The Entertainers - Same (HMC, 1983)

​The Carolinas spawned a specific and interesting subculture: Beach Music. This scene is all about partying in the beach clubs in North and South Carolina and dancing to a specific type of uptempo soul music, not unlike the Northern Soul scene in the UK. Many old school soul artists (like the Chairmen Of The Board and the Tams) have made a living off performing in the beach clubs and released records specifically aimed at that scene. One of the dances popular there was The Shag, which prompted many a release referencing “Shagging” in the title. This has led to hilarity in the UK, where “shagging” has different connotations… The Entertainers were a white soul group popular on the Beach scene and this record has a smooth, uptempo and tight sound with enough Northern Soul characteristics to make it a sought after album in that scene. The style is firmly uptempo, although the best track on the album is a delightful two-stepper called “I won’t cry anymore”. Overall a very nice album!