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Kent`s first LP in 1982 "For Dancers Only" featured Northern Soul Stompers, girl group floaters, male group harmony and Rhythm & Blues. The label would go on to be the best loved soul re-issue imprint in Europe and would expand it's black music horizons as far as Mod Jazz, Deep Soul, Southern Soul, 70s soul, New Breed R&B and even funk.
Often seen as primarily a Northern Soul label due to the extra curricular, after dark activities of label supremo Harboro Horace, it has gained further acclaim for its series of single artist compilations from black music giants as disparate as James Carr, Dyke & The Blazers, The Impressions, Mary Love and Eddie & Ernie. Guest compilers have included the much missed Dave Godin, who contributed four stunning Deep Soul compilations and contributed to several others. Southern Soul expert John Ridley's terrific collection aids and abets on many compilations as well as producing his own collections of tear jerkers, while Ace staffers John Broven, Alec Palao and Tony Rounce's soulful bents often end up on Kent as the appropriate medium.
We are inordinately proud of our soul label stories that tell the history of small independent, usually black American, set ups, who contributed many gems and intricacies to the soul canon. Some of the best of these are Arock/Sylvia for Big City Soul, Dave Hamilton's Detroit Dancers for the Motor City Sound, Renfro and Mirwood for LA stompers, Spring for 70s soul, Goldwax for Southern lovers and Shrine for would be vinyl tycoons.
International superstar DJ Harboro Horace occasionally tears himself away from the wheels of steel to compile the best produced and most informative Northern Soul dancer's delights. Since the mould breaking "For Dancers Only" there have been milestones such as "At The Club", "So Soulful 70s" and "Northern Soul's Classiest Rareties", as well as "Rare Collectable And Soulful" and "Okeh-A Northern Soul Obsession" from the majors.
Sub genres New Breed R&B and Mod Jazz series continue to sell like snow off a shovel and depite some long gaps they, like the popular Cellar Of Soul and Birth Of Soul series, are still ongoing.
Despite the wealth of wonderful music already out there, we are still finding old master tapes often with the occasional unreleased gem buried in them, to stay several large strides ahead of the game.
Ady Croasdell (for tax purposes only!)
Click here for a list of 7" Singles on Kent and BGP
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