"But there was still a definiton of sound, a style factor which dictated the musical boundaries of the scene and to many people, that style aspect concludes around 76-77 with great records like FLAMING KING etc. That style aspect seems, over the years to have frustated many people and we had first 'The Modern Soul Scene' (Of which I loved a large number of records) and now a further kailedescope of tastes and styles, which for some reason, certain people seem intent on foisting onto the classic Northern Soul fan, with or without his or her's approval!"
That is complete and utter bollocks!!! Are you really denying the relevance of every 70's and 80's soul play within Northern clubs main rooms since '77 ? You really have got a distorted view of what the Northern scene has been about......this might fit your comfort zone, but it's so far away from the truth it's laughable. I'd completely understand your lack of attendance at Northern venues since '77, since you had so many other music styles......punk, jazz-funk...to fit in before you rejoined our happy band...so that might explain your seeming lack of experience of the music played.
I'd really like you to explain to me how tracks like the Anderson Brothers, Frankie Crocker, Nate Evans, Eloise Laws............are acceptable "Northern" tracks , just because they happened to be played at THE time, when similar styled tracks that came along later (post Wigan) are shuffled off to an alternative room, like some embarrassing relative turning up unexpectedly. I don't recall any surveys being conducted before the Jobell Orchestra (for instance) was "foistered" on an unsuspecting "classic Northern soul fan" of the day. So please don't try to pretend that the "Northern" scene of the day was anything other than a great mix of different and complimentary soul styles.
The "classic Northern soul fan" as you put it has more recently redefined Northern as uptempo 60's, white washing the past and small incedentals like Dave Godin raving over great Northern tracks like Wash And Wear Love, hardly a typical "Northern" sound, but a Northern classic, nevertheless.......I'm sure he'd have something to say about the diversity of styles if he was still around.
By the way it's Flame 'N' King....