A Brief History of Modern Soul

Just as the name "Northern Soul" doesn't mean what some might think it does (ie: the North of America) so "Modern Soul" doesn't exactly mean records that are, well, modern. No, Modern Soul mostly refers to tracks from the 1970s (though it does include newer stuff). The Modern scene grew out of Northern Soul clubs in the 1970s when some DJs started playing more contemporary records and back then those records were modern - hence the name. See? It's simple really.

The song that started it all was The Carstairs "It Really Hurts Me Girl" which was the very first modern record played at a Northern all-nighter. The man responsible was DJ Ian Levine who dropped this bomb at the Blackpool Mecca in 1973 when it was a brand new track. Now you wouldn't think that an itty-bitty thing like a pop record could cause trouble, but back then a new record was about as welcome at a Northern club as a pork pie at a Bar Mitzvah and a major schism opened up in the scene between the traditionalists devoted to the old-timey footstomping beats of 60s soul and those who embraced the newer, more sophisticated sounds. Some actually stopped going to the Mecca in disgust and defected to the Wigan Casino which was a bastion of the old style and for a while actually banned newer records (for a fuller account of this controversy read this excellent interview with Levine) It's all rather silly really - you'd think it was the Montagues and Capulets or something - but it's this sort of drama that makes British youth culture so much fun!

The two sides have long since kissed and made up and Modern has expanded the range of music Northern clubs played, cults and scenes never survive unless they evolve. Now "It Really Hurts Me Girl" sounds like a perfect bridge between the old and new with it's raw, emotional vocal over a shimmering, proto-Disco beat. This is a brilliant record and it's hard to believe it could have caused so much bother. More contemporary is Collins & Collins' fabulous "Top of The Stairs" from 1980 which is a cover of an Ashford & Simpson tune. It has an uplifting groove and a bright, commercial sound that might change what you think an underground soul tune should sound like. This is a massive anthem on the Modern scene and there's not a lot else I can say about it other than "it's bloody great."

There are lots and lots of Modern Soul collections available which can be a bit daunting to a beginner (I've only just started wading into these waters myself). I've taken these tracks from On The Real Side and Modern Soul Connoisseurs which are both excellent. Also worth your pocket money are Reaching For The Best: The Northern Soul of Blackpool Mecca and Masterpieces of Modern Soul.

[Download]
It Really Hurts Me Girl - The Carstairs
Top Of The Stairs - Collins & Collins