northern

Smiling Ivy are the fresh sound of the North. Blending reggae/ska vibes with rock ‘n’ roll aggression and flair, they are lyrical and driven by drugs, sex, music and pure “ravehood”. Hailing from the heart of the Peak District, UK, their music often jokes about the assumptions people make about their middle-class upbringing, when in reality they tend to outshine any city band for attitude and raw approach. Tight constant guitar work, a relentless rhythm section and an undefinable sound makes their work wholly unique.

The Showstoppers were a four-piece vocal soul group from Philadelphia, their line-up including Alex and Laddie, younger brothers of Solomon Burke. They are best remembered for their 1968 hit ‘Ain’t Nothin' But a Houseparty’, which was released on the local Philly label Showtime and sold well locally, but despite rights being acquired for national release by MGM, failed to become a national hit. However it caught on with DJs in the UK, was released on the small London independent label Beacon (giving it its only hit), reached No.

Read more about The Showstoppers on Last.fm.

Visit www.arranarctic.com Arran Arctic (a.k.a. Arran Southall) is a D.I.Y. musician and artist who has been independently producing and releasing music for almost two decades. When he’s not recording in his home studio, he’s doodling, knitting and generally being creative in any way possible! Arctic’s musical canon weaves elements together from the folk, pop and electronica genres, featuring a variety of individually layered instruments. Drawing inspiration from artists such as PJ Harvey, Patrick Wolf and Iain Archer, every Arran Arctic release endeavours to offer something fresh.

Ann Sexton was born 5th February 1950 in Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.A. Songwriter David Lee spotted Ann in 1971, although not a well known artist, Ann recorded a series of great soul records for the legendary Nashville soul DJ and label-owner John R (John Richbourg). Her best known songs, "You've Been Gone Too Long" and "You're Losing Me", were, and still are, great favourites on the Northern Soul scene.