You will never change the opinion of Blinkered 'Northern' fans...
The same people that cry out at R&B being played are always the first ones to rush to the floor when something like Mickie Champion or The Five Royales are spun.
They don't understand R&B, so they automaticaly dislike it as it is 'different' (Until they've heard it 50 times and it gets under their skin).
At the end of the day, 60 R&B has much more in common with the 60s Stompers than any of the mid-late 70s proto Disco and 'Modern' Soul that DJs like Soul Sam spin - same artists, same backing groups, same production values.
There are many records that get spun under the name 'R&B' that I personaly dislike (more often than not white pop artists with the right beat), but the good tracks far outnumber the poor.
I don't dislike Modern Soul, I just cannot hack music that is directionless, meandering and without 'oomph!'
Tracks like:
The Pioneers - My Good Friend James
Kenny Thomas - Crazy World
Lisa Stansfield......
and so on.....