Beat SURRENDER!
15 Mod And Northern Soul Floorfillers
Frank Orrell Photography, Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images (5), James Kriegsmann/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, Ivan Keeman/Redferns/Getty
THE ARRIVAL OF THE JAM, AND A BUNCH OF SHARPsuited bands in their wake, heralded a new wave of Modernism in the late 1970s. Away from the mainstream, though, a sect of British music obsessives had been keeping the faith in their own, distinct, way. Northern soul disciples generally eschewed Italian tailoring in favour of vests and bags. But their devotion to raw, emotional, thrilling R&B, to rare records and all-night dancing as an escape from working-class routine, made them torch-bearers for Mod ideals through the late 1960s and 1970s.
On the sleeve of
Beat Surrender!
, our latest MOJO comp, you can see Paul Darby, a legendary dancer from Wolverhampton, out on the flfloor at the Wigan Casino in the mid-’70s. On the CD itself, you can hear 15 prized tracks that capture the energy and sweat of the Northern soul scene – 15 nuggets guaranteed to make the night last forever. So roll up the carpet, sprinkle the talc, and obey the command of The Mighty Hannibal: Get In The Groove!
MOJO
1 GENE LATTER Sign On The Dotted Line
A Cardiff ex-boxer, Latter’s long career encompassed a ’66 cover of Mother’s Little Helper and 1978’s John Travolta, You Are A Superstar. But this 1969 gem is a testament to self-actualisation, with the singer promising, “I’m the latest, greatest/ I’m the up-to-datest.” Not quite, but a compelling pitch nevertheless.