Northern Soul And The History Of Its UK Roots

For a great many people in the UK the phrase Northern Soul has no meaning at all, but for others it conjures up fond memories of the late 60\'s and 70\'s and became a movement that had its roots in the Mod scene. History has it that the Northern Soul sound was defined in the Twisted Wheel Club, followed by others such as Wigan Casino, the Torch in Stoke on Trent and the Blackpool Mecca. A particular Northern soul dance style and fashion emerged at the same time.

The term northern soul however is said to have originated in a small Covent Garden shop in London called Soul City, which was owned and run by Dave Godin a journalist who wrote a Blues & Soul magazine column. It was evidently a sales term used by those serving visiting football fans from the north, to indicate that visitors from the north were looking for the type of music played in the northern clubs, not the sounds of Detroit or Chicago..

The initial years of the northern soul scene between late 60s and early 70s was founded on the Motown sounds of the mid 60s. DJs would search for and acquire rare recordings that could be added to their playlist. As time moved on DJs began to play more contemporary music, and started to drift away from Motown..

It is those rare recordings, which still drive a passion amongst aficionados of the rare northern soul genre today, with some recordings selling for thousands of pounds. Often recordings were produced in limited quantities by the smaller independent labels throughout the USA. Labels such Golden World from Detroit, Shout from New York and Okeh from Chicago..

DJ's on the northern soul scene became well known for their possession of rare recordings, and if accepted on the dance floor would draw hundreds to the venues they played at. It's said that a Frank Wilson song called, Do I Love You, is the most valuable northern soul single around due to its rarity. .

Just do a search online and you'll get an impression of the different artists and labels that made up and influence northern soul back in the days. You'll discover little gems like ‘I just want to fall in love' by the Spinners on the Atlantic Demo label which was a real 70s dance floor anthem. Dig deeper and you'll find hundreds of 45's that average around £350. Ever heard of the Fast Eddie label and Pat & Blenders, or Soul-Fay on Audio Forty..

If you love that sweet soulful Motown sound, or you prefer the sounds born of the Twisted Wheel Club, just search online for Northern Soul, and a wealth of new musical experience awaits you..