The Northern Soul Podcast

Los Angeles After Dark: The Lost Soul of the City of AngelsOur great American soul journey takes us west to Los Angeles, California, where we uncover another chapter in the story of 1960s American soul.Beyond Hollywood and the sunshine lies a fascinating musical world of independent record labels, small recording studios, vocal groups and extraordinary singers whose records often slipped under the radar.From Central Avenue to Watts, we're exploring the sounds of Doo, Dore, Modern, Mirwood and other independent labels that helped shape the city's soul scene.Along the way, we'll revisit some familiar names and uncover forgotten artists, overlooked recordings and those special 45s that have a Northern Soul connection.These are the records that travelled thousands of miles across the Atlantic, eventually finding a home on British dance floors.No obvious classics, no familiar greatest hits. Just great American soul, some hidden treasures and a little musical detective work.Los Angeles is destination number thirteen on our fourteen-city road trip across America.The search for lost soul continues.

The Lost Soul Expedition: New York After Dark – Digging for Lost SoulOur American road trip begins in New York City, a place where soul music, songwriting and musical ambition came together in the streets, studios and neighbourhoods of the Big Apple.From the gospel roots of Harlem to the famous Brill Building on Broadway, we're exploring the people, places and independent record labels that helped shape the sound of 1960s American soul.Along the way, we'll visit the musical world of Scepter, Wand, Musicor and other New York labels, uncovering forgotten artists, rare recordings and some fascinating pieces of soul history.Featuring voices such as Chuck Jackson, Maxine Brown, Marie Knight and many more, this is not simply a trip down memory lane. It's a search for the overlooked records, the unexpected discoveries and the musical treasures that time nearly forgot.New York is our first destination. There's a whole country ahead of us.The Lost Soul Expedition – searching America for the lost soul, one city and one record at a time.

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.

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.

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.