This is the first installment from EMI's Stateside label of classic soul weekender tracks of the 1980's which appeared on their Capitol label and which received cult status on the soul weekender scene. Kicking off in good style with the daddy anthem of them all with 'Joy and Pain' from Frankie Beverley and Maze which is a straight live cut from their acclaimed concert in New Orleans which is still available on video and is an absolute must for those of you who haven't yet experienced this superb concert from one of the scene's great names. Experience a live audience chanting the title to see what I mean.

Next up is a real gem from Mystic Merlin with the 12" version of 'Just Can't Give You Up' . I was one of the lucky few during the eighties to receive from EMI a copy of this as a promo video in both 12" and radio edit version to assist in the promotion at that time. Apart from being a great video in its day taking the idea that EWF had used to such good effect during the same decade with levitation and magic effects is really does set the scene for a great dance track that sounds as good today as it did on initial release.

Following on is The McCrary's waxing of the their summer anthem 'Love On A Summer Night' a nice steady tempo'd dancer that really does capture the feel of those warm summer nights and still attracts a lot of attention on the collectors market as 'must have' item. Little known about the band which failed to follow with anything significant. Enjoy it here in it's full 12" version.

During the autumn of 1987 when I ran my own record store the local Pontins holiday camp down the road was the venue for the weekenders for a few years and appearing at this one was Alexander O'Neal and Lanier & Co whose hit of the day 'Dancing In The Night' is still a firm favourite with so many soul fans and to my surprise Robbie Blenman of Motown records at the time was up in the area and brought the band to my shop in the afternoon for a live PA and record signing session. During that meeting with the group I discovered that the two females were the daughters of the legendary Willie Mitchell. Their performance at the Prestatyn weekender was a joy to watch.

My personal favourite track on this CD must be the superb BB&Q Band's 'On The Beat' which takes the riff and hook line that Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards had done for Chic in the late seventies to great effect and gave this band a massive dance hit of the early eighties. In fact to put it into real perspective this sounds better than any Chic track. Put this on at any club, turn up the volume, and just watch the reaction - brilliant.

Whilst not the easiest tracks to dance to when you hear it for the first time Mel'isa Morgans 'Fools Paradise' really does sum the real meaning of soul at its very best. Just check out the chorus line to see what I mean and to undersand why it was, and still is, in certain venues a big track. This song rellay does show how some of the more downtempo songs were accepted at these major gatherings.

Additional songs on this twelve track set include Ashhord and Simpsons 'Solid' and Melba Moore's 'Love's Comin At Ya' while Freddie Jackson's end of session hit 'Rock Me Tonight' finishes off what can only be described as a superb introduction to those great records that found fame in those Pontins soul weekenders and one cannot wait to see what EMI have in store for volume two. Whatever it is, check out this web site for the latest.

Personal rating 10/10
Expect to pay no more than £10.00 in the UK
Released May 2000.