Twelve years in the making, Carlo Wolff has released his new book, Invisible Soul: Uncovering Cleveland’s Underground Soul Scene, written with James O’Hare and illustrated by Ron Hill.
Published by Act3 Creative, which has published books by other regional figures, Invisible Soul tells the forgotten story of 1960’s and 1970’s soul music that emanated from the area around the intersection of E. 105th Street and Euclid Avenue known as “105.”
While most of us can recall classic soul tunes released by labels such as Stax, Volt, Motown, Atlantic, Philadelphia International, Wolff’s Invisible Soul uncovers a story that has been underrepresented and under-appreciated in Cleveland’s history. Closely related to Thomas & Louise Boddie’s Boddie Recording Company, which released much of this music, Wolff’s story centers on a scene that was more neighborhood than institution, more personality than profit, more culture than corporation.
Carlo Wolff explains, “That story is complex and by no means complete. Some might say that as a white man attempting to tell a Black story, my efforts are presumptuous, yet another manifestation of cultural colonialism. Rest assured: this book aims to enlighten, heal—and bring closure to my crying Wolff.”
Read more and purchase the book here.
One Response to “Carlo Wolff Explores Cleveland’s Invisible Soul”
Robert K Belniak
Would love to get a copy and do a review for my magazine, ECHOES OF THE PAST,…. and my weekly newsletter that is published every Monday morning!
In Harmony,
Bob Belniak