A brand new book and approach to bringing together the life stories of people in the music scene associated with the phenomenon of Northern Soul!

As many devotees around the world will know the impact of a sub-genre of northern soul, which developed out of underground RnB and soul music where so often obscure releases and B-sides were seized upon by fans concentrated initially in the working north of the U.K. and created a worldwide phenomenon. The lives of the fans started along similar paths in their early youth and on to adulthood, and these stories assembled by John Warren a.k.a. Johnny "Redpants" Warren, documents the impact on many individual lives and how it has stayed with them over the years.

Many of the heroes and artists iconic to the (originally underground) northern soul scene will be unheard of by the general public and pop music industry, but they may be known to the successful artists on who's recordings the often sang or played instruments and occasionally would be given the chance to try for the big time on a solo release. Moreover, some of the artists that evolved through pop music genres changed their profile and musical styles to embrace the transition from doowop and pop to disco and contemporary RnB. But, there were many who fell by the wayside and even more who drifted off into obscurity, never realizing how their forgotten recording was changing hands for thousands of dollars and also making them legends among record collecting devotees and northern soul fans. For example Gloria Jones, who was Marc Bolan's partner, long enjoyed packed dance floors in the northern soul scene, and witnessed dizzy prices of her single "Tainted Love, ' which only became fully known to the world when Soft Cell released it as a massive pop hit! By contrast artists (some who have now passed) were stunned to realize how they were icons in an unknown world. "She'll Come Running Back" on FIP Records (a tiny label out of Chicago) and was recorded by Mel Britt and did little outside of local interest. The recording started changing hands for as much as $2,000 and Mel knew nothing of his success in a far off land until DJ and music maker Ian Levine featured him in a collection of videos "The Strange World Of Northern Soul." Mel had toured with Jr. Walker, opening for Diana Ross in Las Vegas, appeared on "Soul Train", and appeared on the soundtrack for the movie "Animal House." Years later in 2009, in his twilight years, Mel was brought to tears during a convention of soul fans in Chicago through SoulTrip USA. Coach-loads of fans met the Mel on a cold and dreary night in a car park and instantly raised over $400.00 with a spontaneous collection. Mel was disheveled and in poor health walking with the assistance of a cane but had his spirts elevated by Kev Roberts organizer of the SoulTrip USA series of conventions. He attended events during that convention joining in with fans. During the event while signing autographs his record was played and over 200 fans clapped simultaneously which had Mel singing along to the delight of the assembled multitude. He shook as many hands as he could and accepted hugs and as the song faded out he was overcome with emotion. It was at that point, as several fans recounted, that Mel finally got to witness firsthand what his song meant to his real fans! That is also similar to each story told in the 24 chapters of "Our Soul Music Journey." Told to be people who were there, in their own words.

Over the last couple of decades to many artists died in impoverished conditions many in ill health and never realizing the impact their music had on die-hard soul fans. Often struggling in the twilight of their years and sometimes wondering if their efforts amounted to anything. This has long bothered many soul

fans and while their recordings can change for small fortunes they seldom see and return.