Presented by our guest interviewer, Ellis May.
Dom Williams heads up Miles Away Records. This deep digger and collector’s passion was first ignited by his time working at Acid Jazz. Miles Away started under the Acid Jazz umbrella but is now an independent label that puts out timeless classics and unearths hidden treasures, reissuing them to a wider audience worldwide. For its next release, Miles Away presents an album of Beach Music by Nelson Salty Miller. We asked Dom to help us learn more about the genre.
What is Beach Music?
Beach Music is one of those genres that resists definition — it’s less a sound and more a feeling. Rooted in soul, R&B, and rhythm-driven grooves, it originally took hold along the Carolina coastline in the 1950s and ’60s, where it became the soundtrack to a laid-back lifestyle, barefoot dancing, and weekend escapes. Over the years, it evolved, pulling in everything from Northern Soul and doo-wop to smooth jazz-funk and modern soul.
For me, Beach Music is about sunshine, emotion, and timeless rhythm — records that stick with you long after the sun goes down. It’s music for escape, for connection, and for joy. That’s why it resonates so deeply and why it continues to influence what I put out on Miles Away.
Here are 10 Beach Music records that have meant something to me — and hopefully to you too.
Chairmen of the Board – Give Me Just a Little More Time – Invictus Records
A classic Carolina Beach anthem and a crossover hit that still brings instant joy. That punchy production, courtesy of Holland–Dozier–Holland, is pure soul perfection.
The Tams – Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy – ABC
This is one of the essential beach records — it sums up the whole spirit of the genre: carefree, youthful, and full of heart.
General Johnson – Don’t Walk Away – Arista
A smooth, emotive solo cut from the Chairmen of the Board frontman. The blend of vulnerability and groove is exactly what Beach Music is about.
Clifford Curry – She Shot A Hole In My Soul – elf
An uptempo, brassy track that’s got ‘dancefloor’ written all over it. This one always gets a reaction — raw but deeply soulful.
Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs – Stay – Herald
Short, sweet, and totally iconic. It’s a doo-wop classic that’s part of the Beach Music Foundation.
Embers – I Love Beach Music – EEE Records
You can’t talk about the genre without this track. A tongue-in-cheek love letter to Beach Music itself, and an anthem across the Carolinas.
Bill Deal & The Rhondels – I’ve Been Hurt – ABC
A perfect slice of blue-eyed soul. Tight horns, infectious energy — this one’s built for a boardwalk dancefloor.
Spinners – I’ll Be Around – Atlantic
Elegant, mid-tempo soul with that eternal groove. Not traditionally Beach Music, but it’s had a massive impact on the modern Beach scene.
Salty Miller – One More Time – Beach Music Records
This track was my introduction to Salty’s music. It opens with a string arrangement that immediately hooked me — emotive, cinematic, and totally unique. It’s pure soul but with this sun-bleached, dreamy energy that fits the Beach Music aesthetic perfectly.
Salty Miller – Music Makes Me High (From forthcoming Miles Away Reissue) – Beach Music Records
The centrepiece of our upcoming reissue of Album #1 by Nelson “Salty” Miller. Music Makes Me High is one of those timeless songs that feels both familiar and completely original. It’s euphoric yet reflective, with an uplifting groove and a warmth that perfectly captures the spirit of Beach Music — freedom, escapism, and soul. This reissue has been a labour of love, and restoring this track to its full glory is something I’m incredibly proud of.
Buy Salty MILLER – Beach Music Records Of The Carolinas Presents Album #1 at Juno
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