1-2-3-4 Snare of Northern Soul
Dr Martin Luther King's tragically gave his 'I've Been to the Mountain Top' speech the day before his assassination on April 4th, 1968. Like all Dr King's speeches, it is profoundly moving. Mixing it with 'Make Me Believe,' a track written and produced by Curtis Mayfield, brings deeper resonance to the track. But many seemingly harmless soul records of the 60's had dual significance. 'Dancing in the Streets' was an anthem for the Civil Rights Riots of 60's. Afro-Americans were no longer prepared to be invisible, they were going to be seen and heard.
The 1-2-3-4 snare, a musical style developed by Motown - where the snare plays on every beat in the bar, rejected the subtlety of swing. Direct and unequivocal, it demanded to be heard, reflecting the deeper political aspiration of soul music. It's also the beat that formed the bedrock of Northern Soul, perfect for kids who wanted to dance hard all night. Here (With a few exceptions) we celebrate the Northern Soul snare.
- Martin - Make Me Believe (Solid C Remix) Patti Jo
- Baby Mine - Thelma Houston
- You've Been Cheating - The Impressions
- I Want My Baby Back - Edwin Starr
- What Kind of Lady - Dee Dee Sharp
- Help Me (Get Myself Back Together) - The Spellbinders
- I've Lost You - Jackie Wilson
- Have More Time - Marvin Smith
- One Way Out - Martha Reeves & Vandellas
- If That's What You Wanted - Frankie Beverley & the Butlers
- So Is The Sun - World Column
- Compared To What - Della Reese
- Shingaling - The Cooperettes
- One Wonderful Moment - The Shakers
- A Little Lovin' Sometime - Alexander Patton
- Uptight (Everything Is Alright) - Stevie Wonder
- The World Don't Owe You Nothing - Loleatta Holloway
- Church Street Sally - Jimmy Moore