Ashton Ukrainian Club - Ashton-under-lyne

WOW the stars aligned at Ashton Ukrainian Club, a night that's been three years in the making, after the 2021 post lockdown re-launch!! We've been steadily building, lots of hard work, culminating in one of those "did that really happen" nights!!

The right people, the right venue and music from another planet, just about taking it all in, thank you so much The Ashton Faithful, this one was for you!!

A crazy busy start with people gathering 20 mins before doors opened and boy was it worth it, many thanks from all at Team Ukrainian !!

Phil Dunn did a great opening set, with people dancing from the off!! I did the honors 8-9, hopefully a bit of something for everyone, I'll post my playlist later on, still in recovery mode!!

Stockport and Team Ukrainian's finest Simon Ingham followed, Hayes Cotton, Cody Black "it's our time" rubbing shoulders with quality cheapies like Joe Murphy "so blue without you" pure class!!

bUTCH followed with a jaw dropping 90 mins set, too many to mention thanks for The Mighty Lovers c/u my knee just about held out lol, there were first time spins and exclusives all gratefully received and appreciated by the dancers. Karen Howard gave up trying to talk to me, I was sat there open mouthed , trying to take it all in, just brilliant !!

Lord Ashton Chris Churm AKA "the finisher" took up the baton for another stunning "last hour" special, people demanding just one more record and the place was rammed to the last record, people just didn't want to go home!!!

Please join us next time, Saturday June 15th another great line up Roger Banks, Derek Pearson Chris Penn and William Mailey, sound good?? See you there!!!

Edited May 20, 20241 yr by Micksmix

Yes...thanks to all the DJ's , all of them tops. Thanks too to Simon Ingham's intervention, who sorted my ticket, and it was nice to see Brian.

What really struck me was Tim & Chalky fanatically clapping and enjoying Butch's set - real deal appreciation.

I never went to Stafford ( life took me in a different direction) but wish i had. I can only imagine the euphoria of Rat Race at the venue.

Congrats to Chris and the guy's.

Ashton Ukrainian Club on the 18th of May was a night to remember. A rare evening when everything, the atmosphere, the music just felt special. I’ve not danced as much in one night  for decades. 

The evening kicked off with DJ Phil Dunn, who set the tone with a great selection, including Sam Fletcher and the Chalfontes.

Ashton Stalwart Mick Howard then took over,  and kept the dance floor bouncing with tracks that included  "That’s What Love Is" by the Hesitations and gems from Judy Freeman and Jesse Johnson.

Next up was Simon Ingham, who delivered  another top quality set. Kicking off with Cleveland Robinson, followed by top tunes that encompassed  Hayes Cotton and Carol Anderson, with a few lesser known surprises.

Then  the highlight, the special guest, soul royalty himself, “Butch”. Playing The Mighty Lovers c/u. It was special getting to hear and dance  to the Ad Libs' "Love Is Knocking" and other  special acetates such as Darryl Banks' "I’m Knocking at Your Heart". Butch's set included a 70s section and quite a few tracks that were completely new to me and I suspect many there.

The night concluded with Chris Churm, who provided a dancer's selection of high-quality tracks that included The Blue Jays,  Ascots and Jack Montgomery’s epic ballad Don’t Turn Your Back on Me. Alas it was soon over, the crowd not wanting to go.

Kudos to all the DJs and organizers for creating such a memorable night.

Edited May 19, 20241 yr by Mickyfinn

In a sea of mediocrity, baggy trousers and divs, there are still some venues who do it and get it right.  The Ukrainian at Ashton under the guidance of Chris Churm is one such club.  With the helping hands of Simon Ingham, Phil Dunn and Mick Howard this little Club has progressed over the years to one of the best in the land, it is certainly my favourite night out.

With one or two stellar guests each month it has imagination and flair few can match, a full house every month made up of people who were there in the early days of the scene to some with youth on their side but all ready to welcome records what they have heard before and records they have probably never heard.  Music policy...there isn't one, the Djs are left to play what they want and it works.

That certainly was the case this week and with a rare foray north for world’s best rare soul DJ Mark “Butch” Dobson.  We arrived at the venue 20 minutes prior to opening with two extra speakers to boost the listening pleasure and there was a queue already.  Phil Dunn kicked the night off with his usual mix to get the floor moving.  Mick Howard ands Simon Ingham followed with tow exceptional sets of rare soul.  It was then time for this months guest, the UKs, no the world’s best Rare Soul spinner Mark “Butch” Dobson.

There was no prisoners taken, you know when the opening record is Jesse James (Love Is Alright) you know you are in for something good.  90 minutes of some the finest records from the 60s and 70s and without looking probably the 80s, a full floor to each, records from his earlier days to his more recent plays.  The highlight being the Mighty Lovers cover up!

There has been some exceptional nights at The Ukrainian but this was the best.  It is really great to see people like Butch enjoying themselves at such a venue, he described it as "fantastic" and having "not heard a bad record".  People like Tim Ashibende returning and looking right at ease enjoying himself, all this confirming that this little club is doing something right. Hopefully both will return to grace the decks in the future.

I’m looking forward to next month already with Roger Banks, Derek Pearson Chris Penn and William Mailey the guests DJs.

Very much enjoyed Phil Dunn. Of all the music played. Possible the Daddy on the night. Waiting at opening bit silly. Checking names when tickets shown. Unnecessary imo checking in on lists. It was all ticket. Anyway. A curtain fell down on us after seated. Bit funny really. 

Mick was superb and Simon usual excellent. Butch. Left me disappointed. I had bigger him up to my mate after Congleton last summer. Where he blew me away. Odd Stafford track. Ivy Joe unreleased the Highlights. Other stuff  I've heard by other DJs over time. We left after an hour disappointed. Can do much better. 

Got to say to hear music of such quality not a bad record allnight every dj were in find form as for butch what else can be said about him that's not been said. The records he found are the list is unreal Richard was great and still a top dj but not playing new discoveries where as butch has from day one. Hats off and hope he returns was a special night a buzzing atmosphere definitely HOT 🔥 🥵 STUFF. Best club going for me hands down . All that for a Price of a pint it beggers belife £5 🤯🤯🤯

Edited May 20, 20241 yr by Rhino

**Well the great and the good gathered on mass to bear witness to the worlds undisputed No 1**

“anyone who knows what Northern Soul is will understand”

Really enjoyed it and great to see lots of old faces and friends doin what we’ve been doin for decades; messin with vinyl and talkin it to death lol.

Enjoyed the music; good variety and mix, so hats off to all the djs.

Another absolute Masterclass in Rare Soul djaying from my main man Butch again. Time after time delivering spots that cannot and will not be replicated. To do that for decades, like he has, takes some doin. All we can do is stand and admire, listen, dance, (as we all did Im sure), and wish we owned what he plays!

Well done Ashton team; it was a good un👍🏽

Late in posting this. 
Hopefully Butch"s 90 minute set is attached to this review. Its a live recording so sorry about the quality.

Failed in 2facebook!!

Saturday has to be one of the best probably the best night at the Ukrainian club in Ashton Manchester to date.
Right from the 1st record the place was buzzing.

Butch's 90 minute set was a masterclass in 60s rare soul.
BUTCH (Mark Dobson) was a resident DJ at the 2 monthly allnighters that I (we) ran in the 90s.
He never let me down then and now nearly 30 years on he still never let's me down.

Over the last 40 years he is responsible for so many tunes that are played week in week out.
Every time I hear him out he brings new tunes to the table that are sure to be classics in the future.
To sum it up Chris, Simon Mick and all concerned thank you for a great memorable night.

Sandy Golden Your love is everything. Was my request.
It's just a perfect soul record.
A Masterpiece in every way.

Pete and Josie.

Edited May 22, 20241 yr by phpicker