Daved

That’s a pity. I would’ve probably gone, especially as I haven’t been to that venue before. I can’t see that there’s any other gigs scheduled in London at the moment although there is one in Bristol earlier that week. If anyone hears of it, I’d be interested to know

There were 3 rooms. Northern, modern and crossover (which was actually in a tent). The modern room was brilliant.

A biopic of Tammi Terrell is in progress. Should be interesting if it ever comes out. https://hiphopwired.com/2015/05/28/kat-graham-tammi-terrell/

Also check out Mr Right. Real soul for the late 80s!

Just listened to it on you tube. I've heard it before on podcasts too and see what you mean Steve. However, there are previously unreleased tracks that are suitable for a northern night that I don't think are played out because they're not on vinyl like the Dee Dee Warwick mentioned on the previous page.

If it's that good but not being played out for that reason, then that's another reason for the demise of the scene

I'd love to see it too. I've never heard of this alleged scandal before. It's fascinating but I don't know whether to believe it. The youtube video reads like a vengeance attack

Are flat caps compulsory?

Congratulations Mike. I know how hard you’ve worked on this over the years and, at times, it must’ve seemed more hassle than it was worth. Thanks for persevering. It’s come a long way since your late 90s one man reviews of The Dome and 100 Club, complete with descriptions of nightmare train journeys back to Chatham early on Sunday morning.

So what is a decent, reasonably priced (around £300-£400), new turntable these days?

I think you can only buy a download from that Audio Network site. Not available on CD. There's several events in London that play even better music than that. The events section on this site will give you details.

I'm more of an Everything Man type of guy

You mean there's another Guardian reader out there who likes this stuff? I's have to go for the obvious because it still sounds great to me - Four Below Zero

Thanks. Are you Hogwild on the Guardian website?

I love Betty Wright but she could be a candidate. I mean that it an amusing, respectful kind of way because she's done many brilliant things over the years and is a great song writer too.

Damon Rochefort also started up a mag to rival Blues & Soul in the 80s, which featured Richard S and Ralph Tee as columnists. In fact, I think Damon used to write for B&S too. He may have been The Mouth.

As far as I can see that's his only appearance so far. Pity because he's still on my wish list of live acts I haven't seen yet.

Great stuff. Really enjoyed that.

Agreed. I think it's the best compilation they've released in years.

Yeah, and he probably played it first in 1978! Seriously, it wouldn't surprise if he did play in as a new release in 1982. He was quite good.

Martha Reeves & the Vandellas - No More Tear Stained Make Up. A lesser known, wonderful ballad penned by Smokey Robinson, which ends full of optimism

Good post. Just a few things to add from me. The early 80s scene you describe is still very much alive in a revival kind of way. Similar to the norther oldies scene (but perhaps with slightly younger folk), there are countless dos in the southeast attend by middle aged people still dancing to Standing Right Here. Caister continues to be very popular too. Agree about the rapid change from 1987/88. I saw that Prestatyn weekender video recently too and I was alarmed at the change and how huge acid house was so quickly. Hip hop and other genres were also getting huge too. The music itself caused a demise. It went very downtempo and some of those mid 80’s productions were awful. I always think that release of Keith Sweat’s “Make It Last Forever” LP was the beginning of the end and as far as soul releases on major labels were concerned for the next 8 years or so. However, there was some very high quality real soul releases going on which weren’t widely popular in regular clubs like By All Means, Broomfield, Chapter 8, Dee Dee Wilde, etc. As for rare groove, the big stuff (not just Jean Knight J) did get nationwide exposure and I liked some of it. It should have resonated more with me having been brought up on northern soul, but I’d just spent the last 5 years buying old records and was enjoying buying lots of contemporary new releases from places like City Sounds.

This cam out in January. Lots of other great tracks have been released since but this not bettered yet imo Rhonda Thomas - Show Me How To Love You

Maybe I've misunderstood, but there's no way The O'Jay's "I Love Music", Luther Vandross "Never Too Much" and some others listed above can be considered northern soul. Their appeal was much, much wider and even if it was played in a handful of small northern venues, it didn't do anything to broaden that appeal (except perhaps to the 100s who were there on the night)

I saw that, What a terrible, opportunistic title for stuff that is neither northern, modern or soul!