The popularity of 1960s soul music globally is evidenced by the vast range of ‘foreign’ releases of US soul records. These were initially overlooked by collectors who had a preference for US or UK releases, particularly on the northern soul scene. However with the resurgence of interest in 1960s soul throughout Europe and elsewhere, they have now taken on an appeal of their own.
Picture covers carry intrinsic historical value. Cover art may consist of photographic images of artists, use a simple stylistic approach, or present both. Or tell something of the time; for example when major record companies would often ‘play down the black’ by omitting the singer or group on the cover in order to present a package of what they perceived as attractive to a white teenage buying audience. Where photographic portraits are presented, in some cases they provide the only known images of lesser known soul artists.
Around 150 picture covers are presented in this 7" format photo-book, from the US but also Europe, UK, Japan and other countries. Each record carries a footnote of points of historical interest. This book should appeal to all lovers of soul music including collectors of classic , northern / rare soul, Motown and blue eyed soul.