I know that this one has been done to death but the question really crosses over into lots of other threads - the one about songs from different ends of the spectrum for example.
Back to basics then:
Who coined the phrase? Cliff Clifford (alledgedly) in Dave Godins shop in the early 70'sWhy was the phrase coined? To differentiate between the old (60's) and the new (70's)
So, whilst soul from the 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's might be good, rare, &/or danceable it ain't Northern Soul if it 'aint 60's.
So, forget your Voices of East Harlem, Carstairs, Charles Johnson, Lew Curton et al; good tunes no question but Northern Soul - no!
Gettin' ready for the get down? Getting ready for the bullets.......
Mick