As time marches on and proper recognition has started coming toward Brit soulsters like Dusty Springfield, this collection is the first entry in reassessing the Northern Soul movement in England in the mid-'60s and how the British attempted to come up with their own version of it. This fat-cat, 30-track collection brings together artists Black and White, British, West Indian and American, all cutting soulful sounds for the British Pye label. Rather than carbon copies of the legendary soul hits, what we have here -- with a few notable exceptions -- is a collection of strong original material performed in a solid approximation of an American style. Highlights are numerous, including Jimmy James' "This Heart of Mine," Jason Knight's "Our Love Is Getting Stronger," Ebony Keyes' "If You Knew," Kenny Roberts' poppish "Run Like the Devil," Lorraine Silver's "Lost Summer Love," and Petula Clark's "A Sign of the Times," the biggest hit on here. Interesting covers also abound in Sounds Orchestral's 100-mph rendition of "Black Is Black," Geno Washington's "She Shot a Hole In My Soul," Helen Shapiro's "Take Me for a Little While," Jackie Trent's "You Baby and Tammy St. John's "Nobody Knows What's Going On." The other side of the British Invasion that didn't make it to American shores. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide