Southern Soul State Togetherness Mag 1999

This was originally wrote for the Togetherness Mag a few years ago -1999, after criticism of the mag by myself as it did not feature any events "south of brum" I was invited to do something about it. The below was the first one, think were another 3 before a move back up north, meant no more. ( Which was a good thing as .... edited as out of date... Excuse the few odd glitches in article, combination of word, frontpage and life

Southern State of Soul - Togetherness Mag 1999

By Mike H, Keith Woon and Winston Heath

Welcome to the first of "Southern State of Soul", hopefully this will be a regular thing, designed to let you know what's happened, what's gonna happen and also a bit of a southern view on current topics. Quite a lot to get over to you, so no hanging around, straight into it

It seems that one of the main subjects knocking around recently has been the discussion of how the rare scene should "move on", it seems that everyone is searching for the "holy grail" of a scene which features a great selection of soul played, well attended venues, a mixed crowd of young and not so young, no politics, or no infighting, just a great enjoyable soulful scene in the best traditions of northern soul, .... Well what I say to this, is simply if you want experience a thriving northern soul scene as just stated ... get your arse down south!!! Moved down here only about a year and a half ago but what a eye opener, have found events of a top class nature, happening nearly every fortnight, being attended by some of the most friendly and atmospheric crowds, and no matter what soulful mood you're in, you can get it down here, hardcore 60s, modern, top current rare sounds, r+b, classy low play revivals, across the board, classic oldies, left field stuff, live acts, radio shows etc its all down here, and have found the hardest thing is not to find a event to get to but to actually decide which one to go to!

As said seeing as it's the first one, going to give you a quick view of what's been happening, and hopefully prove that living down here isn't all about choosing between Old Trafford and Caister at weekends. Kicking off, the first stop has got to be into the capitol London, recently claimed by some down here to be the current capitol of Northern Soul, such is the confidence and the upbeat mood down here, and tell you what, it puts up a pretty strong claim at the present moment. If the first stop is the capitol, then first stop here has got to be the top allniter in the UK, the 100 club which recently celebrated its status as the UK's longest running niter and what a way it celebrated with an anniversary that was, if you're idea of heaven is great soul music in a hot packed club with a great atmosphere and crowd, as close as you can get to it, a tremendous night which was the climax of a great summer of soul down here. There's been quite a few other highlights earlier over the last six months at the 100 club, mainly due to Ady C's willingness to try new ideas out or do the suprising thing. One nite which fits one of these categories happened around May time with a appearance for the first time of Ian Levine on the decks at this venue, now no matter what was said before or after this nite (and a fair bit was), the end result was Mr Levine packed the floor. The "normal" nites continued as always with some great guest spots through out this term, from the likes of Saus, Terry Davies, Mike Wilkes and others, mention must also be made of Russ Vickers appearance who took my ears to soul Valhalla with his mix of great soul regardless of the ÃÆ’£ date. Again showing that who dares...... the 100 in August put on what has got to be a first for a major venue, a nite with an all-girl line DJs wise apart from your man Ady, some might say a bit of a risky decision, but the girls pulled it off big style with a excellent nite of soul of all sorts assaulting your ears, credit to Jo Wallace, Jodi, Nicola, Christina, Heather and Maxine for delivering the goods on a great nite and could say that it proves that you don't need balls to play fresh rare soul. Mustn't forget though, that the main reason the 100 is so strong, is due to their backbone of the strong regular dj line up. With the top Northern DJ Butch still doing the business and giving us top quality fresh rare soul, Shifty and Mick Smith giving us more good stuff and of course Ady C still surprising us with an ever ending amount of quality unheards, another 21 years? Well wouldn't bet against it. Also proving the current high, the warms ups before the niter also reflect the pace of the scene down here with often more than one warmer being put on, and the events being packed, or even sold out, and many of them being quality worthwhile soul nites on their own standing.

Sticking in the capitol with a new venue that has quickly made its mark, the Dome at Tufnall Park, North London. Matt J and the Capitol Soul Club over the last few months have built on its cracking start last year, going from strength to strength, with some great nites with their own unique style of rare sounds, quality new discoveries and one offs mixed in with quality fresh revivals and a great "up for it" crowd, (one of few events where I feel old!) To me a great example of how to take hardcore 60s northern forward, credit goes out to CSC DJs Irish Greg, Dave Flynn, Carl F, Alan H and all the guest DJs who have kept the floor busy, and the place buzzing, Andy Rix - what a set he delivered at the last one, one of best ever to my ears, Dave Rimmer, Shifty and all the other guests great stuff and well worth checking out. Well that's the two well known events, in the capitol would mention the vast amount of other events that have happened, from small local nites, new venues, live acts, events mixing northern with deep funk and more space and word count won't allow. Though gotta find space to mention "These Old Shoes", London's biggest little soul club with it's midweek event that every month seemed to get better and better.

Not just the big city boys doing great things, the Uptown Down South Crew are still keeping the soul flag flying high and proud in the south west area, provided quality nites and events at Newbury, Gosport, and more, they've delivered their trademark of a great mix of soul from all eras, across the board at its finest, the night at Miss M's at Newbury in July was the perfect example of true masters of the art of combining all era soul in a great style (that a few others could take lessons off) with Maxine and Keith Woon, Lloyd, and Russ Vickers being the masters.

Moving upwards a bit the Bedford area is yet another hotbed that is thriving, more quality nites have been happening there with "soul on the real side" nites at the Blue Lagoon getting a big name and interest amongst modern fans through out the country, while "Kempston Rovers" in the same town has been doing the business for northern fans and has been attracting some of the biggest DJs knocking around, both from north and south, another in area which has picked up a reputation is Kettering leisure village with a 500+ capacity

Heading for the finish via a quick visit to the seaside to see what's been going on down the beach, with good reports coming in from Bournemouth with the nites at Cagneys going strong and a new nite at Mayfair hotel recently started, a recent dayer at Brighton went down well, so well in fact that two more happened within 7 days of each other!

Mention must also go to the loads of other events that have happened through out the South from East Coast all the way to Cornwall and South Wales, must be hundreds of top quality soul nites, all doing the pyramid thing and keeping the scene and the soul fresh and ever moving, would like to mention all but space has run out, hopefully in the future be able to give fuller coverage and credit

Onwards and upwards. Well there you go, as said just a quick look back at some of the main events that have gone down, check out Keith's Woons guide for some of the main down south events happening in the near future. Hopefully this quick trip will give you an idea of just how strong and soulful the scene down south is at the moment. And believe me it is just the tip of iceberg, let's just say if Richard Searlings radio show was picked up further south than Birmingham they would have to extend it by 3 hours just to fit all the southern events in the "What's on" bit. Final word by me on it all is; if you're idea of utopia is a soul nite with atmosphere, a great friendly mixed crowd, and most of all a great choice of soul sounds, that follow the best of northern soul traditions, well do yourself a favour, hang up your hang-ups, jump on that train, get in that car, hop on that tram climb on that bike, and get your self down south and give today's thriving scene a go,

Mike h

email:

credit goes out to all organisers, DJs, soul fans, etc

By no means exhaustive, here's a round up of some of the more major soul events happening south of the Watford gap). If you run a regular Soul event south of the Watford Gap, and would like to be included in this listing, send all the relevant details to

London

6T's Rhythm 'n' Soul Society (aka 100 Club)

The longest running regular monthly all-nighter in the country (or perhaps the world). For those who don't know, the venue is the 100 Club, 100 Oxford St, London W1, and is promoted by Ady "Harboro Horace" Croasdell.

The regular jocks are: Butch, Shifty, Mick Smith and Ady himself, however, about 1 in every 3 or 4 Ady rests the regulars and programmes an all guest line-up. The next one, on 12th August, is an eclectic, all girl line-up (ooooh).

It helps if you are a member, and membership is freely obtainable by tel: 0171 636 2622, fax: 01858 468020 or by sending SAE to: Flat 9, 61 Riding House St, London W1W 7EQ.

It's not hard to imagine why this club has been successful for so long, Ady has always tried to stick as close as possible to the 6t's roots of Soul and R&B whilst including crossover and northern classics and unissued rarities. Quite rightly, the 100 Club is widely regarded as the country's number one venue for 60's newies.

Capitol Soul Club

Regular and, by all accounts, successful events held at the Dome in London's Tufnell Park, N19. The regular DJ's are Carl Frotnum, Irish Greg, Alan H and Dave Flynn, normally with one top name guest.

Dates are: 28th July, 29th September, 7th October (@ Togetherness weekender), 24th November (1st anniversary) and 8th December (Xmas party).

9:30 to 3am, Adm £5 otd members only but you can send SAE to MJ Promotions, 5 Mount Pleasant, Reading, Berks, RG1 2TF for membership applications.

For more info tel Matt Jahans on 0118 9541 314 or mailto:

To preview photos, directions and real audio sound bites visit:

These Old Shoes

An event making a good name for itself is These Old Shoes, downstairs at the River Bar, Tower Bridge Road (nearest tube: London Bridge on Northern Line or Tower Hill on the district & circle line). For a mere £3 regulars Jo Wallace, Martin Thomson and Paul T-P, plus a guest DJ, will keep you entertained with an imaginative mix of 6t's Soul, Motown and Northern Soul.

The next date is Thursday 10th August, 8pm to midnight, and the guest for this one is Benji Schlamp from Germany.

For more details check their new web site at xxx their email address is: xxx tel: 07881 626210.

Terry's Chocolate Soul

The inimitable Terry Jones makes a welcome return to his old stamping ground on the last Friday of every month at the Orange Bar 22 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch. You can find Terry and his guests upstairs, while downstairs the entertainment is supplied courtesy of the Sourmash collective.

Dates for your diary's are: 25th August - guest dj: Andy Davies and 29th September - guest dj: Gavin Page. Doors open at 8pm to 2am, admission £5/£3 concessions. More information at: xxx

Da Doo Ron Ron

Upstairs @ The Garage, 20-22 Highbury Corner, London N1 (nearest tube Highbury & Islington) every third Friday playing girl group sounds including (but certainly not exclusively) northern. For more info telephone: 0171 607 1818. 9pm - 3am. DJ's are Chris D King and Declan Allen.

Purple Pussycat RnB Club

At the Cask & Glass Cellar Bar, Orchard St (Off Oxford St), London W1 (Nearest tube Marble Arch or Bond St).

9.30-2.30am Adm £5. DJ's Dr Robert & Vic Ranger spin 1st class Club Soul, RnB, Beat.

More info. Contact Rob Bailey at: new.untouchables@virgin.net

or check out their web site at xxx

Soul Traders

Hold regular events in London, approx. every 2 months. The next one is set for 12th August at the Jay Cubed Wine Bar, White Lion Street, Islington, London.

Music Policy is a mixture of northern soul and sixties & seventies soul. They are currently updating their mailing list so anyone who wishes to be informed of their next event should mailto: soulmusic@essents.demon.co.uk. DJ's: Jim O'Reilly, Chris Corbett, Bill Shannon and guests. For a small (£2.50) cover charge on the door, the minimum running times are 8 - 12.30 with regular lock-ins until 2am. For more info, contact Jim Oreilly on 0208 299 4989.

On the Rocks

25 Kingsland Road, London E2. Nearest tube: Old Street or Liverpool Street Top drawer 6T's and Northern Soul from Irish Greg (Capitol Soul Club, 100 Club), Rob Messer (Rhythm & Soul Set), Jo Wallace (These Old Shoes) and Yann (Million Tears). The next do happens on 12th August 8pm-1am and amazingly, admission is FREE! There is no better way to warm up for the 100 Club (and Jo will be on the decks there later on as well).

Can't Be Still

@ The Standard music venue, 1 Blackhorse Lane, London E17. The music policy is Northern and Rare Soul, including newies, oldies, and some class crossover type sounds. DJ's: Adrian, Dizzy, Jan, plus special guests. 3 quid gets you into this event, which runs from 8pm till 1am with strictly no entry after 11pm (this stops the drunks from ruining your night!). The venue has a car park at the rear, or if you prefer public transport Black Horse Rd Tube (Victoria Line) is located directly opposite the venue.

Their next event takes place on Saturday 19th August Contact information: 07946-0851534.

Future dates are Sunday 22nd October (6pm-12am) and Sunday 26th November.

All Shapes & Forms, For All Shapes & Sizes!!!

The appropriately named Can't Be Still crew pop up again on Friday 25th August at the Alice Rooms, above the Princess Alice pub, on the corner of Romford Road & Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, London E7. The music policy here is pure northern soul, newies, oldies plus some classy crossover. DJ's: Adrian, Dizzy, Jan, plus a host of guests. Only 3 quid in all night at the door from 8pm till 2am. Contact information: 07946-085154. The venue will be undergoing some repairs in September so they should be back some time in October.

Newbury

AFC Faraday Road, Newbury, Berks

Two events are run at the AFC to cater for the diverse range of taste in Soul music in the Newbury area.

Miss M's features Soul from then to now (6t's to Y2k compliant) rare and current biggies with a dash of northern for good measure. The next event is scheduled for 11th November when the guest DJ's will be none other than the Soul Heaven crew (see Portsmouth below).

Northern Soul Specials featuring 6t's & 7t's northern and rare classics and current biggies.

The next event is set to take place on Friday 29th September, and the DJ's for this one will be none other than 100 Club regular Shifty, ex Yater Shay, John Browne (Cardiff), Simon Green (Swindon), Simon Preston (Newbury), Maxine and Keith Woon.

8pm to 1:30am, £5 otd

Future dates: 29th September (Northern Soul Special) 11th November (Miss M's) and 1st December (Xmas special)

Info 01273 833394 or 01635 30633 or mailto: kwoon@publiconline.co.uk

Brighton

Soul Citizens

soul all-dayer Sunday 30th july @ the Volks, Madeira Drive, Brighton Seafront.

soul music on 2 floors 2pm to 11pm FREE admittance all day

Downstairs: "Soul Citizens" Modern Soul from 70's to Y2k with Gavin Paige, Stevie Cee, Ian Spittle, plus Soul Citizens: Paul Sutton, Derek Jack.

Upstairs: "Keeping The Faith" Northern Soul and RnB with Dave Flynn, Pete Smith, Jo Wallace, Paul Peter-Thomas, Mark Freeman, Kim Styles, Simon Bridger plus guests.

info: Modern Room Paul on 01273 389504 or soulcitizen@yahoo,co.uk

Northern Room Simon on 01273 731466 or si.soul@virgin.net

If this goes well it will become a regular free monthly all dayer, the Volks is on the seafront 2 minutes walk east of the palace pier.

Also Paul and Derek host a weekly Thursday night soul session at Brighton's Ricky Tick club.

Bournemouth

On The Soul Side

@ Cagney's (under the Hilton Hotel), Westover Rd, Bournemouth.

8:00pm to 2:00am (no adm after 12:30), £5 members, £6 non-members.

An adventurous across the board northern soul policy is being pursued at these regular monthly events run by promoters Jason Desmond and Nick Churchill and regular DJ Steve Lyons (who we will be hearing more of later on). The music policy is play what you consider worthy, no matter how well known (or not) it is, so be ready to hear some quite wonderful fresh stuff.

Reviews of OTSS events so far, can be seen on www.northernsoulman.com

The next 3 events shape up as follows:

19th August, DJ's: Russ Vickers, Gary Todd, Matt, Johnny Clark & Steve Lyons.

30th Sept, DJ's: Ben Summers, Simon Bridger, Mike Lefkon & Steve Lyons.

21st October, DJ's: Keith Woon, Colin Baldock, Rik Collins & Steve Lyons.

18th November, DJ's tba.

More info on: 07967 833585 or mailto: Jason.desmond@virgin.net

InCrowd Soul Society

@ The Mayfair Hotel, 27 Bath Rd, Bournemouth. 8:00pm to late. £5 otd.

Now in its 8th year is this Steve Lyons promotion. Steve is from somewhere up north, so it is not surprising to find out that the InCrowd soul nights focus primarily on classic northern soul, and as Steve says "now that's what I call music".

The next event is 12th August and for this one the DJ's will be: Steve Lyons, Rik Collins, Dave Morris, Ian Spittle and special guest Shay. More info on: 01202 743536.

Bedford

Soul "On The Real Side"

An across the board Soul music policy is pursued by Mark Turner with the help of Dave Fleming and Sid "Tank" Clayton at the Club Blue Lagoon on the first Friday of every month. The regular DJ's are supplemented by Brian Goucher and Steve Jackson, and guest DJ's have included Cliff Steele, Gavin Page, Terry Jones, Andy Davies and the Woons' (Maxine & Keith). The Club Blue Lagoon is in Tavestock Street, which can be found by heading north out of Bedford, following signs for (A6) Kettering. The soul starts at 8pm to 2am and admission is £5 otd. More information, including directions, guest DJ's and play lists can be viewed at www.Soul-Net.co.uk or you can phone 01234 626478 or 07771 690482.

Soul at the Rovers

At the Kempston Rovers Football Club, Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, Bedford. 8pm till late. Admission of £4 on the door gets you into this small venue with lots of atmosphere and bags of soul. Cheap bar, and record dealers welcome. Resident DJ's Hamie, Pete Hulatt, Steve Cooper and Geoff Ware. Guests for September are Mick Smith and Simon Hunt. Future guests TBA and dates include; 29th September 17th November and 15th December. Further info from 01234 340408 or 01234 841654.

Burgess Hill

In Orbit Soul Club

@ Checkers Club, The Martlets, Burgess Hill, West Sussex which is 5 minutes from BR station with its regular service from London and Brighton. The In Orbit events are run by, southern stalwart Andy Crane as Sunday all-dayers from 3/4pm until 11pm and feature northern and rare soul from across the years. Admission is £5 and memberships are available at the door.

The next event is tba, but likely to take place either September or October and feature the BeeCool team of Mike Ritson and Stewart Russell. For more info, contact Andy on 01444 245232.

Portsmouth

The Blue Lagoon

South coast rhythm and soul society promotions (aka Johnny Rolfe) have been holding regular monthly events for nearly 9 years, which is a pretty impressive record for the transient south to quote the late Roger Eagle.

Always on the 3rd Friday of the month, from 8pm to 1am, £5 otd, the regular jocks are: Johnny Rolfe, Keith 'n' Maxine Woon, Shay and Barry Willmore plus guests.

The music policy has gone through several changes over the years, and is now moving from fairly straight ahead northern toward across the board.

For more info, contact Johnny on: 01974 821644 or mailto: johnnyrolfe@supanet.com

Uptown Down South Promotions

Back in the mid nineties the Uptown Down South events at the Abshot country club (near Portsmouth) were tremendously influential. Pursuing an across the board music policy similar to Soul Essence at the time, but on a regular monthly basis. After a year these events relocated to Newbury where it was possible to run regular all-nighters along with the soul nights. As far as I am aware, prior to this, there had never been a single dance floor, all-nighter programming 4 decades of Soul.

Owing to the number of other events in the area Uptown Down South events are now run as Bank Holiday Sunday all-dayers under the banner of Soulicious. The next one is scheduled for 5pm to midnight on 27th August at the Sidewalk club 111-112 High St Gosport, Hants, when the regulars Russ Vickers, Keith & Maxine Woon, Ben Summers and Lloyd Attrill are joined by guest DJ's Shifty and Shay.

Soul Heaven

With 2 very successful events under their belts, the first, was a warm-up to the Uptown Down South event on 30th April, and the second, a charity fund raising all-dayer held at the Swordfish in Lee-on-Solent on 2nd July. Clive and Suzie look set to consolidate their position on 27th August, when they once again provide the official warm up for the Uptown Down South event later on that day. Details for this one are: 12pm to 5pm, entrance is free, DJ's Mark Gentry, Suzie, Ray New, Terry "Tee" Davies and Clive Portious who will be spinning an eclectic mix of 70's, 80's & 90's soulful vibes, classic modern and Y2k compliant grooves. The venue for this one is the Budweiser Beach Bar, Pier St, Lee-on-Solent, which can be reached from M27 J11 travelling south and then follow signs for Lee-on-Solent.

Solent Soul Club

The next event @ the Thorngate in Gosport is set for 2nd December. Promotion is undertaken by Steve Csordas and Molly, guest DJ's tba.

Molly writes that he and Steve have decided to put this year's Soul-Nites on hold until Steve's return in November (he's away serving Queen and Country). The only date they have planned this year is the 2nd Anniversary on Saturday 2nd December. Molly should have the final DJ line-up in a couple of weeks, and at the time of writing Russ Vickers is guesting with one other TBA. The night will run from 8 till 2, Admission will be £6.00 for Members and £7.00 for Non Members. For this one Molly and Steve have decided to use the smaller Thorngate Theatre to try and generate a bit more atmosphere. The full address is The Thorngate Halls, Bury House, Bury Road, Gosport, Hampshire.

They are hoping to have three more dates booked for next year, prior to this years Anniversary, I will let you know the dates as soon as I have them.

Guest Dj's in the past have included Dave "soulful kinda music" Rimmer, Saus, Tony Warot, Rob Messer, Gavin Page, Al Kent, Gary Todd, Rik Collins, John Mills, Barry Wilmore and Maxine.

Contact details: Molly: 07836-705877, email or Steve: 0410-246652, email SOUL@csordas.freeserve.co.uk

Farnborough/Aldershot

Soul Clan

Following the SouthSide recess, The Soul Clan, namely Mick Reynolds and friends Moody Woman, Martin C, Dave D, Tom Powers and Mouldie have picked up the baton. There is a large pocket of northern fans in this area, so attendance is always good.

Two venues are used, depending upon availability:

The Leisure Centre, Junction of Fernhill Rd & Hawley Lane, Farnborough, Hants.

The Victoria Club, Victoria Road, Aldershot, Hants.

The next soul night is at the Leisure Centre, Farnborough on 12th August, and the guest DJ for this one is Barry Willmore. Other information is: 7:30 to midnight, entry is £3 otd, or £1 if you can show your entry stub from the Aldershot soul night. Further info on: 01420 479613 or 01252 663806.

Strings a Go Go

Who's 1st anniversary will take place on Sat 23rd September at the Victoria Club, Victoria Rd, Aldershot, Hants. Music Policy is across the board. The DJ's for this one will be Matt (Blue Lagoon), Rids (SouthSide) and Moldie plus more TBA. The first 50 people through the door will receive a free CD and patch. Doors open at 7.30pm until 1am, drinks are cheap and there is ample car parking around the back of the club. For more information contact 01252 663806 or email moldie@ntlworld.com.

Fleet

The Nightshift Club

Just down the road from Farnborough/Aldershot is Fleet with its 300+ capacity Harlington centre. Here regulars: Pete Kelross, Derek Mead, Dunk and Brian Lee play host to well respected guest national and local DJ's such as Roger Stewart, Brian Rae, Barry Willmore, Keith Woon and Dave Evison to name a few. The venue has a huge wooden dance floor, perfect for the music policy of Northern, R'n'B and Motown.

£5 will get you safely through the doors, which open at 8pm until 1am (bar until midnight).

More info is available on 01932 402667 or 01252 319768.

Southampton

Soul Shoes

Gary Todd's Soul Shoes is another long running promotion. Now located at the Unity Club, Eastleigh. For more info contact Gary on: 01703 325938.

Swindon

Soul Club 11

@ Swindon Town Football Club, Executive Suite. From 7pm to 12:30am regulars' Vod, Speed and Baz together with their special guests will be spinning the best in Northern and rare Soul from the 6t's to 9t's. At £4 otd be sure to get there early, as there is no admission after 10pm.

For more info phone Keith on (01793) 723320 or email Baz at: Barry.Davies@epsrc.ac.uk.

Contacted Simon Green (2k0802) ... waiting for reply.

Abingdon

COME GET TO THIS

At the Peachcroft Community Centre, Abingdon, Oxon, these regular bi-monthly events are promoted by Steve Farthers and Graham Hilsdon.

The next event is set to take place on September 8th, and features 5 hours of Northern, Motown, 60-70s soul. Doors open at 8pm to a 1am finish and the regular DJ's are Steve Farthers, Graham Hilsdon, Rusty, Trevor Jones, and Simon Preston.

Current power plays are:

Steve - Carstairs - It Really Hurts Me Girl - Red Coach

Graham - Jan Jones - Independant Women - Day Wood

Rusty - James fountain- Seven Day Lover - Peachtree

Trevor - Velveleites - Lonely Lonely Girl Am I - VIP

Simon - Vangaurds - Gotta Have Love - Lamp

Contact Steve Fathers on 01235 534048 for more info.

Cardiff

M4 Soul Club

At the Riverbank Hotel, Despenser Street, Cardiff (on the River Taff, opp the Millenium Stadium). Regular DJs include Mark White, Mike Wilkes (Lea Manor, 100 Club), Edwin, John Browne, Tony Voyce, Eddie (Porthcawl Northern Nights) - local collectors have DJ'd and they have had Simon Preston guesting and hope to have Jerry "Hippo" Hipkiss in October.

The event runs from 9pm to 1am, 1st Saturday on alternate months - next date is 5th August, followed by 1st Saturday in October, December, February and so on. Entrance is £3 before 10pm, £5 after 10pm.

Music policy at this superb little venue - a bit like a mini-100 Club, is primarily 60s with a dash of 70s and X-Over - quality and imaginative oldies and current big niter spins.

Mark White is the main contact on 01446 746893 or email Mark@white498.fsnet.co.uk.

Gloucester

Soul Night

Now on the last Friday of the month at Crackers Night Club, Bruton Way, Gloucester (beneath NCP, opp railwat station) from 9pm to 4am. Yes, 7 full hours of quality Soul music from 3 decades comprising the best in Tamla Motown, Northern & Modern Soul, and all for £4 otd before 11pm or £5 after. Regular DJ's are Ian 'Polly' Palmer, Leon and Meg plus a special guest. For more info, contact 01452 545523 or 07977 459403.

Plymouth

Northern Soul Ark

Happening on the first Friday of every month at Noah's Ark, Courtenay St, Plymouth, Devon. Music policy: sixties, crossover and seventies. The DJ's are various local lads. £4 gets you through the doors, which open at 7.30pm until midnight. Contact: Simon and Jo, via soulmates@eurobell.com. If success continues in the future the dates may change to first Saturday of every month.

Ipswich

Northern Soul - Revisited

East Anglian Daily Times Social Club, Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, where the music policy is mostly oldies. DJ's are the Suffolk Souls Crew, plus guests. The next event is set for Friday 6th October, when the doors swing open at 8:30pm until 1:00am (bar till 1:00). 3ukp on the door (sorry - cost of venue has risen!!). For further details visit the web site at http://www.geocities...ouls/index.html or email suffolk_souls@yahoo.com or phone 01394 670404.

(KW 082k)

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"STARTING THE HURT ALL OVER AGAIN" by winston

Many years ago when Dave Godin coined the phrase Northern Soul, it wasn't without good reason. The north at that time was in the middle of a

revolution. New rare soul records were being discovered at an amazing rate

of knots, they were quickly finding their way into the hands of the

influential DJs who were playing them to the eager dancers. This epitomised

the soul scene throughout the early 7Ts and quite rightly the term "Northern

Soul" was adopted and universally accepted as the correct way to describe

this type of music. If this was your chosen genre of music, you had to make

the trip up north to hear it, in all its glory.

Whilst the major DJs of the time would play tunes that you were familiar

with, they would always be prepared to throw in new sounds. This for me

worked perfectly, the DJs would discover something new and the jury (the

dancers) would pass sentence. Using this format the scene was never in

danger of stagnating, this however isn't the case now in my honest opinion.

For many years now, a lot of the DJs in the north have sat on their laurels,

nothing new seems to be filtering down from what was traditionally the home

of Northern Soul. A menu of oldies is normally the fare on offer nowadays,

there are obviously exceptions to the rule, but I'm making a general

observation. Let me make it clear at this stage that I still love oldies,

but because I visit a lot of venues I get a little bored hearing them over

and over again. I like to hear fresh sounds or indeed have my memory

pricked by records that I haven't heard in ages and are not currently on the

playlists of the North's finest. On the plus side, a lot of the bigger

venues up north have included modern rooms (not my personal cup of tea) but

at least it is a form of progression.

What I really enjoy are new 6Ts s there were a lot of records

overlooked in the "Glory Years", probably due to the fact that that they

didn't fit the perfect description required by the dancers and DJs alike, of

that particular era. Nowadays things have changed greatly. The soul scene

is a much broader church now, gone are the days when you shouldn't dance to

a record because it was discovered at a rival venue. Whilst most of us

retain some allegiance to our favourite venues of yesteryear, most of us

have grown up and refuse to get involved in the petty politics that still

infest our scene, at the highest levels.

Bearing all this in mind I would like to draw your attention to the 100

Club, which has already reached legendary status, and to the Dome, which is

well on its way. Both play predominately 6Ts music, which is very often new

to even the most regular of all nighter goers, they still play classic

oldies, but not to the extent that tedium sets in. Over the years different

styles of music have crept into the "Rare soul" scene and all are

encompassed at these two venues. The regular DJs are still working on the

premise that their audience are an intelligent soul loving crowd, who still

want to hear something that will stimulate their senses. Consequently the

100 club and Dome goers are regularly treated to undiscovered new 6Ts sounds

and rediscovered oldies that perhaps didn't get the reception that they

deserved first time around. Surely above all else this was the very essence

of the "Rare Soul" scene in days gone by, and an edict that both the

aforementioned clubs proudly adhere to.

You may have become aware that my terminology, describing the soul scene has

changed over the last paragraph. This is because I feel that describing the

scene as a "Northern Soul" scene is no longer correct. Without doubt it's a

useful handle to describe a soul night, and will usually have the desired

effect of bringing in the kind of punter that the promoter requires and of

course its traditional, but it's just not accurate.

Over the last few years soul nights and nighters have sprung up all over the

country, mainly because we no longer have a weekly central meeting point,

(such as Wigan) and the desire to travel has lessened. It's nice to have

soul on your doorstep, and local collectors and promoters have become

increasingly aware of this and have catered to our needs. Indeed in my local

town of Bedford there are three soul nights every six weeks (one a modern)

and it would be an outrageous presumption (on anybody's part) to assume that

local collectors, when they get together cannot produce the goods. As an

example one of the local promoters/collectors in Bedford currently numbers

amongst his personal collection, between 10 and 15 sounds, that are all

featured on the current Goldmine "For millionaires only" series. I'm sure

that instances of this sort are not confined to my home town, but are

repeated country wide. This upsurge in the fortunes of local soul nights

could also go some way to explaining the current down trend in attendances

at certain all nighters in the north which I have witnessed first hand.

As well as regularly going north to visit Keele, The Ritz, Alfreton, Derby,

Winsford and Stoke based nighters, I've also been to quality events in

Ipswich, Lowestoft, Bournemouth, Brighton and of course the London area.

The 100 Club and the Dome are always well attended, with rarely an inch of

space on the dance floor, just how it used to be and in my opinion exactly

how it should be. Recently I even had the joy of discovering a mid-week

event, held on a monthly basis. It's called "These Old Shoes", a couple of

minutes walk from London Bridge, on a Thursday night and you're back in the

land of soul. What more could you ask for, and apart from seeing one

midweek night advertised in Scotland, exclusive to the London area. I

arrived at These Old Shoes, to find once again a packed venue, with an

enthusiastic crowd, something so indicative of the London soul scene. The

credit for setting up a thriving mid-week scene must surely go to the

promoters, but could it survive anywhere else.?

But the big question is why is the "Rare soul" scene so excellently

supported down south.

A major factor has to be that the scene down south is still attracting new

blood, a younger generation, willing to treat sounds old and new with the

same reverence. There are no preconceived ideas of what is the right or

wrong sort of sound that should be played, fresh ears making fresh choices,

a direct comparison to us "older types" in our long forgotten youth. This

younger generation, whilst still appreciating our "Anthems" are busy

creating their own, and quite rightly so. So what if the new favourites are

not all in the "Traditional" mould, over the years things change, it's

natural progression. The constant desire for exclusive records led to more

R&B and mid-tempo sounds finding their way into the DJs and collectors

boxes, and has only gone to improve our scene. This youthful element so

prevalent in the London area, has that secret ingredient that we all had in

our younger days. They are massively enthusiastic, it's not a fad, you can

see that by looking into their faces as they dance, that same intensity that

once consumed me, for example, is there for all to see. Personally I

thrive off their fierce love, of what I'd long considered to be my

generations musical legacy to the world and am once again inspired.

I can't believe that the North and South of the country are unique in their

love for the "Rare Soul" scene, but unfortunately as yet I haven't been to

enough places in other parts of the country to make an informed judgement.

What I am sure of however, is that the soul scene is no longer the exclusive

property of the north, and shouldn't be perceived as such. Everyone

involved in the resurrection of the "Rare Soul" scene, should be given the

same amount of credit, from the promoters of small soul nights, to the major

players, currently promoting the massive all nighters and weekenders. All

have had an active role to play in the rebirth of the soul scene and their

efforts should be similarly lauded. The alternative is to recreate the "Us

and Them" situation which was so instrumental in dismantling the soul scene

in its previous incarnation. We must try not to alienate anyone because I

for one am not convinced that our beloved scene could survive another civil

war. If you have read this and it's left you feeling angry, please don't

be, I'm only trying to redress the balance. Read it again and try to accept

that I'm really not trying to start a war, rather prevent one.

KTF Winston

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