The Mirwood Soul Story in Bloomington, MN

Founded in 1965 by ex-
Vee Jay
president
Randy Wood
, L.A.-based
Mirwood Records
reigns among the definitive
Northern soul
labels. Creatively spearheaded by songwriter/producer
Fred Smith
and arranger
James Carmichael
,
Mirwood
enjoyed its greatest commercial success while still in its infancy via
Jackie Lee
's
"The Duck"
-- never again would the label flirt with
pop
chart immortality, but
Smith
and
Carmichael
nevertheless went on to hone a distinctive style all their own, creating
soul
music that was both relentlessly energetic and sweetly sophisticated, topped off by trademark vibes that evoked the otherworldly beauty of a Pacific Ocean sunset.
Kent
's tremendous
The Mirwood Soul Story
compiles two dozen of the label's shining moments, records that were guaranteed crowd-pleasers at
clubs during the 1970s -- this is the real deal, an overview and a label both worthy of the tag "essential." Highlights include
Richard Temple
"That Beating Rhythm"
(a major favorite of
Catacombs
DJ
Farmer Carl Dene
),
Bobby Garrett
"I Can't Get Away,"
Jimmy Thomas
'
"Where There's a Will."
~ Jason Ankeny