The Northern Soul Podcast

Colin Skehan
  • 4.0 (4)
  • Music History
  • Updated weekly

60s Soul ,Discover Rare, obscure soul with The Northern Soul Podcast ,hosted by Colin Skehan,a devoted music enthusuiast and former Manchester club DJ,From the iconic Birch Hotel "Soul cellar " to underground soul scenes ,this podcast offers music enthusiasts an immersive journey into Northern Souls golden era through captivating stories and rare tracks .

  1. The Lost Soul : The Original DJ sets 1970s

    4 days ago

    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 .

    29 min
  2. This Weeks Top Five Northern Soul Clubs

    5 days ago

    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 .

    32 min
  3. This Weeks Top 5 Dance Floor Fillers

    19 Jun

    This Weeks Top 5 Dance Floor Fillers

    This week’s Top 5 heads onto the Northern Soul dancefloor with five records that continue to inspire collectors, DJs and soul fans alike. From overlooked gems to all-night dancefloor favourites, we count down a selection of tracks that helped define the sound of the scene.Featuring Ronnie McNeir with “Isn’t She A Pretty Girl”, Sam Ward’s “Sister Lee”, Skip Mahoney and the Casuals with “Janice Don’t Be So Blind”, The Soul Twins’ “Quick Change Artist”, and finishing at number one with NF Porter’s timeless “Keep On Keeping On”.Five records. Five stories. One unforgettable journey through Northern Soul. "Please follow this show on Spotify. It really helps!"

    17 min

  4. 19 Jun

    The Rare Record That Never Was

    The Record That Never Was – The Ian Levine Story Tonight we explore the remarkable life and career of Ian Levine, one of the most influential and controversial figures in Northern Soul history. The story begins with a mystery: The Wrong Side of Town by The Four Vandals, a record that convinced many collectors they had discovered a lost 1960s soul masterpiece. But the truth behind the record would shock the Northern Soul world. From his early days as a Motown-obsessed teenager in Blackpool, through the legendary dancefloors of the Twisted Wheel, the Golden Torch and Blackpool Mecca, Ian Levine helped shape the sound and direction of Northern Soul. We'll follow his journey from club DJ to international producer, creating hits for artists including Robert Knight, Evelyn Thomas and many of Motown's greatest stars. Along the way we'll revisit Motor City Records, British Disco Demand, chart success, controversy, and the lasting impact he had on both soul music and popular culture. Was Ian Levine a visionary, a revolutionary, or simply a man who refused to follow the rules? Join us as we uncover the mystery, the music and the legacy of one of soul music's most fascinating characters.

    32 min

  5. 15 Jun

    Northern Sounds of the 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.

    33 min
  6. The Beat of British Soul , World Cup 66

    11 Jun

    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 ....

    39 min
  7. 1975 ,Northern Soul, Newquay Surfing & Bernadette

    6 Jun

    1975 ,Northern Soul, Newquay Surfing & Bernadette

    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.

    50 min

  8. 4 Jun

    Lost 60s 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 .

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

60s Soul ,Discover Rare, obscure soul with The Northern Soul Podcast ,hosted by Colin Skehan,a devoted music enthusuiast and former Manchester club DJ,From the iconic Birch Hotel "Soul cellar " to underground soul scenes ,this podcast offers music enthusiasts an immersive journey into Northern Souls golden era through captivating stories and rare tracks .

Information

  • Creator
    Colin Skehan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    93
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Colin Skehan
  • Show Website
    The Northern Soul Podcast

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