SOUL singer Paul Stuart Davies has brought together some of the legendary names of Northern Soul to sing backing vocals on his new single.

Paul travelled to Detroit to record the track in the United Sound Systems recording studio, previously used by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston – and now the only surviving original studio still open in the city.

There he was joined by Annette Beard and Rosalind Ashford, the original Vandellas who sang on classics such as Heat Wave with Martha Reeves; Tobi Legend whose version of Time Will Pass You By is regarded as one of the all-time great Northern Soul songs; Pat Lewis regular backing singer for Aretha Franklin and Isaac Hayes and Kim Weston who duetted with Marvin Gaye on It Takes Two.

“It was just a wonderful experience,” said Paul, from Darwen. “I’m lucky enough to be able to call all these great artists friends as I have got to know them over the past few years, both from performing with them and also by speaking to them regularly.

“When I told them I was going to Detroit to record Tomorrow’s Love, they all just said ‘we’ll be there’. Tobi Legend came from her home just over the border in Canada and it was the first time she has recorded anything for many years”

The song is based on an unreleased instrumental by Billy Butler written in 1965.

“The track has never been released on vinyl,” said Paul. “I heard it as a bonus track on a compilation CD.”

Paul took the instrumental and wrote words and arranged the harmonies for the single.

“I haven’t touched the original instrumental,” he said. “What I wanted to achieve was authenticity. This is a Northern Soul record recorded in 2017. I’m not sure when the last original Northern Soul record was recorded in Detroit but it would be many, many years ago.

Paul’s love for Northern Soul runs deep. Last year he premiered a new show Northern Soul Reimagined at Darwen Library Theatre, presenting stripped down versions of classic songs and he is in demand for Northern Soul festivals around the country. He was also behind the charity recording of Do I Love You? featuring Northern Soul greats to raise money for DJ Jon Bates who has a rare form of MS.

“If anyone had told me that one day I would be in a recording studio in Detroit with the Vandellas, Kim, Pat and Tobi singing backing vocals for me I’d never have believed them,” said Paul.

An initial run of 300 singles of Tomorrow’s Love will be released in September to coincide with Paul’s appearance at the world’s biggest Northern Soul weekender in Skegness.

To order a copy visit Paul’s website, www.paulstuartdavies.co.uk