The creation of genre names is a never ending expedition into categorization. The most messed up thing about all of this, though, is that fact that if you say 'Northern Soul' to me, I understand. That all too specific piece of rock writer column shifting really just refers to danceable RnB. The odd thing about it, though, is the fact that, while the music that makes up the genre is purely American, the reason that it's referred to as 'Northern' is due to the musics popularity in some northern outposts of England. In the '60s as RnB, funk and soul got mashed up and somehow created a string of hits unsurpassed in sincerity. At the same time, the burgeoning skinhead movement in the UK was gaining momentum. And while the boss sounds of Jamaica served as the skinners' most desirable dance music, the soul music coming from the States was just as good - and obviously a basis for the JA sounds.

So in fact this obscure sounding genre name is a conflagration of sensible and linear thought, there are countless compilations that seek to collect the stray shot singles that found some favor during the initial blossoming of the (pseudo) genre. And maybe the most well known of this collections is a twenty track disc entitled Northern Soul Floorshakers!.

Being released a few different times under the auspices of various labels, the most recent pressing came in 2007from the cut rate outfit Music Club International. That imprint traffics in any sort of compilation that seems like it might sate some subculture - whether it's punkers, ska enthusiasts or soul aficionados. So while the discs physically are generally put together in a hap dash manner, what's contained on those albums are usually pretty interesting. And it should be noted that to collect the singles that make up Northern Soul Floorshakers! would cost a ridiculous amount of money - if it'd be possible at this late date.

Out of all the tracks represented by Northern Soul Floorshakers!, the most well known performer is easily Willie Hutch, who gives us "Lucky to be Loved by You." And even if Hutch is best known for producing tracks for the likes of the Jackson Five in addition to writing the score to The Mack, a blaxploitation flick from the '70s, here he graces us with a mid paced love song. It isn't far removed from any of the more mainstream hits during the late '60s. And for this reason, it's again confusing as to why the 'Northern Soul' genre gained footing in the UK.

An assortment of Al Green, Marvin Gaye or their brethren would have most likely sufficed. But as with any devoted cult, the rarer and less known a performer is, a greater amount of deference could be bestowed up the deejay spinning that platter. Even given the cult surrounding the music, the compilation here - or any compiled under the banner of 'Northern Soul' - probably holds at least a bit of interest for fans of the soul genre - whether or not you're trying to impress your friends with esoteric music knowledge.