Northern Soul | Cut Out Reviews

If you don’t know what Northern Soul is, then here are the basics. Northern soul was a dance and music scene that emerged from DJs discovering unknown up-tempo, motown-style records from the mid-60s and playing them in clubs. Many of these American tracks, despite their catchy nature, failed to rise to fame due to lack of budget, until this movement in the north-west of England. The Twisted Wheel in Manchester and the Wigan Casino saw hundreds of people flock through their doors to dance through til morning with some of the boldest moves around.

Rumour tells us that the name ‘Northern Soul’ was coined by London record shop owner and DJ Dave Godin, noticing northern football fans asking for old-fashioned, up-tempo soul records, to differentiate from other soul music. For a fairly a short-lived movement, the music definitely made its impression on decades to come. You can still find dance nights up and down the country and the Blackpool Tower is the place to be for Northern Soul weekenders all year round.

I’ve complied here a little list of my favourite Northern Soul tracks which I recommend giving a listen.

1. I’m Com’un Home in the Morn’un - Lou Pride

2. Turnin’ My Heartbeat Up - The M.V.P.’s

3. The Night - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

4. Soul Time - Shirley Ellis

5. Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) - Frank Wilson

I first discovered Northern Soul when I was about fourteen and a cousin of mine was in a band, full of brass and dancing and up-beat tunes. Years later, I happened upon a film called Northern Soul (which has been watched innumerable times since - highly recommended), and it got me hooked on the movement. I wanted to listen to the music, I wanted to learn about the history, I wanted to become pro at the dancing. The last of these goals is still to come to fruition and I won’t give up on the hope that one day I will clear the living room floor and flail my legs about like the Michael Flatley of soul. Granted, I didn’t live through popular time of the genre, and I’m not wishing myself a life in 1970s Britain, but I often wish the dance and music culture was still around today.

Keep the Faith

My top Northern Soul tracks

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

lou-pride-im-comun-home-in-the-mornun-su

frank-wilson-do-i-love-you-indeed-i-do-1

frankie-valli-and-the-four-seasons-the-n

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

R E V I E W S

Keep the Faith

My top Northern Soul tracks

by Connie Ward-Allen