I like what I hear on the radio, but I’m a bit of a noob where this genre is concerned.

Good sound quality appreciated.

Or, what to avoid?

I’m not an expert myself but used to manage a music shop where compilations like this one used to sell well:

Northern Soul – The Collection https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00F6A9050/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Q.wiyb6GVDCS8

It’s not expensive, has good reviews on Amazon and would be a decent start. As far as I can remember most of the Northern Soul compilations were pretty decent value for money like that one.

move on up triple cd is also a great colection

Northern Soul the film has a really good track listing.
Also search for If This Is Lev on you tube for tracks.
Or just look for any compilation that includes:
A little togetherness
Turning my heartbeat up
Wanted (Larose Philips)
Crying over you
Tainted love
If this is love
Tear stained face (Don’t Garner)
Too late
I really love you (The To mangoes)
The magic touch (Melba Moore)
Blowing my mind to pieces (Bob Relf)
Call on me
There’s nothing else to say

…are just a few
Sorry not to post links – too fiddly on phone 🙂

I would recommend any compilation that features “do I love you(indeed I do)” by Frank Wilson…had a quick look at robdod’s suggestion and I couldn’t see it on the track list.

Any popular compilation will be ok to start with, gives you an idea of artists you might like and provides a stepping stone to more music. Don’t overthink it, just buy examples above and get listening!

Go dancin’
🙂

For the price of a CD you could have an excellent night out.
We go to Colne Muni, it’s really friendly and has a proper sprung floor.
Usually several dj’s on so you can get a feel for what sort of music you prefer.
Just ask, people are happy to talk and recommend stuff.
Great night out.

Have you had a listen to Richard Searling on the iPlayer, great show.
linky.

My all time favourite:
[video]https://youtu.be/LyAFrmafmKo[/video]
😀

@newrobdob
I’ll take the plunge with the northern soul collection

Thanks for your contributions folks 🙂

probably one of the best.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDLIIj2TzCw[/video]

I’ve never been into it but I understand there is a big community around it and going to a club with it playing is what I was about to suggest, same as Rusty Spanner (Colne Muni – is that in Huddersfield, I live in Huddersfield and not heard of it?).

If This Is Lev has also got a compilation out, now she is a ‘star’…

Thanks for the radio show link. That will be this afternoons shop play list.

newrobdob – Member
(Colne Muni – is that in Huddersfield, I live in Huddersfield and not heard of it?).

Hiya.
It’s the Municipal Hall in Colne, just outside Burnley.
Bit like a mini version of the Ritz in Manchester, very old fashioned and a nice size.

Big scene round here, all ages.
Guy who works in our HiFi shop told us about it.

Went to Blackburn a good few times in the 80’s, it seems even more popular now.

Very pleasant, mostly er, older/middle aged folk and quite a few youngsters.
Lots of families go.

It’s extremely friendly, a very sociable atmosphere.

Go a few times a year, great in winter when it’s dark and pissing down and you need cheering up.

Not into the scene at all, although I’ve always had mates who are, I just like the uplifting nature of it.

[video]https://vimeo.com/63331522[/video]

I picked this up for a fiver from a supermarket (Morrisons I think?)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Northern-Soul-Various/dp/B00Y2Y00G4

Fantastic. As above, Do I Love You (indeed I do) is one of the best things ever recorded.

CD ONE

1. Tami Lynn – I’m Gonna Run Away From You

2. Edwin Starr – Agent Double-O-Soul (Stereo Mix)

3. Frank Wilson – Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)

4. Four Tops – Something About You (Single Version – Mono)

5. Gloria Jones – Tainted Love (Original Single Version)

6. The Contours – Just A Little Misunderstanding (Single Version)

7. Tony Clarke – Landslide

8. Kim Weston – Helpless

9. Marvin Gaye – Lucky Lucky Me (Original 1965 Version)

10. Marlena Shaw – Let’s Wade In The Water

11. The Dells – Run For Cover

12. Etta James & Riley Hampton – Seven Day Fool (Single Version)

13. Darrell Banks – Angel Baby (Don’t You Ever Leave Me Single / LP Version)

14. Mary Wells – Can’t You See (You’re Losing Me)

15. Tony & Tyrone – Please Operator

16. The Coasters – Crazy Baby

17. The Apollas – Mr. Creator

18. The Charades – Key To My Happiness

19. The Gospel Classics – More Love, That’s What We Need

20. Willie Tee – Walkin’ Up A One Way Street

CD TWO

1. Archie Bell & The Drells – Here I Go Again

2. Jerry Butler – Moody Woman (Album Version)

3. Joy Lovejoy – In Orbit

4. Gladys Knight & The Pips – Ain’t You Glad You’ve Chosen Love

5. Barbara Lynn – Take Your Love And Run

6. The Valentinos – Sweeter Than The Day Before (Single Version)

7. Linda Jones – My Heart Needs A Break

8. Garland Green – Ain’t That Good Enough (Album Version)

9. Ike & Tina Turner – Somebody (Somewhere) Needs Me

10. The Harvey Averne Dozen – Think It Over

11. Alice Clark – You Hit Me Right Where It Hurt Me

12. Terry Callier – Ordinary Joe (Album Version)

13. Holly St. James – That’s Not Love

14. The Originals – Suspicion

15. Cajun Hart – Got To Find A Way

16. The Monitors – Crying In The Night

17. Jimmy Ruffin – Gonna Give Her All The Love I’ve Got (Single Version)

18. Life – Tell Me Why

19. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – No One There (Album Version)

20. Soul Brother Six – I’ll Be Loving You

21. The Isley Brothers – My Love Is Your Love (Forever) (Album Version)

CD THREE

1. Kiki Dee – On A Magic Carpet Ride

2. Ben E. King – I Can’t Break The News To Myself

3. Sam & Dave – Soothe Me

4. Johnnie Taylor – Blues In The Night

5. Sister Sledge – Love Don’t Go Through No Changes On Me

6. Manny Corchado – Pow Wow

7. Moses Smith – Come On, Let Me Love You

8. David & Ruben – I Love Her So Much It Hurts

9. The Drifters – You Got To Pay Your Dues

10. Diana Ross & The Supremes – Stormy

11. Bobby Hutton – Lend A Hand

12. Bettye Swann – Kiss My Love Goodbye

13. Bobby Sheen – Something New To Do

14. Lou Ragland – Since You Said You’d Be Mine

15. Linda Griner – Goodbye Cruel Love

16. Sam Dees – Fragile, Handle With Care

17. Esther Phillips – Catch Me I’m Falling

18. David Ruffin – Rode By The Place (Where I Used To Stay)

19. The Pointer Sisters – Send Him Back

20. Prince Phillip Mitchell – I’m So Happy

21. Etta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto – Do I Make Myself Clear

One absolute classic missing from this compilation is Chuck Wood’s Seven Days Too Long

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlLutsqYfGk[/video]

Also, the Salvadors with Stick By Me Baby
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nClgKOhbtg[/video]

I’ve often been torn between Out On The Floor or 7 Days as the ultimate Northern song.
The radio show mentioned above is bloody top notch.Just downloaded all of them ,we shall have a good day in the shop tomorrow.

No CD recommendations however the links below are good. Andy Smith (the DJ from Portishead) is a good northern soul dj.

^^ Andy Smith should regarded as be one of the best and most diverse DJs ever.
From these soul records to his Document albums, Greensleeves mixes, His club night every Friday and his work with Portishead.

There’s also rolls Royce social club at barnolsdwick black horse at skipton Victoria hall keighley to name a few. Find out when they’re on go and enjoy. Happy memories of ritz at Manchester also Bellevue at Manchester all Sayers Blackpool Mecca rose room at cats whiskers burley long time ago but the tunes take you back. Happy times.
It’s a northern thing 😆

I might get in trouble for recommending this when you’ve specifically asked for northern soul, but you might enjoy Craig Charles funk and soul compilations, such as https://www.amazon.co.uk/Craig-Charles-Funk-Soul-Classics/dp/B013Y6FVAK