There's plenty of us who have a broad mind and don't care for pigeon holing different styles but the hard facts are that on this scene it is pigeon holed and there are several genres including northern soul. It not have been a genre of music BITD when recorded but the fact is it is now, it is referred to, Northern Soul, marketed as Northern Soul, promoted as Northern Soul, you can't get away from Northern Soul. Me I prefer the term rare soul, a term we used in the 80's.
We all use these terms whether we like them or not when it suits.
Unfortunately those of us who see the bigger musical picture are in a minority, especially when it comes to venues and what we care to hear when out and about.