Neil Gits Focussed On The Music

Hands up. I do tend to waffle on a bit here sometimes. Usually because I type this late at night after a gig or early in the morning in a last minute rush (like today !). But this week let me draw your attention staright away to some of the great tunes you can hear on my show between 5pm & 7pm this evening…

If you loved the classic Solar sound of acts like Shalamar & The Whispers, check out Dynasty as well – they feature early on today, so don’t miss the start of my show ! Also in the first half hour is a brilliant track from Taste Of Honey – and it’s NOT “Boogie Oogie Oogie”, much as I love that disco classic … Although the emphasis is on the vintage 70s & 80s soul & jazz funk era, there are two superb new songs lined up today too – the much talked about Gina Carey features with the splendid Nigel Lowis remix of “Dance” and Incognito come up trumps again with another sensational cut which is exclusive to the “Luxury Soul 2015” compilation … Talking of jazz-funk, if you loved the stuff Robbie Vincent used to play on a Saturday morning around 1980-81 on his Radio London show, then “Billy Who?” by Billy  Frazier & friends will take you right back to that golden era… And if it’s drop dead gorgeous ballads that you need look no further than little known Motown recording artists Gene Van Buren who came back on the scene last year with stunning “One”.

Those highlights are just a taster ! Check out the full playlist below and tune in …

The Tunes

Players Association – Turn The Music Up
Dynasty – I’ve Just Begun To Love You
Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes – Don’t Leave Me This Way
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – Forget Me Not
Taste Of Honey – Rescue Me
Gina Carey – Dance (Nigel Lowis Remix)
Aretha Franklin – Hurts Like Hell
Natalie Cole – I Wanna Be That Woman
Jocelyn Brown – Love’s Gonna Get You
Mac Band – Roses Are Red
Jackie Moore – This Time Baby
Billy Frazier – Billy Who ?
Patti Drew – Hard To Handle
Chic – Le Freak (Broasis Mix)
Jeffrey Osborne – Stay With Me Tonight
Whispers – Turn Me Out
Incognito – The Way You Love
Gene Van Buren – One
Grover Washington Jr – Just The Two Of Us
Joe & Mack – Don’t You Worry
Earth Wind & Fire – Got To Get You Into My Life
Gary’s Gang – Let’s Lovedance Tonight (DK Re-edit)

The Gigs

Saturday 14th March
“Soul By The Sea”
Divers Arms, Central Parade, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5JQ
DJs: Tom Edgar & Carl Hyde
Free Admission – 8pm – Late
https://www.facebook.com/events/639396259522058/?fref=ts

Saturday 14th March
“An Evening With Bashiyra – The Voice”
Pizza Express Music Lounge, Earl Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1PF
7pm start ; Tickets (08456)027017
https://www.facebook.com/events/380108925504425/?fref=ts

Saturday 14th March
“Soul By The Sea”
The Ship, New Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2EA
“The Finest, Soul, Funk, Jazz & Latin”
DJs: Gary Dennis, Birdy, Chris White & Mick Liste
8pm – 1am ; £7 on the door
https://www.facebook.com/events/386289958207623/?fref=ts

Friday 20th March
(every third Friday)
“Soulful Seduction ”
Woodmans Arms, Thundersley, Essex, SS7 3TA
“Old School Soul, Jazz-Funk Disco & Club Anthems !”
DJs: Bully & MJ
8.30pm – 1.00am ; Free Entry
Over 30s – Smart Dress
https://www.facebook.com/events/792946924093886

Friday 20th March
“So Soulful”
The Horse & groom, Charlotte Court, Ramsgate, CT11 8HE
“Soulful Grooves, Funky Loveliness, Disco Stompers, 80s Boogie”
DJ: Lee Aitch
8pm – Midnight ; Free Entry
https://www.facebook.com/events/334645800063708/

Saturday 21st March
(Every 3rd Saturday of the month)
“Super Soul Saturday”
The Cricketers, Moulsham Street, CM2 0JT Chelmsford
DJ: Paul Eve & Hugsta plus guest DJ
“The Very Best In Soul, Jazz-Funk, Boogie & Old School RnB”
7.30pm – Midnight – Free Entry
https://www.facebook.com/events/1555857347999803/

Friday 27th March
“The Old Soul Roadshow”
Maritime Room, Cliffs Pavillion, Westcliff-on-Sea
“Funk, Soul, Boogie,Disco & Motown – 60s to date”
Street food available on the night
Tel: (01702)351135
www.southendtheatres.org.uk

Friday 27th March
(Every Last Friday)
“Soul Weekender Vibe”
Ivory Rooms, Laindon Road, Billericay, CM12 9LD
“The Best In Soul, Funk, Rare Grooves & Weekender Anthems”
DJs: Simon “Whistles” Ford & Nick Aravis
8pm – 1.30am ; Free Entry before 11pm ; £5 after
Arrive before 10pm to avoid disappointment – Over 25s only

Friday 3rd April
“Brentwood Over 30s Nightl”
Holiday Inn, Brook Street, Brentwood, CM14 5NF
Two Rooms Of Music:
1 – RnB & Club Classics with Neal Deejay
2 – Soul Jazz-Funk & Motown with John Osborne
8.30pm – 2am ; Tickets at
www.indulgence-events.com
Tel/Text : (07875) 949565
https://www.facebook.com/events/1569138593328509/

Friday 3rd April
(Every First Friday Of The Month)
“The Big Zero Soul Night Out”
The Spread Eagle, High Street, Rayleigh, SS6 7EJ
DJs: Bully & Merv The Swerve & Guest DJ TBC
8.30pm – 1am ; Free Entry ; Over 25s ;
“70s 80s & 90s Soul Jazz Funk Disco & Club Anthems”
https://www.facebook.com/events/797435523675393/

Friday 3rd April
“The Long Good Friday – Part II”
Firemens Club, Aveley, Essex, RM154DT
“Two Rooms Of Soul, Jazz, Funk & House”
With the Stomp DJ Team !
6.00pm – 1.30am ; Tickets £10
https://www.facebook.com/events/1013752841972397/?fref=ts

Saturday 4th April
“Twisted Soul”
Miles Bar, Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, CT11 8LN
“An evening of jazz-funk & soulful house”
DJs: Micky B, Jasper, Unkle Funk, Twisted Fish
9pm start, 2.30 am finish
https://www.facebook.com/events/429961653848096/?fref=ts

Friday 10th April
(Every 2nd Friday of the month)
“Soul & Club Anthems Special”
Bar Zero, Western Road, Billericay, CM12 9DZ
“Soul RnB & Old School Club Anthems from the 80s – 90s”
DJ: Bully (other top DJs on rotation on other Fridays)
Free Entry ; 9pm – 1am ;
Over 25s – Smart Casual Dress

Friday 10th April
“Harlow Over 30s Night”
Park Inn Hotel, Southern Way, Harlow, CM18 7BA
Two Rooms Of Music:
1 – RnB & Club Classics with Neal Deejay
2 – Soul Jazz-Funk & Motown with John Osborne
8.30pm – 2am ; Tickets £10 Online at
www.indulgence-events.com
Tel/Text : (07875) 949565
https://www.facebook.com/events/335824313281968/

Saturday 11th April
“Essex Funkers Spring Bash”
Harlow Town FC, Elizabeth Way, The Pinnacles, CM19 5BE
DJs: Les Knott, Jonny Layton, DJ Dab
8pm – 2am ; Tickets £10
Tel: (07800) 724757 / (07791) 995670
https://www.facebook.com/events/893048300726228/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Saturday 18th April
“Soul By The Jetty – Caister Warm Up Event”
Lobster Smack, Haven Road, Canvey Island, SS8 0NR
“Jazz Funk Soul Nu-Jazz & Soulful House”
DJs: Jonny Layton, Mark Messent, Brian Kelly
Plus Guests : Tony Matthews, Roni O’Brien, Jazzbod,
Souldier & Simon Van Os
Wristbands Only Event – £7 – 8pm – 1am
No online sales, text (07989) 591399
https://www.facebook.com/events/1549285698655018/

Saturday 16th May
“KTF Soul Club”
Old Regent Ballroom (Upstairs), Corringham Road, Stanford Le Hope, SS17 0AQ
“Northern Soul”
DJs: Jon Drake (Bristol) Richard Corbyn (London)
Wristbands £6 on sale from 20th March – limited to 120
7.30pm start – 1.00am finish
https://www.facebook.com/events/1550142118593484/

Sunday 24th May
“Soul Inspiration”
Morgans, High Street, Margate, CT9 1DS
DJs: Kazzie D, Micky B, James Anthony, Kevin Webb
“Classic & Current Soul Anthems, Old School RnB & Soulful House”
8pm – 2am ; Tickets £5 in advance ; £8 on the door
https://www.facebook.com/events/1573339949608781

Friday 29th May
“5 Star Soul”
Orsett Hall, Prince Charles Avenue, Orsett, RM16 3HS
“Two Rooms Of Jazz Funk & Soul”
DJs: Brian “The Rev” Kelly, Lee “Fatbloke” Aldwinkle,
Mark Lee Homer, Jon Ovel & Ian Holmes
Special Guest: Jim “The Syrup” Day
7.30pm – 2.00am ; Over 30s
Tel : (01375)891402
https://www.facebook.com/events/810557062331293/

Weekenders:

Clacton Soul Weekender
Friday 20th March – Sunday 22nd March
Esplanade Hotel , Clacton-On-Sea, Essex
“Two rooms of soul, funk, jazz, 70s, 80s & Modern,
Jazz-Funk, Brit-Funk, Boogie and much more !”
www.clactonsoulweekender.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/events/1476917032571593/?fref=ts

Bless The Funk 2015
Friday 22nd May – Monday 25th
The Azur, Hastings
“Soul Anthems,Jazz-Funk & Boogie, Classic Soul & Motown,
Northern, 2-Step, RnB, Funky & Soulful House Classics,etc”
https://www.facebook.com/events/629197713842174/?fref=ts
www.blessthefunk.co.uk

Margate Soul Weekend
Friday July 31st – Sunday August 2nd
Headline act : Roy Ayers – Live !
DJs include: Norman Jay, Joey Negro, Bob Jones,
Pete Collins, Jonny Layton, Tony Fernandez & many more
Full details at : www.margatesoulweekend.co.uk and …
https://www.facebook.com/events/815623535123683/?fref=ts

Weekly Events:
Fridays :
“Soul City”
George II Function Suite, High Street, Hornchurch, RM12 4UW
“Soul Funk Disco & Classic Anthems from the 70s 80s & 90s”
DJ: Frostie & Peter Poyton plus guests
Admission £5 ; Over 30s Night ; 8pm – 2am;
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002841427497

“Marco’s Soul Family”
Marco’s Wine Bar, Eastwood Road, Rayleigh, SS6 7JQ
DJs/Singers : Simon “Whistles” Ford , Georgie B , The Bushbaby , Reggie & Famous on rotation – see Facebook for this week’s event …
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Marcos-Soul-Family/573840989427588?fref=ts

“Soul Night”
The Chequers, Market Street, Old Harlow, CM17 0AH
“70s & 80s Soul Funk & Disco, 80s & 90s House Classics”
DJ: Soul-DJ Essex
8.30pm – 1am ; Free Entry
(Venue also has an “80s & 90s soul party” night on Saturdays)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=775833189157697&set=a.775833179157698.1073741828.100001930689363&type=1&theater

Monthly Events:
First Friday: Zero Soul Night Out – Spread Eagle, Rayleigh – next : 3rd April
Second Friday: Soul & Club Anthems Special – Bar Zero, Billericay – next 10th Apr
Third Friday: Soulful Seduction, Woodmans Arms, Thundersley – next 17th April
Second Saturday: Soul By The Sea, Divers Arms, Herne Bay – next 14th March
Third Saturday: The Cricketers, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford – next 21st March
Last Friday: Soul Weekender Vibe, Ivory Rooms, Billericay – next 27th March

Do you know of any soulful, jazzy, funky gigs taking place in 2014 ? Let me know the details whether you are a DJ or a punter and I can spread the word to fellow “Old Gits” in this space !

E-mail: [email protected] or send a text message to (01268)833978
The Old Gits Soul Show is on Gateway 97.8 in Basildon & East Thurrock and also around the world via www.gateway978.com from 7pm – 9pm every Monday – plus you can catch it again Saturday evening from 5pm – 7pm