Soul Festival
Label: Expansion Records
Format: Vinyl LP
Catalog Number: LPEXP56 Release Year: 2017
The Sonic Aesthetic
Unlike a digital playlist, LPEXP56 was designed to be an "album experience." The track order is meticulously arranged to flow from high-energy "Modern Soul" dancers on Side A to more sophisticated, mid-tempo "Steppers" on Side B.
Key Tracks & Vinyl Highlights
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The O'Jays – "Enjoy Right Now": A landmark inclusion for the label. On vinyl, the Philly-style orchestration and those legendary harmonies have a depth that digital formats often compress.
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SouLutions – "Somewhere": The standout track from the North East's premier soul outfit. The vinyl master brings out the warmth of the lead vocals, making it a favorite for DJs who play on high-end club systems.
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Tracy Hamlin – "Stand Out": A track that defines the "Expansion" sound—sophisticated, melodic, and polished.
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Brian Power ft. Lifford – "Time After Time": This track bridges the gap between traditional soul and soulful house. The vinyl pressing ensures the "thump" of the kick drum doesn't overwhelm the delicate vocal performance.
Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures
1. The Limited Pressing Run
Expansion LPs are typically pressed in much smaller quantities than their CD counterparts.
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The Figure: LPEXP56 was part of a limited run of approximately 500 to 1,000 copies globally.
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The Rarity: Because these compilations feature tracks that are often otherwise "digital-only" or only available on expensive 7-inch singles, the LP becomes a highly sought-after collector's item once it goes out of print.
2. Audiophile Mastering
Expansion is known for not "crushing" the audio for their vinyl releases.
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The Detail: The tracks on LPEXP56 were mastered with a wide dynamic range. For a collector, this means that even the more electronic "Boogie" tracks maintain a sense of "air" and space, avoiding the "loudness war" fatigue of mainstream 2017 releases.
3. The "SouLutions" Collector Link
At the time of this release, SouLutions was becoming a phenomenon in the UK.
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The Fact: This LP contains "Somewhere," which was one of their most-played radio hits. Collectors who missed out on the rare, limited-edition 7-inch singles often turned to LPEXP56 as the definitive way to own the track on high-quality 12-inch wax.
Technical Specs for Collectors
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Weight: 180g Heavyweight Vinyl (providing better stability and reduced vibration during playback).
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Speed: 33 1/3 RPM.
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Cover Art: Features the vibrant, festival-themed artwork that differentiates it from the standard Soul Togetherness branding, signaling a "celebratory" selection of tracks.
Collector's Tip: If you are a DJ, this LP is a "toolbox" record. The tracks are unmixed and feature full intro/outros, making it far superior for mixing than the radio edits found on many streaming platforms.
Side One
- I Can't Move No Mountains - Margie Joseph
- Can We Share It - Rick Sheppard
- Are We Ready For Love - Patti Austin
- What Good Am I - TSU Tornadoes
- Spoiled Like A Baby - Mystique
- Free And Easy - Satyr
- I Was Born To Love You - Timeless Legend
- What's Your Name - Leon Ware
Side Two
- Never Felt Love Before - Felix Cavaliere
- Just Ask Me - Bobby Thurston
- You're My Main Squeeze - Crystal Motion
- What Do You Want Me To Do - Ben E. King
- You'll Never Be Sorry - Gerald Sims
- Funny How Change Places - DeDe Schwartz
- March Across The Land - Linda Clifford
- Temptation's 'Bout To Get Me - Ed Robinson