Federal Rhythm Blues Club Crewe

Really interesting one this, the Federal R&B Club has always intrigued me but being a bit distant and not particularly well publicised I've not managed to make it before. This was a good opportunity though, only drawback was we went for the first part of the day and all-dayers take a while to get going so it probably ramped up a gear or two after we'd left. 

Anyway this is a proper hardcore R&B club, there was a ska set but every other record was full on R&B, occasionally veering a tad towards soul or smoother stuff but you absolutely won't hear any disco or modern soul here! The likes of John Brim, Little Esther, Al Simmons, James T Horn, John Lee Hooker great stuff, not a lot of it danceable but brilliant to hear it played in a small cub setting like this. Good range of DJ's too, I'd seen a few before in Birmingham and at Mojo Workies and Steppin' Up, so if you've been to either of those clubs you'll know some of the stuff that get's played here.

The Mals Club is a real backstreet place but that's appropriate for this kind of music, and Crewe Must have it's parallels with the south side of Chicago, proper railway town; small dancefloor and interesting set up where the DJ's have their back to you. We unfortunately didn't realise there was free cheese! but the beer was good anyway. 

Sadly left after about 5 hours but next time will probably sort out staying locally so we can have a drink, eat the cheese and stay till the end. 

Drew the backs of three of the DJ's.

I rarely give 5 stars - I've noticed that often reviews are by people connected with the event who inevitably give 5 stars to everything. I am trying to be objective.