(October 7, 2020) With all the changes in the music business over the past two decades, one of the most notable has been the loss of the compilation album. It was a staple for many of us growing up, and how many of us found new music that we wouldn’t have heard otherwise.
(October 7, 2020) With all the changes in the music business over the past two decades, one of the most notable has been the loss of the compilation album. It was a staple for many of us growing up, and how many of us found new music that we wouldn’t have heard otherwise.
Well, the exception to that rule has been the Soul Togetherness series from the fantastic UK label, Expansion Records. In fact, each year since 2000 Expansion Records has released a CD and LP edition of Soul Togetherness. Focusing on so called “modern soul” being played in UK dance venues, Ralph Tee, Richard Searling and company have continued to compile gems that the DJs have been unlocking during the year. Ralph tells us, “Each song is a dancefloor pleaser either from the year of the compilation or revived from the past based on what is being played again in DJ sets over here. That’s music largely to an audience who grew up on the lush productions of the 70s and early 80s with new music played having the values and integrity of that period.”
The 2020 edition, arriving on October 23rd, should be no exception, with great jams from Tower of Power, Will Downing, Cool Million and more. So while 2020 has been a bust in many ways, it has been a year filled with great new songs, many of which have not been available on both CD and vinyl, such as Charlie Wilson’s #1 hit, “Forever Valentine,” included in this collection.
We’ve been big fans of Soul Togetherness for its two decades and of Expansion during its incredible run of nearly 35 years.
The 20th Anniversary Soul Togetherness podcast with music from across the series has just been uploaded to Mixcloud. Check it out below and let’s celebrate another great collection brought to the world by Expansion Records.
Soul Togetherness 2020 Track list
1. Tower Of Power-Addicted To You (4:45)
2. Carmichael Musiclover-Pure Sweetness (4.30)
3. DW3-Never Gonna Stop (3.18)
4. Lou Draws-Come Over (4.23)
5. Charlie Wilson-Forever Valentine (3.59)
6. Will Downing-Right Where You Are (4.16)
7. Super db-Kool Funk (Chris Bangs Extended Remix)(5.42)
8. JB Rose-Back To Love (3.56)
9. Johnny Baker-It's Your Night (4.28)
10. Randy Hall-A Beautiful Dream (4.26)
11. Cool Million Featuring Matthew Winchester-Keep On (Boogie Back Mix) (3.54)
12. The Weather Girls-Stand Up (Rob Hardt Mix) (3.44)
13. Sam Wills-Undercover (3.19)
14. PrivatProjekt feat. Stefanie S. and Nigel Lowis-Don't Walk That Way (Chic a delic Xtended) (6.15)
15. Paprika Soul-Standing Right Here (5.23)