Neil Gits Impressed

Nobody enjoys a car breakdown – it inevitably happens when you have to be somewhere sooner rather than later in our busy lives – but when my turn came recently it actually proved to be quite a positive experience. The problem was the exhaust. It fell away from my car and clunked along the ground just as I joined the A127 at Pipps Hill and my first piece of luck was that it was a dry, fine day, not too busy on the roads at that time, plus I was, for once in my life, running early !

Having pulled over into a convenient layby just a little further down the road, I rang the breakdown company and calmly explained my predicament. Impressively, the man from the RAC tried to ring me to check my location whilst I was still finishing my call to the lady in the call centre ! Not only that, but no sooner had I spoken to him and been given his estimate of “about 5-10 minutes” to arrive and rescue me, I saw his van in my rear view mirror having only had time to text my girfriend and take my glasses off ! It was a minor problem and I was back at work, just half an hour late where they were busy enough that they’d hardly missed my presence 😉

The next day, a Monday, the positivity continued as the garage I chose to give my custom to and get my exhaust box properly fixed back onto the car were exceptionally friendly and did the job in ten minutes while I was chatting about stuff to the manager – who then wouldn’t receive a penny in payment !!! Result !!

The ensuing good mood set me up nicely for last week’s show which you can hear again at 5pm today on Gateway, take a look at the tracklist posted below. I will be back live on the radio as usual at 7pm this Monday, but suspect it will be a slightly subdued show as I will have come straight from our Yvonne’s funeral. A sad day in prospect, but one I intend to  mark with a fine selection of relaxing soulful tunes just as she liked to enjoy herself …

This Week’s Tunes

Trammps – Hold Back The Night
Gayle Adams – Your Love Is A Life Saver
Earth Wind & Fire – I’ve Had Enough
Michael Jackson – Get On The Floor
Mariama Ceesay – Soon Ending Story
Heath Brothers – Dreamin’
Billy Preston & Syreeta – With You I’m Born Again
Junk Funk feat Wray – Just Like Me
Savanna – I Can’t Turn Away
War – Galaxy
Galaxy – Head Over Heels
First Choice – The Player
Johnny Hammond – Los Conquistadores Chocolates
Joyce Sims – All n All
George Duke – Say That You Will
Sister Sledge – Mama Never Told Me
Latrese Bush – Because Of You
Keni Burke – Tell Me You Want My Love
Glenn Jones – Stay
Barbara Jean English – If It Feels This Good
Freeez – Flying High
Colin Hudd – It’s No Surprise To Me

Easter Holiday Gigs

(There are plenty more, which I will add in before the weekend itself, but for now here are the ones already on the list…)

Saturday 19th 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

Saturday 19th March
“Soul By The Jetty – Spring Special!”
The Lobster Smack, Haven Road, Canvey Island, SS8 0NR
DJs: Jonny Layton, Mark Messent, Brian Kelly, Ian Holmes
Special Guest: Original Canvey Boy : Steve Brown
“Jazz, Funk, Soul, Nu-Jazz, Soulful House & more”
“Keeping The Goldmine Spirit Alive on Canvey Island”
https://www.facebook.com/events/1666955413557017/

Friday 25th March
“The Long Good Friday – Part 3”
Essex Sports Village, Purfleet Road, Aveley, RM15 4DT
“Two Rooms Of Soul & More…”
6pm – 2am ;
Tickets £10
Stomp DJ Team
www.stompradio.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/204462933234360/

Saturday 26th March
“The 8th Annual Frog March”
The George II, High Street, Hornchurch, RM12 4UW
“Soul All Dayer in memory of legendary DJ Froggy”
Three rooms of tunes – Main Room, House Room &
A special Vinyl Room !
1pm – 2am ; Free Admission
https://www.facebook.com/events/795910353871618/

Friday 1st April
“The Big Zero Soul Night Out”
(Every First Friday Of the Month)
The Spread Eagle, High Street, Rayleigh, SS6 7EJ
DJs: Merve The Swerve, Brian Kelly & guest DJ
“70s 80s & 90s Soul, Jazz-Funk, Disco & Club Anthems”
8.30pm – 1.00am ; Free Entry ; Over 25s
Tel: (01268) 775100

Friday 1st April
“Soul Weekender Vibe”
(Every 1st Friday of the month)
Marco’s Wine Bar, Rayleigh, SS16 7JQ
DJs: Simon “Whistles” Ford & Nick Aravis
Free Entry All Night
8.30pm – 2.00 am

Saturday 2nd April
“The Soulbeat Sessions”
(Every first Saturday of the month)
The Clarendon Royal Hotel, Royal Pier Road, Gravesend, Kent
DJs: Terry Brown & guests
Free Entry ; 8pm – 1am

Weekly Events:
Fridays :
“Soul City”
George II, High Street, Hornchurch, RM12 4UW
“Top Soul & Disco Tunes From The 70s 80s & 90s”
DJs: Peter P & Trish
Free Entry ; 8pm – 2am;
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheGeorgehornchurch/?fref=ts

Fridays:
“Old Skool Friday”
Bar Zero, Western Road, Billericay, CM12 9DZ
“Soul, Funk, Disco, R’n’B & 90s Club Anthems ”
DJs on rotation : Jon Jules, Bully, Mikey Porter, MJ
Free Entry ; 8.30pm – 1am ;
Over 25’s – Smart Dress
https://www.facebook.com/events/1483072582020167/

Fridays :
“Soul Night”
The Chequers, Market Street, Old Harlow, CM17 0AH
“70s & 80s Soul Funk & Disco / 80s & 90s House Classics”
8.30pm – 1.00am ; Free Entry ; Over 30s
(They also have a soul night on Saturdays sometimes too)
https://www.facebook.com/117809255236768/photos/a.117825925235101.1073741825.117809255236768/117830488567978/?type=3&theater
Monthly Events:
First Friday: Zero Soul Night Out – Spread Eagle, Rayleigh
First Friday: Soul Weekender Vibe – Marco’s , Rayleigh
Third Friday: Soulful Seduction, Woodmans Arms, Thundersley
Third Friday: Soul Kitchen, Grey Lady, Tunbridge Wells
Second Saturday: Soul By The Sea, Divers Arms, Herne Bay
Third Saturday: The Cricketers, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford

Do you know of any soulful, jazzy, funky gigs taking place in 2016 ? 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