VA — Let\’s Copp A Groove: Lost UK Soul 1968-72 (2003/2022)

FLAC (tracks) / MP3 320 kbps | Soul | 1h 18 min | 335 / 185 MB

Beacon was a British label run by a fascinating character named Milton Samuel. It lasted from 1968 to 1972, and specialized in hard-edged soul music made by Brits and Americans. Let\’s Copp a Groove: Lost UK Soul 1968-1972 collects 27 of the highlights released by this unsung, but really good, label. The best tracks combine deep soul voices, and a kind of groovy musical backing stationed halfway between soul and rock. Case in point: Jon and Jeannie\’s \»We Got Lovin\’,\» which features Jon and Jeannie trading lines back and forth in a soulful frenzy, while the guitar player doles out whip-smart hard rock solos behind them. Other tracks in this vein are Root and Jenny Jackson\’s cover of Aretha\’s \»Save Me,\» Bobby Wells\’ awesome \»Let\’s Copp a Groove,\» Joyce Bond\’s \»First in Line,\» and the Eddy Grant-written and -produced \»Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boys,\» by Tony Morgan and the Mussel Power Band. The label also released a lot of bubblegum soul (Cinnamon\’s \»You Won\’t See Me Leaving,\» and Root and Jenny Jackson\’s \»Let\’s Go Somewhere,\» to name two), quite a few tracks with an island feel (Sugar Simone\’s lilting \»Turn on a Heatwave,\» Ram Jam Holder\’s \»Yes I Do\»), and also made forays into funky psych-rock (John Fitch & Associates powerful \»Romantic Attitude\»), instrumental novelty tracks (the Clangers\’ silly but cool \»Dance of the Clangers\»), and political soul-rock (Black Velvet\’s \»Peace & Love Is the Message\»). Despite the wide range of releases, and judging by this collection, Beacon rarely put a wrong foot forward. Let\’s Copp a Groove is a fun, funky, and educational listen, and a nice view of a part of British musical history that is often overlooked.
1. Root And Jenny Jackson – So Far Away (02:20)
2. Jon & Jeannie – We Got Lovin\’ (02:49)
3. Root And Jenny Jackson – Lean On Me (02:55)
4. Ram John Holder – Yes I Do (03:04)
5. Root And Jenny Jackson – Save Me (03:56)
6. John Fitch & Associates – Stoned Out Of It (02:25)
7. Root And Jenny Jackson – Let\’s Go Somewhere (02:52)
8. John Fitch & Associates – Romantic Attitude (03:24)
9. Black Velvet – African Velvet (03:36)
10. Eldridge Devlin – A Little Love (03:18)
11. Barry Davis – I Wish It Would Rain (02:56)
12. The Clangers – Dance Of The Clangers (02:54)
13. Joyce Bond – Wind Of Change (03:12)
14. Paula Parfitt – Love Is Wonderful (03:01)
15. Jeannie Dee – Come See About Me (02:40)
16. Bobby Wells – Let\’s Copp A Groove (02:25)
17. The Showstoppers – Do You Need My Love (02:29)
18. Cinnamon – You Won\’t See Me Leaving (03:14)
19. The Clangers – Beautiful Baby (02:59)
20. Black Velvet – Peace And Love Is The Message (03:29)
21. Sugar Simone – Turn On The Heatwave (02:21)
22. Black Velvet – What Am I To Do (02:51)
23. Joyce Bond – First In Line (03:12)
24. Tony Morgan And The Mussel Power Band – Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boys (02:45)
25. Tony Morgan And The Mussel Power Band – Why Build A Mountain (02:30)
26. Black Velvet – Whatcha\’ Gonna Do About It (02:11)
27. Black Velvet – Goodwill To All Mankind (02:52)