Richard Searling has just completed a series of seven one hour long shows highlighting the Crossover Hot 100.
I was waiting for the last one in the series and was planning to post them all in one chunk but they are probably better posted individually as the total running time is 7 hours, so here's Part 1 from 4 Dec 2022 where he plays positions 100 to 84 in reverse order.
For those not familiar with what the term crossover means, I'll try to explain how I understand it, others may have their own interpretation. It was a term first coined by Rod Dearlove in an issue of his excellent soul magazine Voices From The Shadows in the mid 80s. (I will need to dig my copy out to refresh my memory).
The word is derived from the 'crossover' of the decade between the 60s and 70s, and generally (not strictly) applies to soul music that was released between 1967/68 to 1973/74. This being the period when the Motown 'four on the floor' beat changed to slower or more funky tempo and before disco/Philly emerged in late '74/75.
The rare soul scene in the UK, at this time, typically played the 60s four on the floor style music and music released during the 'crossover' period didn't fit in so was largely ignored. The scene changed in the 80s in the constant search for new music as the supply of undiscovered 60s 'stompers' began to dry up. The all-nighter at Stafford's Top Of The World was largely responsible for many of the changes and slower and different styles of music became accepted.
Essentially crossover is slower, more mid-tempo, and generally more smooth and soulful music.
Richard 'tongue in cheek' describes it in his introduction as 'easy listening Northern Soul'. The selections for Richard's show were chosen by listeners. I think some of them in the 100 are more what I would term modern soul rather that crossover, but that's just my take on it as the term is often interpreted differently (and modern soul rooms also played crossover so perhaps that's how they have become merged).
It doesn't really matter about 'definitions' as they are all perfect examples of great quality late 60s / early 70s soul music that may have otherwise passed us by unnoticed.
Playlist Part 1:
100 - Sonny Til [1969] - Tears And Misery
99 - The Originals [1972] - I'm Someone Who Cares
98 - 100 Proof Aged In Soul [1972] - Don't You Wake Me
[Hot Wax #HA 712] (100 Proof LP)
97 - Barbara Lynn [1968] - This Is The Thanks I Get
96 - Willie Hutch [1970] - Let's Try It Over Again
95 - Maxine Brown [1968] - Don't Leave Me Baby
Alt: Ray Gant & The Arabian Knights [1971] - Don't Leave Me Baby
94 - Harry Deal & The Galaxies [1970] - I Still Love You
93 - Major Lance [1969] - Sweeter As The Days Go By
92 - Gene Townsel [1978] - I'm Waking Away
[Dobre #DR-1054] (Time
Wounds All Heels LP)
91 - Tony Drake [1970] - Suddenly
90 - George Benson - My Woman's Good To Me
89 - Channel 3 - The Sweetest Thing
88 - Bettye Swann - I Want Sunday Back Again
(Alt: Maxine Weldon [1975] - I Want Sunday Back Again
87 - Vernon Greene [1968] - Look At Me, Look At Me
86 - Barbara Hall [1975] - You Brought It On Yourself
85 - Universal Joint [1971] - Love Won't Wear Off (As The Years Wear
(Alt: J.R. Bailey [1968] - Love Won't Wear Off (As The Years Wear
84 - Brenda & The Tabulations [1968] - That's In The Past
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