Side A
Artist	Song
The C.O.D.'s	Michael
(1965) Kellmac
Barbara and The Uniques	There It Goes Again
(1970) New Chicago Records
The Esquires	Ain't Gonna Give It Up
(1970) Lamarr
Donnie Elbert	Where Did Our Love Go?
(1971) All Platinum
Billy Butler	The Right Track
(1966) Okeh
Mel and Tim	Do Right Baby
(1969) Bamboo
J.J. Barnes	Say It
(1966) Ric-Tic
The Notations	A New Day
(1971) Twinight
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell	If I Could Build My Whole World Around You
(1968) Tamla
Jerry Butler	What's the Use of Breaking Up
(1969) Mercury
The Artistics	Trouble, Heartache and Pain
(1968) Brunswick
Jackie Lee	Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide
(1966) Mirwood
Betty Everett	Getting Mighty Crowded
(1964) Vee Jay
Otis Clay	I Paid the Price
(1963) One-Derful
The Fascinations	I'm So Lucky (He Loves Me)
(1966) Mayfield
Side B
Artist	Song	Buy
The Contours	First I Look at the Purse
(1965) Gordy
Mitty Collier	Do It With Confidence
(1967) Chess
Ruby Andrews	Everybody Saw You
(1970) Zodiac
General Crook	Get Over
(1971) Down to Earth
Felice Taylor	It May Be Winter Outside (But In My Heart It's Spring)
(1966) Mustang
The Dells	Wear It On Our Face
(1968) Cadet
Major Lance	Follow the Leader
(1969) Dakar
Z.Z. Hill	Tomble Weed
(1964) MH Records
The Whispers	Needle In a Haystack
(1970) Soul Clock
Dusty Springfield	I'll Try Anything
(1967) Philips
Inez and Charlie Foxx	1-2-3-4-5-6-7 (Count the Days)
(1967) Dynamo
Honey Cone	When Will It End
(1970) Hot Wax
Johnny Williams	Breaking Point
(1968) Twinight
Clarence Reid	Let Those Soul Sounds Play
(1969) Tay-Ster
The Four Tops	Since You've Been Gone
(1965) Motown

Comment:

The title is the address of the now-closed Chicago dance club Sonotheque, where I was introduced to the sweet sounds of the Windy City Soul Club. The owner closed Sonotheque in November, and it will soon re-open as a Beauty Bar, which, from what I hear, is a chain bar with a 1950s beauty salon theme.

I don't know how I feel about that, but all I know is that without soul nights, it likely will not be as cool as its predecessor. Sonotheque wasn't perfect-the steps in the middle of the dance floor were certainly an inconvenience-but it was a great setting for the Windy City Soul Club dance parties. The floor, when covered in talcum powder, was ideal for Northern Soul dancing; the crowds were diverse; and, for a dance club, the drinks were reasonably priced.

Since it closed, the last two Windy City Soul Club nights have been held at the famous Empty Bottle. I missed the December night, but I made it out last Saturday. Now, I love the Empty Bottle. It is one of my favorite places in the city to see a concert, and going on a random night is a great way to learn about new bands. However, it's not a good place for dancing. It was cramped and humid (even in the dead of winter), and I don't think I found one flat surface on the floor.

In a nutshell, I miss Sonotheque. Soul nights didn't last long in that location, but I will always remember it as the place where soul music came alive for me. The best thing to do now is get some friends together, put on this tape and dance the night away in my apartment.

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