Where To Start - Recommeded Compilations For Those Who Are New To Rare Soul and Funk

The Blush Organisation have always been keen to bring new comers into the scene and find that their enthusiasm for the music makes our nights what they are. I thought that it might be helpful to publish a list of recommended compilations if you are new to soul music. So here it is, a list of great compilations with links to them on Amazon so that if you feel inspired you can go off and buy them.

The first two volumes of This Is Northern Soul are great stuff and cover a very wide range of northern Motown from obscurity to really well known.



This Is Northern Soul Volume 1

This Is Northern Soul Volume 2


The Talcum Soul series are fantastic and I certainly rate the first three volumes of it.



Talcum Soul Vol.1

Talcum Soul Vol.2

Talcum Soul Vol.3

For Chicago soul, obviously an Okeh compilation is a good idea (the two volumes of Okeh - A Northern Soul Obsession would be the way to go)

Okeh - A Northern Soul Obsession Vol.1

Okeh - A Northern Soul Obsession Vol.2

A good Chess one around at the moment is Chess Club Rhythm & Soul



Chess Club Rhythm & Soul

Soul Jazz can do no wrong in my eyes and their most recent soul compilation Chicago Soul - Electric Blues, Funk and Soul: The New Sound of Chicago is on my deck as I write this.

Chicago Soul - Electric Blues, Funk and Soul: The New Sound of Chicago

Another Soul Jazz album that I would recommend is Saturday Night Fish Fry - New Orleans Funk Vol 2. This album is a perennial favourite of mine and any resemblance between the cover art and our posters is purely coincidental.

Saturday Night Fish Fry - New Orleans Funk Vol 2

If you like to hear the ladies get funky then the I’m A Good Woman series is worth checking out. For my money volume two is the one to get but they are all very good.



I’m A Good Woman Vol.1

I’m A Good Woman Vol.2

I’m A Good Woman Vol.3

For Latin boogaloo I would recommend Brown Sugar: Latin Breakbeats Basslines and Boogaloo Vol.3 and Bigbadboogaloo. Both albums are an excellent introduction to Latino soul and funk and are crammed with great tracks.



Brown Sugar: Latin Breakbeats Basslines and Boogaloo Vol.3

Bigbadboogaloo

Back to northern soul there's a mid-price compilation called Cooler Shakers - horrible name but very good comp.

Cooler Shakers - 30 Northern Soul Floorstompers

Let us know what you think of them.