Various

This compilation is the second in the series and what we have are twenty songs (two bonuses on the CD) from the biggies such as The Supremes and The Temptations to less well known artists such as The Ambers and The Festivals.

To the layman, it’s surprisingly varied in tone. The album goes from what could be called the traditional soul sound of the Dells’s Run for Cover which opens the album, through the curious James Bond themed sound of Yvonne Baker’s You Didn’t Say a Word, to the show-stopping funk of I Don’t Want to See Myself (Without You) from Terry Callier, which closes the album.

It’s actually invidious to try a pick anything out from this compilation, there aren’t any songs that sound weak or feel out of place. However, if pushed, go for the heartfelt If I Could only be Sure by Nolan Porter, the Kelly Brothers, Crystal Blue Persuasion, and the delightful Variety is the Spice of Life from Greg Perry.

If you’re unfamiliar with the world of Northern Soul, frankly it doesn’t really matter if you start with number two, one or one hundred and fifty in a series. This a solid set, and the witty and helpful sleeve-notes by Paulo Hewitt, mean this is as good a place as any to start your appreciation of this wonderful music.