INTERNET - 2009 -1

This chart is made up from the ten tracks that received the most ‘hits’ on the internet during the first 6 months of 2009. Most of the soul we enjoy is listened to from the comfort of our armchairs and not from the dance-floors; and so it’s not surprising that not all of these records are dancers. Not just 60’s; not just R’n’B; not just Modern: that is what makes this selection particularly enchanting since it clearly illustrates the diversity of the soul music that we love so much.

1 – WILL HATCHER – YOU HAVEN’T SEEN NOTHING YET appeared on the highly collectable ‘Wheelsville’ logo from Detroit. Somewhat down-tempo, but very smooth, it’s unlikely that you will hear this record on too many dance-floors. But the high quality of this recording makes it unsurprising to find this track at the top of this list.

2 – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS – I WILL FIGHT At least one of Ms Knight’s records gets played at just about every gig we visit: and quite rightly so. As a DJ I get most requests for ‘Just Walk In My Shoes’ from 1966, but this track dates from 1981 and is every bit as danceable. The longevity and prolificacy of Ms Knight’s output demands that one of her tracks be included in any soul chart of significance – and quite rightly so.

3 – ETHICS – LOOK AT ME NOW Just one of several popular outings on the ‘Vent’ label from Philadelphia.

4 – EMANUEL LASKEY – SWEET LIES written by Don Juan Mancha and Clay McMurry. This awesome track features a ‘Wall of Sound’ type of production; it’s melody both haunts and appeals. Laskey’s impressive vocals command on this much sought after Thelma outing.

5 – ALVIN CASH – FUNKY ’69 is just one of Alvin’s many Chicago singles, and quite typical of the man. This record doesn’t get much dance-floor play, (but why not?) and so there must have been many people finding this track for the first time via the internet.

6 – BROOKS O’DELL – WATCH YOUR STEP was released in 1963 on Luther Dixon’s “Gold Records” label. Somewhat unsung in the annuls of soul history, O’Dell delivers a peerlessly impassioned vocal on this song, making this single a most treasured possession for anyone that owns it. This track also appears on the 2008 Kent CD “Brooks O’Dell: I’m Your Man”.

7 – JOE TEX – IF SUGAR WAS A SWEET AS YOU Any number of tracks from this prolific artist may have been included in this chart: maybe this self-penned track is less well-known, or maybe it’s just the flavour of the moment. Whatever, this is a typically up-tempo dancer with all the qualities that we have grown to expect from the man.

8 – SPIRAL STAIRCASE – SHE’S READY featuring Pat Upton, may not be as familiar as a couple of this outfits’ other recordings, nevertheless, it is a quality feel-good and infectious dancer.

9 – NELSON SANDERS – THIS LOVE IS HERE TO STAY has all the delightful qualities associated with records from Lou Beatty’s stable. Seldom heard out and about, but that can only be because of its scarcity.

10 – JIMMY SOUL CLARK – TELL HER protégé of the Wylie-Hestor partnership, Clark is best known for his Northern anthems, SWEET DARLIN’ and I’LL BE YOUR CHAMPION. With similar qualities, this song certainly doesn’t disappoint.