Mark S

Went to college with Carl and remember talking sounds with him, used to go to his house in Levenshulme and be amazed by his records and knowledge. Lost touch after he had moved to Middleton. My deepest condolences to Maria.

We all come onto the scene at different times and I appreciate that, and that gives us differing perspectives. I am old and opinionated and do reminisce about my youth and that may seem boring to you. Many younger people have discovered a ready made scene and have missed the excitement of the scene evolving it was awesome at the time and has shaped our lives in a way that subsequent generations couldn't possibly imagine. I make no apologies for my outlook and if it frustrates you so what. The Northern soul scene is so divided at the moment posts like yours dont help there is room for everybody that loves the music and has good intent. Enjoy the music after all it's supposed to be fun.

The idea of making Northern soul accessible to people that might not be into the genre puzzles me and I can't help but find the narative a bit sad and a reflection of a lost generation that has no identity. The protest bit got me, the scene for me in the early days was just an evolution of working class culture from Skinhead/Suedehead to Soulboy no protest movement just seamless unconscious change. There is an uncomfortable hint that the scene is racist and this shows a lack of understanding . My black mates at the time wouldn't be seen at a Nothern soul event to them the music was old fashioned many preferred Reggae or Funk. Don't think in 50 odd years time it will have had the same impact on their lives as it has on many of ours a shame really for a lost generation.

http://BBC News - Meet the young DJs keeping Northern Soul alive https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd11gzqpwyko An interesting take, don't know if the link works but its on BBC news

Early days lots of slower and mid tempo stuff from the likes of Major Lance, Otis Leavill and of course the Impressions wasn't all stompers some propper melodic soul got played out. Mid 70s these new sounds were recent releases with a funkier disco type vibe caused quite a stir at the time and divided opinion. Used to go to Sale Mecca the Blue Rooms Ian Levine and Colin Curtis used to play a lot of this stuff on a Thursday night I am convinced that they played these sounds to guage reaction prior to Saturdays at the Highland room

Meanwhile whilst we are all gnashing our teeth and moaning the Out on the floor okey cokey baggy brigade are having a great time keeping the faith. "Oi mate you got the snake?"

Hope not "Northern soul trousers" eh..? Makes me cringe when for a scene thats been going on since God were a lad that they focus on some dodgy fashion choices that we made for a couple of years 50 years ago.

Go out to get away from kids and phones and all the Tic Toc, Instagram and youtube shite that goes with it. And dont get me started on the entitled tosspots that like to go to events and video everything.

From Prince Buster to Prince Philip Mitchell then in 75 the tourists arrived not been the same since

Despite Toots and the Maytalls Reggae got soul still dont want it at a soul do.

Commented on one of her videos with similar sentiments to you and was told to " Shut the f#&k up" classy!!. Comedy soulies

Morris dancing to Just like the weather, could work you know

How you dance isn't important. Being authentic is at the end of the day it's about enjoying the music, understanding the history of the scene and most of all not falling for the hit the dressing up box baggy wearing hokey cokey knees up narrative

I blame the popularity of laminate flooring and Rufus Lumley

No filler just quality soul brilliant.

I'll be kind and just say it's a bit of fun init

Poundland Stylisics don't think we should judge these to harshly when you consider some of the utter shite that gets played out on the Northern soul scene over the years

What a cracking bit of film and an insight to a very chilled and cool looking scene.. In my minds eye thought that the NS scene may have gone in a similar direction in my old age.

Love this never heard it before, not your typical Marvin could imagine Major Lance or Otis Leavill singing this. Cracking tune cheers

Four Tops - Right before my eyes, off the Changing times album

I agree the genie has been out of the bottle for years . The proms and this show are taking it to a new level , the Proms were well done completely pointless though but to me it was'nt soul and certainly not Northern soul . If they can capture the atmosphere of the Casino at 3am and the electricity that flows through you during the opening bars of George Blackwell Can't lose my head then I may give it a go .

Years ago we were discussing " new blood " on the scene , well this is what it looks like . Sanitised over exposed bollocks all neatly packaged for your convenience . Non of this reflects my experience of the scene totally misses the point lacks edge and exclusiveness . When the proms were aired Maconie said " it was the best night of his life " poor sod must have lived a very sheltered life

As long as people respect the floor and don't dick about no problem

The term cultural appropriation definitely doesn't apply to the soul scene. Early days for me was the late 60s early 70s Skinhead / Suedehead culture that for me at least morphed into the Northern soul scene . Blue collar white British culture meets Black American blue collar musical culture. We weren't trying to be black just disenfranchised working class youth finding a connection with black American disenfranchised youth. We cant expect kids in 2023 to understand that let alone respect it and the sad thing is we can weep and wail gnash our dentures but there is absolutely fu#k all we can do about it

Sign of the times I suppose social media appears to be a cesspit and trolling for many now is the accepted defence mechanism. Dont use it myself except here. Yes agree to a point about people on the scene manipulating the narative you only have to listen to Russ W to hear the shite he comes out with but ultimately its the media that allows this content without propper research. I am just a punter on this scene and have an if you know you know type attitude the story never needed telling in the first place..