Original northern soul 45s are some of the most expensive records in the soul world, and the scene has always run on the idea that the best tunes are the ones you cannot easily hear. That is exactly why the best northern soul compilations matter. A well-made CD or LP puts dozens of records that would cost a small fortune as originals into one sleeve, usually with better sound than a worn 45 and notes written by people who were on the dancefloor. This is our shortlist, with label and catalogue details so you can find the right edition.
If you are new to the music itself, start with our northern soul guide for the history of the Twisted Wheel, the Golden Torch, Wigan Casino and the rest. This piece is about what to buy.
How we picked the best northern soul compilations
Three things separate a good northern compilation from a lazy one. First, licensing: the strongest sets come from labels that have done the work of tracking down original masters, which is where Ace Records’ Kent imprint has led the field since 1982. Second, selection: a compilation should either nail the anthems or dig into rarities, and the worst ones fall between the two. Third, presentation: proper notes, label and year for every track, and mastering that does not crush the dynamics out of mid-1960s mono recordings. We have mixed big-name sets and specialist releases, and left out the budget TV compilations that recycle the same twenty songs.
| Compilation | Label and catalogue | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent 30: Best of Kent Northern 1982-2012 | Kent CDKEND 384 | CD | The label’s story in one disc |
| Northern Soul’s Classiest Rarities | Kent CDKEND 192 | CD (also LP) | Collectors chasing obscurities |
| Mr M’s Northern Soul 1974-1981 | Cherry Red | 3CD | Wigan Casino oldies |
| Northern Soul: The Soundtrack | Harmless | 14 x 7″ box or 2CD+DVD | Beginners and gift buyers |
| Casino Classics: Chapter One | Casino Classics | LP | Period atmosphere |
| Double Cookin’ | Kent CDKEND 336 | CD | Instrumentals |
| Big in Wigan | Kent CDKENK 129 | CD | Anthems on a budget |
The best northern soul compilations, one by one
1. Kent 30: Best of Kent Northern 1982-2012
If you buy only one of the best northern soul compilations, make it this. Kent marked its thirtieth year with 30 tracks drawn from its own northern catalogue, remastered where possible from the multi-track tapes and wrapped in a 9,000-word booklet with notes by Ady Croasdell, the label’s long-serving compiler and the man behind the 100 Club all-nighters. The selection is not a lazy greatest-hits: there is an alternate take of Lorraine Chandler’s “You Only Live Twice”, Darrow Fletcher’s “No Limit” making its CD debut and Alexander Patton’s “(True Love Is) In the Heart”, previously unissued in any format. It works as a history of the most important reissue label in the scene, which we cover in more detail in our guide to soul reissue labels.
2. Northern Soul’s Classiest Rarities
The first volume of what became a long-running Kent series drew its 24 tracks from about a dozen US labels across New York, Los Angeles, Detroit and Memphis, a break from Kent’s usual habit of building compilations around a single label’s vaults. Karmello Brooks’ “Tell Me Baby”, originally on Milestone, and Dan Folger’s big-beat ballad “The Way of the Crowd” were both new to CD here. Mr Soul’s “What Happened to Yesterday” is the one most people come back for. The series has since run to a seventh volume, the first instalment remains one of the best northern soul compilations for collectors, and there was a vinyl edition too, which is the version to look for if you play out.
3. Mr M’s Northern Soul 1974-1981: Wigan Casino Oldies
Mr M’s was the smaller room at Wigan Casino, the oldies room next to the main hall. This Cherry Red box from 2017 is presented by Dave Evison, one of its original resident DJs, and runs to three CDs with more than 60 tracks plus an interview with Evison. It is the most faithful attempt to recreate a specific room on a specific night: Mickey Lee Lane’s “Hey Sah-Lo-Nay” sits alongside Little Richard’s “Poor Dog”, Wynder K. Frog’s “Green Door” and Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons’ “The Night”. If you want to understand why Wigan’s oldies policy annoyed purists and delighted dancers, this is the evidence.
4. Northern Soul: The Soundtrack
Elaine Constantine’s 2014 film introduced the scene to a generation that had never been near an all-nighter, and Harmless released the music in two forms: a box of 14 seven-inch singles carrying 28 songs, with picture sleeves and a 60-page hardback book of stills, and a 2CD+DVD edition. The track list is mainstream by collector standards, but it is a very good mainstream: Billy Butler’s “The Right Track”, Edwin Starr’s “Back Street”, Marvin Gaye’s “This Love Starved Heart of Mine (It’s Killing Me)”, The Originals’ “Suspicion” and Don Varner’s “Tear Stained Face”. Among the best northern soul compilations for a newcomer, nothing is easier to love.
5. Casino Classics: Chapter One
This is the historical document. The Casino Classics label was set up in 1978 by Wigan Casino’s owner Gary Marshall, DJ Russ Winstanley and manager Mike Walker, and Chapter One followed in 1979 with 14 tracks. Some of it has aged awkwardly, notably the two Ron Grainer Orchestra TV themes, but the closing run is the reason to own it: Jimmy Radcliffe’s “Long After Tonight Is All Over”, Tobi Legend’s “Time Will Pass You By” and Dean Parrish’s “I’m on My Way”, the “three before eight” Winstanley played to close each all-nighter. The Wikipedia entry has the full track list. A remastered version appeared in Cherry Red’s Complete Collection box in 2015.
6. Double Cookin’: Classic Northern Soul Instrumentals
Instrumentals were always part of the northern night, used to keep the floor moving and the DJ’s hands free. Kent’s first CD devoted to them gathers 24 tracks, with notes by Tony Rounce, including “The Spy” by The Guys from U.N.C.L.E., “Cigarette Ashes” and “Tracks to Your Mind”, along with some newly mixed backing tracks of vocal favourites. It is the least obvious pick among the best northern soul compilations here and one of the most useful if you DJ or simply want something to play while you work.
7. Big in Wigan: 20 Northern Mammoths from the Wheel to Keele
Kent’s budget-priced set of what its own listing cheerfully calls “shameless oldies”. The Lovettes’ “Little Miss Soul”, J.J. Barnes’ “Sweet Sherry”, William Bell’s “Happy”, Loleatta Holloway’s “Mother of Shame” and Millie Jackson’s “My Man, a Sweet Man” are all here. No rarities, no surprises, just twenty records that would fill any floor. It is out of print, so look on the second-hand market.
After the compilations: where to go next
The honest truth about the best northern soul compilations is that they are a gateway. Once you have worked through a few, you will start noticing labels (Ric-Tic, Okeh, Mirwood, Shrine) and producers whose names recur, and that is the point to start buying 45s. Our essential deep soul 45s list covers the slower, Southern end of the same collecting world, and if you want rhythm over melody, the essential funk 45s are a good next stop. Keep the Kent catalogue to hand: the Ace Records site lists catalogue numbers and track details for most of its releases.
One practical tip. Many of these sets go out of print and come back again, sometimes with changed track lists. Always check the catalogue number before you buy second-hand, and treat any compilation without proper credits as a warning sign.
Northern soul compilations: quick answers
What is the best northern soul compilation for beginners?
The Northern Soul film soundtrack from 2014 is the easiest way in, with 28 well-known floor-fillers. Kent 30 is the better choice if you want to understand the scene’s collecting side as well.
Why are so many northern soul compilations on Kent?
Kent, Ace Records’ soul imprint, has been licensing and reissuing northern soul since 1982, much of it compiled by Ady Croasdell. It has access to large US catalogues and is known for detailed notes and careful mastering.
Are the best northern soul compilations worth buying on vinyl?
Yes if you DJ or prefer the format, and sets such as Northern Soul’s Classiest Rarities have had vinyl editions. For pure listening, the CDs usually hold more tracks and come with fuller notes.