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A Comprehensive History of Northern Soul Music: Its Origins, Evolution, and Legacy

Ivan Turner

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Published in Young Soul Rebels: A Personal History Of Northern Soul

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Northern soul is a genre of soul music that originated in the North of England in the mid-1960s. It is characterized by its fast tempo, heavy bassline, and distinctive dance style. Northern soul music is often associated with the working-class clubs and ballrooms of Northern England, and it has a strong following among fans of soul music around the world.

Young Soul Rebels: A Personal History of Northern Soul

by Stuart Cosgrove

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	28025 KB
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Print length	:	425 pages
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Origins

The roots of Northern soul can be traced back to the American soul music of the 1950s and early 1960s. Artists such as James Brown, Otis Redding, and Wilson Pickett were hugely popular in the UK, and their music began to influence a new generation of British musicians. In the North of England, DJs began to play American soul records at local clubs and ballrooms. These DJs often played obscure B-sides and album tracks that were not played on the radio, and they developed a unique style of mixing and blending records.

The Northern Soul Scene

By the mid-1960s, the Northern soul scene had taken off. Clubs and ballrooms all over the North of England were playing Northern soul music, and fans from all over the country flocked to these venues to dance and listen to the latest records. The Northern soul scene was a melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds, and it was a place where people could come together and celebrate their love of soul music.

The Northern Soul Dance Style

One of the most distinctive features of Northern soul is its unique dance style. Northern soul dancers are known for their energetic and acrobatic moves, and they often dance in a continuous line called a "train." The Northern soul dance style is a physically demanding one, and it requires a lot of skill and athleticism.

The Northern Soul Sound

The Northern soul sound is characterized by its fast tempo, heavy bassline, and distinctive vocals. Northern soul records often feature obscure B-sides and album tracks, and they are often played at a faster speed than the original recordings. The Northern soul sound is a unique and distinctive one, and it has influenced many other genres of music, including house music and techno.

The Northern Soul Legacy

The Northern soul scene is still going strong today, and it has a loyal following among fans of soul music around the world. There are regular Northern soul events and festivals held all over the world, and there are a number of radio stations and websites dedicated to the genre. The Northern soul legacy is a testament to the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community.

Northern soul is a unique and distinctive genre of music that has had a profound impact on the world of soul music. Its fast tempo, heavy bassline, and distinctive dance style have made it a popular genre among fans of soul music around the world. The Northern soul scene is still going strong today, and it is a testament to the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community.

Young Soul Rebels: A Personal History of Northern Soul

by Stuart Cosgrove

4.6 out of 5