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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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 ....

"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