Please educate me 'as someone from the back of the queue'.....what this is?

What are the big tunes of the day?

Ed

8 hours ago, woolie mark said:

Don't take this the wrong way, because I'm not trying to contradict you Karl, but I first heard the word "upfront" used by Max Rees in the eighties or nineties.  Not relating to northern soul, but events with purist soul playlists including obscure new releases and quality little known oldies.  Probably what we would now call modern soul, but back then modern soul was mainly 70s stuff.  It was common at the time for flyers to have things like "upfront" or "real deal" on them to differentiate the style of music played.  Looking back, it probably had a lot to do with mainstream dance music moving away from it's black American roots.

I can see why the word "upfront" was used to describe the early Lifeline events, because they were hugely important events that (in my humble opinion) revitalised the scene and pushed things forward in a massive way.  That's not taking anything away from venues like the 100 club, which have nearly always been "upfront".

60s, 70s, 80s, or more recent....it was all disco music when it was made, and I love it all. 

I don't, the term has probably been used throughout the history of the scene at times and music in general.  I don't recall us actually using the term though just something that came more common place as time went on.  We used Rare Soul to describe the music policy if memory serves.

If you want "Upfront", go to one of Sam Evans' gigs!

10 hours ago, DaveNPete said:

Really? We all had seemed to have a copy of this in the late mid 80s - it was part of the 'rhythm n soul' stuff we were into along with Big Daddy Rodgers, Henry Strogen (Misery), Billy Lamont (So Called Friend), Ronnie Forte and the like - didn't get played much and was easy to find (like BDR and RF) - but all my lot knew it down south.

Dx

not bothered if that record qualifies or not, but a bit confused now, thought upfront stuff WAS records which as you said "didn't get played much..."

maybe help if some could post a list of "upfront" records to educate the ignorant

How many times is a record played on the "Upfront scene" (Trade mark pending) before it is classed as "overplayed" and dropped from the playlist?

A rough estimate will do.

Well chill out Sunday in Donny only has two rules..it has to be good (a minefield in itself) and not top 500 by default.

Slow, fast, mid tempo, and basically anything goes by mainly local djs.

If the crowd turn on the dj.....the DJ is requested to change the record:)

Ego's can be easily bruised.

Having said all that it's jam packed every time and the punters come from far and away.

I'm sure it's an UPFRONT style event.

Ed

Edited January 21, 20187 yr by tomangoes
Spello

39 minutes ago, maslar said:

How many times is a record played on the "Upfront scene" (Trade mark pending) before it is classed as "overplayed" and dropped from the playlist?

A rough estimate will do.

Some records have taken years to become popular but I guess it is subjective. Used to be classed as an oldie within months or even weeks at one time, record seem to hang around for a long time nowadays. 

 

2 minutes ago, tomangoes said:

Well chill out Sunday in Donny only has two rules..it has to be good (a minefield in itself) and not top 500 by default.

Slow, fast, mid tempo, and basically anything goes by mainly local djs.

If the crowd turn on the dj.....the DJ is requested to change the record:)

Ego's can be easily bruised.

Having said all that it's jam packed every time and the punters come from far and away.

I'm sure it's an UPFRONT style event.

Ed

There is very little upfront if that’s what you wish to call it. Basically two oldies scenes, one playing classics/oldies and the other post Wigan stuff or records ignored at the time. 

1 hour ago, maslar said:

How many times is a record played on the "Upfront scene" (Trade mark pending) before it is classed as "overplayed" and dropped from the playlist?

A rough estimate will do.

287 (plus or minus 4 because of 'same night' event plays), any deviation from this is reported back to us, if the inner circle of the KNSO deems by a majority of 3, the said record is permitted a further 63 spins at no less than 8 venues and not to exceed 12 weeks (10 weeks if it a bank holidays falls within this timescale). Any breaches are reported back to the KNSO and soul police are mobilised.

I thought everyone knew this? 

Is it something to do with where you stand to dance or is upfront the same as missionary? If so what's the doggy style scene like?

Dx

1 hour ago, chalky said:

Some records have taken years to become popular but I guess it is subjective. Used to be classed as an oldie within months or even weeks at one time, record seem to hang around for a long time nowadays. 

 

There is very little upfront if that’s what you wish to call it. Basically two oldies scenes, one playing classics/oldies and the other post Wigan stuff or records ignored at the time. 

finally some who talks some sense  .hit the nail right square on the head that is perfect way to describe the allnighter scene

Old style but upfront ,   BAGS , HEY GIRL.   How good ? 👌👍👏🎶🎶🎶

Wander into a venue snd they are playing Devonnes I wanna be loved its upfront , however if they are playing April Stevens then not upfront .

Hope that helps .

If they play both we are fooked  

Ok

All you pop pickers in the know...name or even better throw in a link, for your current favourite up front tune...

Once we have a dozen or more, I'm sure it will be clear what's what.

Educate the masses!

Ed

36 minutes ago, Mark S said:

Wander into a venue snd they are playing Devonnes I wanna be loved its upfront , however if they are playing April Stevens then not upfront .

Hope that helps .

If they play both we are fooked  

What about upfront oldies   

Hat. Coat. Door. Just leaving 

Steve 

 

27 minutes ago, tomangoes said:

Ok

All you pop pickers in the know...name or even better throw in a link, for your current favourite up front tune...

Once we have a dozen or more, I'm sure it will be clear what's what.

Educate the masses!

Ed

 

6 hours ago, Spain pete said:

Old style but upfront ,   BAGS , HEY GIRL.   How good ? 👌👍👏🎶🎶🎶

Done 👌🎶🎶🎶

10 minutes ago, Spain pete said:

 

Done 👌🎶🎶🎶

Oi Pedro.....its not do it yourself..

Get it done...

Ed

https://youtu.be/sB7LtmpBqRI

https://youtu.be/_me_STd-i-E

one 6os one 70s 

both upfront  not often played out  

How? Help? Only just worked out how to record on me betamax video  machine .😱

9 minutes ago, tomangoes said:

Oi Pedro.....its not do it yourself..

Get it done...

Ed

 

That's the spirit!

Ed

3 minutes ago, Spain pete said:

How? Help? Only just worked out how to record on me betamax video  machine .😱

 

Don't be backwards at coming forwards.. 

so maybe this could be a fair account of "upfront" soul post Wigan? bit of a read

https://www.soulunderground.co.uk/page1/ThePostWiganYears/

 

not sure who the author is but mentions ' aggressive upfront music policy ' etc

Edited January 21, 20187 yr by Shufflin

Herby brown  , one more broken heart .👍🎶🎶. Can you do the hard work for me ? Cheers mate 👏🎶

17 minutes ago, tomangoes said:

Don't be backwards at coming forwards.. 

 

5 minutes ago, Spain pete said:

Herby brown  , one more broken heart .👍🎶🎶. Can you do the hard work for me ? Cheers mate 👏🎶

 

I don't mind doing half..

You fill in the gaps:)

17 minutes ago, shufflin said:

so maybe this could be a fair account of "upfront" soul post Wigan? bit of a read

https://www.soulunderground.co.uk/page1/ThePostWiganYears/

 

not sure who the author is but mentions ' aggressive upfront music policy ' etc

Author, me, that is my website

17 minutes ago, Spain pete said:

Herby brown  , one more broken heart .👍🎶🎶. Can you do the hard work for me ? Cheers mate 👏🎶

 

First played about 1980/81 

8 minutes ago, chalky said:

Author, me, that is my website

I know I was being a bit cheeky- great site, incredibly informative

 

 

 

 

Vocal? 

50 minutes ago, chalky said:

First played about 1980/81 

 

6 hours ago, tomangoes said:

Ok

All you pop pickers in the know...name or even better throw in a link, for your current favourite up front tune...

Once we have a dozen or more, I'm sure it will be clear what's what.

Educate the masses!

Ed

It don't work like that mate, you have to be there when it happens.

That's why we used to travel 4 hours to get to an event, with no regard to how we were gonna get home with a horrendous come down.

Best times in the world!

Best wishes, Mark

Edited January 22, 20187 yr by woolie mark

You are right, there seems an unwillingness to share upfront top tunes of today, so let's leave it as a mystery only known by the attendees.

The best tracks as always will go mainstream, and shared by all eventually.

Its what debating forums are all about I guess these days.

Ed

I think 'Upfront' is just a loose term used to differentiate from the main stream, I dont know anyone personally that would describe themselves as an 'Upfront' DJ....I can't think of a venue either that describes itself as 'Upfront' either, altho I am happy to be proven wrong on that.

If there is such a term, I dont think its used to describe a genre per se, IMO its venues, rooms & DJ's that are playing something different within the mix. That could be anything from an underplayed traditional oldie, to a new release, with lots of other stuff in-between, usually aimed solidly at the dance floor.....its what the Northern Soul scene used to be about, cherry picking from all genres of dance music, usually black, to find sounds that will make people wanna dance....depending upon your personal taste, some will be good, some bad & some indifferent. 

I think we should be pleased that there are still diggers n DJ's out there, that are prepared to spend the time finding n playing these lesser known things, as ever, some will eventually go mainstream, some may even become classics. But, lets also not forget the venues & promoters that encourage & support them, past & present. These kinda venues are the ones we now herald as legendary, Wheel, Mecca, Torch, Casino, Stafford, 100 Club & others, what makes them legendary in our hearts & memories, is the records played there, which, on the whole were newies, or maybe another word that could be used is 'Upfront' ? 

Food for thought maybe.......

Russ

As for particular records, its difficult because different DJ's & venues could be playing lots of different things & 'Upfront' doesnt describe a genre....I dropped this into a set over Xmas, the crowd were a mix of soul people who only had one thing in common, they wanted to dance....this record has been played at various venues up & down the country for a while now, so Im not suggesting that for one moment that its unknown or unplayed, just a bit different from the norm....& for what ever reason, the already busy floor, not only remained busy, but went up a notch or too.....this will hopefully cause some debate, but it rather proves that non classic style records will be excepted if programmed correctly within a set at the right time in the right venue....& I am not the type of DJ who can drop anything in & it would fill a floor regardless either.....

 

Edited January 22, 20187 yr by Russ Vickers

Try this for size too....took years to eventually break, but by all accounts is filling dance floors now.....

 

Edited January 22, 20187 yr by Russ Vickers

This is my quandary Russ I really Like Sir Joe - Every Day but I can't get my head around the Triads - If You're Looking For Love, so for me I would be up down, up down with my dance floor reaction, I suppose that wouldn't be a bad thing as I could swig my Lambrini & have time to adjust my handbag between tracks & as you said the Triads does get a good response it just doesn't fill my soul is that hard to understand?

Kirsty

No, I do understand Kirsty, not everyone likes every record & records like the Triads have to be placed correctly within a set to get the best response, but there have always been records that not everyone likes, its not just a more recent phenomena ...I love your honesty.....if records wernt at least tried out though, how would we know, there are accounts of some now classic records taking a very long time to gain exceptance...

Never heard that Sir Joe before. But I know straight away that I like it. It's weird is taste in music. I mean that Triads..........I turned in off after 20 secs. Just not my style. Only saying.

Some would say they are frightened to post upfront records in case someone points out it was played at  a venue 35 + years ago , NOT ME. 🎶😱

No mention of 'Upfront' here.....https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212413164143242&set=a.10200175209802032.8133682.1205119204&type=3

2 minutes ago, Koolkat said:

Never heard that Sir Joe before. But I know straight away that I like it. It's weird is taste in music. I mean that Triads..........I turned in off after 20 secs. Just not my style. Only saying.

We all have different tastes, thats all part n parcel n that break in the Sir Joe not so many years ago would have been unacceptable to a lot of people.....thank good ness some people dont always go with the flow.....

 

7 minutes ago, Spain pete said:

Some would say they are frightened to post upfront records in case someone points out it was played at  a venue 35 + years ago , NOT ME. 🎶😱

Doesnt matter if it was, it may not have been right at the time....

 

Oh and let's not forget the records that grow on you after hearing them for the umpteenth time , not everything is a instant soul stirrer 🎶🎶👌

49 minutes ago, Russ Vickers said:

Try this for size too....took years to eventually break, but by all accounts is filling dance floors.....

 

Really liking this...that's a very nice  track in my opinion.

Thanks for posting !

 

 

How different things are these days.   I think back to the glory days of '73/'74 when new discoveries turned up in such quantity and quality, it was breathtaking.  Tomangoes one week, Van Dykes and Morris Chestnut the next...  I know, I know, I'm being obvious, still makes me sad though....

 

3 hours ago, Spain pete said:

Some would say they are frightened to post upfront records in case someone points out it was played at  a venue 35 + years ago , NOT ME. 🎶😱

Depends what exposure it has had in the 35 years though doesn’t it I guess.   

This topic was closed by the original poster @tomangoes

 

As said many times on here, if you are going to use this the 'close' topic feature then post up that you have done so along with a reason if possible!

Doing such helps avoid misunderstandings and does keep fellow members in the picture!

 

Point taken. First time I've closed a topic.

Now going round in circles, and everybody who is in the know of what the term stands for have had a chance to put their views and ideology over.

Basically it describes a progressive scene as opposed to a stand still scene.

Thanks to everybody who contributed.

There is not many greater things in Northern Soul than coming across a great record for the first time.

Nothing worse than listening to mediocre dross.

To get to one state, we've always had to live with the other!

Ed