SOUL FOOD – THE BROAD CHURCH OF NORTHERN SOUL
This podcast accompanies a blog piece ‘Northern Renaissance’, which simultaneously went online. Below is an excerpt; you can read the full piece here: 
https://blog.gregwilson.co.uk/2013/11/northern-renaissance/

As I hope this piece will illustrate, Northern Soul back in the 70’s was a much broader church than many might imagine. Whilst the stompers were central to the scene, especially when Wigan Casino was at its peak, not everything ran at breakneck pace as is often suggested, the movement encompassed a whole spectrum of styles and tempos. The scene was notoriously very snobbish about its music, dropping a previously loved record like a hot potato because it had subsequently achieved commercial success, although it was this fervent elitism that played a major part in its success and longevity. It’s also the reason why a track many might consider to be as Northern as they come, like Jackie Wilson’s ‘(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher’ (a Detroit artist doing an uptempo dance track with Funk Brothers backing) isn’t Northern Soul according to those at the cutting-edge of the scene, despite the fact it was a big favourite in the Soul clubs following its 1967 release. It’s sin was that it became a UK hit in 1969, just before the Northern scene got into its stride, so, along with a whole heap of Tamla Motown tunes that are Northern in everything bar their success in connecting with the masses, it was banished to the realm of pop. This is why another famous Jackie Wilson track, ‘I Get The Sweetest Feeling’, this time a 1968 recording, which, on the surface, given it’s much mellower vibe, is far less stereotypically Northern than ‘Higher And Higher’, is, in contrast, considered a bone fide Northern classic – the reason being that ‘I Get The Sweetest Feeling’ didn’t become a hit until 1972, having broken out of the Northern scene, then in full swing.

So, with the various aspects considered, I’ve put together an epic 3 hour 20 minute podcast selection of records that I hope will reflect Northern Soul in its wider context, from the nailed on classics to those with more nominal status. What can’t be disputed is that each and every track included has been played, at least somewhere at one point or another, under the Northern Soul banner. There are 70 tracks in all, with just 2 artists with more than 1 inclusion, the aforementioned Jackie Wilson and the great, but tragic songstress Linda Jones (3, if you count Frankie Valli, here both solo and with the Four Seasons). The idea to put this together grew out of a CD compilation I made for myself back in the 00’s to listen to whilst I was driving, which I called ‘Soul Food’, and the intention is for it to act as solid introduction for those wanting to hear what Northern Soul was all about, in all its diverse glory, whilst I’d like to think it will also evoke fond memories for those who were there at the time. The fact I wasn’t a part of the scene has hopefully allowed me to approach this selection in a more objective way than someone embroiled within it, who may not be able to resist the inclination to pack it with tracks nobody else, apart from other ultra-obsessives may know, or who might want to brush a few of the inclusions under the ‘you had to be there at the time’, carpet. Consider this, if you will, a beginners guide, of which I love all of the selections, each in its own way - just wonderful wonderful uplifting music.

Greg Wilson – November 2013

SOUL FOOD - THE BROAD CHURCH OF NORTHERN SOUL (greg wilson selection)

What an awesome vibe heading back to Burning Man and playing DISTRIKT in their new home; that I think, is much better for everyone to enjoy. I'm really looking forward to getting back this year and playing more funky, Afro beats, and classic house for you all. But until then, here’s my set from last year…Enjoy it and TURN IT UP! 😎❌🔥

~Carl Cox

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Photo Credit: Christian Lamb

Carl Cox - DISTRIKT - Burning Man 2023

MIXES

D.K. - SANPO 058 (NTS - 19/2/17)

Out Now: TurboRec.lnk.to/Gender
Release Date: July 7, 2017 (12" vinyl & digital).
@skinnerbox

Read More: Inside the studio of Berlin’s Skinnerbox turborecordings.com/inside-the-stud…ins-skinnerbox/ [Interview]

Turbo Recordings is proud to present a release a full year in the making. A&R’d by Turbo Elder Thomas Von Party, Gender embodies the adventurous spirit of his own Multi Culti label, and marks a return to the kind of mega remix pack we used to make when the world was young and an alternate dub rework was all you needed to get by.

Germany’s Skinnerbox sets the template with a high-speed jungle rave banger, which is an accurate enough description but not something we would expect you to ever repeat out loud. The 12-inch also features versions by Swedish nice guy Axel Boman, who missed the submission deadline by 13 minutes but still managed to turn in a 12-minute epic jam, and Glasgow’s Auntie Flo, who somehow harnessed the siren song of the iPhone with a marimba-heavy mix.

As a digital bonus, we’ve included a massive trance weapon from Berlin legend Ellen Allien, with the understanding that you will spend the time it takes to download to reflect as hard as you can on the importance of equality and respect. All we are saying is give thinking what we tell you to think a chance.

Tracklist:
A1 Skinnerbox - Gender (Original Mix)
B1 Skinnerbox - Gender (Auntie Flo’s Marimba Jam)
B2 Skinnerbox - Gender (Axel Boman Remix)
DX1 Skinnerbox - Gender (Ellen Allien Remix)
DX2 Skinnerbox - Futurhythmachines (Original Mix)

Turbo 192 - Gender

Buy / Vinyl 12"

Skinnerbox - Gender (Auntie Flo's Marimba Jam)

artichoke hearts

take a real guitarist, have him to play trough some nice FX, take a tablespoon of trumpet samples and.....lock yourself up in the studio for 2 weeks.

Rundfunk

David Testas