Turning My Heart Beat UP - 23 Northern Soul Monsters
BMG/RCA 74321 774012
There seems to no shortage of northern soul compilations on the market on the moment with the likes of Goldmine and Kent being the prominent players in the market. The giant RCA record label can quite rightly claim their place in the history of this unique style of music that is without question the longest running underground scene of all-time, boasting dozens and dozens of huge in demand northern sides from this now legendary label and its subsidary’s such as Bell, and Buddah etc.

‘Turning My Heartbeat Up’ is a collection of twenty three northern soul hits that graced the floor at the now defunct Wigan Casino nightclub although one track on this CD clearly didn’t get played there as it wasn’t released until 1987.

 Whilst the Casino, along with other major northern venues were responsible for discovering and breaking the greatest soul music ever heard over the last thirty years or so, they were also guilty of pushing a lot of white pop artists releases (as cover up’s) as a lot of them had a similar feel to the original thing, but, just were not the real thing. This CD features a couple of those ‘white’ releases by the likes of Peggy March, and Beverley Ann.

The reality of these songs are that they have all been dance-floor hits and will be remembered for years to come. What better could you wish for than Lorraine Chandler’s ‘What Can I Do’ one of the labels finest moments in terms of soul and one of many that Lorraine has recorded in Chicago. The Virginia Wolves cover of ‘Stay’ has always been a favourite of mine from the days off the Golden Torch in Tunstall where this record broke first. At just over a minute and a half in length it is probably one of the shortest northern tracks of all time, first appearing as a ‘B’ on UK Stateside and a much preferred version of the Maurice Williams original.

Willie Kendricks’ original recording of ‘What’s that on your Finger’ is covered here by the recently discovered version by Kenny Carter and over the last few years has become a ‘must have’ for northern collectors and scene DJ’s alike. Nearly everywhere you go these days someone is playing it.

Ray Paige’s cover of the Major Lance classic ‘Ain’t No Soul’ is a most commendable version, though many will agree that the former remains the firm favourite.

Another cover version is the Van Dykes on ‘Save My Love for A Rainy Day’ originally for the Temptations but this stomper was clearly made for the Casino ‘s dancefloor and still is heard at most northern venues around the country.

I’ve never been a fan of the title track from the MVP’s although it was regularly requested on my radio show back in 1995 and opens up the proceedings on this disk. Issued in the seventies on US Buddah this single now commands a £100 price tag for a mint original copy.

Visitors to the legendary Casino will remember well the ‘three before eight’ tracks at the end of each all-night session. One of those tracks was the superb Tobi Legend song ‘Time Will Pass You By’ and if one song alone sums up the music of this venue, then it has to be this. Brilliant.

I mentioned at the beginning of this review that there was one song that didn’t get played at the casino as it wasn’t released until 1987. This song was ‘I Couldn’t Beleive It’ by ex Temptations singers David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks. Issued in the UK on a 12” for RCA this a modern dancer of the highest quality.

You’ll find other gems on this CD from the likes of The Insiders, Sharon Scott, Laura Greene, The Cavaliers, The Metro’s, and Morris Chestnut, but to name a few. A very high quality package with sleeve notes from Goldmine maestro and ex Casino DJ Kev Roberts.

Personal rating 9/10
Expect to pay around £10.00 in the UK
Released August 2000