I don’t have a problem with Northern Soul compilations, funk compilations, Psyche compilations, Garage, Freakbeat etc. But if you’re going to try and emulate such original sounds; travel ye well, for ‘tis a well weathered and dangerous path.
Bands such as Stereolab and Saint Etienne have worn their mod and Northern Soul influences with some degree of subtlety. The Acid Jazz groups were a bit more blatant – James Taylor Quartet, Mother Earth. But hey, it was 1993. It isn’t anymore.
Why this album immediately fails is if you’re going to espouse that you ‘do’ Northern Soul, at least have a singer who can put in some soul. Opening track and forthcoming single ‘Love is On Our Side’ tries hard but ultimately lacks any soul. It is so sanitised in its sound it loses any charm of why Northern Soul can produce some gems. By second track ‘Mullet King’, the singer sounds like she’s twigged this fact and gives up completely.
Cover versions of Northern classics should really be avoided, unless you can do something with them (Soft Cell for example) or out-sing the original; it’s an often-perilous task. ‘You’ve Been Gone Too Long’, a cover of the Ann Sexton classic, is so devoid of any soul, power or emotion that it sounds like it was covered for an advert.
Elsewhere, the album is littered with so many clichés of mod, soul and funk; choppy wah-wah guitars, swirling Hammond Organs and Austin Powers tambourine driven beats sound like they’ve been poured out of a computer package. As the album progresses it begins to sound like there was a documentary being made about mods. The TV company couldn’t afford to use the original music so got TFPE to do some sound-alikes. These tracks are too blatant to show mere influence.
Germany has somehow gained a reputation for being fastidious. Musically, The Frank Popp Ensemble have unfortunately re-enforced this. Trying to update the sound of Northern Soul and freak beat by chopping in a few drum loops ends up sounding far too digital and overall the album seems to be lacking bass, a key driving factor in Northern Soul.
Had this album been released 12 years ago, it may have stood a chance. However, if people want the genre’s which TFPE are trying to emulate, chances are they will go out and buy a compilation; there are enough very good ones around. Certainly with original Northern Soul, aside from some breathtaking song writing, its charm and staying power lie in its production.
Rating: 0/5
Record Label: Universal Music|
Release Date: 21st November 2005
Words by Remy FV
