We open our musical minds, arms and ears and welcome Benjamin James Smith into the NuNorthern Soul collective as he presents us with an incredible musical journey for your listening pleasure. From Jazz through to Folk, Dub, and Balearic, this really is a musical adventure of the highest order.
For those of you who may be new to Ben Smith, let us paint the picture. A multi instrumentalist, composer and producer, Ben has been involved in several projects over a good few years that have been firm favourites of the NNS team. From FUG to Akwaaba, Smith and Mudd and his latest collaborative project with Chris and Jim from Crazy P, White Elephant...
Right then, onto the main event.
You can check out Ben's selection via Mixcloud below or subscribe to the NuNorthern Soul podcast via iTunes HERE
As you may or may not be aware NuNorthern Soul has had a long term relationship with Ibiza for many, many years, and along the whole journey, there has one person who not only is a life long friend but also one of the key supporters of the NNS vibe...
That person is Mark Broadbent, musical director and partner of We Love, the legendary Sunday sessions at Space nightclub...
Not Balearic
Phat Phil meet Mark Broadbent in the hazy, crazy, ravey days of the Cream Super Club era in Liverpool pre the move to Trance! They both ended up working and living together in Ibiza as Mark and his good lady wife, and business partner, Sarah, ran Cream at Amnesia where Phil held court on the legendary terrace.
It was here that Mark and Phil both really connected over their love of music in its many shapes, sounds and formats...
Old School
As time moved on, Mark and Sarah ended up running Home nightclub in Sydney, Australia and Phil had several residencies with Mark at the helm over several years.
At every possible opportunity both Mark and Phil have always been keen to push each other to sample new styles and genres of music. Mark is a keen subscriber to the NuNorthern Soul podcasts and mix CDs so it is with great pleasure we welcome a selection from Mark himself...
This is real deep and melancholic music trip, one for hazy, sunny afternoons or really late night sessions...
'FORMATION and LUNGS'
Portishead - Theme From "To Kill A Dead Man"
Gayngs - Cry
Chromatics - Im On Fire
Vetiver - On A Nerve
Songs: Ohio - Soul
America - Ventura Highway
One Dove - Jolene
JJ - Let Go
Tunng - Bullets
It's Immaterial - Driving Away From Home (M62 mix)
Galssandro 70 - Bolan Muppets
The Flaming Lips - Brain Damage feat: Henry Rollins
Mark has several selections available via his Soundcloud page HERE
Mark has once again opened his musical arms to NuNorthern Soul this Summer and we shall be holding x2 sessions in Ibiza.
The dates are 24th of July and 18th September - more details to follow.
As well as great music we also love design... This comes from those days thumbing through wonderful gatefold album sleeves or flipping through 7"s with amazing centres...
We came across this lovely site that creates random art from the words used in your blog or website...
For those who are not familiar with NuNorthern Soul and its history, we started as Northern Soul in a tiny boozer in Chester over 10 years ago... We added the 'Nu' part as we kept getting die hard Northern Soul fans turning up and them be-moaning we had nicked the name of the scene they loved so dearly...
Anyway, keeping on track... NuNorthern Soul will be hosting Monthly all day affairs at The Commercial Hotel in Chester. These sessions start at 2pm and run for 12 hours, we have an amazing outdoor space that runs till 10pm and then its inside for 2 rooms of music ranging from Soul, House, Disco, Dance Floor Jazz and other musical oddities... These events are aimed at the dancers...
We shall be bringing in various guests from the four corners of the UK and Europe including Onda Sonora (Belgium), Cubik Music (Ireland), Those That Know (Durham), Zodiac Club DJs and Gary J (Wrexham) plus the usual support from the NNS All Stars!
Session #5 is Saturday May the 28th
Session #6 is Saturday June the 18th
Session #7 is Saturday July the 30th
Session #8 is Saturday August the 27th
Onda Sonora - Making Waves
The venue has several amazing boutique style rooms for those who want to make a trip out of it, they have lots of amazing food and booze on offer and through the day will be running a BBQ...
Tear Along Dotted Line
For those who like it more laid back then check out the monthly session at The Faulker in Hoole, Chester... NuNorthern Soul will be presenting the soundtrack for 'Music to dine to..."
Starting on Sunday 5th June these session will run from 4pm to 9pm, the music policy is very low key and downtempo, strictly for head nodders, toe tappers, Sunday diners and those who come to slouch...
