Motown, Motown, Motown Well Motown's back with a bang lately. The Royal Court in Liverpool on 16th May hosted, The Velvelletes, The Contours and The Temptations former lead singer Ali Ollie Woodson who wowed crowds to the point of many commenting that it was one of the greatest live concerts ever. Congratulations to The Velvelletes, Contours and Ali Ollie on such a fantastic concert.
Hopefully we'll see the Velvelletes and Contours over here again soon.
Staying with the subject of Motown, The Temptations and The Four Tops are back touring the U.K throughout November 2003. Dates are from the 14th November to the 27th and the opening night takes place at the M.E.N Arena Manchester.
Their last few tours in the U.K were sell outs and this tour is set to be the same. For more details on tickets and venues etc. Check out: www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.ticketline.co.uk
New Releases Well its here! the longly anticipated 'Motown Connoisseurs 2' has arrived compiled by Richard Searling and released by Spectrum. This one is a fantastic array of classic Motown, hard to finds and of course those awsome un - released tracks we all long to hear. Which this edition has by the truck loads such as The Temptations 'Heaven right here on earth', The Four Tops 'Red hot love', The Originals 'Tear it on down', The Fantastic Four 'Don't tell me im crazy' and many more. This gives you a taster of what we are in for with this release. Well done Richard and everyone at Universal.
Talking of good CD's at the moment for Northern Soul fan's they don't come much better than the recently released 'Golden age of Northern Soul' as compiled by Kev Roberts and released by Bestway records. This one's packed full of goodies and many never seen on CD before notably Dancefloor monsters Veneica Wilson 'This time im loving you' and the unreleased monster from The Mayfield singers 'Don't start none'. Also included are perenial favourites Alfie Davison 'Love is serious business', The Magnetics 'I have a girl', Pat Lewis 'No one to love' and the K.F.C company song namely Bobby Garett's Mirwood classic 'i can't get away'.
Finally on the new release front a fantastic new CD entitled 'The Northern Soul of Brunswick' has been released by KRL from the title you can guess the class this cd holds. Its a montage of classic Northern soul and many, many unreleased monsters from the archives of Brunswick.
All of the above cd's along with many more releases and other soul essentials can be obtained through Ibex distribution. To contact Becky at Ibex ring 01782 281777 or email: sales@ibexdistribution.co.uk .
Birmingham Hilton They said May's luxury soul weekend break at the Birmingham Hilton couldn't top January's Blackpool event. But they proved the doubters wrong and my spys tell me those in attendance were treated to one of THE greatest soul events ever. Four rooms of soul playing the very best in Current soul releases, Jazz Funk, Soulful Garage & Philadelphia soul, classic crossover soul along with collectors gems and back to Atlantic, Motown, Stax and club classics.
Incorparate this with fantastic live acts in the name of Roy Ayers, Incognito, Angela Johnson and Frank Mccomb and you get the idea on what a fantastic weekend this was.
I genuinley hope to make it to Blackpool in January to be able to experience a weekend like this. Thanks must go too Jazz FM, Richard Searling, all the acts, DJ's and everyone involved with the event for giving the U.K public a truly memorable event.
Up and down the Northwest Here's a few lines of what ive been up to over the last few months. In April the highly anticipated Bury Town Hall chairtyalldayer took place. What a day! Over 300 soul fans packed into the Town Hall to raise money for an extremely worthy cause and with 3 rooms of fantastic soul this was a great day and well done to everyone involved in raising so much money for such a worthwhile cause.
But sadly the long running all - nighters at Tony's Empress BallroomBlackburn ended in May due to new owners. But im very glad to say over 200 people packed intoTony's to give it the send off it deserved. Promoters Little Scotty and Paul Baldwin have moved the all - nighter to new exciting premises. In the centre of Wigan on the original site of Mr M's.
The promoters have kept the same formatof the very finestrare soul in the main room and upstairs top class soulful garage and U.S House. I wish Paul & Scotty every success with their new venue The Lux Club lets hope it carries on the fantastic legacy Tony's gave us.
Hollywood 2004 Well what a week this is going to be Los Angeles, Northern Soul, Fans comming from across Europe & Asia who will be joined by like minded soul fans from across the U.S and over 40 legendary soul acts making appearances. Its making me dizzy even thinking about it!
Yes KRL in association with Anthony 'Gabby' Beeby have put together most probably the trip of a lifetime over March the 11th - 18th 2004. Along with many of the acts will be U.S & U.K DJ's including myself, Richard Searling, Kev Roberts, Chris King, Snowy, Gabby and others to be confirmed entertaining you over 3 nights. The price of £649 per person is well worth it and included in the price is of course your entertainment, seven nights accomodation at the fantastic Wilshire Grand Hotel on Wilshire blvd in the business district of Los Angeles and return flights on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow.
KRL has managed to secure more places for this fantastic event. But be warned they are on a first come first serve basis and once they're gone they are gone. For more details check out www.togethernessonline.com or ring: 01909 51510. Take it from me this is going to be one monster event. Make sure you book soon if you're thinking of going.
Big events coming up later this year Well the big one is going to be upon us very soon, saturday night 20th september to be exact. 30 Years since the legendary Wigan Casino threw open its doors and changed the history of soul music forever. Togetherness have decided to mark this momentous occaison with an all - nighter at a venue practically identical to the Casino!
The King's Hall Stoke - on - Trent of course home to the regular Togetherness all - nighters in March, July and Noovember. This is going to be a fantastic night with a very special live guest on the night Tommy Hunt, sadly due to the untimely death the great, incomparable Edwin Starr will not be appearing.
A top class line up of original casino spinners will be sending you into a casino memories frenzy! Through the night for 12 hours (8 p.m - 8 a.m) Tickets are just £15 in advance and these are selling extremely well. Get your tickets for this one as soon as possible.
Wigan in Blackburn A week later and of course were carrying on the celebrations with the usual Wigan anniversary at The king Georges Hall Blackburn. The usual top line up of DJ's will be in attendance in three rooms which can boast Kev Roberts, Chris King, Ginger Taylor, Richard Searling along with many more in the northern room and downstairs playing some fantastic Modern soul DJ's Andy Davies, Richard Searling, Mike Stephens, Barry Maleady and not forgetting the Jazz Funk room with Colin Curtis, Ian 'BAD' Vibes and Mark Grice. Get ready for a great night in Blackburn once again.
Togetherness at Fleetwood The Cala Gran in October looks set to be another fantastic weekend. For the 6th weekender at the Fleetwood venue we are treated to live acts from two of Chicago's finest vocalists. Lead singer of The Artistics and solo recording artist Marvin Smith and zodiac recording star Ruby Andrews.
Of course the cala gran wouldn't be complete without the cream of the UK's Northern and Modern soul DJ's in three roomsof Rare Soul, Modern Soul and crossover class. This year's event is no different and set to be a great weekend.
The Ritz After a break from proceedings at The Ritz due to refurbishments it was back with a bang for Ginger's 50th. We was treated to a top class night of soul from DJ's including Roman, Kev Sowerby, Tim Brown, Ady Croasdell, Soul Sam and manyothers to numerous to mention. All turning out to support the big guy (or should I say O.A.P?). Many happy returns to Ginger most easily one of the legends of the scene.
Free Ritz The Ritz will return in August over the 24th/25th. This will once again be an all FREE event and a Ritz versus Wigan oldies special. But it looks like tickets will be needed to gain admittance to this. If you haven't got a ticket you're going to have to be quick.
New Charity soul night In August a very special charity soul night will be taking place on friday the 22nd. This will be taking place at Pyton Working Mens club in Cheshire. A whole host of top DJ's will be in attendance throughout the night including Myself, Ginger Taylor, Neil Jones, Carl Willingham, Alan Pollard and other top guests.
All proceeds from the night will go towards the sterling efforts of the 'Christies against Cancer' foundation.