VA - The Blackpool Mecca Story (1999)

22 obscure '70s soul classics are featured on The Blackpool Mecca Story. The Mecca was a dancehall big enough for 2,000 dancers to display their dancing skills while another 1,500 could sit around the dancefloor as well as on the revolving balcony as the music played. This made the venue unique. Blackpool was accepted as the major soul center north of England, the brand of music featured is known as Northern soul. The four-on-the-floor Northern soul beat could be found on many of the recordings recorded by tiny recording companies that dotted the U.S. in the '60s and '70s, with the most sought-after vinyl originating from Detroit and Chicago. None of these recordings made much of an impact in the States, but all found a following with Northern soul fans. Kim Tolliver (who recorded as Kimberly Briggs) has a soulful, whoop-and-holler dancer "I Don't Know What Foot to Dance On," written by hubby Fred Briggs, found its niche in Northern clubs. Eloise Laws' "Love Factory" stiffed stateside but got played at the Mecca; Eloise's more famous siblings are Hubert, Ronnie, and Debra Laws. The Lovelites were a group of Chicago women, led by Patti Hamilton. They recorded an LP and had a handful of single releases, but never scaled the charts. Their "Get It Off My Conscience" is reminiscent of Martha & the Vandellas' "Show Me the Way." Diane Jenkins, a New York native, is the only artist with two selections. Her voice is interesting and begs you to listen. "I Need You" is rather ordinary, but "Tow-A-Way Zone's" showcases Jenkins' honey tones, and jazz influences. "Cashing In," by the Voices of East Harlem, should have been a chart buster, it has all the ingredients; the female lead stands out, the beat is fast and choppy and the backing vocals are phat. Lynn Vernado's "Wash and Wear Love" is a sweet deep soul saga with a similar groove to Bettye Swann's "Make Me Yours." "A Woman Is Hard to Understand," by Jimmy Mack, has the same feel as "Color Him Father," by the Winstons. Ann Sexton's "You've Been Gone Too Long" features Sexton's sexy voice mouthing some stinging lyrics about a guy named Jody. This is a valuable collection, and these recordings are nearly impossible to find on 45 rpm, and who has a turntable anyway? Many of these artists only released a few, and often only one, recording. Casual fans will have little interest, but serious collectors will drool over this compilation.~Blackpool Mecca Story Review by Andrew Hamilton