The Northern Soul Podcast

Join us for another edition of Soul Cities After Dark, where tonight it's all about discovery — rare records, forgotten artists and the sounds that deserve to be heard again.From the driving rhythms of Detroit to the West Coast soul of Los Angeles and beyond, we're exploring a hand-picked soundtrack of American soul, bringing together different cities, independent labels and distinctive sounds.Featuring artists including Larry Atkins, The Remarkables, Ty Karim, Deana Lucas, Kenny and The Soul Gents, this episode celebrates the lesser-known side of soul music — the records that may have slipped under the radar when first released but found a new home among Northern Soul dancers and collectors.No obvious classics, no predictable playlist — just great soul music, fascinating discoveries and records with stories still waiting to be told.Different cities. Different sounds. One shared passion: soul.Tune in, turn it up, and discover something new on Soul Cities After Dark.

The Rare Soul Special:

Tonight on Soul Cities After Dark, we're bringing together the sounds of Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, and beyond for a very special journey into the deeper side of soul music.Following our previous explorations of America's great soul cities, this episode takes a different approach. We're digging into the archives to uncover rare recordings, overlooked B-sides, forgotten releases, and lesser-known gems that deserve to be heard.Featuring a hand-picked selection of outstanding soul from artists including Vernon Garrett, Bettye Swann, Clifford Curry, the Delfonics, Timmy Willis, Celeste Hardie, James Carr, and more, this is a programme that moves between the distinctive sounds of different cities and labels, bringing together records that rarely share the same playlist.From the driving rhythms of Detroit and the smooth sophistication of Philadelphia and Los Angeles to the deep, gospel-rooted soul of Memphis, there's something special waiting in every groove.These are the records that remind us why soul music continues to fascinate collectors, DJs, and Northern Soul enthusiasts around the world. Beyond the famous hits and familiar names lies a wealth of extraordinary music, much of it overlooked for decades.Four cities. Countless hidden gems. One unforgettable soul journey.Join us for a very special edition of Soul Cities After Dark, celebrating the rare, the obscure, and the wonderfully unexpected side of soul music.

Soul Cities: Philadelphia – The Forgotten Side of Philly Soul

Tonight on Soul Cities, we travel to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, to uncover a different side of its legendary soul music heritage.

Before Gamble and Huff, MFSB and the Three Degrees made Philadelphia famous around the world, a wealth of independent labels were releasing fantastic soul records, many of which never received the recognition they deserved.

We're exploring the sounds of Arctic, Philly Groove, Phil-L.A. of Soul and other smaller labels, discovering obscure artists, forgotten vocal groups and driving four-to-the-floor dancers that would later become treasured discoveries on the Northern Soul scene.

This is Philadelphia beyond the familiar hits — a journey into the city's sixties soul recordings, where hidden gems, powerful vocals and irresistible rhythms tell another chapter of the story.

Join me as we dig deeper into the music, celebrate the unsung artists and discover the records that helped make Philadelphia one of America's great soul cities.

Soul Cities — exploring the music beyond the obvious.

Soul Cities: Chicago After Dark – Rare Soul Gems from the Windy City

This episode of Soul Cities takes us to Chicago, the Windy City, to explore the rich musical heritage of Chicago soul and its lasting connection with Britain's Northern Soul scene.From the sweet harmonies of Chicago's vocal groups to the driving rhythms, gospel influences and infectious dance-floor sounds of the 1960s and 1970s, we explore the artists and independent record labels that helped shape this distinctive sound.We'll look beyond the obvious hits and familiar classics, digging deeper into the record collections to bring you a selection of rarities, forgotten recordings and lesser-known gems from the city that gave us so much incredible soul music.With legendary labels such as Okeh, Chess, Brunswick, Constellation and Curtom playing their part, Chicago produced a wealth of music that would find a second life on British Northern Soul dance floors.So, if you love rare soul, obscure 45s and the excitement of discovering records that deserve to be heard, join us for a journey into the heart of Chicago soul.

Soul Cities: Washington, D.C. — The Capital of Soul

Tonight on Soul Cities, we're heading to Washington, D.C., to explore the rich musical history of America's capital and uncover the soul records that deserve to be heard.Beyond the famous monuments and political corridors lies a fascinating story of independent record labels, talented vocal groups, forgotten artists and unforgettable recordings that captured the spirit of American soul.We'll explore the legacy of the legendary Shrine Records, whose rare releases became treasured discoveries among British Northern Soul collectors, alongside the wider regional story of Ru-Jac Records and the independent labels that helped keep soul music alive.Along the way, we'll discover artists including Barbara Long, Winfield Parker, Sir Joe,, alongside many more

We'll also step back into Washington's vibrant nightlife, exploring the theatres, clubs and live music venues that helped create a thriving soul scene during the 1960s and beyond.From rare Northern Soul discoveries to smooth vocal harmonies and heartfelt deep soul, these recordings tell the story of artists whose music deserves to be remembered. Some found recognition in their own time, while others were rediscovered years later by dedicated collectors and DJs.Join us as we explore the artists, labels and hidden gems that reveal another side of Washington, D.C. — a city with a soul story all of its own.

Washington, D.C. — the capital of America, and a city of soul after dark.

Soul Cities: Detroit — The Motor City of Soul Detroit gave the world Motown, but there was another side to the Motor City’s soul story — a world of independent record labels, talented singers, innovative producers and extraordinary records that often slipped beneath the mainstream radar.In this episode of Soul Cities, we travel into the heart of Detroit to explore the music beyond the familiar Motown hits. From Ric-Tic, Golden World and Revilot to the legendary work of Pied Piper Productions, we uncover the artists and recordings that helped define Detroit’s rich and diverse soul sound.Featuring artists including Edwin Starr, J.J. Barnes, the Fantastic Four, the Reflections and Gino Washington, we celebrate the music that captured the spirit of a city and went on to find a devoted audience among rare soul collectors and Northern Soul fans in Britain.These are the sounds of driving rhythms, soaring vocals, infectious melodies and independent labels competing to make their mark. Some records found success at the time; others had to wait years before receiving the recognition they deserved.Join us for a journey through Detroit’s musical streets, discovering the stories behind the records and celebrating the hidden gems that make the Motor City one of the most important soul cities in America.Detroit: beyond Motown, beyond the hits, and straight to the soul.

Seven Cities :

Join me on a journey through the soul cities of America as we uncover seven terrific tracks and the stories behind the artists who brought them to life.From the legendary sounds of Detroit to the streets of New York, this episode explores the singers, groups, independent record labels and hidden gems that helped shape American soul music. Some of these records may be familiar, while others are long-overlooked treasures that deserve a much wider audience.We'll discover the music that slipped under the radar when it was first released, the artists who never quite received the recognition they deserved, and the records that travelled across the Atlantic to find a second life on Britain's Northern Soul dance floors.Because behind every great soul record, there's a story — and sometimes the most fascinating ones belong to the records the world nearly forgot.Seven cities. Seven artists. Seven terrific tracks. And a whole lot of soul.Welcome to The Soul Cities — celebrating the music, the memories and the magic of American soul.

Soul Cities After Dark: America's Hidden Soul Treasures

Tonight on This Is Northern Soul, we're taking a journey through the soul cities of America, uncovering the rare records, forgotten voices and independent labels that helped shape the music we love.

From Detroit's gritty soul sound to Chicago's rich vocal harmonies, and from the sounds of Philadelphia to the wider world of American rhythm and blues, we're exploring the stories behind the artists who may never have become household names, but left us with some truly remarkable records.

Featuring artists and groups including Bobby Wells, Paul Sindab, the Fantastic Four, the Vontastics, , George Smith and many more, we'll look beyond the music to discover the people, places and labels behind these recordings. Some records were overlooked when they first appeared; others found a second life years later on British Northern Soul dance floors, where dedicated DJs and collectors recognised something special.

These are stories of small record companies, local music scenes, unforgettable voices and records that travelled thousands of miles to find their audience.

So settle in as we explore America's hidden soul treasures, one artist, one city and one record at a time.

This is This Is Northern Soul — celebrating the music, the stories and the records that deserve to be heard.

The Golden Torch: Taking Away the Myth

Tonight on This Is Northern Soul, we're heading to Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, to revisit one of the most legendary venues in Northern Soul history: the Golden Torch.

But this time, we're looking beyond the legend. How much of the story is fact, and how much has grown through years of memories and retelling?

We explore the all-nighters, the packed rooms, the atmosphere, the DJs and, most importantly, the music that made the Torch so special. From rare American soul discoveries to the artists who performed live, including Major Lance's unforgettable appearance in December 1972, we uncover what really made this venue matter.

The Torch wasn't perfect, and it didn't need to be. Its legacy was built on the records, the dancing, the people and the excitement of discovering something extraordinary.

No rose-tinted glasses. No knocking the legend. Just the music, the memories and the real story of the Golden Torch.

The Twisted Wheel: Whitworth Street — Opening Night, 1965

Manchester, September 1965. A new chapter begins as the legendary Twisted Wheel moves from Brazennose Street to its new home on Whitworth Street.

Tonight, we step back in time and walk through the doors of one of Manchester's most iconic music clubs. Past the coffee bar, down the stairs and into the basement, where live bands, adventurous DJs and a crowd hungry for something different came together around the sounds of American rhythm and blues, Motown and soul.

Imagine the atmosphere: the dark surroundings, the distinctive twisted bicycle wheels surrounding the DJ's booth, the small stage, the packed rooms and the records arriving from across the Atlantic. These were the early days of a club that would help shape the culture we now know as Northern Soul.

We're turning the clock back to explore the music, the people and the atmosphere that made the Twisted Wheel so special, featuring soul records from the era and beyond that tell the story of its developing sound.

Before the legend, there was a club, a dancefloor and a passion for the music.

Welcome to the Twisted Wheel, Whitworth Street. Manchester, 1965. Let's get on that dancefloor.

Tonight, we dig deeper into the Northern Soul record box to rediscover the overlooked tracks, forgotten dancers and hidden gems that rarely make it onto today's playlists.

These are records that deserve a second chance. From the soulful sounds of Sean Oliver and Reggie Alexander to the wonderful voices of Freda Payne, Donald Jenkins and the Delighters, Jon Lucien and Bettye LaVette, we're exploring the lesser-heard side of soul music.

It's all about rarity, rediscovery and that special feeling when a record makes you wonder why it isn't played more often. Not every great soul record becomes a classic, and not every classic needs to be played every night.

And as we bring our Secret Soul journey to a close, we turn to one of my personal favourites, the great Major Lance, with “Too Hot to Hold”.

Forgotten sounds. Hidden soul. Northern Soul discoveries. Because some records deserve another spin.

Welcome to Tonight's Secret Soul Playlist.

 Seven Lost Pieces of Northern Soul

it's the Seventh of October — and tonight we’re digging deep into the lost and forgotten side of Northern Soul.Seven tracks. Seven rare pieces of soul that slipped through the cracks, disappeared from view, or simply never received the attention they deserved.From Detroit to Texas, from Southern soul to obscure dancefloor favourites, this is thirty minutes of rare vocals, driving rhythms and records you may not have heard before.No obvious classics. No overplayed favourites.Just seven lost pieces of Northern Soul, rescued from the shelves and given another spin.Turn it up, settle in, and see if you discover a new favourite.

Tonight, we’re getting lost in the Northern Scene.A journey into the vintage soul of the 1960s, uncovering lost classics, forgotten favourites and records that somehow slipped through the cracks.From Detroit and Chicago to Philadelphia and beyond, these are the sounds that capture the magic of the era — beautiful voices, driving rhythms, timeless melodies and that unmistakable feel-good quality you only get from great sixties soul.Featuring Ruby Andrews, Eddie Holman, Bernie Williams, Carol Anderson, John Bowie, Fortson & Scott and more.No obvious anthems. No predictable choices. Just great soul records waiting to be discovered.Turn it up and come with us as we dig deep into the lost side of the Northern Scene.

Tonight, we’re going uptown, upbeat and up north with a selection of stomping soul — seven Northern Soul favourites packed with groove, rhythm, energy and that unmistakable Northern beat.Before podcasts, playlists and streaming, When I was a club DJ, my job was simple: make people move.

It wasn’t enough to play a good record. You needed the right sound to get the dancefloor going.And stomping soul dancing was a spectacle in itself — fast feet, spins, kicks, drops and incredible energy, with dancers giving everything they had while the DJ kept the records coming.Tonight’s Magnificent Seven takes us through some fantastic soul records and the artists behind them, from Detroit and Memphis to the Northern Soul dancefloors of Britain.Turn it up, find yourself a bit of space and get ready for some serious stomping soul.The Magnificent Seven — Uptown, Upbeat & Up North.

What makes a Northern Soul Masterclass?

It’s got to be obscure. It’s got to have the beat, the drive and, above all, that unmistakable Northern Soul feeling.

Tonight, we’re digging deep for records that slipped under the radar — forgotten artists, unreleased recordings and tracks that spent years hiding away before being discovered by the Northern Soul scene.From The Platters and Gigi & the Charmaines to The Squires and The Sharpies, these are records with stories of their own — music recorded decades ago, but given a completely new life on British dance floors.No obvious classics. No overplayed favourites.Just great soul records waiting to be discovered.This is Northern Soul Masterclass — Hidden in the Groove

London’s 100 Club has been part of British music history for generations — but its place in the Northern Soul story is particularly fascinating.Hidden away on Oxford Street, the club became an important meeting point for the capital’s soul scene during the 1960s and 1970s. While Manchester had the Twisted Wheel and Stoke-on-Trent had the Golden Torch, London had its own distinctive scene, with DJs and dancers searching out the latest and rarest American soul records.The 100 Club was never simply about one particular style. Jazz, rhythm and blues, modern soul and American soul all found a home there, creating an atmosphere where musical discovery mattered. For the young soul enthusiast, it was somewhere to hear records that weren't necessarily available in your local record shop — and to dance to music that was beginning to take on a life of its own in Britain.Its importance to Northern Soul lies in that connection with the wider underground soul movement. Long before Northern Soul became associated almost exclusively with Wigan Casino, clubs such as the 100 Club helped create the culture: dedicated dancers, knowledgeable DJs, imported American 45s and a determination to find something different.London had its own soul identity — sophisticated, fashionable and constantly changing — and the 100 Club was right at the heart of it.For our Northern Soul story, the 100 Club deserves its place among the important venues that helped shape the scene before it became a national phenomenon.

This time, we go behind the music and into the world of the American record labels that helped create the sound we know as Northern Soul.

From Detroit to Memphis, Washington D.C. to Los Angeles, we explore the small independent labels whose records were often overlooked in America but became treasured discoveries on British dancefloors.We’ll hear the stories behind Ric-Tic, Thelma, Cameo-Parkway, Mirwood, Karen, Goldwax — and the extraordinary Shrine Records, one of the rarest and most fascinating labels in the Northern Soul story.These labels weren't making records for Northern Soul. In many cases, they had disappeared long before the British scene discovered them. But DJs, collectors and dancers gave these forgotten recordings a completely new life.Expect rare sounds, forgotten artists, fascinating label stories and plenty of authentic Northern Soul — music that was made in America, discovered in Britain, and kept alive on the dancefloor.

December 1981. Wigan Casino is preparing for its final all-nighter.

For eight years, this legendary venue had stood at the heart of the Northern Soul scene. Thousands of dancers had passed through its doors, chasing rare records, unforgettable sounds and the feeling of being part of something that belonged to them.

But to understand the significance of that final night, we need to go back to 1973 — when Wigan Casino first opened its doors to the Northern Soul world.

From the excitement of those early all-nighters to the records, DJs, dancers and culture that made Wigan unique, this episode follows the story through to December 1981, when the doors finally closed.

One venue. Eight extraordinary years. And one final night that would become part of Northern Soul history.

Northern Soul Years: 1969 — The Year It All Began

Step back to 1969 — the year I believe Northern Soul truly began to take shape.Just before the dawn of the 1970s, the influence of the Mods, American soul music and the all-night club culture were beginning to merge into something new. From the Twisted Wheel in Manchester to the clubs of London, dancers, DJs and record collectors were searching for music that was different, exciting and made for the dancefloor.In this episode, we explore that fascinating crossroads between the Mod era and the emerging Northern Soul scene, looking at the clubs, the music, the dancers and the records that helped lay the foundations for what was to come.1969 was a remarkable year in its own right — from the Moon landing to the cultural impact of The Beatles and the release of the iconic British film The Italian Job.But beneath all of that, in dark clubs and packed dancefloors, something else was happening.Northern Soul was beginning.This is Northern Soul Years: 1969 — The Year It All Began.

1973 — When Wigan Arrived:

We step back into 1973, a year of contradictions. Glam rock ruled Top of the Pops, Britain faced strikes, inflation and industrial unrest, package holidays were taking off, and by Christmas the country was heading into the Three-Day Week.But after dark, another Britain was coming alive.Northern Soul was growing around American records that had mostly been created during the 1960s — rare, forgotten and often virtually unknown in Britain. Then, in September 1973, Wigan Casino opened its doors, changing the scale and visibility of the scene forever.We'll look at the music, the fashions, the cars, the cinema, the changing British lifestyle and the Northern Soul underground — and ask how a culture built around old records became something completely new.

.1973: the music wasn't new — but the obsession was.

Seven artists. Seven reasons to get on the dancefloor.

Tonight, The Magnificent Seven is dedicated to the Stomping Dancers — powerful Northern Soul records with the rhythm, energy and attitude to keep the floor moving.We dig into some fantastic American soul recordings, from the legendary Mirwood sound of The Olympics and Jackie Lee, to rare and lesser-known sides from The Cautions, The Furys, Ritchie Adams, and The Bel-Airs.Some were released in the 1960s and then largely forgotten. Others found a completely new life years later when British DJs, collectors and dancers discovered their potential on the Northern Soul scene.These are records where the history is fascinating — but ultimately, it's the sound that matters.Turn it up, clear some space and get ready for seven proper Northern Soul dancers.The Magnificent Seven — Stomping Dancers.

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

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.

In this special episode , we journey back to the golden age of the British seaside and the unforgettable world of Northern Soul.

From steam trains and deckchairs to trams, illuminations and ballroom dancefloors, this is a deeply personal trip through the sights, sounds and strange magic of Blackpool in the 1960s and 70s.

Through childhood memories of family holidays beside the sea, we explore how places like Blackpool became far more than holiday resorts for working-class Britain — they became places of escape, excitement and musical discovery.

At the centre of the story stands the legendary Blackpool Mecca.

Part nightclub, part ballroom and part dreamscape, the Mecca became one of the most important and controversial venues in Northern Soul history, helping reshape the sound of the scene throughout the 1970s and beyond.

This episode blends nostalgia, humour, forgotten memories and iconic soul music, featuring sounds inspired by the Blackpool Mecca alongside classic early 60s soul favourites.

this is the story of how the British seaside and Northern Soul unexpectedly collided.

So step aboard the steam train, grab a stick of Blackpool rock, and join us beneath the illuminations for a journey into one of the most magical chapters of British music culture.

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This was the beginnings of Britains underground soul movement .In the basement clubs and hidden dance halls like the Twisted Wheel,King Mojo,and the Blue Orchard , Young music fans discovered rare soul from Shrine Record label and many more

Tracks that became legends from records pressed in tiny numbers and forgotten in America -but here in the North and the Midlands they became something special .

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1973 -This episode dives deep into the raw energy and elegance of Northern Soul at its peak -a time when dance floors were rules by rare 45s relentless rhythms ,and a devotion to discovering the unknown .

We explore this year everything seemed to come together in 1973.

And perhaps that's why the music from that era still feels so powerful today .

It was discovered ,protected ,and loved by people who lived for the music itself .

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Tonights episode dives deep into the world of Northern Soul Collecting -where rare records ,hidden gems and timeless dance floor anthems define the culture .

From its underground roots in the 60s and early 70s ,built in legendary clubs like wigan casino ,the twisted wheel ,the torch and Blackpool Mecca ,Northern soul has grown into a global movement -yet it still holds its core : discovery ,passion and authenticity

whether you are a lifelong collector or just discovering the scene this is a journey through the music

In this episode ,We go beyond the labels to uncover the roots of one of Britains most enduring underground movements .From Dave Godin at Soul City to all-Night danceflooors of Wigan Casino ,this is the story of how rare American soul records found a second life in the north of England

We explore the working class culture that shaped the scene ,the obsession with obscure vinyl and the connection between industrial Britain and the sounds of Detroit ,Chicago,and Philadelphia

This isn't just about music .its about identity ,escape and forgotten records turned into dance floor anthems

Tonights episode celebrates 20 years of Spotify, and the massive impact its had on how we discover and experience Northern Soul music.

From the days of vinyl, All-

nighters ,and DJ -led discovery ... to a world of instant access and algorithm -driven playlists ,this episode explores the journey from underground to global streaming .

we dive into the iconic labels that helped shape the northern soul sound-including Okeh records,Ric Tic Records, Golden World records ,and Mirwood records -and how their once-rare releases found new life in the digital age .

This is a story of evolution ....from scarcity to accessibility ...from local scenes to global reach .

It's still all about the music . so whether you found it on the dancefloor ....or through your headphones .....this one is for you

Tonights episode takes you back to where it all began.

from 1964-71 three clubs helped shape The movement that would change British music forever .

We step inside Londons 100 Club,Manchesters Wheel and the underground Catacombs Club.

Each venue had its own identity -Londons gateway to live American soul,Manchesters raw all-night energy and Wolverhamptons exclusive DJ driven rare groove scene -but together they built the foundation of what

became Northern Soul.

featuring hand picked tracks from the era including rare and sought -after recordings ,this episode captures the sound and obsession that drove a generation onto the dance floor

A personal journey through the early Northern Soul Scene -long before Wigan Casino ,The Torch ,or the Blackpool Mecca became part of the story .

This episode traces the real beginnings of a passion for soul music in Manchester ,from first hearing those powerful American voices in 1960s to basement clubs church halls, and early dance nights where the sound truly took hold .

its a story of discovery -record shops ,DJs ,imported vinyl and growing underground culture that would later be called Northern Soul .

From the first 45rpm to DJ sets ,radio appearances, and running a family record shop in 1974,this is a lived in experience of a scene built on records ,movement ,and feeling -not headlines .

Raw personal and rooted in music that defined a generation

no myths ,no shortcuts

Just Soul .

This weeks episode takes you deep into the heart of Northern Soul

away from the anthems and into the rare, the raw,and the beautifully understated-

every track in this collection is a 45rpm ...original vinyl full of warmth,character and that unmistakable analogue soul .

these are the records passed hand to hand ,discovered and brought to life on late night dance floors

From the raw emotion of southern soul to the polished grooves of Chicago and Philadelphia ,from gospel roots to northern soul dance floor favourites ......every track in this episode carries a story .

This episode we revisit the spirit of the scene itself -its unique atmosphere and the theme is love..........

Everyone's got their own idea of what soul is ....

some say its the voice ,some say its the groove ...

but tonight its a blend .

and like a good cup of tea ...it needs time to brew

Tonight, we dive deep into authentic Northern Soul from Chicago Detroit and Memphis - the grooves ,the harmonies ,and the heart of 1960s and 70s soul scene .from rare Philly harmonies to Chicago gospel -infused tracks .

discover the stories behind the artists ,the labels and the music that crossed the Atlantic to become Northern soul classics

Step back to 1967 ,when the sound of American soul was travelling across the the Atlantic and finding a new home in the basements and backstreet clubs of Britain

In this episode we dive into a world of raw ,rare ,and underplayed Northern soul records -the kind of 45s that once spun on turntables in the ledgendary Twisted Wheel .

Fast records ,Ferocious records ,that sounds as powerful today as it did nearly sixty years ago

Tonight episode is a journey into the Detroit Soul of Manchester .

Were heading to the streets of the NORTHERN QUARTER ,a part of the city that today is full of record shops,bars and restaurants-but in the 1970s was a gritty warehouse district at the heart of a growing music culture .

From there we step into the legendary clubs that defined the era where rare American records from places like Detroit found a new life on British dance floors .

1974 Manchester had its own New commercial radio station piccadilly 261

and there's a personal moment too -a visit to the basement warehouse of Global Records where I was gifted with the first pressing of James fountain seven day lover

So tonight its Manchester now, and the 1970s -the clubs, the records ,the people and the soul of the city

Tonights episode is from the Soul City ,not Chicago not Detroit -but Manchester UK

A City with its own rhythm, its own heartbeat ,and its own deep connection to soul music .

Tonights episode is dedicated to the Deep cuts-rare soul and obscure soul , buried gems ,dusty 45s where the rare becomes essential .

This episode is a journey through memory, history and sound

From the moon landing of 1969 seen on black and white tv ,to adult reflection this is how moments shape us- and how music connects them .

Before Northern Soul had a name...it already had a heartbeat .

This episode is a journey back to the British underground of the 1960s-

when soul wasn't a scene ,it was an identity .A time of Stateside imports ,basement clubs ,pirate radio and backroom record culture .

when fashion was uniform not a trend when music was carried ,hunted ,and protected -not streamed or shared .

From Blue note ,Flamingo,and the ambassadors to Dave Godin ,Soul City and the rise of the keep the faith movement ,this is the story of how British culture was built from the ground up .

Tonights episode is a tale of two cities connected by music

we begin in Detroit in the 1960s

from the legendary clubs to rare artists whose records would later ignite the northern soul scene .

Then we fast forward to New York the start of the new millennium ,its a place I thought I new but this was my first visit experiencing Harlem ,The Apollo, radio City theatre and thanks to bobby Womack a trip to 110th street

Personal journey through the sound of the sixties -from Beat to Soul .Vinyl ,Pirate Radio ,British soul ,mods record shops, and obscure gems that shaped the dance floor long before Northern Soul had a name

Streaming may have changed the rules,is this the future of Northern Soul ?

The heartbeat of the scene still lives in the clubs ,in the people, and on the dance floors across the UK and beyond

These were songs pressed in hope,forgotton in time, and rediscovered decades later on Northern dance floors far from where they were made .

Secret Soul, the records they never meant you to hear.....

We'll explore the crossover tracks that lit up the dance floor

enchanted listeners, each record tells a story ,music featured is mid 70s

Before Wigan Casino took its legendary place at the heart of northern soul ,there was a little club hidden down the cellar stairs of Elizabeth house on Great moor street bolton known simply as Va Va' it opened April 1973 and quickly became the Friday night Destination for rare soul lovers

The DJ there was Richard Searling

A story of passion obsession and music that refuses to die . it's 2026

and the beat goes on ,From the Mod clubs of the 1960s to the legendary clubs and the all-nighters we celebrate the music the world had forgotten .

Northern Soul didn't end in 1975 ...but it stopped being innocent

from that point the scene would split, argue ,evolve and survive -

so when I look back now fifty years on, 1975 stands out not because the music failed -but because it succeeded .

One thing ran through my life - Soul music

and the lyrics of the first soul song I ever heard the one that started me on this journey ,still resonate today.

"Just walk in my shoes ,this hurt inside us too much for me ,just walk in my shoes and you'll see the love they used to be "

Tonight its back to basics ,no frills, no distractions -just the heartbeat of the Northern Soul Scene .

These are Records that built the floors ,the sounds that kept dancers moving through the coldest months ,and the energy that defined Northern Clubs when the nights were long and the music mattered most.

Welcome back to Secret Soul ,the show where we dig out the rare, the overlooked and the electrifying tracks that made Northern Soul floors legendary

Tonight We're exploring the 60s stompers and rare soul treasures ,these are the tracks of the underground .

Secret Soul revisits The famous 100 Club Oxford Street London .

All these Deep Soul tracks were played at this Iconic Venue

The Sound of the 100 Club is special because it isn't about volume or acoustics -its about pressure ,proximity and purpose .Few rooms in the world have all three in the way the 100 Club does

spend a little time there tonight ...but keep it to yourself

Tonight ,we celebrate six Northern Soul Legends who didn't just perform in the UK-

they lived here ,they belonged here ,and helped shape the very Soul of our Scene :

Edwin Starr, PP Arnold, Geno Washington,Jimmy James, Major Lance and Tommy Hunt .

Its a Secret Soul Special Tonight :

and this time were diving into one of the most mysterious ,magical and emotional stories in all of soul music .

This is the story of a woman the world missed.... a woman who recorded masterpieces that were never released... whose voice filled northern soul dance floors for decades ...Tonight we celebrate Little Ann

Northern Soul has never been so popular ,people love the connection ...the uplift and that special sound of pure stomping soul.

Tonight were back with a fresh selection of secret soul and a few surprises

Tonights episode is about Secret Soul-the rare grooves, the hidden voices ,and the stories that never fade .from basement labels to ballroom floors,these tracks still carry the heartbeat of real soul .

In Tonights episode were going rare, we're

going exclusive-we're on a mission

a mission to bring these long lost soul tracks back into the light

some of these tunes shook the dance floors some slipped through the cracks......

but all of them deserve to be heard again.

Radio Caroline wasn't just a pirate station .It was freedom ,It was rebellion, It was the sound of new Britain

All played from the deck of a rusting ship in the North Sea

It was where I first heard Motown ,Stax ,and the Soul records that soundtrack my life today .

Northern Soul was never just about records ,It was about Places

Three Venues Stand Above all Others

The Golden Torch -The Spark that burned Brightest

Wigan Casino :The Spiritual Home

Blackpool Mecca : Where Northern Soul Grew Up, and Split The Scene

This is That Story ......

Part 1 of a 3 part series ,Its Mods ,and British Northern Soul ,including Rare tracks all from the 1960s, and Colin sets the scene of Britain in the 1960s when "You never had it so Good"

Download and save it before it disappears ...

Tonight I'm Travelling deep into the underground of British Soul - Voices that never chased the charts ,but found their place in the clubs the basements and on the dance floors

These records were overlooked ,forgotten sometimes ignored -but they had soul

if this episode is popular I have in the vaults much more

Manchester in the 60s was a very different place.

Basement clubs like the Twisted Wheel came alive, you walked down the steps into sweat, smoke and sound .no neon signs ,no sponsorship ,just a DJ and a pile of American 45s and a crowd that knew every beat before it hit the floor .

This wasn't entertainment -it was survival .Music was how Manchester breathed

The influence of British Northern Soul extends far beyond

its birthplace .

From the clubs of London,Manchester ,and Wigan,to festivals ,vinyl fairs ,and DJ sets around the globe the spirit of the scene continues to inspire new generations .

Its a culture built on passion ,perseverance ,and the power of music to move the body and soul and the music ?............... Timeless