Technically New Zealand didn’t have a dedicated Soul music scene during the time frame of this release. Only The Action, Le Frame and Leo De Castro would class themselves as exclusively Soul artists. What we did have in abundance was an abundance of world class Pop, R&B and cabaret artists that included soul themed tracks in their repertoire. Many of the tracks on this collection are well known, but don’t be expecting to hear too many carbon copy versions but rather our own unique take as we dismantle these tracks and give them a taste of Kiwi.
In a star studded line up highlights are a plenty starting with Sandy Edmonds as she blitzes Shirley Ellis’s version of ‘Soul Time’, followed by The La De Da’s, The Underdogs, The Challenge and The Newsounds in the opening salvo through to Leo De Castro who was regarded as New Zealand’s finest soul singer, who only ever recorded one track in his home country. Peter Williams (ex Max Merritt & The Meteors) features twice, once as lead singer on his own song with The Groove (Australasia’s first super group) and also his UK recorded song with chart toppers Blue Mink as the backing band. Mr Versatility Ray Woolf features on three tracks and nails it every time. Our original King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Johnny Devlin tears himself through his UK recorded ‘Hurtin’. Many of the highlights come from the unreleased tracks on show including tracks from The Deep Set aka Troubled Minds, The Spectres, Le Frame, Renaissance & Leo De Castro.
Label: Frenzy Music – FRENZY 138
Format:
CD, Compilation
Country: New Zealand
Released: 29 Oct 2021
Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Soul, Rhythm & Blues
Tracklist
1 Sandy Edmonds– Soul Time
2 The Newsounds– All Night Worker
3 The La De Da's*– Respect
4 The Underdogs (4)– See Saw
5 The Challenge (3)– Things Get Better
6 The Sound Investment (4)– A Whole New Thing
7 The Spectres*– So Badly Baby
8 The Deep Set– Shake
9 The Librettos– Rescue Me
10 Le Frame– Get Ready
11 The Action (2)– Something About You
12 Larry's Rebels– In The Midnight Hour
13 Billy Karaitiana*– Pains of Love
14 Jimmy Hill (3)– Find A Job
15 Renaissance (32)– Green Onions
16 Frankie Stevens– Come On Home
17 The Newsounds– Over You
18 Johnny Devlin– Hurtin'
19 Max Merritt & Meteors*– Western Union Man
20 The Castaways (5)– Baby What I Mean
21 Tommy Ferguson– Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing
22 Sandy Edmonds– You Keep Me Hangin' On
23 Ray Woolf & The Avengers– It's the Same Old Song
24 Gene Pierson– Love Love Love
25 Nash Chase– Gimme A Little Sign
26 Peter Williams (4)– Give Me A Sign
27 Le Frame– It's A Man's World
28 The Dallas Four– Toe Hold
29 Ricky DeVon– Give Me Love
30 Leo De Castro– Funky Street
31 The Groove (3)– Baby, Get In The Groove
32 The Pleazers– Security
