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. Portman Hotel, Ashley Road, Boscombe. July 23rd.
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. During recent years on the south coast there has been an array of soul nights that have provided a healthy diversity to cover the different facets of this wide ranging music scene.
. There have been venues, many have gone bye the bye, which have delivered elements of ground breaking music. But none have matched the 5 year stint at Bournemouth Railway Club.
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. Our host Jonah was a permanent fixture, with Simon Preston and Tim Smithers featuring on a semi-regular basis. Of course, many of the wide ranging guest D.J.s had brought in their brand of music, but this trio were the core and heartbeat of the club.
. Their brilliance was always within their endeavours to introduce quality underplayed and rare deep soul music to the many pilgrims and vibrant regular devotees of the club. The difficult call was always how to splice this new music in with the odd established classic, smattering of Modern/Latin Soul, old RnB, uptempo Motown and Northern Soul.
. There were moments when it didn't work. Usually on the odd occasion when Tim was in one of his more radical moods. But generally it did, with many adapting to much of the soulful and unfamiliar raw upbeat music being delivered.
. The late, sometimes after hours last session with Simon Preston were particularly special. Those of us who remained may have danced ourselves into exhaustion, but we never wanted the nights to end. There was always a call for one more and then one more after that. Until eventually, Simon would feel the bar manager's shepherd's crook looming around his neck and reluctantly have to call time.
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. They were special times. Consequently, since the closure of The Railway Club last September, I've hoped that Jonah, Simon and Tim would find a new platform to complement Bournemouth's vibrant soul scene.
. I couldn't make it to their soul night in June at The Bourne Beat Hotel, which I was told wasn't really a suitable venue. So maybe this venue at The Portman Hotel would fit the bill?
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. Well, the seperate function room, set off to one side of the hotel bar, is a rectangular space of moderate size. Importantly there is a wall to wall dance floor of similar proportions to Sussex Soul, with a small raised stage area at one end to accomodate the decks and equipment.
. We, Sarah Reynolds, Roger Stewart, Jan & I arrived just prior to 9.30 p.m. at much the same time as many others were coming through the doors.
. Jonah, Tim and then Simon delivered initial sets that contained a good cross-section of old and new music. What I liked about Simon's delivery was that he actively informed the crowd using the microphone to announce certain plays (that I had never heard before) being from The Torch, Mecca and Casino. There were others he accredited to The Bidds Rare Soul Alnighter in Stoke (courtesy of Mace & Beggs) and requests from the floor such as Black Sugar - Too late and Carlos Santana & Buddy Miles - Evil ways, plus a couple of excellent unissued tracks that certainly made the early proceedings bristle.
. The floor was flowing, so Jonah re-entered the fray just prior to midnight with a range of classics and tunes that were bound to keep people dancing away. These included Al Kent - The way you've been acting, Darrell Banks - Angel Baby, Denise Lasselle - Love Reputation and Earl Nelson - Ooh Honey Baby.
. Here and there, he slipped in something rare to a mixed response. Undeterred, he then played three on the bounce that were very credible dance worthy numbers. Unfortunately, I only managed to clock the tail ender If I'm hurt you'll feel the pain - Barbara & Brenda. I hope Jonah doesn't mind me making mention of this?
. For the same cloak and dagger reasons I'm finding it difficult to comment on what Tim Smithers followed on with. I suppose I should mention the more mainstream plays that were to my liking such as Judy Freeman - Hold on, Billy Hambric - She said goodbye, Lillian Dupree - Hide & Seek and Benny Curtis - Dirty Hearts. But in doing this, Tim will complain and say that people out there will think that he's just playing Oldies. Yet, on the other hand, he doesn't wish that I broadcast the other noteworthy music he unearths onto the arena. I suppose, like some other leading edge players, he probably fears plagiarism, as certain records he's introduced over the years have been cherry picked by others.
. I'm afraid, once they become mainstream and overplayed, they're gone from his playlist.
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. From what I've witnessed, Tim prefers to continually turn over his record box to keep things fresh and maintain an underground feel to his music. A mystical approach that can only be truly appreciated by the well informed connoisseur seeking 'Off the well beaten track' soul music.
. Others, who prefer more well known, tried and tested music do struggle with the unfamiliar portions of Tim's sets. I've become accustomed and grown a liking for it. Whether it be Good, Bad or Indifferent.
. He remains an enigma and yet a prime mover in the evolution of the local scene. I've heard him play on many, many an occasion and still he continues to surprise me. Last Saturday night was no exception, as I found myself being drawn to the edge of my seat and then onto the dancefloor a number of times by his (plus Jonah & Simon's) music. It's a pity that we don't often get to see playlists from these nights!
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. Tim Smithers will be playing with fellow resident Bearsy, the host Alfie and guest players Dave Morris and Steve C at Ghetto Soul, The Conservative Club in Totton, near Southampton this coming Saturday, July 30th.
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. Well, the night ended with Simon Preston playing out a range of Latin Soul numbers mixed in amongst some RnB and Northern Soul before signing off at 1.30 a.m. with the soulful and contemplative George Freeman - Down & Out.
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. For Jan & I, the sense of occasion and theme of the night was very enjoyable, with flashbacks from the varied music drawing out many good memories.
. The ex-Railway Club boys as always fulfil a special niche for soul music on the south coast.
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Edited by Dave Mortimore, 26 July 2011 - 12:55 PM.
great little venue easy to find with parking and fair prices at the bar, great music great company great little venue so Bearsy went home a happy chappy 
