The Northern Soul Podcast

Colin Skehan
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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

  1. 1d ago

    Manhattan Meets Manc-Hattan Two Cities ,One Soul

    Manhattan Meets Manc-hattan: Two Cities, One SoulTonight, we're bringing together two great cities with one extraordinary love of soul music.First, New York City – Manhattan – the home of legendary record labels, recording studios, songwriters and some of the finest soul artists of the 1960s.Then across the Atlantic to Manchester, affectionately known as Manc-hattan, where a generation of music lovers discovered, embraced and championed the sounds of American soul.From the legendary Twisted Wheel to the lesser-known clubs of Manchester, we explore how obscure American recordings, many of which had failed commercially in their homeland, found a completely new audience on British dance floors.We'll explore the music of New York, the independent record labels, the forgotten artists and the remarkable contribution made by Manchester's DJs, dancers and record collectors.Because sometimes the biggest hits aren't the ones that matter most.Somewhere in America, somebody made a record. Somewhere in Manchester, somebody heard it. And decades later, we're still playing it.Two cities. One passion. Unlimited possibilities of soul.

  2. 3d ago

    Secret Cities : The Lost Soul of America

    Secret Cities :The lost Soul – Five Cities, One Northern Feeling Tonight, we take a musical journey across America, exploring five cities with very different sounds but one thing in common – great soul music.From the raw, driving rhythms of Detroit to the soulful sounds of Chicago and the sophistication of Philadelphia, we then head south to discover the unmistakable New Orleans groove and the deep, gritty soul of Memphis.Along the way, we uncover forgotten voices, independent record labels and some extraordinary records that deserve to be heard again.These aren't just the familiar hits. They're the lesser-known sounds, the rare discoveries and the records that slipped through the cracks of musical history.We may be travelling south on the map, but the feeling remains one hundred per cent Northern Soul.Five cities, five musical personalities, and a collection of soul records waiting to be rediscovered.Forget the map. Get lost in the music.

  3. Oct 29

    Soul Cities Secrets :Rare Records & Forgotten Voices

    Travel back to the sixties and early seventies as we explore the soul cities of America — the places, independent labels and forgotten artists that helped shape the sound of soul music.From the vocal harmonies of New York City to the raw, gospel-driven sound of Memphis, we're travelling across America in search of rare records, overlooked B-sides and hidden gems that deserve to be heard.Featuring music connected to Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York and Memphis, this episode goes beyond the obvious classics to uncover the stories behind the sounds.Hear the likes of Debbie Taylor and James Carr alongside other artists whose talent sometimes deserved far more recognition than commercial success ever brought them.No hype, no predictable playlists — just great soul music, fascinating stories and the records that keep the Northern Soul spirit alive.The Soul Cities of America: Rare Records & Forgotten Voices.Keep the faith. Keep digging. Keep the soul alive.

  4. Oct 26

    Soul City Secrets: Rare New York, Philadelphia, and Memphis

    Soul City Secrets: Rare and Forgotten American Soul Somewhere in America, a soul record was made that the world never got to hear. A singer poured their heart into a performance, musicians laid down the groove, and a small independent label pressed a handful of copies. Then, for years, the music disappeared into the shadows. Tonight, we’re bringing some of those records back to life. On This Is Northern Soul, we’re crossing America’s soul cities, exploring the independent labels and discovering extraordinary artists whose music was overlooked, forgotten or never released at all. From obscure original singles to recordings rescued from the vaults decades later, every track has a story — and every one deserves a listen. Some were made for the charts. Others were destined to become dancefloor treasures thousands of miles from home, cherished by Northern Soul collectors who knew there was something special hidden in the grooves. These are the lost voices, the rare pressings and the music that refused to disappear. America’s forgotten soul — rare, real and ready to be heard.

  5. Oct 25

    Soul Cities after Dark :Rare Soul Discoveries

    Join us for another edition of Soul Cities After Dark, where tonight it's all about discovery — rare records, forgotten artists and the sounds that deserve to be heard again.From the driving rhythms of Detroit to the West Coast soul of Los Angeles and beyond, we're exploring a hand-picked soundtrack of American soul, bringing together different cities, independent labels and distinctive sounds.Featuring artists including Larry Atkins, The Remarkables, Ty Karim, Deana Lucas, Kenny and The Soul Gents, this episode celebrates the lesser-known side of soul music — the records that may have slipped under the radar when first released but found a new home among Northern Soul dancers and collectors.No obvious classics, no predictable playlist — just great soul music, fascinating discoveries and records with stories still waiting to be told.Different cities. Different sounds. One shared passion: soul.Tune in, turn it up, and discover something new on Soul Cities After Dark.

  6. Oct 23

    Soul Cities After Dark: The Rare Soul Special

    The Rare Soul Special: Tonight on Soul Cities After Dark, we're bringing together the sounds of Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, and beyond for a very special journey into the deeper side of soul music.Following our previous explorations of America's great soul cities, this episode takes a different approach. We're digging into the archives to uncover rare recordings, overlooked B-sides, forgotten releases, and lesser-known gems that deserve to be heard.Featuring a hand-picked selection of outstanding soul from artists including Vernon Garrett, Bettye Swann, Clifford Curry, the Delfonics, Timmy Willis, Celeste Hardie, James Carr, and more, this is a programme that moves between the distinctive sounds of different cities and labels, bringing together records that rarely share the same playlist.From the driving rhythms of Detroit and the smooth sophistication of Philadelphia and Los Angeles to the deep, gospel-rooted soul of Memphis, there's something special waiting in every groove.These are the records that remind us why soul music continues to fascinate collectors, DJs, and Northern Soul enthusiasts around the world. Beyond the famous hits and familiar names lies a wealth of extraordinary music, much of it overlooked for decades.Four cities. Countless hidden gems. One unforgettable soul journey.Join us for a very special edition of Soul Cities After Dark, celebrating the rare, the obscure, and the wonderfully unexpected side of soul music.

  7. Oct 21

    Soul Cities :Philadelphia -The Forgotten Side of Philly Soul

    Soul Cities: Philadelphia – The Forgotten Side of Philly Soul Tonight on Soul Cities, we travel to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, to uncover a different side of its legendary soul music heritage. Before Gamble and Huff, MFSB and the Three Degrees made Philadelphia famous around the world, a wealth of independent labels were releasing fantastic soul records, many of which never received the recognition they deserved. We're exploring the sounds of Arctic, Philly Groove, Phil-L.A. of Soul and other smaller labels, discovering obscure artists, forgotten vocal groups and driving four-to-the-floor dancers that would later become treasured discoveries on the Northern Soul scene. This is Philadelphia beyond the familiar hits — a journey into the city's sixties soul recordings, where hidden gems, powerful vocals and irresistible rhythms tell another chapter of the story. Join me as we dig deeper into the music, celebrate the unsung artists and discover the records that helped make Philadelphia one of America's great soul cities. Soul Cities — exploring the music beyond the obvious.

  8. Oct 19

    Soul Cities After Dark : Chicago

    Soul Cities: Chicago After Dark – Rare Soul Gems from the Windy City This episode of Soul Cities takes us to Chicago, the Windy City, to explore the rich musical heritage of Chicago soul and its lasting connection with Britain's Northern Soul scene.From the sweet harmonies of Chicago's vocal groups to the driving rhythms, gospel influences and infectious dance-floor sounds of the 1960s and 1970s, we explore the artists and independent record labels that helped shape this distinctive sound.We'll look beyond the obvious hits and familiar classics, digging deeper into the record collections to bring you a selection of rarities, forgotten recordings and lesser-known gems from the city that gave us so much incredible soul music.With legendary labels such as Okeh, Chess, Brunswick, Constellation and Curtom playing their part, Chicago produced a wealth of music that would find a second life on British Northern Soul dance floors.So, if you love rare soul, obscure 45s and the excitement of discovering records that deserve to be heard, join us for a journey into the heart of Chicago soul.

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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Colin Skehan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Colin Skehan
  • Show Website
    The Northern Soul Podcast

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