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

Newest first

June 4 · 33 min
Discovering 1960s Soul Clubs
In this episode we journey beyond Wigan casino to explore the forgotten lost soul clubs of the Uk. From the Catacombs in Wolverhampton to the Blue orchid in Derby, and so many more Nationwide . Northern Soul has never really belonged to a single club ,a single city or even a single generation . It belongs to everyone who ever travelled through the night chasing a song they' d never heard before . Those forgotten records became treasured memories ,and those forgotten clubs became legends .
May 28 · 39 min
The Last tram To Blackpool Mecca
In this special episode , we journey back to the golden age of the British seaside and the unforgettable world of Northern Soul. From steam trains and deckchairs to trams, illuminations and ballroom dancefloors, this is a deeply personal trip through the sights, sounds and strange magic of Blackpool in the 1960s and 70s. Through childhood memories of family holidays beside the sea, we explore how places like Blackpool became far more than holiday resorts for working-class Britain — they became places of escape, excitement and musical discovery. At the centre of the story stands the legendary Blackpool Mecca. Part nightclub, part ballroom and part dreamscape, the Mecca became one of the most important and controversial venues in Northern Soul history, helping reshape the sound of the scene throughout the 1970s and beyond. This episode blends nostalgia, humour, forgotten memories and iconic soul music, featuring sounds inspired by the Blackpool Mecca alongside classic early 60s soul favourites. this is the story of how the British seaside and Northern Soul unexpectedly collided. So step aboard the steam train, grab a stick of Blackpool rock, and join us beneath the illuminations for a journey into one of the most magical chapters of British music culture. Please follow on Spotify
May 12 · 29 min
Underground Soul 1960s
This was the beginnings of Britains underground soul movement .In the basement clubs and hidden dance halls like the Twisted Wheel,King Mojo,and the Blue Orchard , Young music fans discovered rare soul from Shrine Record label and many more Tracks that became legends from records pressed in tiny numbers and forgotten in America -but here in the North and the Midlands they became something special . Please follow as this really helps ....
May 7 · 33 min
Northern Soul 1973-Secret Soul (Revised Music)
1973 -This episode dives deep into the raw energy and elegance of Northern Soul at its peak -a time when dance floors were rules by rare 45s relentless rhythms ,and a devotion to discovering the unknown . We explore this year everything seemed to come together in 1973. And perhaps that's why the music from that era still feels so powerful today . It was discovered ,protected ,and loved by people who lived for the music itself . Please follow this show on Spotify it really helps ....
May 4 · 30 min
Keep the Faith ...
Tonights episode dives deep into the world of Northern Soul Collecting -where rare records ,hidden gems and timeless dance floor anthems define the culture . From its underground roots in the 60s and early 70s ,built in legendary clubs like wigan casino ,the twisted wheel ,the torch and Blackpool Mecca ,Northern soul has grown into a global movement -yet it still holds its core : discovery ,passion and authenticity whether you are a lifelong collector or just discovering the scene this is a journey through the music
April 28 · 32 min
What Makes 60s Soul Northern?
In this episode ,We go beyond the labels to uncover the roots of one of Britains most enduring underground movements .From Dave Godin at Soul City to all-Night danceflooors of Wigan Casino ,this is the story of how rare American soul records found a second life in the north of England We explore the working class culture that shaped the scene ,the obsession with obscure vinyl and the connection between industrial Britain and the sounds of Detroit ,Chicago,and Philadelphia This isn't just about music .its about identity ,escape and forgotten records turned into dance floor anthems
April 24 · 40 min
Northern Soul Streams : Celebrating 20 years of Spotify
Tonights episode celebrates 20 years of Spotify, and the massive impact its had on how we discover and experience Northern Soul music. From the days of vinyl, All- nighters ,and DJ -led discovery ... to a world of instant access and algorithm -driven playlists ,this episode explores the journey from underground to global streaming . we dive into the iconic labels that helped shape the northern soul sound-including Okeh records,Ric Tic Records, Golden World records ,and Mirwood records -and how their once-rare releases found new life in the digital age . This is a story of evolution ....from scarcity to accessibility ...from local scenes to global reach . It's still all about the music . so whether you found it on the dancefloor ....or through your headphones .....this one is for you
April 20 · 33 min
1960s Soul All-nighter
Tonights episode takes you back to where it all began. from 1964-71 three clubs helped shape The movement that would change British music forever . We step inside Londons 100 Club,Manchesters Wheel and the underground Catacombs Club. Each venue had its own identity -Londons gateway to live American soul,Manchesters raw all-night energy and Wolverhamptons exclusive DJ driven rare groove scene -but together they built the foundation of what became Northern Soul. featuring hand picked tracks from the era including rare and sought -after recordings ,this episode captures the sound and obsession that drove a generation onto the dance floor
April 11 · 33 min
Northern Soul : The Years before the Myth
A personal journey through the early Northern Soul Scene -long before Wigan Casino ,The Torch ,or the Blackpool Mecca became part of the story . This episode traces the real beginnings of a passion for soul music in Manchester ,from first hearing those powerful American voices in 1960s to basement clubs church halls, and early dance nights where the sound truly took hold . its a story of discovery -record shops ,DJs ,imported vinyl and growing underground culture that would later be called Northern Soul . From the first 45rpm to DJ sets ,radio appearances, and running a family record shop in 1974,this is a lived in experience of a scene built on records ,movement ,and feeling -not headlines . Raw personal and rooted in music that defined a generation no myths ,no shortcuts Just Soul .
April 3 · 49 min
Sixties Secret Soul
This weeks episode takes you deep into the heart of Northern Soul away from the anthems and into the rare, the raw,and the beautifully understated- every track in this collection is a 45rpm ...original vinyl full of warmth,character and that unmistakable analogue soul . these are the records passed hand to hand ,discovered and brought to life on late night dance floors
March 25 · 29 min
It's Love : A Northern Soul Journey
From the raw emotion of southern soul to the polished grooves of Chicago and Philadelphia ,from gospel roots to northern soul dance floor favourites ......every track in this episode carries a story . This episode we revisit the spirit of the scene itself -its unique atmosphere and the theme is love..........
March 17 · 42 min
The Northern Blend
Everyone's got their own idea of what soul is .... some say its the voice ,some say its the groove ... but tonight its a blend . and like a good cup of tea ...it needs time to brew
March 12 · 37 min
Soul Cities : Philadelphia, Chicago & Detroit
Tonight, we dive deep into authentic Northern Soul from Chicago Detroit and Memphis - the grooves ,the harmonies ,and the heart of 1960s and 70s soul scene .from rare Philly harmonies to Chicago gospel -infused tracks . discover the stories behind the artists ,the labels and the music that crossed the Atlantic to become Northern soul classics
March 9 · 33 min
60s Northern Stompers
Step back to 1967 ,when the sound of American soul was travelling across the the Atlantic and finding a new home in the basements and backstreet clubs of Britain In this episode we dive into a world of raw ,rare ,and underplayed Northern soul records -the kind of 45s that once spun on turntables in the ledgendary Twisted Wheel . Fast records ,Ferocious records ,that sounds as powerful today as it did nearly sixty years ago
March 5 · 38 min
Detroit to the Northern Quarter
Tonight episode is a journey into the Detroit Soul of Manchester . Were heading to the streets of the NORTHERN QUARTER ,a part of the city that today is full of record shops,bars and restaurants-but in the 1970s was a gritty warehouse district at the heart of a growing music culture . From there we step into the legendary clubs that defined the era where rare American records from places like Detroit found a new life on British dance floors . 1974 Manchester had its own New commercial radio station piccadilly 261 and there's a personal moment too -a visit to the basement warehouse of Global Records where I was gifted with the first pressing of James fountain seven day lover So tonight its Manchester now, and the 1970s -the clubs, the records ,the people and the soul of the city
February 22 · 37 min
The Soul City
Tonights episode is from the Soul City ,not Chicago not Detroit -but Manchester UK A City with its own rhythm, its own heartbeat ,and its own deep connection to soul music .
February 21 · 32 min
Rare Soul Deep Cuts
Tonights episode is dedicated to the Deep cuts-rare soul and obscure soul , buried gems ,dusty 45s where the rare becomes essential .
February 20 · 22 min
From Moon Dust To Vinyl Grooves
This episode is a journey through memory, history and sound From the moon landing of 1969 seen on black and white tv ,to adult reflection this is how moments shape us- and how music connects them .
February 13 · 41 min
60s British Northern Soul
The influence of British Northern Soul extends far beyond its birthplace . From the clubs of London,Manchester ,and Wigan,to festivals ,vinyl fairs ,and DJ sets around the globe the spirit of the scene continues to inspire new generations . Its a culture built on passion ,perseverance ,and the power of music to move the body and soul and the music ?............... Timeless
February 7 · 41 min
The 60s British Soul Underground
Before Northern Soul had a name...it already had a heartbeat . This episode is a journey back to the British underground of the 1960s- when soul wasn't a scene ,it was an identity .A time of Stateside imports ,basement clubs ,pirate radio and backroom record culture . when fashion was uniform not a trend when music was carried ,hunted ,and protected -not streamed or shared . From Blue note ,Flamingo,and the ambassadors to Dave Godin ,Soul City and the rise of the keep the faith movement ,this is the story of how British culture was built from the ground up .