Warner Leisure advert music

[david51058]

Does anyone know what the music is being played on the latest Warner Leisure hotels TV advert?

[Davethedog]

Kidda - Strong Together

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZH83Q4cuhE

[david51058]

Thanks for that Dave. Thought it sounded like an old northern soul record.

[SoulJock]

I don't know who posted that answer/link, but it's flawed. The backing track is in fact a classic Northern Soul track "Oh How Happy" by the Shades Of Blue, which was recorded in Detroit and releases on the Impact label. It was written and produced by Edwin Starr who also recorded it on his classic "Soul Master" album. The Shades Of Blue version was subsequently licensed and released in the UK by Sue records. There have been a couple of samples of it, and I've heard it in TV program links several times recently. Type Shades Of Blue into Google for all the background info you want. Cheers, SoulJock.

[SoulJock]

I've posted a link to the original recording on Youtube.
Just for the record, although I understand Edwin Starr (Charles Hatcher) produced it, house producer John Rhys is credited on disc. Impact was a label owned by Harry Balk and linked in sound and production values to Ed Wingate's Ric-Tic/Golden World/Wingate stable. Balk also owned/operated Impact's sister label Inferno. The other main house producer was the more well-known Barney "Duke" Browner. All these labels were chasing the success of the obvious Detroit story: Motown. They were very good quality productions, and both Balk and Wingate eventually sold out to Berry Gordy.
Edwin Starr also recorded another, somewhat different (inferior) version with Blinky, which was released on single and album.
Great music, all of it.
Regards, SoulJock.

[SoulJock]

Try this YouTube link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF5m59gy1P8

[SoulJock]

Oh, I know it's beginning to get boring, but I forgot... the Jackson 5 also did a good version, very very similar to the original. It may be this, better known version, that prompted its use in the advert. There's no doubting that the record sounds like its title and is perfect for a 'happy' holiday advert.