The South London Soul Train Vol 1

This compilation is the latest release from Mickey Smith aka DJ Jazzheadchronic. It acts as an introduction the club night he hosts at South London’s CLF Art Café/Bussey Building. Given that night offers seven hours of music ranging from funk, soul and rare groove, then this promises to be a great insight in to what to expect from that night.
If the opening track is anything to go by, then this club night wants you up and dancing from the off. There can be few better songs to kick off a compilation than Gloria Jones’ “Tainted Love”. It’s followed by the funky soul of “If You Don’t Give Me What I Want (I’m Gonna Get It Some Other Way)”, which will keep you moving on the dancefloor.
The great thing about this compilation, is the way it mixes up classic songs by huge artists, off the wall versions of songs and some tunes which are brand new (to us at least). There aren’t many bigger legends than Marvin Gaye and Ray Charles. Whilst we may all, if only begrudgingly, like Paul Young’s version of “Wherever I Lay My Hat”, when you hear the original here it takes you to a whole new level of appreciation. Although when it comes to recognisable soul voices, there can’t be many more distinctive than that of Barry White, whose “What Am I Gonna Do “features here.
Amongst the more unusual tunes on the album are the brass driven songs. This includes a version of the dance classic “Good Life”, this really works because even though it’s an instrumental, we all know the chorus so well that you can’t help but sing along. A little more controversial is The Hot 8 Brass Band’s version of “Sexual Healing”. It’s a huge risk interpreting such a classic song. Whilst we like this calypso/festival version, I am sure a few die hard soul enthusiasts will be appalled. Really a song like that and “Ragga Samba” and “Beija Flor Suite” need to be heard within the context of a street festival to be really appreciated. We certainly feel we should have a rum cocktail in our hand when dancing to “Arroz Con Polo”.
We return to the soul vibe on Patrice Rushen’s “Haven’t You Heard”, it’s a new one to us but an instant, dance inspiring, classic. The compilation ends on an undoubted high with a remix of “I Want Your Love” by Dimitri From Paris. We all know the song is brilliant and have an extended remix means we just get to enjoy It and dance for longer, so that’s a definite winner!
The best review we can give this compilation is that it makes us desperately want to visit the CLF Art Café and experience this night. Going by the songs on this album, it will be a wild night of fun and dancing with the odd curve ball tune thrown in to keep us on our toes. If the atmosphere can live up to the quality of the tunes, you will be guaranteed an awesome night out.