The first installment, 481-500, of a list of my 500 favorite original soul 45s from the NY Night Train Soul Clap and Dance-Off party (since 2007) in DJ mix/podcast format. While I assembled each set envisioning a mixtape for a friend, I hope this also feels like one of my live sets and makes ya wanna dance!

The tracklist, details about the songs and artists, and rips of each uncut record can be found on my site: https://www.newyorknighttrain.com/2021/03/14/ny-night-train-soul-clap-dance-off-top-500-first-installment-481-500/ ... My goal here isn't merely to give you something to listen to, but to provide inspiration to start a journey into the lives and music of these often unsung or merely deserving heroes - some of whom are still alive and active and others whose legacy needs to grow. 

Since COVID I've been trying to make some order out of my vinyl, and because one Quixotic project deserves another, I've also digitized thousands of my records and organized them into categories and lists as both an intellectual exercise and a way to locate titles in this mess. I assembled the Soul Clap 500 as twenty-five self-contained entities of twenty tracks. I've only included the original 45s (with a couple of second label pressings from the same year) not only for the distinctive original sound and character but also because I view vinyl DJs as museums of culture and want to present the authentic beautiful artifacts every time and not imitations or substandard bootlegs. I'll try to keep these coming once or twice a week until we achieve the complete list.

Since its been over a year since I've worked, and I assume its gonna be a while before there are dance parties again, I also hope this gives ya something to cut a rug to in the meantime... 

thank you for your kind indulgence, 
jt

NY Night Train Soul Clap & Dance-Off Top 500: 481-500

"Hooky" 
http://thisfrontierneedsheroes.bandcamp.com/

Hooky

This Frontier Needs Heroes From The Basement August 6th 2021

Recorded by Noah Wheeler in Marin, CA and mixed by Juniana Lanning and John Shepski at Fluff and Gravy Studios Portland, OR 

https://fluffandgravy.com/

Mastered by Jon Neufeld 

https://neufeldjon.com/mastering/

Vocals and Guitar Bradley Lauretti
Drums and Rhodes Noah Wheeler
Strings by Harry Fausing Smith

https://harryfausingsmith.com/

Not Gonna Write A Song

Ten Bullets In The Back

Past the Everglades

My Love

I Can't Win

Recorded with Pat Sansone on all instruments (save for the drums)this features an undoctored vocal recored in the commode/iso booth on Henry St in Chinatown.

Moonlight (Bob Dylan)

Truck Driver

New Album DRIVING FRIEND out Fall 2017 Featuring members of DAWES, WILCO produced By TIm Bluhm & Johnny Irion

09 Angels Fly (Mastered) - P2p

This Frontier Needs Heroes is the moniker of singer-songwriter Brad Lauretti, who in various forms and lineup changes, has spent the past 10 years playing shows all over the world. One night with Brad will run the gamut of all human emotions from humour, hedonism, activism and heartbreaking sadness. From Folk-rock anthems, to indie folk, flares of cosmic americana, psychedelic, alt-country, to straight up storytelling sometimes you get it all in one song. Influenced by classic songwriters like John Prine, Billy Bragg, Kris Kristofferson, and Townes Van Zandt his timeless songs mix love, humor, and protest seamlessly to get you through the tough times.