The Northern Soul Podcast

The Magnificent Seven: Seven Soul Discoveries Welcome to a brand-new feature celebrating seven soul records that deserve to be heard. The Magnificent Seven isn't about the biggest names or the most obvious Northern Soul favourites. It's about discovery — forgotten records, hidden treasures and great soul sides that may have slipped under the radar. Some you may know. Others may be completely new to you. But every record has something that caught my ear and earned its place in this week's seven. So turn it up, settle back, and join me as we dig deep into the soul cellar and uncover seven magnificent discoveries.

British Soul: The Forgotten Sound Before Northern Soul became a movement, there was British soul.During the sixties, British singers and musicians were absorbing the sounds coming from Detroit, Chicago, Memphis and Philadelphia, taking those influences and creating something with a character of its own.In this episode, we dig deeper than the familiar names and explore the records that deserve another listen — obscure singles, forgotten B-sides, rare dancers and artists who never received the recognition they deserved.From Helen Shapiro and Barry St. John to The Chants, Herbie Goins, Jimmy Thomas and more, these are the voices and records that helped shape the sound of the British soul scene.Some were hits. Some disappeared without trace.But years later, Northern Soul DJs and collectors would rediscover them and give them a new life on the dance floor.This is British soul — before Northern Soul. track list to follow

The Last Night at the Twisted Wheel Saturday, 30 January 1971. Manchester. Tonight, we step through the doors of the legendary Twisted Wheel for one final all-nighter. From its beginnings on Brazennose Street, through the move to Whitworth Street, the Wheel became a meeting place for dancers, record collectors and young soul fans searching for something different. But this episode is really about the music The records that made the floor explode. The obscure American soul, the rare imports, the forgotten artists and the sounds that could only be discovered inside those dark, hot and crowded rooms. We’ll follow the night from the queue outside, through the dance floor and DJ booth, right through to the final hours as morning approaches. The doors would close, but the music wouldn’t. The Twisted Wheel was gone. Its influence was only just beginning. Tracks ... George pepp -the feeling is real Eddie billups -ask my heart little Eddie Taylor -i had a good time magic night -if you and I had never met the puzzles -my sweet baby the wall of sound-hang on jerry cook -i hurt on the other side Freddy Houston -if I had known the prophets -if I had one gold piece the magnificent men -i've got news

British Soul — The British Side of Northern Soul of the 1960s.This episode takes us back to the 1960s, when British singers and groups were discovering, absorbing and putting their own stamp on American soul.From forgotten recordings and overlooked releases to records that would later find a new audience on Northern Soul dance floors, this is a journey through the British side of the soul story.Featuring artists including Kenny Bernard, A Band of Angels, The Chants, Kenny Lynch, Helen Shapiro, Lorraine Silver, Long John Baldry, and Chapter 5 .Some were hits, many were not — but all played their part in the story of British Soul.Turn it up and discover the soul power of the 1960s — British style.

Lost & Forgotten Soul: The American Cities — Part 1 of this two-part journey, we go deep into the lost, rare and forgotten side of 1960s American soul.Forget the obvious hits and familiar names. This episode is about the artists, groups and records that slipped through the cracks — small labels, obscure releases, little-known singers and fantastic 45s that never received the recognition they deserved.We travel through the great American soul cities, including Philadelphia and Chicago, discovering the sounds that were being created long before many of these records found a second life on Britain's Northern Soul scene.From the developing Philadelphia sound to the energetic Chicago dancers, these are records full of character, emotion and mystery — some commercially released, others incredibly rare, and some discovered decades after they were recorded.These forgotten records tell another story of American soul: the story of the artists who never became household names, but whose music survived because somebody, somewhere, kept the faith and kept the record.This is Lost & Forgotten Soul: The American Cities — Part 1.And remember, there are always more records waiting to be discovered. Tracklist will follow ....

Tonight, we go back to the 1960s — the decade when the foundations of Northern Soul were being laid.This episode is all about the rare records, obscure artists, forgotten releases and incredible sounds that helped shape the Northern Soul story. From unknown gems to records that slipped under the radar at the time, we explore the music, the artists and the stories behind the sounds.No Wigan Casino, no big anthems — just the original soul, the discoveries and the records that would eventually find a new life on dance floors across Britain.This is where the Northern Soul story begins.

It’s nineteen seventy-five, and Northern Soul is at its absolute height. The scene is exploding, the records are getting faster, the nights are getting longer, and for three lads from Manchester, there’s only one thing that matters: soul.Then comes the crazy idea.Jump into an ageing Mini Cooper and drive roughly three hundred miles south to Newquay, the surf capital of Britain and, in nineteen seventy-five, one of the places to be. Sun, surf, beaches, nightlife and the promise of adventure.There’s just one problem. The Mini is old, the journey is long, and there’s no sat-nav, no mobile phone and no guarantee the car is even going to make it.What they do have is soul. Lots of it.Tapes packed with Northern Soul provide the soundtrack as three Manchester mates head south, leaving behind the clubs, the dance floors and the familiar streets of home for an unforgettable road trip into Cornwall.This is more than a journey from Manchester to Newquay. It’s a snapshot of nineteen seventy-five, when Northern Soul was at its peak and anything seemed possible.Three lads. One ageing Mini. Three hundred miles of road.And enough soul music to get them there. Packed with the sounds of Northern 45rpms

Northern Soul: Iconic Memories Tonight, we revisit some of the legendary clubs that helped shape the Northern Soul story — from the Twisted Wheel and Golden Torch to Wigan Casino, Blackpool Mecca, Cleethorpes, the Catacombs, Stafford, Samantha’s, the 100 Club and the Ritz in Manchester.But this isn’t about the obvious anthems. We’re going underground, digging out rare, obscure and lesser-known records that helped give each venue its own musical identity.These are the records that may not have topped the charts or appeared in the usual Northern Soul Top 20, but for those who heard them on the right night, they became unforgettable.The clubs may be gone, but the music — and the memories — live on.

The Top of the World All -Nighter was unlike any other Northern Soul club. In this episode, we explore the unique sound, atmosphere and musical freedom that gave Stafford its own identity.From beautiful, slow soul to explosive stompers, from sixties rarities to seventies and eighties discoveries, the DJs could take the dancefloor anywhere. Stafford wasn’t about following the Northern Soul rulebook — it was about breaking it, finding something new and keeping the music moving forward.We look at the DJs, the records, the discoveries and the atmosphere that made Top of the World such an important part of the Northern Soul story.Stafford had everything. This is the story of the sound of Top of the World.

We're travelling back to 1976 — arguably the commercial and cultural peak of Northern Soul. Wigan Casino was at the centre of the phenomenon, with packed all-nighters, coachloads of dancers travelling from across Britain and a growing obsession with rare American soul records. Blackpool Mecca, the legacy of the Twisted Wheel and venues across the North and Midlands were all part of a scene that had become a fully formed youth culture.We'll look at the records, the reissues, the labels and the changing sound of Northern Soul, as crossover soul, disco and some rather unexpected records began finding their way onto the dancefloors.But 1976 was also the year another musical revolution arrived.Punk.We'll explore the growing tension between the established Northern Soul culture and the raw new sound emerging from London and Manchester — including the legendary Sex Pistols appearance at the Lesser Free Trade Hall.And I'll share one of my own memories from that extraordinary year, when I found myself chatting to a young Tony Wilson shortly before he headed off to see the Sex Pistols 1976 was the year Northern Soul reached its golden peak.It was also the year the future arrived.

1975 — The Year Northern Soul Changed1975 was a pivotal year for Northern Soul. The secret was beginning to get out, the media were taking notice, and the scene was growing rapidly.From the legendary dance floors of Wigan Casino and Blackpool Mecca to the all-nighters at Cleethorpes Pier, new sounds were emerging. Seventies soul was beginning to sit alongside the classic sixties stompers, disco was appearing on the horizon, and DJs were pushing the boundaries of what could work on a Northern Soul dance floor.In this episode, we look at the records, the venues, the DJs, the dancers and the changing culture of 1975.And there's a personal connection too. I was there — running our family record shop, travelling to Manchester to source imports from Global Records, and working as a club DJ during one of the most exciting periods in the story of Northern Soul.1975 wasn't just another year.It was the year Northern Soul began to change.

1974 In this episode of The Northern Soul Years, we step back to 1974 — a year for Northern Soul, disco and British music.Wigan Casino was beginning to establish itself, Blackpool Mecca was developing its own distinctive sound, and the influence of the Golden Torch was still being felt. Record companies were starting to recognise the growing demand for rare soul, with Pye’s Disco Demand series helping bring some of those records to a wider audience.But 1974 was also a very personal year for me.It was the year I went abroad for the first time, travelling to Spain with two friends — all three of us Northern Soul fanatics, armed with soul cassettes, two unnecessary leather jackets and absolutely no sun cream.It was also the year my family opened our first independent record shop, giving me the chance to discover music through the records and people coming through the door.And then came the Soul Cellar, where I began my first proper weekly all-night DJ residency.Add in mobile DJ work, the explosion of disco, record collecting and the people who broadened my musical horizons, and 1974 becomes much more than just another year.It was the year everything started to come together.

WHAT MAKES NORTHERN SOUL NORTHERN? What actually makes Northern Soul… Northern? Is it the beat? The speed? The emotion? The rare records? Or is it something much harder to define? In this episode of This Is Northern Soul , we go back to basics and explore the question at the heart of the music. From the Twisted Wheel in Manchester and Samantha's in Sheffield, to Va Va's in Bolton, the Catacombs in Wolverhampton, the Hi-Fi Club in Leeds, the Golden Torch, Blackpool Mecca and Wigan Casino, we follow the clubs, DJs and dancers who helped turn obscure American soul records into something completely new. We look at the crate diggers searching for forgotten records, the all-nighters that kept the dance floors moving until morning, and the DJs who could transform an unknown record into a dance-floor anthem. And there's a personal journey too. The first time I heard the term Northern Soul, I assumed it meant Northern America. Then, in around 1975, I walked into Blackpool Mecca and discovered a very different side of the scene — modern soul, Philadelphia influences and a sound that was already evolving. Most of the music had been recorded in the mid-1960s. Yet more than sixty years later, those records are still being played, still being danced to and still creating waves. So perhaps Northern Soul isn't simply a place. Perhaps it's a feeling.

Beneath the bright lights of Oxford Street lies one of the most important venues in Northern Soul history—the legendary 100 Club.In this episode of This Is Northern Soul, we step down those famous stairs to uncover the stories behind the club that became London's home of rare soul. Discover how forgotten American records were rescued from obscurity, how legendary DJs and unforgettable live performances shaped its reputation, and why the 100 Club continues to inspire soul fans from around the world.Featuring the iconic Melba Moore – "The Magic Touch", along with a collection of rare and unforgettable Northern Soul classics, this is a journey into the basement where music history was made.Because every great Northern Soul record has a story... and tonight, that story begins at the 100 Club. Tracks : Reggie Alexander it's better The magnificent men I've got news Ronnie MC Neir isn't she a pretty girl Jimmy mack my world on fire Florence devore kiss me now Melba Moore the magic touch Margret mandolph something beautiful Mamie lee I can feel him slipping away Lillie Bryant meet me halfway

This Is Northern Soul: Back To Basics – The Greatest Discoveries Welcome to a new chapter of This Is Northern Soul. After exploring some of the more familiar Northern Soul favourites, it's time to go back to where the magic began — discovering the unknown, the overlooked and the forgotten.In this episode, we leave the obvious classics behind and dig deep into the world of rare soul. Featuring artists whose names may not be familiar, but whose music deserves to be heard, we'll uncover the stories behind the records, the small labels, the hidden gems and the incredible voices that time almost forgot.From mysterious American soul singers to forgotten British talents, every track has a story. These are the records that collectors searched for, DJs championed and dancers fell in love with.Because Northern Soul has never only been about the biggest names...It's about the greatest discoveries.

Was 1969 the year Northern Soul truly came of age? In this episode of This Is Northern Soul, we journey back to one of the most remarkable years of the twentieth century.As the world watched the Apollo 11 moon landing, Concorde took to the skies, The Italian Job became a British cinema classic, and The Beatles released Abbey Road, another revolution was quietly taking place on dance floors across Britain. Colin explores the music, the artists and the stories behind two legendary record labels—Okeh Records and Cameo Parkway. Featuring unforgettable tracks from Major Lance, Billy Butler, Bunny Sigler, Yvonne Baker, Bobby Paris, Evie Sands, Curtis Mayfield , Bunny Sigler ,Major Lance and more, this episode celebrates the records that became the heartbeat of the Northern Soul movement.Discover how overlooked American soul singles found a second life in Britain's all-night clubs, becoming timeless anthems for generations of dancers and collectors.Keep the faith, and enjoy another journey into the music that never stopped moving.

The Soul Cellar – The Soundtrack of a Legend In this special episode of This Is Northern Soul , we step back into one of Greater Manchester's most legendary soul venues—the Soul Cellar beneath the Birch Hotel in Ashton-under-Lyne. From 1974 to 1978, I had the privilege of DJing in this iconic underground place , where the music, the people and the atmosphere created unforgettable nights. The Soul Cellar wasn't just about Northern Soul. It embraced the very best of Detroit soul, Chicago soul, deep soul, funk, and the occasional touch of reggae and blue beat. If it had soul, it belonged on the turntable. Many of the tracks featured in this episode was played in the Soul Cellar during its heyday. Some were favourites from my own DJ sets, while others were championed by fellow resident DJs. Together, they recreate the soundtrack of a club built on passion, friendship and a shared love of great music. Although the Soul Cellar was eventually lost to redevelopment during the construction of the M60 motorway, its spirit lives on through the memories of those who danced there and the timeless records that continue to inspire soul fans today. So come with me as we descend those familiar steps once again and relive the sound, the feeling and the magic of the Soul Cellar.

Step beneath the bright lights of Oxford Street and into one of the most iconic venues in British music history. In this episode of This Is Northern Soul, we explore the legendary 100 Club—the London basement venue that proved Northern Soul wasn't just a movement of the North.Discover how the famous 6Ts All-Nighters transformed forgotten American soul records into timeless classics, while DJs such as Ady Croasdell and Randy Cozens unearthed some of the rarest and most sought-after 45s ever pressed.We'll also celebrate the unforgettable live performances that made the 100 Club so special, with appearances from soul legends including Doris Troy, Tommy Hunt, Barbara Acklin, Ray Pollard, Lou Ragland, Terry Callier, Tony Middleton, and The Flirtations—artists who found a second home and a devoted audience in Britain.Featuring the music, the memories, and the remarkable story behind one of the world's longest-running Northern Soul venues, this is the story of the club that kept the faith and carried the movement into a new era.Keep the faith... and welcome to the 100 Club.

We've saved the best until last. In the final part of our Mod Soul series, we celebrate the records that defined a generation of style, dance and musical discovery. From Motown gems and deep soul classics to rare American releases that became legendary on Britain's Mod club scene, this episode captures the sound that paved the way for Northern Soul.Featuring unforgettable tracks from Stevie Wonder, Percy Sledge, Brenda Holloway, Johnnie Taylor, Sam Dees and many more, we'll explore the music, the artists and the stories behind the records that kept dancefloors moving from London's underground clubs to the all-night venues of the North.Join me as we bring the Mod Soul story to a fitting close, celebrating the movement that changed British youth culture forever and left a musical legacy that still inspires soul fans today.

The Mod Soul Years – Part Two: British Soul & Rare Soul Classics In this second episode of The Mod Soul Years, we journey back to the vibrant Britain of the 1960s, when sharp suits, scooters, Carnaby Street and Ready Steady Go! provided the backdrop to a musical revolution.This programme shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked world of British soul, celebrating artists who took inspiration from American rhythm and blues and created a uniquely British sound. Along the way, we also feature American performers who forged a special connection with Britain and became favourites on the Mod and rare soul scene.Featuring music from Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band, The Fantastics, The Apollos, The Capitols, The Coasters, , and more, this episode uncovers forgotten gems that have become treasured classics among rare soul collectors and Northern Soul enthusiasts.From Motown-inspired dancefloor fillers to elusive British soul recordings, The Mod Soul Years – Part Two celebrates the music, fashion, culture and excitement of one of the most influential decades in popular music.Join us for another journey into the sounds that defined a generation—and continue to inspire soul lovers today.