Mod Northern Soul

Mod Northern Soul

ELLA FITZGERALD BOOTS STOMPING VERSION NORTHERN SOUL    US $10.25

WHIRLWIND Rockabilly Punk CHISWICK PROMO Heaven Knows 7 Single DEMO    US $15.78

THIS IS SOUL LP Eddie Floyd UK ATLANTIC northern STAX 1st PRESS    US $11.04

THE NICE PROG PSYCH UK IMMEDIATE Ars Longa Vita Brevis    US $71.08

THE BYRDS LP FOLK PSYCH UK 5D FIFTH DIMENSION 1st PRESS    US $33.18

STYX LP UK HARD PROG ROCK 1st PRESS PROMO RADIO SAMPLER    US $15.78

SCORPIONS Animal Magnetism LP HARD ROCK Harvest PROMO    US $20.52

MOLLY HATCHET Flirtin With Disaster HARD metal PROMO PICTURE DISC EPIC RARE    US $94.78

METAL FOR MUTHAS Heavy LP XERO Trespass Dark Star PROMO    US $18.94

METAL FOR MUTHAS Heavy LP Samson IRON MAIDEN Nutz PROMO    US $20.52

LIAR Set the world on Fire LP HARD PROG ROCK UK 1st press 1978 Near Mint    US $4.72

NORTHERN SOUL MOD RB JOANN ZACHERY I WANT TO COME HOME ZACKS    US $9.99

4 MINT US IMPORT MOD NORTHERN SOUL 7s OOTP 043 052 £1 WYNNS PERSIONETTES SHIREL    US $1.56

NORTHERN SOUL MOD RB SOLOMON BURKE STUPIDITY ATLANTIC    US $9.99

NORTHERN SOUL MOD RB ESKO WALLACE TRIPLE ZERO GRAHAM    US $9.99

NORTHERN SOUL MOD RB JON THOMAS TIZZY JUNIOR    US $9.99

NORTHERN SOUL MOD RB FRANK BUTLER THE LOVE I NEED J V    US $9.99

TOMMY JAMES IM ALIVE ROULETTE Orig version Don Fardon J Thunders Hear    US $7.88

JACK HAMMER FOOTBALL ROCK DECCA DJ Rare Rocker HEAR    US $2.26

KINGSMEN LITTLE LATIN LUPE LU US WAND garage scorcher version HEAR    US $1.56

EVERYDAY PEOPLE HALF HALF US ABNAK yellow vinyl PROMO DJ mono stereo copy    US $3.14

RICHARD THE YOUNG LIONS OPEN UP YOUR DOOR PHILIPS poor plays great HEAR    US $1.56

DION PURPLE HAZE DOLPHINS US LAURIE version Jimi Hendrix    US $4.72

MYSTERONS 8 TEEN I NEED SOMEBODY US CAMEO original HEAR    US $3.14

EGYPTIAN COMBO ROCKIN LITTLE EGYPT US NORMAN Mod Popcorn instro HEAR    US $6.30

MAC VICKERY BELL BOTTOM JEANS AFCO Rare Rockabilly Mod scorcher HEAR    US $7.88

NEIL McARTHUR SHES NOT THERE UK DERAM 1969 great version HEAR    US $7.88

Jerry Lee Lewis Hit The Road Jack MONSTER MOD DANCER    US $15.78

STEVE STEPHENS Lonely Me Gold Standard Loner Teen Pop Garage 45 HEAR    US $9.99

THE STATICS and TINY TONY Harlem Shuffle Camelot NW Mod Soul Garage 45 LISTEN    US $9.99

THE NOTATIONS Tapered Drawers Ram Charger NW Surf Drag Mod Inst Rocker 45 HEAR    US $103.50

NEAL HEFTI Turkish Delight RCA 8858 Exotic Inst Jazz Mod Psych 45 LISTEN    US $9.99

THE VALIANTS Dont Make The Same DOT1966 Folk Garage Jangle 45 LISTEN    US $9.99

MICHELLE All My Hopes Canadian American girl group garage pop Soul 45 LISTEN    US $9.99

THE COMMANCHES Missed You Lovin Hickory US press UK Beat Garage 45 LISTEN    US $9.99

THE ALLEY CATS Lily Of The West Epic 9778 Garage Mod Jangle 45 LISTEN    US $9.99

GREGORY DEE and the AVANTIES Love Or Magic Twin Town 705 MN Garage 45 LISTEN    US $9.99

BELFAST GIPSIES Secret Police Glorias Dream Loma Fowley Fuzz Garage 45 HEAR    US $9.99

Hear Bruce Scott Northern Soul Mod Freakbeat DJ 45 So Much to Live For    US $8.00

Hear 1966 Chico Rio Mod Northern Soul 45 I Had To Be A Man    US $6.00

Hear Dynamic Superiors Northern Mod Soul One Nighter    US $8.00

TINA BRITT Sookie Sookie Key to the Highway VEEP 69 Northern Mod Soul Promo Ori    US $5.99

MOHAWKS Baby Hold On MEGA RARE FUNK BREAKS MOD Cotillion 45 HEAR    US $9.99

CHERYL ST CLAIR MY HEARTS NOT IN IT WE WANT LOVE 45 mod NORTHERN SOUL    US $20.00

NORTHERN MOTOWN FUNK and MUCH MORERIGHT HERE    US $3.93

LITTLE MAC THE BOSS SOUNDS In The Midnight Hour MOD ORGAN SOUL 45 LISTEN    US $9.99

NORTHERN SOUL MOD RB ERMA FRANKLIN Big Boss Man Art Sleeve Listen    US $14.00

TRULY SMITH My Smile Is Just a Frown Turned Upside Down NOTHERN SOUL Mod Girl EX    US $6.60

NORTHERN MOD JAZZ LIBRARY STYLE FUNK 45 BUD HUNGA TRAVELLING ON RHYTHMS HEAR    US $49.99

TEEN DOOWOP MGM GINGER the SNAPS HEAR BOTH 1965    US $9.99

On Location February 08 – South Africa and Mozambique

My most recent trip took me on a journey across South Africa and north into Mozambique to Vilanculos and the Bazurato Archipelago where cyclone Favio had wreaked havoc last April. I began in South Africa with a three hour road trip from Johannesburg into the Northern Province, where my first stop was Makweti in the Welgevonden Game Reserve, a 34,200 hectare privately owned game reserve in the heart of the Waterberg in the Limpopo province of South Africa

Makweti, set on the edge of a small flowing waterfall with views over the reserve, is simply lovely. If Rhinos are your passion then this is a wonderful park for viewings: literally five minutes from the lodge I saw six rhinos grazing peacefully (my excitement was lost on my guide who was more interested in the wildebeest!) as well as a brown hyena, usually so elusive, which amazingly allowed us to creep behind him for ten minutes before disappearing up into the hillside.

The next day I moved to another location in the Waterberg region and Ants Hill, a beautiful property where the focus is on horse riding in the bush. Ants Hill is an eclectic mix of vibrant colours, textured and beautifully crafted furniture supported by stunning views. Immediately I fell in love with the laid back, relaxed nature of the management and big smiley faces of the staff.

My first activity was an evening ride where I asked for a fairly 'exciting' horse and was generously rewarded. We had a lovely ride out in the bush, with fantastic views across the plains with a variety of game. The highlight for me was when a picnic table laid out with drinks and nibbles suddenly appeared around the corner as the sun was slowly descending. We were told to take the tack off the horses and leave it on the grass - I was then expecting some grooms to appear and magically whisk the horses away. However, we just released the horses and they galloped off into the sunset towards home. If only we could do that with our horses in England!

The following morning to make the most of Ants Hill I went out on another riding safari. After a few hours of tracking two rhinos we stumbled across a rhino and her three day old calf. What an adrenalin thrill - there can be few wildlife experiences as exciting as watching a rhino and her baby whilst close by on horseback, feeling both excited yet vulnerable.

I also stayed at Ants Hill sister property, Ants Nest, a smaller lodge hidden in the bush that can be hired. Again, it was a wonderful blend of antiques, beautiful furniture, colourful fabrics and creative architecture. The focus here is also horse riding, game drives and walks. I highly advise trying a massage during your stay too!

From Ants Nest, I drove back to Johannesburg where I flew by combination of scheduled flight and private charter to the Makalali Conservancy. In this reserve only two lodges exist and I stayed at Garonga - aptly named 'safari for your soul'. The lodge is a blend of raw textiles, wood, clay with soothing neutral colours of fabrics. The game is actually excellent despite the fact that it does not sell itself on this basis. We saw cheetah, lion, various plains game and a variety of nocturnal animals. Regular sightings at camp include elephant and kudu (during my bush shower I had four eyes on me from two bull kudus - a little embarrassing). Massages, relaxing by the pool, dining and reading are all musts at Garonga. I was going to venture out to the sleep-out deck but a huge downpour put paid to that idea. I loved Garonga: it is perfectly run, it is extremely relaxing and the game is superb - an unknown gem in South Africa.

Next stop Vilanculos, the southern capital of Mozambique, where I was greeted by a blast of humidity and drizzle (I was visiting in the rainy season - whilst we have some great trips at Steppes we cannot always go at the best time of year). Having endured the bureaucracy of the visa desk, I drove through town to get to the speedboat out to Marlin Lodge on Benguerra Island. Cyclone Favio had certainly made its mark here. Trees lay strewn across roads and destroyed shanty houses were all regular sights. However, the one abiding memory is how friendly the local Mozambicans are. Nothing was too much hassle.

There are four main lodges that I visited during my stay in Mozambique - each perfect in their different style. All have pristine white sandy beaches and glorious turquoise sea. Marlin is the bigger and most economical lodge (during my visit they were still in the middle of completing the building work). Our evening there was spent in an old dhow. The two boys that crewed the dhow surprised us by being able to speak eight languages, including being totally fluent in English.

From Marlin I moved to Benguerra, a lodge that was the first to open in the Bazurto Archipelago and I would certainly say that after 18 years they definitely have their finger on the pulse. The food was exquisite (langoustine, crab, freshly caught fish), the management superb and the rooms which have been recently refurbished are quite simply faultless - copper baths, artistic décor, mosaic outdoor showers, personal plunge pools and private dining decks and with your own view of the ocean. The pièce de resistance is the old dhow beach bar - a perfect place to end the day with a cool beer watching the sunset.

Azura is the newly opened eco-lodge that is contemporary with clean cool colours and funky décor. They have excelled themselves in using as much raw materials as possible within the interior design. The focus here is simplicity - the décor kept at a minimum with flashes of creativity. It has a whole host of activities to keep you entertained or if you just want to relax then the complimentary massage is an absolute must - truly superb.

Finally I visited Indigo Bay, which is a family friendly resort - there is a whole host of activities, a newly built first class spa, water sports and diving centre, horse riding and golf. It is a resort for those that love their mod-cons including mini bars, air conditioning, TV, kiddie clubs. You would certainly never get bored at Indigo and I would not hesitate in recommending it to all families.

Mozambique is not an easy destination to get to - whether in terms of travel or cost - however, I cannot rate it highly enough in terms of its culture, the people and the overall 'real and rawness'. It is certainly the epitome of barefoot luxury. I would advise going soon before tourism makes its mark too strongly...

About the Author

Steppes Travel specialise in luxury holidays, and tailor made holidays

Why is it there is no music category for MOD music?

You know when you go on my space or anything similar to search for music-mod music is missing! Bands like Secret Affair, The Chords, Lambrettas, and "mod music" incorportaes The Jam and Oasis as well as Ska, Motown Atlantic Soul, Northern Soul....

Mod music is a pretty complex thing, but if you want a good website check out modculture.co.uk. I think some of the other answerers have underplayed the mod 'movement' there certainly was an identifiable mod influenced music in the 60's. The basic premise was that Afro-American music was in general not published in the UK (the preference being mainly for the commercial American white artists such as Elvis) and even when it was released in the UK the record companies made little effort to promote the material. Even the mighty Motown records did not have a dedicated UK distributor until 1965. This made the Afro-American music quite rare and there developed an underground scene where imports of Soul/R&B/Blues became very popular with kids in the UK. When these British youths started producing their own music they would often either cover these Soul/R&B/Blues songs or make similar music but with one important difference; the music made in britain was usually played with a harder edge and instead of the more pollished studio arrangements of the originals this music was presented by the guitar/bass/drums combo. These british youths were also influenced by the dress of the original artists such as Sam Cooke but they also developed this into their own sense of style.
Mod music is therefore music that is either 60's soul/R&B/Blues or British bands imitating this style and creating an edgier and more raw sound. This is why 80's mod revival is heresy; the Jam etc are only influenced by British music of the 60's and not by American Soul/R&B or Blues.Check out the early Who or Smalll Faces music and their choice of covers (or even the first few Kinks albums), and compare this to the original music- its a natural progression from their influences. And obviously Northern Soul is very closely connected to Mod music as its all about rare Soul records but it mainly started after the 60's and should probably be seen as an offshoot of Mod culture. A good starting place (if you don't already have it) is the In Crowd the Ultimate Style Movement 1958-1967 (I've heard the liner notes are very good, unfortunately I got mine of e-bay and didn't get the booklet that comes with the cds), and its sequal Out of Sight More Sounds From the In Crowd. These are the best mod compilations because they're not restricted to just British or American music as the majority of mod compiltions are (e.g the Doin' the Mod series is mainly British music) and they give a good overall picture of the music listened to by the 60s mods.