The Northern Soul Podcast

Tonight, the Magnificent Seven heads West to Los Angeles — the city of sunshine, Hollywood and a remarkable soul music story.
Seven high-energy Northern Soul selections, featuring the sounds of Mirwood Records and artists whose records travelled from the studios of Los Angeles to the dancefloors of Britain.
Rare sounds, driving rhythms and forgotten discoveries — this is the Los Angeles Magnificent Seven.

Seven artists. Seven reasons to get on the dancefloor.
Tonight, The Magnificent Seven is dedicated to the Stomping Dancers — powerful Northern Soul records with the rhythm, energy and attitude to keep the floor moving.We dig into some fantastic American soul recordings, from the legendary Mirwood sound of The Olympics and Jackie Lee, to rare and lesser-known sides from The Cautions, The Furys, Ritchie Adams, and The Bel-Airs.Some were released in the 1960s and then largely forgotten. Others found a completely new life years later when British DJs, collectors and dancers discovered their potential on the Northern Soul scene.These are records where the history is fascinating — but ultimately, it's the sound that matters.Turn it up, clear some space and get ready for seven proper Northern Soul dancers.The Magnificent Seven — Stomping Dancers.

The Magnificent Seven: Seven Soul Discoveries
Welcome to a brand-new feature celebrating seven soul records that deserve to be heard.
The Magnificent Seven isn't about the biggest names or the most obvious Northern Soul favourites. It's about discovery — forgotten records, hidden treasures and great soul sides that may have slipped under the radar.
Some you may know. Others may be completely new to you. But every record has something that caught my ear and earned its place in this week's seven.
So turn it up, settle back, and join me as we dig deep into the soul cellar and uncover seven magnificent discoveries.

British Soul: The Forgotten Sound
Before Northern Soul became a movement, there was British soul.During the sixties, British singers and musicians were absorbing the sounds coming from Detroit, Chicago, Memphis and Philadelphia, taking those influences and creating something with a character of its own.In this episode, we dig deeper than the familiar names and explore the records that deserve another listen — obscure singles, forgotten B-sides, rare dancers and artists who never received the recognition they deserved.From Helen Shapiro and Barry St. John to The Chants, Herbie Goins, Jimmy Thomas and more, these are the voices and records that helped shape the sound of the British soul scene.Some were hits. Some disappeared without trace.But years later, Northern Soul DJs and collectors would rediscover them and give them a new life on the dance floor.This is British soul — before Northern Soul.

track list to follow

The Last Night at the Twisted Wheel
Saturday, 30 January 1971. Manchester.
Tonight, we step through the doors of the legendary Twisted Wheel for one final all-nighter.
From its beginnings on Brazennose Street, through the move to Whitworth Street, the Wheel became a meeting place for dancers, record collectors and young soul fans searching for something different.
But this episode is really about the music
The records that made the floor explode. The obscure American soul, the rare imports, the forgotten artists and the sounds that could only be discovered inside those dark, hot and crowded rooms.
We’ll follow the night from the queue outside, through the dance floor and DJ booth, right through to the final hours as morning approaches.
The doors would close, but the music wouldn’t.
The Twisted Wheel was gone. Its influence was only just beginning.

Tracks ...
George pepp -the feeling is real
Eddie billups -ask my heart
little Eddie Taylor -i had a good time
magic night -if you and I had never met
the puzzles -my sweet baby
the wall of sound-hang on
jerry cook -i hurt on the other side
Freddy Houston -if I had known
the prophets -if I had one gold piece
the magnificent men -i've got news