Aquamen "Line And Track" download for northern soul fans

[bosshoss]

Recently I mistakenly made a vinyl transfer the "wrong" (northern soul) side of the Aquamen 45, "Line And Track". Out of curiosity, I compared currently available versions, and generally speaking they are horrible in comparison. So rather than waste the transfer, I thought I would include it here for any NS DJ types who happen to stumble upon it. The source is a mint copy of the Hiback 45. Format is FLAC. Quality standard is BHQS15.

http://www.g45central.com/posts/Aquamen_LineAndTrack.flac

 

[Outside_Lookin_in]

So, based on Line and Track, the idea behind northern soul is that you pick a major 7th chord, and construct an extremely monotonous song around it?

 

[bosshoss]

I don't really understand the NS phenomenon. But apparently this Aquamen is a most desirable example of it.

 

[Outside_Lookin_in]

Some things are best not understood.

 

[chas_kit]

Northern soul fans put up with the absolute worst transfers: downsampled, distorted, sped up, slowed down, overly cleaned up, you name it. It's one thing to be busting the levels at a nightclub for effect, but it's not something I want on youtube.

At least Manship has been putting up some decent transfers for his record auctions.

I don't know if the Aquamen is true northern soul, more like a novelty that's stuck around too long.

 

[gregk25]

At least Manship has been putting up some decent transfers for his record auctions.

I'd much prefer the guy to apply some decent grading in his auctions.

 

[mr. splendid]

I'd much prefer the guy to apply some decent grading in his auctions.

I'm always skeptical when it comes to UK soul dealers and grading . Usually it's atrocious , especially when they use fantasy grades like ex--

 

[Laurent Bigot]

I don't really understand the NS phenomenon. .

not always good taste wise, but still better than Led Zep and prog rock as far as late60s early70s british phenomenons go (a pure british thing even though the sound was 99.99% US). I have a bigger problem with popcorn: music's great but that same slow tempo one after another is extremely boring.

 

[MopTopMike]

Northern Soul in 2017 refers to older 60's & '70s songs that the clique find dance-worthy.
In 2017, these overpriced new touted "discoveries" are known to true collectors - old, ignored 45rpm rejects, boring tunes that yield little if any real "soul" in the groove.

 

[buckeyebeat]

The Aquamen was first played in the UK/Euro mod scene, the Northern scene then jumped on it, desperate for new records. Weak record in every way, generic sub-Wrecking Crew mid 60s gogo beat, high school chorus vocals. I know several long time collectors who have (and will be) cashing in their copies.

Don't get popcorn at all, at least the hard core Belgian style. Popcorn in 2016/7 has come to mean a lot of R&B, King records, etc, not really the same as the original scene.

 

[Outside_Lookin_in]

not always good taste wise, but still better than Led Zep and prog rock as far as late60s early70s british phenomenons go (a pure british thing even though the sound was 99.99% US).

I grew up listening to Led Zeppelin and other British heavy metal bands. Even though I got rid of all those albums long ago to make room for sixties garage LPs, I still think Led Zeppelin had its moments on stage.

 

[Sebastian]

It's weird that the Aquamen 45 doesn't credit Fred Neil. He wrote it.

It first appeared on the "Hootenanny - Live At The Bitter End" LP, then on Fred Neil & Vince Martin's "Tear Down The Walls" LP on Elektra in 1964. Both Fred Neil versions are great, even better is the Les Baxter's Balladeer's version (with a young David Crosby in the group). The definition of "hard folk" to my ears.

The Aquamen version is just monotonous and leaves me cold...

 

[Dave Baldwin]

Surprised that this record is a hot 'Northern'. Had one in my "weak
folk-rocker" box for decades. It's about as "soul"-oriented as a
slice of Wonder Bread with mayo. What's the current market price
for this nugget? Please PM me if anybody knows.

 

[MopTopMike]

Dave, sell it and then you'll be able to treat the gang for drinks 'n' chow at Allentown!

It's all about bragging and ego with the mod & soul scenes, everybody has to own the latest piece of (dreck) because of desperation for new (dreck) sounds to spin. There is a nice copy of the Aquamen on Hirich that would only cost a few $20s more than what the VG minus whipped copy on Hiback brought. Yes, it's the 2nd pressing from '67, but some of the elitist, think-they-know-it-alls in the soul scene are claiming the Hirich pressing is a boot from the '70s, if not more recent than that.

 

[Dave Baldwin]

Dave, sell it and then you'll be able to treat the gang for drinks 'n' chow at Allentown!

It's all about bragging and ego with the mod & soul scenes, everybody has to own the latest piece of (dreck) because of desperation for new (dreck) sounds to spin. There is a nice copy of the Aquamen on Hirich that would only cost a few $20s more than what the VG minus whipped copy on Hiback brought. Yes, it's the 2nd pressing from '67, but some of the elitist, think-they-know-it-alls in the soul scene are claiming the Hirich pressing is a boot from the '70s, if not more recent than that.

I probably will move it...it actually plays mint and would be a strong copy for DJ-ing out.
Wish I knew somebody with a spare Chancellor's On Tour who wanted to swap (ha ha).

 

[Stanco rules]

Sadly, you could probably buy three copies of the Chancellor's for the same price as one vg+ Aquamen.

 

[Dave Baldwin]

Sadly, you could probably buy three copies of the Chancellor's for the same price as one vg+ Aquamen.

I'd like to work that angle to my advantage. It goes up on Discogs tomorrow.

 

[Hicksville Hogwash]

Looks like I'm in the minority, as I quite like The Aquamen's Line and Track. A 6 or 7 on my garage-O-meter but as a dancer in a Northern Soul club I'd give it a 8 or 9, because much played in NS clubs (OK, I'm a talking about maybe a dozen events) is kinda crap to me. The more raunchy R n' B sometimes span will get my feet itching and a lot of the "soul" played sounds like bad disco to me.

The Strangeloves - Night Time is getting a lot of deck time in NS.... seeing the price rise from a $5 disc to $50.

 

[Dave Baldwin]

Looks like I'm in the minority, as I quite like The Aquamen's Line and Track. A 6 or 7 on my garage-O-meter but as a dancer in a Northern Soul club I'd give it a 8 or 9, because much played in NS clubs (OK, I'm a talking about maybe a dozen events) is kinda crap to me. The more raunchy R n' B sometimes span will get my feet itching and a lot of the "soul" played sounds like bad disco to me.

The Strangeloves - Night Time is getting a lot of deck time in NS.... seeing the price rise from a $5 disc to $50.

It's not like I hate it or anything. If it was on Valiant and had the usual Rickenbacker 360-12 or fuzz guitar
heard on their similar garage/folk crossover records I would probably like it as much as Starbuck & The Rainmakers or The Plymouth Rockers' version of "Oh Susanna".

 

[Outside_Lookin_in]

That's a lot of "ifs".