This Saturday, September 6, a new club night with a decidedly old-school slant gets underway at the Imperial Hotel. Northern Soul takes it's name from the timeless form of music which successfully crossed audiences, gender, race and the oceans waters long before the age of internet downloading and music television. The artists that toiled for Northern Soul back in the day are today regarded as legends and enduring influences on many forms of contemporary music, from eclectic indie outfits to big-beat superstar DJ's.

The clubs organiser Graham Higgins explained to the Cork Independent the appeal of the music and why it continues to cast a spellbinding effect on audiences and collectors the world over. "Northern Soul to some of you may mean nothing, but to others it's a dusty memory of the best dance music, the best dancers and big old dance halls of the 60s and 70s. It's a style that's creeping back into the pops today. But it will never compare to the original Black R&B artists of the day, spawning mostly from America. The more obscure the record the better and these records crossed hands for small fortunes and still increase in value today.

"The name came about from the difference in soul music being played in the North of England compared to the South. DJ's there began playing in clubs such as the twisted wheel in Manchester which ran as an all-nighter with no alcohol. Then later came the Blackpool mecca, the Torch and the Wigan Casino. They would travel to the States looking for those obscure records that failed to make it big. Then bring them back to unveil them to their loyal followers."

Artist such as Stevie Wonder, Bobby Wommack, Dusty Springfiled, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Ben E King all shared huge success on the Northern scene way before enjoying their considerable later fame. Often enough, these artists would actually perform live on the night in some of the clubs. Northern soul dancing was usually athletic, resembling the later dance styles of disco and break dancing. Featuring spins, flips, and backdrops. Early northern soul fashion included strong elements of the classic mod style such as button-down Ben Sherman shirts, blazers with centre vents and unusual numbers of buttons, Trickers and brogue shoes and shrink-to-fit Levi's jeans. Some non-mod items such as bowling shirts were also popular. Later on, northern soul dancers started to wear light and loose-fitting clothing for reasons of practicality. This included high-waisted, baggy Oxford trousers and sports vests. These were often covered with badges representing soul club memberships.

The get-up for the club is optional but if the music sounds like it might be of interest, then Graham has some suggestions to help get you acquainted before frequenting Northern Soul. "Today many radio shows exist fronted by non other than the DJ's of the time, none better than Ian Dewhirst of Samantha's, Clethorpes and the later famous mastercuts series. His Sunday afternoon show are archived and easily downloadable on their site sixmillionsteps.com. Or check out many of the forums out their such as Norman Jays - crate diggers, the EMS form (essential Modern Soul) or djhistory.com."

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