Summer In The Park 11

Summer in the Park was a very enjoyable and yet different all dayer. It started for us in a peculiarly gentrified way, sat in the gardens enjoying the sunshine, drinking cold beer and listening to the music that was piped outside.

We finally ventured indoors as afternoon moved to evening.  Neil Rushton was on in the main Northern Soul room (Pendle), where there was run of some familiar 70’s tunes:  O’Jays, Jeff Perry and The Montclairs.  This was followed by series of old school Northern Soul classics.

I Moved to Dunklaw room listed as 60’s and 70’s Connoisseurs, which had the feel and much of the music typically found in a good modern room.  I spent most of the evening in this small and atmospheric place.

Caught the latter part of Steve Plumbs set, some nice 70’s Cross over, Charles Johnson closely followed by The Four Tops “I just Can’t Get You Outta My Mind”.

Roman was up next, some great tracks:  Beres Hammond, Eunice Collins and one guaranteed to fill the dance floor, Randy Brown “I’m Always in the Mood”.

Flanny kicked off with Daybreak “I Need Love”.  His set included Johnny Bristol’s 1980 gem, “love No Longer Has a Hold on Me”. And Sons of Robin Stone, which sounded great.

Richard Searling took us to 1am, with a mix of modern classics and more esoteric sounds.  General Johnson, Robert Parker and Maze.  And included some Curtis Mayfield magic “Wherever You Leadeth Me” and Latimore “Sweet Vibrations”.

I didn’t get to see much of the third room (The Towneley), which appeared to be playing soulful dance and commercial dance classics. It was packed to the rafters, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

I certainly will be attending the event next year.