Soul Auction
Check out the Rare Soulman soul auction for all the best bargains available online. Be sure to check the closing date and time for each record to ensure to don’t miss out on the best bids. Our auction stock dramatically varies in price, with records ranging from £12-£700. Find the perfect soulful additions for your own collection.
The condition and authenticity of all the records in our soul auction section are always carefully and closely scrutinised. If you enjoyed our auction, then you may also enjoy checking out our latest soul additions.
Emmitt Long
Call Me / You're Puzzling Me
Donoyia: CR-101 (45s)
Everybody adore this mesmeric slice of rare 70's Northern Soul
Condition Report
Two clean yellow labels, full gloss mint minus vinyl
Reuben Howell
You Can't Stop A Man In Love / When You Take Another Chance On Love
Motown : M1274F DJ (45s)
Still my favourite version of this fabulous Terry Woodford, Clayton Ivey, George Soule creation, as the arrangement skills of the prolific master of "the strings" Mike Lewis & Charles Chalmers levitates the whole song above all others, the slow misty drizzle of its soulful brilliance saturating your mood with only good feelings and dance motivation. It certainly brings them to the floor in droves.
Simplistic laid back piano intro, prepares you for a strolling masterpiece that slowly blooms into a full-blown Northern Soul classic; currently on the comeback trail. As DJ's begin to revisit it's, with the delighted dancefloor lost once again in it irresistible charms, a positive response is assured, when ever this beauty is dropped on the turntable. As you'd expect when encountering such a "Soul" excellence. A male vocal delight, adorned with shrill girl choruses, strings, subtle horns and positively determined lyrics.
I adore everything about it!
Seldom seen in this fine mint minus condition.
Condition Report
two clean promo labels, full gloss mint minus vinyl, almost a MANSHIP MINT
Jimmey ( Soul ) Clark
( Come On And Be My ) Sweet Darlin' / ( Somebody ) Stop That Girl
Soulhawk: SH-001 DJ (45s)
This Detroit dancer was the very first Northern Soul record I paid more for, than what my weekly wage for...and it was only mere a red stock copy.
I snagged it off those legendary Brian "45" Philips sales list in 1971, it was £15, I was earning about £10 a week as a gas fitting apprentice as Southfields College in Leicester. To afford the purchase, I took a whole box of British soul 45's that I'd accumulated over the previous two years. Rare UK blue Stax, red Atlantic, Tamla Motown, Chess etc. The short-lived second hand record shop on Charles Street, Leicester gave me £8 for the lot. That was my first lesson, to not show "need" when selling vinyl. I was desperate to own Jimmey Soul Clark and I stupidly told the proprietor how imperative it was I bought it. His offer was diminishing in his head with every sentence I naively spouted.
In the end I hustled up enough to buy some postal orders to send to Brian in Manchester. The wait for it to drop through my letter box was agonising. When it did I immediately fell in love with the cool "Soulhawk" logo and the "Palmer" motif, neither of which had I seen before. I think Soulhawk 001 led me on a path of uncontrollable label fetishism. Still today this white promo copy with the typeset "PALMER RECORD CO. - DETROIT MICHIGAN" pulls on my retina. Just as much as Popcorn Wylie & Tony Hester prick my ears up to attention.
The beseeching slow intro never prepared me for what was to follow, an on-his-knees pleading performance, saturated in love salutations delivered with convincing devotion. Popcorn Wylie banging away at the piano, Tony Hester conducting that rich male vocal group harmony backing. Another collaboration giving up not one but two sensational Motor City motivators, I found I liked the flipside every note as much.
"( Somebody ) Stop That Girl" to this day is a forgotten NS gem, drenched in all the same qualities. With classic Detroit rhythms you can't avoid moving to. On this side "Popcorn" excels on the keyboard as he effortlessly rolls out those dance pulses (the man was a genius). His collaborations with Tony Hester crafted some of the greatest Northern Soul ever committed to vinyl.
"Enough Is Enough, I Just Can't Take No More Confusing - I Need Her - But What I So Don't Need is Misusing" Tony Hester a lyrical thesaurus, with Mike Terry in close attendance, this time not burping his baritone saxophone but busy making sure the arrangement flows seamlessly into your heart.
Dynamic Detroit from four guys who will be fondly remembered every day, as long as Northern Soul is still listened and danced to...Wylie, Hester, Clark & Terry ensured a decisive change to my musical journey from Stax/Atlantic/Chess into the kaleidoscope of small USA label, independently produced street-soul and the magnificent music it spawned.
How lucky am I...
Condition Report
Two totally clean promo labels, full gloss mint minus vinyl ARP stamped matrix - of course.
H.B. Barnum
It Hurts Too Much Too Cry / Lonely Hearts
RCA : 47-8112 PS (45s)
well, not quite, the all important and seldom-seen picture sleeve is an unbelievable MINT minus, (the finest we've ever encountered) as are the two labels MINT! the vinyl reveals only the merest wispy sleeve storage hairlines when angled under light. Near perfect throughout, complete with the extremely elusive picture cover, unblemished!
A listing for those of you serious about condition and just as serious about Northern Soul big productions.
This listing ticks both those boxes. Spectacular flawless condition, of a seldom encountered 1962 completeness with H.B. most-wanted 45 "It Hurts Too Much Too Cry"
Even back in 1962 at the tender age of 27 this guy was already a recording studio veteran, having already earned the right to be christened "The Great". After spending his childhood acting in movies and TV. Moving into singing as a young man he was part of highly regarded Los Angeles Doo-Wop group "The Dootones". In 1960 he released a "swing" album released by RCA and from then on in, his producing skills were in big demand. Also launching his RCA career this talented pianist was also running his own label. Arranging, producing, starting up his own L.A. based label "Little Star". Guiding up and coming young stars like The O'Jays, Jimmy Norman, Dorothy Berry etc. Later becoming a Northern Soul icon with his recording & producing output when he graduated to Capitol Records.
But before his highly influential Capitol work, came this now Northern Soul classic written of course by H.B. himself. "It Hurts Too Much Too Cry" underlines H. B.'s early mastery of the big production, as kettle drums, violins, marching percussion collide, fusing the perfect vehicle for H.B.'s rich but beseeching vocal to journey through. Then he brings in the "girls", a masterstroke, as shrill choruses now takes to the air and a H.B. Northern Soul monster is born.
The USA single is no easy find these days. A 45 single of "It Hurts Too Much Too Cry" was never released in the Europe. There can be no better way to add this gargantuan to your collection. Condition is simply stunning, you will not find a more perfect example of the prestigious picture cover anywhere....
Condition Report
As described above.
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Get Out (And Let Me Cry) / You May Not Love Me
Landa: 703 DJ (45s)
Richie Barrett's imaginative 1964 Philadelphia vocal-group creation, that had all Northern Soul dancefloors in 1973/74 mesmerized, anticipation of the ultimate slow start intro, holding the Northern Soul dancefloor in suspension before a lift off of mammoth proportions.
An anthem held close inside the very embodiment of the Northern Soul scene. One listen, will cast, either your memory right back to those golden-times or fire your imagination of what it must have been like standing shoulder the shoulder awaiting, that irresistible clip-clopping dance beat, decorated with the most divinely rich male harmonies.
So truly timeless, I'm 20 years of after again.
Never, ever in 1973 could I have appreciated the genius of the flipside that today is universally recognoised as one of the finest male harmony ballads of all-time. A huge favorurite in the heartlands of Pittsburgh clubs in the mid-sixties, which today has lighted up my afternoon with it's seamless brilliance.
Condition Report
Two clean promo labels, immaculate full gloss
Freddie Houston
If I Had Know / Only The Lonely One
Old Town : 1156 DJ (45s)
For dormant Northern Soul scene in the early 80's, it was a point in time, when the search was on for more sounds to compare with this seismic club night demolisher. A fork in the road that left the late 70's penchant to bouncy sugary pop dancers, as Neolithic nonentities. The "Stafford Sound" completely altered the now unstable voyage of Northern Soul forever. Beat Ballad Heaven is now engrained into the very psyche of the NS culture although we borrowed heavily from the Belgium Popcorn Pioneers who blazed the trail long before us.
If your discussing Big Vocal Big City Northern Soul boomers, nothing but nothing, beats this 2:18 min nuclear bomb from New York, a mood-altering statement of unparalleled power, from a vocal that defies superlatives..... just to add, Northern Soul never had bigger bollocks than this.
Before clicking the soundfile, be sure you have valid buildings insurance...
Condition Report
A-side promo label has two soft sticker residue stains, ballpoint xxx denoting the playside, flipside label is totally clean. The sturdy Old Town vinyl gives off booming fidelity, from a strong gloss surface, revealing some soft surface marks when angled in the light, none of which react with the stylus. Playing a booming Excellent plus throughout. .
John Edwards / Loletta Holloway
Ain't That Good Enough / This Man's Arms
Kent : 6T 11 (45s)
The 100 Club after picking up the mantle from the defunct Wigan Casino, Cleethorpes Peir, Yate, Stafford Top Of The World is now the benchmark for all promoters attempting to replicate those Golden Days of The Twisted Wheel, The Torch, Leeds Central, The Catacombs etc. before Northern Soul was hurtled into the wider world of commercialism which in 2021 has now hit an all time peak. But if you're seeking an authentic throwback experience, to relive the atmosphere generated by dancers seeking rare Soul music to dance to, there is no other place on planet-earth that gets as closer than the 100 club to the beginnings of Northern Soul, whilst still seeking out new previously unknown examples of the NS sound along the way.
Once a year is the celebrated 100 Club anniversary night, where lucky ticket holders not only revel in the most anticipated night of the year, they also receive an on-the-door only gift of an exclusive single. Almost without exception a precious, previously unissued 45 that is certain to escalate in value before you’ve even climbed back up those stairs into the dawn-light of London.
This example is one of the finest in this series of treasured exclusive 45s from 1995 celebrating the 6T's 16th Anniversary. An exquisite previously unissued version of the Joshie Jo Armstead, Valerie Simpson and Nick Ashford Crossover masterpiece, that Garland Green first recorded so brilliantly in December 1969.
A stunning record not only celebrating the unrivaled affection and majesty the 100 Club holds within the Northern Soul community but also another vital piece of superior soul created on this most-collectable of imprints.
Condition Report
Two clean labels, full gloss mint minus vinyl.
Janie Grant
My Heart, Your Heart / And That Reminds Me Of Me
Parkway : P-982 DJ west coast (45s)
But there is another dedicated area where NS 45 collectors are just as committed to their unwavering search to acquire all the "jumbled Parkway promos" those eye-catching label vista from Los Angeles, partly triggered by the fact some never, ever received a release i.e. Chubby Checker- You Just Don't Know (What You do To Me Girl) a West Coast NS Holy Grail on this artistic label. Which seen in a run, are most impressive indeed. Jerry Jackson, Christine Cooper, Yvonne Baker are all jaw-droppers to the Parkway west coast promo devotee. So the search widens for the collector, to amass as many of these elusive beauties as possible.
Before you today is one of the seriously elusive ones in this series, a March 1966 Monarch promo press in glorious mint minus condition. Delta no. 61207 with encircled MR stamp plus a partial Bell Sound stamp
the mid 70's bootleg of course has a Delta no. 101714 etched in the deadwax.
Ask any Parkway devotee Parkway P-982 DJ west coast in mint minus condition, is a prize indeed.
Condition Report
Two totally clean promo labels, full gloss mint minus vinyl inside the stunning vintage sleeve, beauty is in the eye of the beholder,
Lonnie Lester
You Can't Go / You Choose
Nu-Tone: 210 (45s)
The power of the dancefloor, the needs of the Northern Soul DJ plus this 45's growing elusiveness, have pushed the demand and value of this explosive slab of R&B skyward..
A droning whistling hum intro, hanging in the background. But not overwhelming the aggressive snarling, a spitting verbal attack that Lonnie Lester delivers with no mercy whatsoever. What a combination! Chuck Danzy's Funk inclination drives a wild uncompromising backing track, so in tune with Lonnie's attitude saturated style.
It's pure Chicago meat & potatoes R&B aided by Lonnie's Gary, Indiana formative years, the edginess of the neighbourhood hanging on his every phrase..
Northern Soul with balls, a dancefloor detonator... every time!
The Deep soul flip drips in emotion also - do not overlook it.
Condition Report
two perfect labels, previously unplayed vinyl
Brenda Holloway
Lonely Boy / blank:
Jobete Music Company Inc.: acetate (45s)
"All I want for Christmas is Brenda Holloway's finest ever Northern Soul recording, on the unique unissued Jobette Music acetate autographed by Brenda herself, please"
Her original and infinitely superior version of Eric Mercury's - Lonely Girl - a Holy Grail dream acetate that has just sent waves of tingling pleasure down my spine.
Click the soundfile Brenda is about to take you to heaven, pleasuring your Northern Soul psyche like never before! As the song takes her through her completely impeccable vocal range.
Her finest, and my finest Northern Soul experience in a very long, long time - what a stunning record this is - I feel very privileged to listen to my favourite Motown sister today with one of her greatest creations that never reached vinyl.
Stunned...!
Condition Report
label signed by Brenda, title in red type, recording ownership in black type. acetate lacquer is all intact in its original state, some soft storage hairlines. as you can hear it plays perfect.
Ivorys
Please Stay / I'm In The Groove
Despenza : 12266 script logo (45s)
Condition Report
Faded X X on a-side label, flipside label is clean (see images) Fine clean vinyl, carrying strong gloss and just a few soft surface blemishes
Tony Drake
Suddenly / It Hurts Me More
Brunswick : 55437 DJ (45s)
From those fertile pens of Eugene Record and Barbara Acklin; aided by Chicago Soul studio magicians Tom Washington & Willie Henderson, this dream-team craft a striking piece of "end of a decade" Soul.
New decade, new approach ? As this dancer carries a abundance of unique characteristics that no other Brunswick 45 was blessed with.
Rattling bongo intro, tin drum tickles, Tony Drake purring away in the background poised to strike with those imploring lyrics, just as the trumpeting takes to the air...
some "cool" intro; then it's lift-off on a wave of strings, subtle brass, and jazzy breaks collide with vocal-group chants of "Ooh, Arrh, Arhh, Pa Da, Ooh Pa, Dah " with Mr. Drake's commanding vocal booming away upfront and fully in charge, with provocative saxophone intrusions...make for a fabulously classy Northern Soul experience you could never tire of hearing.
In recent times one of my personal favourites fitting snug into today's preference for soulful dance productions from that bridging style between the 60s and 70's when producers pushed the envelope, creating more imaginative sounds.. This record is unique in it's Chicago make-up, nothing sounds quite like it. So memorably different..
As we tipped several years ago, we felt this rarity had a long, long way to go, recently ridiong the crest of a wave, with several high-profile DJs dropping the arm on it, what has been in the past a forgotten jewel. But within a packed room, on a loud system nothing matches its individuality...
Some potent crossover tune this is.. and not easy to find, especially in this fine, near perfect condition.
PS do not overlooked Tony's silky delivery of a fabulous Van McCoy song on the flipside, a stunning mid-tempo that should also feature in on of those discerning chill-out Sundays..
Condition Report
Both labels are clean except for the merest minuscule graze on the flipside promo label (squint at image just under the B in Brunswick) see scan housed in birth-sleeve. The vinyl in an impeccable Mint minus. Listen and enjoy, what is a unparalleled example of Chicago Soul in transition.
Jay Nelson
Don't You Wanna A Man Like Me / Rocka Me All Night Long
Excello : 45-2178 (45s)
Impossible previously unplayed archive copy, still in birth-sleeve. The protective factory film coating, has been carefully removed for the perfect double soundfile to be recorded.
Hidden away on the reverse of a sulking guitar / piano driven 1959 Blues stroller, lays a thumping slab of Jumping R&B that e preserve of that gang from Boogie Chillun R&B Club Belfast, always seeking out the most motivating rare R&B dancers. As you'd expect A-list DJ Billy Kealy has been firmly behind this prodigious dancefloor-destroyer for quite some time.
Your opportunity to own perhaps the last know perfect copy - Impossible previously unplayed is a real trophy-piece for any elusive Excello 45
Condition Report
A perfect previously unplayed copy, still housed in birth-sleeve
Checkerboard Squares
Double Cookin' / A Day In Saulito
Villa : 705 (45s)
THIS IS INSPRATIONAL HANDCLAPPING NORTHERN SOUL!
and some...
Condition Report
Two clean labels, bb drill in label near 3 o'clock (see images), playing surface visually reveals soft surface marks, but as you can hear it plays crisp, clean and loud! a superb copy
Sheila Anthony
Livin' In Love / Woman To Woman
Buttercup : 45-007 DJ (45s)
Another standout 1970 New York creation from Teddy Randazzo & Victoria Pike. A fruitful collaboration that crafted so many truly great songs for Little Anthony and the Imperials, Royalettes, Porgy & The Monarchs, Derek Martin etc. The pairing invariably producing hugely uplifting creations, with smooth potent vocals and full orchestra support. Typically New York and typically Randazzo & Pike.
Starting life as a flipside "Livin' In Love" it didn't take long for this failed Buttercup release, the only release credited to this mysterious lady, to find its way into heart of the Northern Soul scene. Similtamneously played at The Casio, The Pier to rapturous dancefloor response, it was the perfect dancer for the 1975/76 NS generation.
A listing for those many of you who have dedicated their collecting focus, on the records that rammed the dancefloor full in those golden years from 1971 to 1979. Years that truly defined the classic Northern Soul sound.
Condition Report
two clean promo labels, full gloss vinyl revealing soft surface hairlines when angled in the light. Presented here in its Jubilee Jay Gee distributors sleeve
Flowers
For Real / For Real part 2
LA Xpressio: LAX 101 DJ (45s)
N. F. Porter associate, Los Angeles craftsman Richard Flowers, constructs a wondrous orchestral intro that instantly demands your attention, nobody has bettered this approach to Soul music before or since.
Tranquil gliding of the harp, melds with two sighing lovers, creating a serene floating platform, for fully loaded strings to zip into a skyward journey of overwhelming euphoria. Then in steps the fully at-ease rich vocal of Richard Flowers. Such a commanding presence, whilst simultaneously giving up a nonchalant performance saturated in love. Enriched by shrill harmonies from the equally unhurried choruses. Relentless celestial strings dart in and out, cutting a swath through this misty-masterpiece as you fall deeper and deeper entranced with its Soulful mystery...
Flowers - For Real - sits high in my personal top five favourite records of all time... yet again I'm transfixed by its second-to-none mesmeric powers...
VINYL ECSTASY!!
Condition Report
Fine clean vinyl, strong EX+. Both promo labels suffer from aged h2o exposure,
Barbara McNair
You're Gonna Love My Baby / The Touch Of Time
Tamla Motown : TMG 544 DJ (7")
The Radio DJ/reviewer/ was recipicant of this TMG Grail in January 1966, they were maybe expecting finger-snapping Motown dance music. Instead he recieved a recording like vno other Motown creation before or since. A moody orchestra driven mid-tempo with a regretful, brokenhearted girl who chance of love has slipped away, philosophically congratulates her rival with the reassurance with the certainty she's gonna love her ex-boyfriend.
"You're Gonna Love My Baby" the first 1966 "DJ" didn't like what he heard, writing the date and a faded code of dismissal in ballpoint. (see images) then takes it upon himself to write (side 1) on the drab "The Touch Of Time" side. utterly amazing to Northern Soul fans of today, as this record is an incomparable Anthem! and has been for decades. "You're Gonna Love My Baby" never received any airplay in the UK to my knowledge, it was at the time totally misunderstood; standing out only because it sounded nothing remotely like anything mid-60s Tamla Motown had released before.
Today absolutely no introduction is required for this British TMG legend...or indeed a review is maybe redundant also, for TMG 544 is a unanimously revered 45, held in the same unrivaled esteem by all Tamla Motown followers and the Northern Soul congregation alike. It is in most collectors opinions, one of the most important and best loved British Tamla Motown releases of them all; But it didn't start like life that, being completely outside the Motown style, in make up and delivery, this recording took time rise through the Northern Soul ranks to become a most-requested dabcefloor favourite. But those stark differences over the decades have set "You're Gonna Love My Baby" apart from the rest of the British Tamla Motown releases, finding a place in the hearts of all Soul fans, from no matter what persuasion.
Before you today is a spectacular example of this coveted 45. A fabuous Red & White DEMO with a few tiny Radio DJ notes. Full gloss vinyl, revealing only fine hairlines under direct light, 4 prong centre intact. all housed the original Tamla Motown sleeve.
Vinyl visually and audibility Mint minus.
Look, listen and be prepared to fall in love all over again, with the alluring Barbara McNair and her finest recording, a masterpiece of Tamla Motown's diversity.
Condition Report
a reviewed above.
Henry Ford
Take Me For What I Am / I love You, And Need You
Starfall: 9001 (45s)
Both sides benefit from an accomplished horn section blending with Henry's impassioned vocal, guided by Leon & Levi Triplett, the celebrated rare-soul Triplett Twins.
The top side is a sumptuous Soulful-stroller bolstered by a full male-group validation and considerately blown brass. Henry Ford asks to be "taken for what he is" as he proclaims his love, but don't change me; "don't try and make me what I'm not" his honesty pours out, saturated in meaningful soul.
The flipside Henry gets mean and funky, as the struts his way through hard hitting percussion, muscular bass guitar pulses. unforgiving horns, Henry rides so brilliantly with his now elevated snarling vocal, that collides head-on with the brutal saxophone solo.
One totally mean n'funky dancer one side, with an enchanting, dreamy Lowrider Sweet Soul ballad as the lead.
Two top-drawer tunes presented here in immaculate condition.
Do not pass by..
Condition Report
two clean yellow labels, full gloss mint minus yellow - a top copy.
Cindy Scott
I Love You Baby / In Your Spare Time
Veep: V 1253 DJ (45s)
Cindy Scott's "I Love You Baby" is a timeless NS anthem that has detonated dancefloors across the UK, with its persuasive cocktail of piano, vibes and strings. Driving the pulsating intro before Cindy's imploring voice takes to the air. A dancefloor filler in the UK for nearly 50 years.
For most of that time the flipside "In Your Spare Time" has lived in the shadows of that well earned "classic" badge worn by "Love You Baby". But over the last few years the "Sun" has been shining on this fabulous flipside also. As it gives up a little more Soulful class, at a pace so right for today's dancefloor... as the "smart" DJ's track back over a few previously neglected/hidden masterpieces.. "In Your Spare Time" seems to be the side to chase these days.. with the bonus a real-deal NS anthem on the flip. A Double-sider from Double Diamond ultilizing the whole team, The Sweet Three providing the shrill choruses, Leon Huff at the piano, with all the above named doing their part.
Two great sides, one fabulous Northern Soul original vinyl-vista on a label that has been so revered throughout all our Northern Soul journey's.
Condition Report
Soft storage wear to the promo labels, view images, both sides carries good gloss, revealing only the merest light hairlines under light, check out the two crisp clean soundfiles, all housed in the brilliant piece of sleeve art - the attractive Veep cover.