You have to remember that records like Ujima, Stevens & Foster, Al Hudson, Bessie Banks etc were all readily available as new releases & whilst the "stompers only" crew thought that the average Mecca punter was buying Dr Buzzard , Stanley Clarke , Brainstorm etc. a group of us were buying the "future monster" tunes as well.
Don't forget that Wigan ruled the roost & Mecca played "disco funky shite" so nobody who attended The Highland Room late 75 to 1977 new what good soul music was.
Colin's last hour set was the springboard for a lot of thes tunes which went on to be the staple diet of the events you list above.