It’s been 40 years since the first all-night R&B party at the Wigan Casino nightclub outside Manchester, England. The doors didn’t open until 2 a.m., and its 1,200-capacity ballroom was packed until dawn with dance-crazy (possibly amphetamine-fueled) soul fans. They called the uptempo vibe Northern Soul, after the region of England that fell in love with rare ’60s R&B.
To mark the anniversary, public radio’s KALW and a handful of San Francisco DJs curated a 24/7 music channel devoted to the best R&B songs you’ve likely never heard. For every Marvin Gaye or Wilson Pickett song in the mix, there’s another 50 incredible jams by artists who never quite made a name for themselves.
San Francisco’s soul scene is largely defined by uptempo, obscure 45s from the 1960s, so this was a natural project for KALW. Just like the DJs in Manchester, Bay Area DJs are famous for digging up the best unheard soul singles, and the hunt has only become more creative as time moves further away from when these records were originally pressed. Now, with more than a dozen separate ’60s soul dance parties to attend each month, the Bay Area is getting exposed to the same intensity, energy and dedication of those original U.K. all-nighters.
The Northern Soul Radio playlist brings together the tracks that launched the genre in the 1970s with the songs that dominate the revivalist soul party scene in San Francisco today — some of which were digitized for the first time just for this collection.
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Playlist
The Author's Top 5 Northern Soul Songs
Chris Clark, 'Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)'
Originally performed by Frank Wilson, this song utilizes Motown's Chris Clark and her soaring vocals, with powerful phrasing that helps whip you around the dance floor. It's a female spin on what some say is the rarest Northern Soul record in the world.
The Isley Brothers, 'Tell Me It's Just A Rumor Baby'
Sometimes listed as "Just Got a Groove On," this track was originally recorded by The Isley Brothers in 1967, but remained unreleased. It wasn't until the rise of Northern Soul nights in England that Tamla Motown was inspired to release the record, more than five years later and only in the U.K.
The Glories, 'I Stand Accused (Of Loving You)'
A hard-hitting song from a short-lived girl group, this is a perfect example of how Northern Soul utilizes wrenching lyrics like a hammer — and slams it down at a brisk pace.
The Ringleaders, 'Baby What Has Happened To Our Love'
This grooving track begins with a perky drum roll and blends into a steady guitar-driven beat, with the strings keeping up in the background. The backup vocals employ the distinctive minor-key chords for which Northern Soul is known.
Linda Jones, 'A Last Minute Miracle'
Amid blaring horns and a beat that never stops, Linda Jones' belting voice serves as an ideal match for the pleading lyrics of a woman about to lose her love. The glittering of glockenspiel adds a subtle treat throughout.