Past and Future - Connaught Hotel in Wolverhampton - Soulvation Fri May 30th

Soul music is coming home on Friday night when Soulvation launch their brand new night at The Best Western Connaught Hotel in Wolverhampton.

The venue is well known as a Northern Soul venue but research by Steve Powell for a book on the history of Soul music in the West Midlands reveals a pedigree going back to the 60's.

The venue, just known as The Connaught Hotel up till recently, rode the Mod boom in the late 60's and live bands( who appeared with Soul Dj's playing the records before and after the groups) included John Mayall's Bluesbreakes, the Alan Bown Set, Jimmy Powell & The Dimensions, Wynder K. Frogg. Dictionary Of Soul and Wolverhampton's own N-Betweens who morphed into Ambrose Slade and then Slade.

The Connaught was one of the Midlands clubs where they heard "Get Down With It" by Little Richard played to the Soul crowd and Noddy and his mates liked it so much they later recorded it as a Slade single!

In the seventies the main Soul DJ at The Connaught was a certain Blue Max - who is being honoured at Friday's event with an award marking his dedication to the West Midlands Soul scene and 45 years of running record stores in the area, which has now come to and end with Max's retirement and closure of his famous Millwards Records shop in Wednesfield.

Friday's event runs from 8pm till 1.30 and will feature 2-rooms, the famous Upstairs Ballroom (now refurbished from those halcyon 60's days!) being devoted to Northern, Motown and rare Soul and the funky downstairs cellar featuring Crossover, Modern Soul, Jazz Funk and Soulful House.

DJ's are Blue Max, Mick H, Mike Hollis (Smooth FM), Hitsville Chalky, Neil Rushton, John Fisher, Harpo and David Hulmes.

Admission is £6 pay on the door. For further ring 07939 613562 or go to www.soulvation.biz