Bazm

Gotta thank everyone who came to CULCHETH on Saturday, to be honest I thought we would really struggle with the England game being on and peeps partaking of the amber nectar then deciding to continue to partake in more amber nectar BUT we didn’t, so there was a good crowd in the club on Saturday for both the Northern room and the Modern room. Crackin’ sets from the DJ’s in both rooms. First got to mention CHARLIE SMITH, for opening proceedings with his first main room set at CULCHETH and dropping some fantastic records from his lavish box, Bob and Fred, Bobby Rich, Oliver Christian, Johnnie Mae Matthews, Andrea Henry, Delegates of Soul, Constellations, Chuck Cockerham, Bill Bush, The Trends, True Image, and Carol Anderson, to name a few. Charlie was followed by SIMON INGHAM, who never fails and as always played a superb selection of sounds and really set the tone of the night, Blue Jays, Trends, Adventures, Tony Clarke, Nat Hall, Ernie Washington sounding mighty fine to these ears. Next up was our special guest for the night, MR JOHN VINCENT. Now Johns’ sets at the Casino were always an education for me and I’ve always loved the fact that he’d go out on a limb to break tunes he had faith in and he still does that to this day, which fits with the CULCHETH ethos. So, on that basis we heard tracks from Jack Dupree, Johnnie Mae Matthews, Hayes Cotton, Joe Matthews, Oliver Joy, Anetta Archibald, Gloria Edwards, Tranells, Sammy Campbell, Appointments, Judy Stokes, Gail Nevels, Emory & the Dynamics, Combinations and the Kings of Soul to name but a few. Once John finished wowing us, all that was left was KEV MURPHY to dig in to his fabulous box of tunes and send everyone home happy with favourites from Stanley Mitchell, Al Williams, The Midnighters, Four Voices, Deltours, Damon Fox, Capitols, Professionals Del Larks and one of my al-time favourites Cont the Days by The Magnetics. A good night was had and already looking forward to the next night on AUGUST 3rd when we welcome GINGER TAYLOR

Looking forward to welcoming TOP Rare Soul DJ JOHN VINCENT to CULCHETH SOUL CLUB this Saturday, JULY 6th…John has been a part of the scene for 50+ years and when it comes to the music has always ‘pushed the boundaries’ whether it was at the Casino, through to his current sets at venues like the Soul Shack, so expect the unexpected, this Saturday!

Never let it be said that we are not ‘On the Ball’ Utilising all the facilities at the superb CULCHETH VILLAGE CLUB, we are pleased to tell you that we will be having at THREE ROOM – SOUL n SOCCER SPECIAL on SATURDAY 6th JULY to encompass the England – Switzerland Euros match by inviting you to the venue ‘FAN ZONE’ in the bar! Enjoy the atmosphere as England move to the next stage of the competition between 5 and 7(ish)and then on to the soul night in the Rare Soul and Modern Soul rooms from 8pm till 1am… Can’t say much about the England team but the ‘Soul Team’ on the night will be made up of Special Guest JOHN VINCENT, KEV MURPHY, SIMON INGHAM and CHARLIE SMITH in the main room and STEVE PLUMB, BAZ MALEEDY, NICK McKINNON and PETE RATCLIFFE in the Modern Room, a winning combination and a TOP RESULT GUARANTEED! See You, This Saturday!...

This is really getting some 'traction' in the venues, great 'Northern Soul', (or is it just 'Rare Soul'?) to these ears and just shows there's sooo many sounds away from the tried and tested to come through and keep many of us wanting more... 👍👏

INCOMMING! One for July 6th... sounding just right 👍

Dunno for sure Mick but agree much missed, great dj and supplier of tasty tunes for my collection back in the day 👍

So, here I am goin' through the racks at a well known record shop in Blackpool, I look up and waddya know!

CULCHTH MODERN ROOM ' So Soulful Saturdays' The MODERN ROOM itself, hosted by STEVE PLUMB has become known in its own right for the brilliant ‘So Soulful Saturdays’ sessions as the ‘Do within a Do’, Completely self-contained in its own room with its own dancefloor, own bar, own sound system and own music from its own DJ’s. the aforementioned STEVE PLUMB, being joined by BAZ MALEEDY, NICK McKINNON and PETE RATCLIFE, spinning everything from the latest brand new vinyl releases, through to the crème of crossover, soulful 70’s, funk and soul from back in the day and a selection of quality ‘steppers’, mean something for everyone and anyone with a liking for more Modern sounds. Every month new faces join loyal regulars at CULCHETH, so why not come along on JULY 6th and take a look for yourself; we’d love to see you…

Worth going just to hear this IMHO... see you Saturday!

Well, summer is here so getting out and about should be a little easier, and more of an attraction on these pleasant evenings…..OK that’s the pleasantries’ over with so let’s get down to business, and what ‘business’ we have for you! After pausing for a short intake of breath, we are pleased to announce the next instalment of the CULCHETH TWO ROOM SOUL NIGHTS on SATURDAY 6th JULY. The brilliant night in June with Ted and Taz was always going to be a challenge to follow, BUT we think we’ve done it! with a real cracker lined up for you… So, without further ado, we are pleased to announce our Special Guest DJ for the night is none other than Mr. JOHN VINCENT! Now, if you’ve been part of our wonderful scene during the past five decades you may just know the name JOHN VINCENT! If not, let us enlighten you…John has been DJing on the Northern scene since around 1970 pushing the boundaries musically and, because of his reputation, playing at some of the most iconic venues in the North of England and beyond including Samantha’s, Wigan Casino, Cleethorpes Pier, Notts Palais, Tiffany’s, Ashton, Whitchurch Civic Centre, Central Hall, Kettering, Peterborough’s Wirrina’, St. Ives (Cambs), Morcambe Pier, Ritz (Manchester), Leeds Central, 100 Club, Crossfire, Tiffanies, Coalville, Blackhearts (Nottingham), Lowton (Wigan), Swinton (Manchester), Boat Club (Nottingham), Keele, Wigan Empire, Skegness Weekender, Bridlington Weekender, Scarborough and more recently, the Soul Shack ‘nighters and soul nights! So, you can see why it’s an absolute pleasure to welcome such an iconic DJ to grace the decks at CULCHETH on July 6 th . John will be joined in the main room by CULCHETH residents KEV MURPHY and back off his hols SIMON INGHAM. All this plus one of our favourite Modern Room DJ’s, CHARLIE SMITH will be putting the finishing touch to the main room lineup, playing an ‘across the board’ set of Northern and super rare Modern! Don’t Miss This Great Night Out! Watch This Space For More Info…

So, where to start? Well first with BIG THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone who came along to CULCHETH TWO ROOM SOUL NIGHT on Saturday, and a special thank you to the DJ’s in both the main room and modern room for their commitment and choices of music. It’s obvious that the CULCHETH Soul Night is definitely ‘carving a niche’ with the North-West soul crowd as a place where you can hear and dance to some of the best music being played today, in the true spirit of our scene, a spirit that has always encompassed everything good about the music we love and the ethos that has kept many of us engaged over the years. Nothing was more evident than that on Saturday, with everyone loving the music being played in their room of choice, whether that was the rarer side of 60’s and 70’s soul in the main room or Modern from the past four decades, in the Modern Room, with some folks spending time in both rooms and enjoying the sounds being featured in each. Which brings me to the DJ’s and the music featured on Saturday. Overall, it was quite frankly, a top mix with something for everyone. In the ‘Northern’ room, I heard everything from the Dynamics wonderful, mid-tempo ‘You Make Me Feel Good’ to the stomping, mega rare Mello Souls ‘We Can Make It’ and everything in between, with all having a real, floor-filling effect. (See Video) The Modern Room was the same, straight from the off on Saturday, with Pete Ratcliffe showcasing all the latest new, vinyl releases, which is something that people are now travelling to hear, cause in many cases CULCHETH is the ONLY place you’ll hear these records being played in a venue environment, something that really brings these records to ‘life’. Then, carry on into the night and you’ll hear quality steppers like Memphis ‘Inside My Love’, dancefloor favourites, such as Keni Burke ‘Let Somebody Love You’, right through to mega rare 70’s 45’s from the likes of Joseph Webster, Richard Caiton and Fluorescent Smogg ! So, once again thanks to everyone for making CULCHETH a soul lovers ‘must visit’, monthly event… NEXT NIGHT JULY 6th with SPECIAL GUEST DJ JOHN VINCENT <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftsopsoul%2Fvideos%2F1606532149891004%2F%3Fidorvanity%3D316483758485723&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe> 20240601_232614.mp4

Out from the shadows of its big brother, 'I'm Gonna Get To You', this could well fit the bill for Saturday...

Rare, underplayed or just great... Voice Your Choice! Post yours here...

One week to go and looking forward to the return to CULCHETH of Ted Massey along with one of the busiest guys on the scene, Taz Robathan. great to se some of the choices that's going to be on offer on Saturday... Here's a MONSTER from Teds' box 👍👊👏

Be rude not to Mate, total floorfiller, and one of my fave twofurs 😉👍👏

The Modern Room @ CULCHETH really is ‘The Do within a Do’. As part of the CULCHETH SOUL NIGHTS, the modern room is self-contained with its own bar, dancefloor, excellent sound system and resident DJ’s. The DJ’s at CULCHETH give the night its own flavour, with residents STEVE PLUMB, NICK McKINNON, CHARLIE SMITH, BILL WILDMAN and PETE RATCLIFFE, providing a base for showcasing quality Modern Soul to an appreciative crowd. PETE RATCLIFFE normally starts he night at 8pm with an hour of all the latest brand new vinyl 45 soul releases, and CULCHETH is probably one of the only places in the UK where you will hear these tracks featured and played out collectively in a club environment. Pete is followed by Steve Plumb, normally with the first of two sets in the night as Steve like to ‘test the water’, early doors, with a selection of recent purchases, selections from the crates and latest promos. ‘Can You Dig It’ resident, NICK Mc KINNON likes to go back to the 70’s and 80’s to showcase some great forgotten tracks as well as a selection of classics from the likes of Parkers Manchester, the Ritz and many other top Modern venues of the era. NICK is complimented by BILL WILDMAN, a DJ from much loved, North West clubs, such as CASSINELLIS and NEWTON CRICKET CLUB, so Bill’s choices reflect the dancefloor winners from that era. CHARLIE SMITH is building a loyal following of Soul lovers who like their Modern tunes to be on the 'rarer side of the tracks', as anyone visiting the CULCHETH Modern room and listening and most definitely, dancing to CHARLIE’S platters, will certainly know. Join us for a great night of quality, across the decades Modern Soul on June 1st and find out for yourselves…

Well received last month, so why not, fits with the Culcheth 'Vibe' 👍 Here's another starting to get the recognition it deserves...

An old LOWTON fave, back on the decks up and around coutesey of Taz, GREAT TWFUR

Here's one that could be getting an airing on June 1st

CULCHETH two room soul nights go from strength to strength as it continues to deliver quality rare and underplayed soul in the main room, as well as superb Modern Soul sounds in room two Culcheth Soul Nights benefit from a group of resident DJ’s, who, as well as having great collections, are adept at entertaining the crowd of regular attendees with top quality sounds from the 60T’s right through to today’s latest vinyl new releases Not only that, but the crowd at CULCHETH, appreciate the growing list of outstanding rare soul DJ’s guesting each month. For our next night on JUNE 1st, we are pleased to welcome two of the most popular DJ’s on the Northern, rare soul scene, the ‘Dynamic Duo’, TED MASSEY and TAZ ROBATHAN! TED’s reputation for delivery quality, rare soul sets precedes him and makes him a perfect guest for CULCHETH, bringing top sounds, professional presentation of the music we love, together with his trademark friendly persuasion, it’s always worth visiting a venue when Ted is on the bill. Based in Stratford-Upon-Avon, TAZ ROBATHAN, has been finding favour with the rare soul crowd for some time now, DJing at soul nights, All-Nighters, All-Dayers and Weekenders in the South West, Midlands and beyond, and who now makes his CULCHETH debut. To say we are looking forward to welcoming both TED and TAZ to CULCHETH on JUNE 1st would be an understatement! But let’s not forget the residents team for JUNE 1st, Mr. LOWTON CIVIC, KEV MURPHY is joined by, ASHTON UKRAINIAN DJ, MICK HOWARD and CULCHETH promoter BAZ MALEEDY, all of whom carry boxes of tunes with the sole purpose of complimenting, sharing and entertaining, all in attendance, with the music we all love. All this, and there’s also ‘The Do within a Do’, CULCHETH Modern Room! The Modern Room brings its own crowd of Soul music lovers of the more Modern sounds, and with resident DJ’s STEVE PLUMB, NICK McKINNON, CHARLIE SMITH, BILL WILDMAN and PETE RATCLIFFE, who could expect anything but the best of the best, from the last four decades of Modern Soul. Check out our Facebook group LOWTON-CULCHETH SOUL or the Events guide on Soul Source for more info about CULCHETH TWO ROOM SOUL NIGHTS

SATURDAY MAY 4th 2024 - MODERN ROOM REVIEW Aside from the Main Room, we also had our 'Do Within A Do' room running across the corridor - The CULCHETH MODERN ROOM playing Soul Music of all flavours from the 1970's thru to the latest 2024 releases and everything in-between. This month a really healthy crowd was in attendance and about 90% of the crowd had come just for this room, with most tables taken early, leaving space in the bar area for various visitors throughout the evening from the Main Room. The night kicked off in the usual way with PETE RATCLIFFE spinning all the latest (& forthcoming) releases from all the main indie Soul labels. This first hour has become an institution and many future Modern Room spins get their first airing in this first hour. This month forthcoming releases from Izipho, Soul Direction & North Broad Street shared air time with current releases from Soul4Real, Jai Alai, LRK & Kent etc and set the tone for the night. Early spots from STEVE PLUMB, NICK McKINNON & BILL WILDMAN got the dance floor ticking over nicely, then came CHARLIE SMITH with his 'Uber' box of 70.s monsters and rarities, featuring tunes which these day's would be equally at home in the main room. Musically, we had a wide range of styles with Nick & Steve catering for 80's boogie tunes, new releases and a few rarities thrown in for good measure. Nick going with Circle City Band - Magic, Dino Terrell - You Can Do It, Al Kent - Understanding is The Answer & Nimbiss - Paradise etc, whilst Steve gave us Cania - Visions, Thee Sacred Souls - Running Away (Plumbob Edit), Ellis Hall Group - Those Passing Words (a Culcheth first hour tune from last year and now a floor filler) and Crack of Dawn - Mind Wrecker etc. Bill gave us Jazz Funk classics and Modern Soul monster steppers in the shape of MFSB - Mysteries of The World, Willie Hutch - Easy Does It and Love Unlimited - High Steppin' Hip Dressin' Fella etc. Charlie's ‘angels’ didn't need any hyping as they are already holy grail items just about everywhere, as Hamilton Movement and Lil Major Williams will agree, although Bernard Drake joining the party at the end of his spot was a nice way to finish, Quality! After Charlie, we had the return of Steve, Nick and Bill who continued to keep the dance floor full with their second spots with left Bill to finish the night off in style. So as the strains of Starvue took us to the end of a great night, we agreed to do it all again next month. The first Saturday of every month, the CULCHETH TWO ROOM extravaganza - see you in June!

SATURDAY MAY 4th MAIN ROOM REVIEW Thanks to everyone who made the effort to choose CULCHETH for their Saturday soul fix this weekend. Featuring rare, not-so-rare and just plain, good soul music from the 60’s, 70’s 80’s with a sprinkling of the best current (latest) releases in two rooms, hopefully it did what it says on the tin. The main room featuring mainly 60’s and 70’s started in top style with KEV MURPHY taking the first set and as Kev always does, spinning a selection of quality Northern featuring great tunes from The Ambers, Two Plus Two, Celebrities, Billy Hambrick, Groovettes, Hyperions, Natural Four and Silky Hargreaves, to name a few. Next up was another of the CULCHETH resident’s team, SIMON INGHAM. Simon is an unsung DJ who’s knowledge, collection and passion for rare and underplayed soul is coming to the fore, with imaginative sets showcasing great music including platters from, OV Wright, Flash McKinley, The Trends, Tommy Tuner, Louis Paul, Ernie Washington, The Dynells, Bad Weather Inc and Edwin Starr. Simon was followed by our illustrious guests, PHIL WAINWRIGHT and ALEX JONES; now Phil and Alex have been on the scene for many years and are best known to those who enjoy the rarer side of 60’s soul, with both collecting the right sounds at the right time (lots will know what I mean by that), That really came into its own on Saturday with folks treated to a masterclass of rare soul sounds… The promised (for me) Freddie Butler, Little Johnny Hamilton (x2) El Carols, Eptones, John Harris, Damon Fox, The Moments, Sandy Hadley, Wendell Watts, Sequins (x2) Tiaras, Servicemen, Informers, William Powell and many more! It was a pleasure and privilege to hear so many great records, one after the other. All was left for me to do was take care of the last hour, knowing that the job had been well and truly done! So, that took the form of Moses Dillard, Versatones, Gino Washington, Dramatics, Lou Bond, Sir Henry Ivy, The Sound Masters, Emanuel Laskey, Willie and the Mighty Magnificents, Ernest Fitzgerald, Jesse Slaughter, Don Gardner and finishing with Marvin Gaye, My Love for You and naturally, thanking all who had been part of a great night at CULCHETH.