The Northern Soul Podcast

Colin Skehan

This Is the Northern Soul Podcast, its a journey back to the golden years of Northern Soul, featuring the rare, obscure and unforgettable sounds that filled dancefloors throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
This isn't a history lesson from someone looking in from the outside—it's told by someone who lived it. I was there during the boom years of soul and dance music, working as a DJ in Manchester's clubs between 1974 and 1979, including the legendary Soul Cellar. I also owned an independent record shop .Every episode features authentic Northern Soul and Soul music from the 60s and 70s

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41 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes41

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Yesterday · 34 min
Back To Basics -Rare Soul Discovery
This Is Northern Soul: Back To Basics – The Greatest Discoveries Welcome to a new chapter of This Is Northern Soul. After exploring some of the more familiar Northern Soul favourites, it's time to go back to where the magic began — discovering the unknown, the overlooked and the forgotten.In this episode, we leave the obvious classics behind and dig deep into the world of rare soul. Featuring artists whose names may not be familiar, but whose music deserves to be heard, we'll uncover the stories behind the records, the small labels, the hidden gems and the incredible voices that time almost forgot.From mysterious American soul singers to forgotten British talents, every track has a story. These are the records that collectors searched for, DJs championed and dancers fell in love with.Because Northern Soul has never only been about the biggest names...It's about the greatest discoveries.
Sunday · 47 min
1969 - Was This Year The Birth Of Northern Soul?
Was 1969 the year Northern Soul truly came of age? In this episode of This Is Northern Soul, we journey back to one of the most remarkable years of the twentieth century.As the world watched the Apollo 11 moon landing, Concorde took to the skies, The Italian Job became a British cinema classic, and The Beatles released Abbey Road, another revolution was quietly taking place on dance floors across Britain. Colin explores the music, the artists and the stories behind two legendary record labels—Okeh Records and Cameo Parkway. Featuring unforgettable tracks from Major Lance, Billy Butler, Bunny Sigler, Yvonne Baker, Bobby Paris, Evie Sands, Curtis Mayfield , Bunny Sigler ,Major Lance and more, this episode celebrates the records that became the heartbeat of the Northern Soul movement.Discover how overlooked American soul singles found a second life in Britain's all-night clubs, becoming timeless anthems for generations of dancers and collectors.Keep the faith, and enjoy another journey into the music that never stopped moving.
Saturday · 30 min
The Soul Cellar -Where Music Had Soul
The Soul Cellar – The Soundtrack of a Legend In this special episode of This Is Northern Soul, we step back into one of Greater Manchester's most legendary soul venues—the Soul Cellar beneath the Birch Hotel in Ashton-under-Lyne. From 1974 to 1978, I had the privilege of DJing in this iconic underground place , where the music, the people and the atmosphere created unforgettable nights. The Soul Cellar wasn't just about Northern Soul. It embraced the very best of Detroit soul, Chicago soul, deep soul, funk, and the occasional touch of reggae and blue beat. If it had soul, it belonged on the turntable. Many of the tracks featured in this episode was played in the Soul Cellar during its heyday. Some were favourites from my own DJ sets, while others were championed by fellow resident DJs. Together, they recreate the soundtrack of a club built on passion, friendship and a shared love of great music. Although the Soul Cellar was eventually lost to redevelopment during the construction of the M60 motorway, its spirit lives on through the memories of those who danced there and the timeless records that continue to inspire soul fans today. So come with me as we descend those familiar steps once again and relive the sound, the feeling and the magic of the Soul Cellar.
July 31 · 36 min
London Calling :The Northern Soul Revolution
Step beneath the bright lights of Oxford Street and into one of the most iconic venues in British music history. In this episode of This Is Northern Soul, we explore the legendary 100 Club—the London basement venue that proved Northern Soul wasn't just a movement of the North.Discover how the famous 6Ts All-Nighters transformed forgotten American soul records into timeless classics, while DJs such as Ady Croasdell and Randy Cozens unearthed some of the rarest and most sought-after 45s ever pressed.We'll also celebrate the unforgettable live performances that made the 100 Club so special, with appearances from soul legends including Doris Troy, Tommy Hunt, Barbara Acklin, Ray Pollard, Lou Ragland, Terry Callier, Tony Middleton, and The Flirtations—artists who found a second home and a devoted audience in Britain.Featuring the music, the memories, and the remarkable story behind one of the world's longest-running Northern Soul venues, this is the story of the club that kept the faith and carried the movement into a new era.Keep the faith... and welcome to the 100 Club.
July 27 · 37 min
The Mod Soul Years Pt 3
We've saved the best until last. In the final part of our Mod Soul series, we celebrate the records that defined a generation of style, dance and musical discovery. From Motown gems and deep soul classics to rare American releases that became legendary on Britain's Mod club scene, this episode captures the sound that paved the way for Northern Soul.Featuring unforgettable tracks from Stevie Wonder, Percy Sledge, Brenda Holloway, Johnnie Taylor, Sam Dees and many more, we'll explore the music, the artists and the stories behind the records that kept dancefloors moving from London's underground clubs to the all-night venues of the North.Join me as we bring the Mod Soul story to a fitting close, celebrating the movement that changed British youth culture forever and left a musical legacy that still inspires soul fans today.
July 26 · 28 min
The Mod Soul Years Pt 2 (Revised Music )
The Mod Soul Years – Part Two: British Soul & Rare Soul Classics In this second episode of The Mod Soul Years, we journey back to the vibrant Britain of the 1960s, when sharp suits, scooters, Carnaby Street and Ready Steady Go! provided the backdrop to a musical revolution.This programme shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked world of British soul, celebrating artists who took inspiration from American rhythm and blues and created a uniquely British sound. Along the way, we also feature American performers who forged a special connection with Britain and became favourites on the Mod and rare soul scene.Featuring music from Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band, The Fantastics, The Apollos, The Capitols, The Coasters, , and more, this episode uncovers forgotten gems that have become treasured classics among rare soul collectors and Northern Soul enthusiasts.From Motown-inspired dancefloor fillers to elusive British soul recordings, The Mod Soul Years – Part Two celebrates the music, fashion, culture and excitement of one of the most influential decades in popular music.Join us for another journey into the sounds that defined a generation—and continue to inspire soul lovers today.
July 23 · 29 min
The Mod Soul Years Pt 1
Before the all-nighters, before Wigan Casino, and before Northern Soul became a movement, there was the Mod scene. In this episode of This Is Northern Soul, we travel back to the late 1950s and 1960s to explore the music, fashion and culture that laid the foundations for Northern Soul. From the sharp-suited Modernists and the Modettes of Swinging London to the dance floors of the Scene Club and the Twisted Wheel, we'll follow the journey from modern jazz and American rhythm and blues through Jamaican Blue Beat and ska, to the arrival of Motown, Stax and Atlantic soul. Featuring classic tracks and forgotten gems from artists including , Doris Troy, The Blossoms, Mel and Tim, and many more, this episode tells the story of a remarkable crossover period—when the Mod scene was evolving and a new generation of soul fans was unknowingly creating what would become Northern Soul. It's the story of the music that came before the movement... and the records that started it all. (please follow me on Spotify it really helps )
July 20 · 40 min
Wigan Casino :The Last Dance
Wigan Casino: The Last Dance Was Wigan Casino the club that saved Northern Soul... or the one that changed it forever? In this episode of This Is Northern Soul, we step inside the legendary Wigan Casino on its final all-nighter in 1981 before turning the clock back to discover how an old Lancashire ballroom became the spiritual home of a musical movement.We'll explore the closure of the Twisted Wheel and the Golden Torch, the vision of Russ Winstanley, the unforgettable all-nighters, the resident DJs, the dancers, the rare American soul records and the unique atmosphere that drew thousands of people from across Britain every weekend.We'll also examine the debate that still divides Northern Soul fans today. Did Wigan Casino preserve the underground spirit of the scene, or did its popularity transform it forever?Featuring the story of the legendary Three Before Eight, this is the story of a club that became far more than four walls and a dance floor. It became a place where friendships were made, memories were created and a generation found somewhere they truly belonged. Whether you were there or you're discovering Northern Soul for the very first time, this is the story of Wigan Casino – The Last Dance.
July 18 · 31 min
Manchester,Stoke On Trent & Northern Soul
Before Wigan Casino became the most famous name in Northern Soul, there were two clubs that laid the foundations of a movement.In this episode of This Is Northern Soul, we travel back to the mid and late 1960s to explore the legendary Twisted Wheel in Manchester and the iconic Golden Torch in Stoke-on-Trent. Discover how these groundbreaking venues became the home of rare American soul records, pioneering DJs, unforgettable all-nighters and a new generation of dancers searching for the perfect beat.We'll trace the story from the Mod era and the rise of obscure imported soul singles, to the influential DJs Roger Eagle, Bob D, Keith Minshull and Colin Curtis, whose passion for rare records helped shape what we now know as Northern Soul.Featuring personal memories, fascinating history and the music that defined an era, this episode uncovers how two remarkable clubs changed British music culture forever.
July 9 · 40 min
Blueprint For 1960s Northern Soul
In this episode, we rewind to the summer of 1966, tracing the roots of Northern Soul from Detroit's bustling studios to the underground energy of the Catacombs in Wolverhampton. Featuring rare cuts from Shrine Records, overlooked Motown gems from artists like Chris Clark and The Monitors, and the scene that shaped a culture, as DJs and dancers pursued the thrill of discovering the next forgotten record. Relive the sounds that defined a generation and kept the dance floors moving all night long. please follow on Spotify it really helps
July 5 · 23 min
My Northern Soul -A Journey For All of Us
This week Episode ,I'm sharing my own Northern Soul story.From the unforgettable lunchtime school discos where I first heard those magical sounds, to the Sunny Coffee Bar in Ashton-under-Lyne and the legendary Birdcage nightclub, this is the journey that sparked a lifelong passion for soul music.Along the way, I'll be playing the records that shaped my life—rare, iconic and unforgettable tracks that eventually led me to become a DJ, own my own independent record shop, and spend the golden years of 1974 to 1979 behind the decks in Manchester clubs.But this episode isn't just about me.It's about all of us.Where did your Northern Soul journey begin? What was the first record that stopped you in your tracks? I'd love to hear your memories because every Northern Soul fan has a story to tell.Join me as we celebrate the music, the memories, and the friendships that make Northern Soul more than just a scene—it's a way of life. Id love to know what your Northern Soul means to You , leave your views in the comments thanks ....
July 3 · 38 min
What Is Northern Soul?
"In this episode, we ask: What is Northern Soul? Its a music and dance movement that took root in the UK in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It’s built around rare, often forgotten American soul records—mostly from the 1960s—characterized by a fast tempo, an upbeat rhythm, and a deep, emotive feel. But it wasn’t just about the sound—it was also about community: working-class youth from Northern England found a sense of belonging on the dance floors of small clubs, which spread throughout the whole of the UK and now Europe ,Australia and beyond
July 1 · 41 min
The Golden Era 1968-73
This episode journeys back to the Golden Era of Northern Soul, a time spanning the mid-1960s through the early 1970s when rare American soul records found a second life on British dancefloors. Before the music was labelled, it was simply about discovery — DJs unearthing forgotten recordings, dancers responding to rhythm and emotion, and clubs becoming the focal point of a growing underground culture. We explore the sound of the era through tracks that defined the scene, from deep soul ballads to uptempo floor-fillers, alongside reflections on two of the most important venues of the time: Manchester’s Twisted Wheel and London’s 100 Club. Alongside the music, this episode includes personal memories of stepping into that world in 1971 at The Birdcage in Ashton-under-Lyne — a vast converted Palais De Dance where soul music, dance culture and atmosphere came together in unforgettable ways. This is a celebration of the records, the clubs, and the feeling of an era before it even had a name .
June 30 · 39 min
Secret Soul Discoveries -Detroit
Welcome to a special journey into the heart of the Detroit sound. This episode steps away from the obvious hits and shines a light on the records that lived in the shadows — the deep cuts, collector favourites, forgotten voices and Northern Soul discoveries that helped define Detroit’s musical legacy. Expect powerful performances, raw emotion and that unmistakable groove from artists including Darrell Banks, Barbara McNair, J.J. Barnes, Stanley Mitchell, These are the records that didn’t always dominate the charts but found a second life on turntables, dancefloors and in the collections of soul fans who kept the music alive. From Motown classics hiding in plain sight to independent Detroit recordings with grit and heart, this is a celebration of the city’s deeper soul story. Less of the hits. More of the feeling. Welcome to Detroit — beyond Hitsville.
June 28 · 34 min
Northern Secret Soul : The Lost Tracks
September 1981. The doors closed on Wigan Casino and many believed Northern Soul had reached the end of the road.The headlines faded. The cameras disappeared. In The 1990s The great all-nighters became memories.But something unexpected happened.Away from the spotlight, in smaller clubs, record boxes and late-night dancefloors, a new chapter quietly began.Tonight we explore the lost years and the lost tracks — forgotten soul records, overlooked dancers and rare discoveries that never became overplayed but helped reignite the scene. These were the records that carried the spirit forward when many thought it had gone for good.From underground favourites to rediscovered classics, this is the story of how Northern Soul found its way back.Keep the faith. The next great record may still be waiting to be found. Please follow the show on Spotify
June 22 · 29 min
The Lost Soul : The Original DJ sets 1970s
This episode returns to the foundations of a real working DJ culture between 1974 and 1978, drawn directly from original setlists played at the Soul Cellar (Del Cellar) beneath the Birch Hotel.Often overlooked in the wider history of Northern Soul, funk and early disco, venues like this were part of a much larger underground network of clubs, cellars and pub rooms that kept dance music alive across the UK. While the famous venues dominate the story, it was these smaller, uncharted spaces that formed the backbone of weekly club culture.This set is an authentic replay from the original DJ box — not a reconstruction or a curated “best of,” but the actual records played on the night. Each track was selected in real time to serve one purpose: to hold the groove and keep the floor moving.Across this episode, you’ll hear a broad spectrum of soul sounds — deep soul, crossover tracks, dancefloor cuts and early disco influences — reflecting the reality of how DJs worked in the mid-1970s. There were no fixed playlists or digital shortcuts, just instinct, record knowledge, and a reading of the room.The Soul Cellar, like many of its kind, no longer exists, lost to redevelopment and the changing landscape of the UK. But the music remains, preserved in setlists and memories, and now brought back to life through this archive series.This is The Del- Cellar Collection — an authentic replay of DJ sets that filled those nights between 1974 and 1978. please follow it really helps .
June 20 · 31 min
This Weeks Top Five Northern Soul Clubs
This Week we count down the Top Five Northern Soul Clubs of all time. From underground venues and legendary all-nighters to dance floors that helped shape a movement we revisit the clubs that became the beating heart Northern Soul along the way I share memories from the scene ,stories from the dance floor and a personal moment for me from Blackpool in 1973 that has stayed with me since . its filled with rare records ,unforgettable nights and clubs that became part of music history Keep the faith -and join me for this weeks Top Five Northern Soul Clubs .
June 15 · 33 min
Northern Soul Rare 60s &70s
Step back into the 1960s and 1970s and discover the music that lived beyond the radio playlists.In this episode, we explore the records that weren’t always heard on mainstream stations but became legendary in clubs, dance halls and all-night sessions. From American soul imports and obscure 45rpm singles to the excitement of discovering sounds that felt exclusive and different, this is a journey into a hidden side of music culture.We look back at the influence of Radio Luxembourg, pirate radio and the changing world of record buying, where independent shops helped shape musical taste before the major retailers arrived.And before streaming, downloads and playlists, there was another ritual — recording your favourite 45s onto compact cassette in real time to create your own portable soundtrack.Join us as we revisit the clubs, the collectors, the records and the memories that created a soundtrack away from the spotlight.The music radio missed… but the dancefloor never forgot.
June 11 · 38 min
The Beat of British Soul , World Cup 66
Step back into the unforgettable summer of 1966, when England hosted and won the World Cup, Carnaby Street was at the heart of Swinging London, and a generation of Mods were discovering the sounds of American soul. In this episode, we journey through the legendary clubs that shaped Britain's soul scene, including the Scene Club, the Flamingo, the Ram Jam, Tiles and the Twisted Wheel. Along the way we explore the British artists who embraced the soul sound before Northern Soul had a name, including The Chantelles, Paula Parfitt, Tawny Reed, Adrienne Poster, John & Paul, John Andrews, The Soulmates and more. Alongside them are the American soul records that inspired a movement This is the story of the records, clubs, dancers and DJs who laid the foundations for Northern Soul, set against the backdrop of England's greatest footballing triumph. Please follow it helps ....
June 6 · 50 min
Northern Soul Road Trip To Newquay
Soul, Surf and Bernadette: The Great Cornish Road Trip of 1975 In this special episode, we leave the dancefloors of Northern England and head for the Atlantic coast on an unforgettable summer adventure.It's 1975. Northern Soul is at its peak, with thousands of young people travelling through the night to venues like Wigan Casino and Blackpool Mecca. But three friends from Manchester have a different destination in mind.Armed with a single road map, a stack of homemade C90 soul tapes, and an ageing bright red Mini Cooper called Bernadette, they set off at midnight for Cornwall. Inspired by The Italian Job, fuelled by friendship and driven by a love of soul music, the journey takes them through Bristol, Newquay, Perranporth, Cornwall's rugged coastline and into Devon.Along the way there are overheating engines, freezing dawn arrivals, questionable surf conditions, pints of "Steam" in Cornish pubs, breakdown dramas, and plenty of laughter. Bernadette may not be the most reliable travelling companion, but she becomes the fourth member of the team as three lifelong friends chase waves, adventure and freedom on England's south-west coast.The soundtrack comes from the golden age of soul, featuring the sounds that filled British clubs and all-nighters during the mid-1970s. This is a story about more than just a road trip. It's about friendship before adulthood took over, about the excitement of discovering new places, and about a time when a battered Mini, a handful of soul records and a sense of adventure were all you needed for the holiday of a lifetime.Join us for a journey back to 1975, when the roads were longer, the music was louder, and every mile felt like an adventure.