E. Mark Windle 10 March 2026. Many folks from the soul music community will have known the late Mark Bicknell, whether directly through his friendship, his DJing, radio hosting or record dealing. Doubtless they will also be aware of his music industry networking and passion for reissuing rare soul recordings on his Big ManContinue reading “The Aqua Connection: Origin Stories of The Aqua Lads and Twilights”
Tag Archives: northern soul
Mocha and Cream. The Global Records Story
E. Mark Windle 6 March 2026. The passing of Edwin James Balbier a couple of years ago went virtually unnoticed in UK northern scene circles: indeed few outside of the industry will recall his name. Yet, this individual would be the unwitting driving force behind one of the most popular soul re-issue (if brief) labelContinue reading “Mocha and Cream. The Global Records Story”
James Bates, Songwriter and Lead Singer of The Spontanes, Dies Aged 83.
E. Mark Windle 12 June 2025. James Bates of North Carolina and lead singer of The Spontanes, has died after a period of illness on 6th June 2025. Bates was most closely associated with the beach music group The Spontanes, a popular Gastonia group that initially ran from 1960 to 1968, but which has continuedContinue reading “James Bates, Songwriter and Lead Singer of The Spontanes, Dies Aged 83.”
Maurice Williams, R&B Vocal Group Frontman, Passes
E. Mark Windle 6 August 2024. The passing of Maurice Williams, frontman for the R&B vocal group Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, has just been confirmed by North Carolina sources. Williams was originally from Lancaster, SC. His group involvement was a long one, commencing with the Royal Charms in the early fifties, then the JuniorContinue reading “Maurice Williams, R&B Vocal Group Frontman, Passes”
Big Man Records: The Embers “First Time” b/w “I Wanna Be” (New Vinyl 45rpm Release)
E. Mark Windle 19 December 2023. Without pausing for breath after Big Man Records’ December launch of “Just Crazy ‘Bout You Baby” (b/w “Aware of Love”), the news is that a second quality double-sider from The Embers is lined up for release early in the new year. Starting out as a doo-wop and rock ‘n’ rollContinue reading “Big Man Records: The Embers “First Time” b/w “I Wanna Be” (New Vinyl 45rpm Release)”
Big Man Records: The Embers “Just Crazy ‘Bout You Baby” c/w “Aware of Love” (new vinyl release)
E. Mark Windle 14 November 2023. Continuing the series of quality releases from Mark Bicknell’s Big Man Records, December will be bringing us this quality Carolina double-sider, which is sure to be of interest to rare soul and beach music fans alike. Stalwarts of the Carolina beach music scene, The Embers have enjoyed a prolificContinue reading “Big Man Records: The Embers “Just Crazy ‘Bout You Baby” c/w “Aware of Love” (new vinyl release)”
Holding on to the Past. The Challenge of Preserving and Accessing Soul Music History in the Written Word
E. Mark Windle 10 November 2023 It’s been a good while since the rare soul scene was an insular subculture confined to the wilds of northern England. The word spread decades ago, with self-sufficient parallel or related scenes now well established throughout Europe, Japan, the USA and elsewhere. Other than the pull of the musicContinue reading “Holding on to the Past. The Challenge of Preserving and Accessing Soul Music History in the Written Word”
Redressing the History Books: The Soul of Music City.
By E. Mark Windle, 20 August 2023. Regarding what’s been pretty much an obsession with writing about southern soul music since I started out over ten years ago, House of Broken Hearts: The Soul of 1960s Nashville was undertaken in an attempt to resolve one nagging omission. A fair chunk of my travels has beenContinue reading “Redressing the History Books: The Soul of Music City.”
Just Enough to Hurt Me. The Astors Story
E. Mark Windle 17 April 2023. This week marks the passing of singer Curtis Johnson, founding member of Memphis soul group The Astors. They may be one of Stax’s less instantly recognisable acts (at least to a mainstream audience), but their work is very familiar to, and respected by, the UK and European rare soulContinue reading “Just Enough to Hurt Me. The Astors Story”
The Yorkshire Soul Connection: an Interview with Garry Cape
E. Mark Windle April 2023. When I asked reissue / retrospective soul label owner Garry Cape about the motivating factors for his 2020 return to the soul market with the reactivation of his Hit and Run label series, issues of mortality seemed to be at the top of the list: “I guess it had somethingContinue reading “The Yorkshire Soul Connection: an Interview with Garry Cape”