label was most known for the explosive soul-funk of its one superstar, James Brown. It is not so well known that King also released a wealth of soul music by other performers, not all of who were following soul brother number one's path. Indeed, as this 24-track compilation of 1963-1971 sides demonstrates, many of King's soul artists were pretty normal, mainstream soul singers. That's an interesting thing to discover, but it does not, alas, make for music...   [ read more ]

CD $21.83

Twenty-four slices of mostly upbeat, dance-oriented soul cuts released on Chess between 1961 and 1971, though all but two date from 1964-1969. It's peppy, well-produced stuff that, like most of Chess' soul, bears the influence of both Motown and the Windy City productions of Curtis Mayfield and Carl Davis. It'll please Northern soul collectors, though it's more pleasant than compelling. Includes performances by a few big names (Gene Chandler, Billy Stewart, Etta James, the Dells), t...   [ read more ]

CD $21.83