Ashton Ukrainian Club - Ashton-under-lyne

Another Stunning night of Rare Soul at Ashton Ukrainian Club. With so many venues on the same night, we have to take our hats off to The Ashton Faithful, turning up in numbers yet again for this amazing event, without you guys we couldn't do what we do.

Take a listen to the attached video with people singing along, while Joan was conducting the orchestra/audience behind the decks, stunning !!

Phil Dunn kicked off the night in unassuming customary fashion. Special mention to our Debutante Mr Ian Wills absolutely smashed it out of the park, he told us before the event he was a bit nervous? WOW!! Temptones, Gerri Hall, Cody Black (slowly molding) tune after a tune, must be the best "early set" anywhere!!

Next up Jumping Joan, a high octane hour, with an infectious energy behind that the dancers buy into and then some!! Classy 70s dancers like The Vee Gees, mixed in with classic rare 60s from Bobby Guitar Wood the list goes on, just brilliant!!

Tim Ashibende followed again following on from his set in April, an hour of  quality with no little education on forgotten flip sides, a stormer from P.P Arnold and just pure class like The Fantastics "where there's a will" finished off in fine style with a Latin Soul Monster Tony Middleton "Spanish Maiden" (that bass line)!!

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better Phil Threlfall took to the stage Four Dynamics, Eddie Billups "ask my heart" and the sublime Ernie Johnson "I can't stop the pain" spine tingling soul!!

Rounding off a brilliant night (The Finisher) Chris Churm this guy never ceases to amaze, with records I didn't know he owned Ty Karim "you really made it good" Betty Lloyd "catching on" and sending the troops home happy with a great ender Ralph Graham "she just sits there" WHOOOOSH!!!

Great to catch up with good friends Natalie Nicholls and Alan Jenkins Pete Hollander Gibby,Bernie Aspinall and many more and of course Karl Chalky White celebrated his 23rd birthday??

Another quality line up awaits in November, keep your eye on here, Instagram and Face Book event page thread for more details as we near the date !!

Edited October 20, 2024Oct 20 by Micksmix

Really enjoyed last night. Thought the music was a good mix and enjoyed catching up with a few folk I hadn't seen for ages. Bit of a slow burner initially but filled up and there were plenty in and dancing by 9pm. Thought the sound system was a million times better than last time I went too 👍

Missed most of Phil's early set but what I caught was great; Willsy played a really nice mix of high quality sixties from Wigan onwards; Tim has forgotten more than most and certainly I know about soul music and his selections were as innovative, eclectic and well thought-out as you'd expect (e.g. playing the 'right' side of Gene Chandler); Joan just never plays a bad record (JJ Barnes, absolute class!); Chris has some cracking stuff and is also one of the nicest blokes around.

Nice to play a few records I rarely get chance to, over and above the same old, tedious, expensive rarities, e.g. Jackson Bros - gotta hear it, Miracles - if your mother, Garnet Mimms - prove it, Pal Rames - can't deny the hurt, Don and Juan - heartbreaking truth etc. 

Thanks again for asking us.

Next stop Grumpy Soul 2nd November. Out twice in the space of a month, jeez!

Walking through those familiar doors, is walking into another dimension, a dimension of sight and sound. It's the middle ground between light and shadow, of velvet whispers and glistening faces. You have just entered the Soul Zone.

Arriving later than usual, so we unfortunately missed Phil Dunn's opening slot.

Ian Wills set was box office, loved it. From The classic George Kirby to dance heaven with the Trends “Thanks for a Little Lovin” and People’s Choice “Saving My Lovin for You”. And not forgetting Gerri Hall.

Jumping Joan brought her brand of vibrancy and enthusiasm to the decks and the floor. A very classy and varied selection, that included Bobby Williams, Dynells, Vee Gees  and The four Voices.  Two that had the dance floor bouncing: The Delegates of Soul and the adrenaline-fueled Stanley Mitchell.

Expect the unexpected with Tim Ashibende, a great mix, that included classics, unknown flips and super dancers.  The Trips “Love Can’t be Modernised”, Hesitations “Go Away”, Audrey Royal “Come on Playboy” Wow.  A genuine classic from back in the day: The Construction”.  And a real gem in Joe Graves “Debbie”. I first heard it played by Tim last month at the 100 club. This time I got to dance to it.

Up next was Phil Threlfall with a box of magic, playing Jesse Davis, Jimmy Hart, The Cairos and The Fabulous Apollos. Not to mention The 4 Dynamics. Brilliant.

Chris Churm was back to his usual last DJ slot. His tunes are guaranteed to the keep the dance floor busy right until the end.  Kicking off with the inimitable Ascots, then Cookie Scott and Paul Sindab to name a few. The announced final tune was Ralph Graham, but Jack Montgomery “Don’t Turn Your Back on Me” played as we said our goodbyes.

Another terrific evening of epic soul music. Thanks to Chris and the team. The sound system was particularly good.

This is “That Other Place” where the outside world fades to nothing and why we “Keep Coming Back for More”.

Edited October 21, 2024Oct 21 by Mickyfinn

Fabulous night once again.  Cannot single any Dj out. They were all brilliant, all bringing something different to the table with from cheap forgotten records to expensive rarities all delivered with knowledge and imagination.  Sunk a few beers to celebrate getting older too 🤣

Really enjoyed Saturday night. Lovely to see everyone after so long and I thought the music was fab all night. I must mention the sound system, it really did spoil it for me the other times I visited, but I couldn't fault it at all at the weekend, and it makes such a difference. Great job Chris and team, it sounded fab 

The four stars are for the fact I was DJing, had to take a star off 😂

Yes, i rate Ashton Uky as a 5* function because quite simply, IT IS!. Shirley and me weren't the only contingent from " the noisy neighbours over t'hills " 😉 and i dare say a few more from elsewhere that dont originate in the red rose county. Nevertheless, likeminded folk congregate where the music is best....thankfully Chris Churm's magnet dosn't stand on its own otherwise, we'd never get in, it would be packed out solid. As it is, its always busy...and yes, folk tended to trickle in, initially, which turns to a torrent after an hour or so. We got in from before the off, got seated and then prepared...never to disappoint, this place..great atmosphere, cosy, friendly faces, lots of socializing and done in a manner as ive remarked previously, very reminiscent of Shropshire's legendary Lee Manor Hotel...its deja vu....dancers in seated area, chinstrokers/beer drinkers/crate diggers/gum chewers and general cogniscenti to the rear ( or in the Uky's case, dog leg right ) some records dont get a response...many do BUT....ALL are recieved with approval and applause...no dj is left feeling apprehensive if they don't see people moving.....its a very familiar scenario...just like 25 years ago back at that place run by Martin Bradley & Co.

AND thats another thing Chris believes in: constant rotation of guests...BUT not always the same and infact, the emphasis very much on getting dj/collectors in there who will keep on offering up original and different playlists.

It goes without saying, Grumpy comes with exactly the same mantra and type of dj hence, anyone missing this episode MISSED OUT.

Phil D, Ian Wills, Joan, Tim, Phil T and Chris put on as good a session boasting quality tuneage that beat anything else going, on Saturday night...there's no issue with bog standard, this is purely and simply about making sure the tradition of offering folk an alternative to the run of the mill, is upheld.

I couldn't fail to recommend this venue and its music to anyone, the advertising screams DIFFERENT at you and Mick Howard puts in a fantastic shift pushing it too.

Well done to all concerned and long may it continue

Ian Wills playlist:

Emmanuel Last - Peace Loving Man / The Temptones - Girl I Love You / Danny Woods - You Had Me Fooled / Otis Lee - Hard Road To Hoe / Pat & The Blenders - Just Because / George Kirby - What Can I Do / Jo Ann Garrett - A Whole New Plan / Jimmy Wallace - I'll Be Back / The Rockmasters - Raining Teardrops / The Commands - Hey Its Love / Harry Deal & The Galaxies - I Still Love You / Al McArthur - His True Love For You / Harry & The Kayavas - If This Is Goodbye / The Falcons - Its A Good Feeling / The Peoples Choice - I'm Saving My Loving / Cody Black - I'm Slowly Molding / Venturas - Heart Of Love / The Moments - You Said / Cecil Washington - I Dont Like To Lose / The Trends - Thanks For A Little Loving / The Inspirations - Your Wish Is My Command / Just Brothers - Carlena / Gerri Hall - Who Can I Run To / The Tangeers - Whats The Use Of Me Trying 

Edited October 21, 2024Oct 21 by Agentsmith