Cool Soul on Gateway 97.8: Our Local Radio

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Neil Gits A Spring In His Step

9th April 2017
Posted by Neil Matthew

The clocks went forward, the evenings got lighter, the temperature went up (a bit!) and the sun came out – yes, it was the beginning of Spring ! As good a time as any for a little refresh of the show, so out went the Tasty 12″ and in came a new feature “The Soul Years”, three songs that were either in the pop charts in the UK or the USA, or the relevant soul / club charts on this day in a selected year. Last week I picked 1977 and three smashing songs to hopefully bring back memories of 40 years ago today !

I will also be adding in the odd extra 90s or 00s tune (not too many – it will always be “The Old Gits Soul Show” !) from now on as I really enjoy playing the very best new modern soul cuts that come my way and have built up quite a backlog of similar tracks from the last 5 years or so that deserve an airing, but only the ones that are so good you could swear they came out of the 70s or 80s will get a look in of course … 😉

And as it was the start of the month last week, I unveiled a new featured artist for April, the wonderfully talented and much missed Phyllis Hyman, some of her finest album tracks will be highlighted over the next few weeks. Take a look at last week’s playlist and look forward to hearing more of the same this Monday on the new LIVE show between 7pm & 9pm, with “Second Chance Saturday” going out from 5pm five days later …

The Tunes

Side Effect – Always There
Rockers Revenge – Walking On Sunshine
Neo featuring Drizabone – Your Smile
Major Harris – Gotta Make Up Your Mind
Kashif – Say Something Love
Omar – I Want It To Be
Detroit Spinners – We Have Come Into Our Time For Love
Leon Bryant – I Can See Me Loving You
Phyllis Hyman – I Ain’t Asking
Peaches & Herb – Shake Your Groove Thing
Beginning Of The End – Funky Nassau
John Davis & The Monster Orchestra-Ain’t That Enough For You
Jimmy Gallagher – Philly Nights
Marc Staggers – Stop Playing With My Heart
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr – You Don’t Have To Be A Star
Jacksons – Enjoy Yourself
Tavares – Whodunnit
Ashanti Munir – Yesterday
Rockie Robbins – Be Ever Wonderful
Commodores – Three Times A Lady
Joe Simon – Step By Step
Modulations – I Can’t Fight Your Love

The Gigs

Tuesday 11th April

“Stevie Wonder Tribute Show”

Reids Bar, Laindon Road, Billericay, CM12 9LD

Featuring Matthew Winchester

Tickets £29.99 including 3 course meal

Tel: (01277) 632378

 

Friday 14th April

“Shakit !”

(Every Second Friday of the Month)

The Woodmans, Rayleigh Road, Thundersley, SS7 3TA

“100% Soul, Funk & Jazzy Grooves plus Soulful House & Weekender Anthems”

DJs: Jonny Layton & Ian Holmes plus guest

Free Entry b4 10.30 ; Doors open 8pm  –  1am

 

Friday 14th April

“The Long Groove Friday”

The Hampton Inn, Western Esplanade, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 8DL

“Soul Funk, Disco, Rare Groove & 80s”

DJs: Tom Edgar, Pete Hayes & Tommy Edgar

8pm to Midnight ; Free Entry

https://www.facebook.com/events/226718337796542/

 

 

Friday 14th April

“The Long Good Friday”

Lana Mia Manor Hotel, Berwick Pond Road, Rainham, Essex, RM13 9EL

“8 hours of music in two rooms with the Stomp DJ team !”

5pm – 1.30 am  ;  Tickets £10

https://www.facebook.com/events/903637239773164/

 

Saturday 15th April

(Every 3rd Saturday of the month) “Super Soul Saturday” The Cricketers, Moulsham Street, CM2 0JT Chelmsford DJ: Paul Eve & Mick Jackson “The Best In Jazz-Funk and Soul”

7.30pm –  Midnight   –  Free Entry

 

Sunday 16th April

“The Haggis Horns”

The Boatyard, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2EN

“7 piece band – the world’s best horn section!”

Plus Support DJ  – Snowboy

Tickets £17.50  or  £50 inc 4-course meal

8pm  –  1am  ; Tel: 07702 089264

https://www.facebook.com/events/1638992493063276/

 

Monday 17th April (Bank Holiday)

“Bless The Funk Afloat”

DJs: Brian Jay, Nils & Onx, DJ Len, Mellow A,

Andy Jackson, Dave Marley

“Five Hours of Soul on board The Golden Jubilee on the Thames”

http://btfafloat.weebly.com/

 

Friday 21st April

(Every 3rd Friday of the month) “Soulful Seduction” The Bread & Cheese, London Road,Benfleet, Essex, SS7 1AA “Soul, Disco, RnB  & Old Skool Club Anthems, 70s – 90s” DJs: Bully & MJ

8.00pm  –  12.45am  ;  Free Entry ; Over 25s

 

Friday 21st April

(Every 3rd Friday of the month)

“Soul Kitchen”

The Grey Lady Music Lounge, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5TW

“Rare 60s & 70s Soul Night”

DJs: John Browne, Tracy Shaw & guests

Mark Taylor, Anthony Sweeney & Danny North

7.00pm  –  1.00 am  ;  £5 on the door ; Tel (01892) 544700

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesoulkitchentw/

 

Friday 5th May

(Every 1st Friday Of the Month)

“The Big Zero Soul Night Out”

The Spread Eagle, High Street, Rayleigh, SS6 7EJ

DJs: Merve The Swerve & Brian Kelly plus guest

“70s 80s & 90s Soul, Jazz-Funk, Disco & Club Anthems”

8.30pm – 1.00am  ;  Free Entry

Tel: (01268) 775100

 

Friday 5th May

(Every 1st Friday Of the Month)

“Soul Weekender Vibe presents Essex Soul Sessions”

Marco’s Wine Bar, Eastwood Road, Rayleigh, SS6 7JQ

DJ: Simon “Whistles” Ford plus guest

“Soul, Disco, Funk, Re-Edits & Weekender Anthems”

Free Entry  ;  8.30pm – 1.30am

https://www.facebook.com/groups/575142429182187/

 

Saturday 6th May

(Every 2nd Saturday of the month)

“Soul By The Sea”

The Divers Arms, Central Parade, Herne Bay, CT6 5JQ

DJs: Tom Edgar, Pete Hayes & Tommy Boy

Plus guest DJ :

Free Entry  ;  8pm  –  1am

 

Saturday 6th May

(Every 2nd Saturday of the month)

“Brown Sugar”

The Spread Eagle, Queens Road, Brentwood, CM14 4HD

“Funk Soul & Disco Night”

DJ : Ben (Yours Truly)

8pm – Midnight ; Free Entry

https://www.facebook.com/BrentwoodSpreadEagle/?fref=ts

 

Saturday 6th May

(Every 1st Saturday Of the Month)

“Supersoul Saturday”

The Cock Tavern, High Street, Ongar, CM5 9AB

“The Very Best In Soul, Jazz & Funk !”

DJs: TBC

7.30pm  –  12.30 am ; Free Entry

https://www.facebook.com/supersoulsaturdayongar/?hc_ref=SEARCH

 

Saturday 6th May

“Soul Ascension”

Miles Bar, Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, CT11 8LN

DJs: Jay Anderson, Matt B & special guest Stretch Taylor

“The Very Best In Soul, RnB & Jazz-Funk”

Free Entry  –  9.30pm  –  2.00am

https://www.facebook.com/events/995886497212418/

 

 

Saturday 13th May

“Jackie Wilson Says – 20th Birthday Show!”

Maritime Rooms, Cliffs Pavillion, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 7RA

“13 piece soul band playing classic Motown & Stax hits”

8pm  –  Midnight ; Tickets £10

www.southendtheatres.org

https://www.facebook.com/events/1644960709142632/

 

Friday 19th May

“Five Star Soul”

Orsett Hall, Prince Charles Avenue, RM16 3HS

Two Rooms : “Soul Pavillion Suite” “Jazz Funk Lounge”

DJs: Brian “The Rev” Kelly, Lee “Fatbloke” Aldwinkle,

Mark “Jazzbod” O’Brien, Mark Lee, Jon Ovel

Special Guest : Les Knott

7.30pm  –  1 am  –  Tickets £15 in advance

Tel: (01375)891402 – www.eventbrite.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/events/871308603025108/

 

Friday 26th May

“Soul & Motown Night”

Ye Olde Plough House, Monks Barn, Brentwood Road (A128)

Bulphan, RM14 3SR

Featuring Alton Edwards

8.30pm – 1.00 am

£10 per person (pre-booked) or £15 on the door

Over 25s  ;  Tel (01375) 891592

http://www.yeoldeploughhouse.co.uk/

 

Saturday 27th May

“Soul Crusade Festival”

Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 4FA

Two Arenas featuring Soul II Soul, Kenny Thomas & Jocelyn Brown Live

DJs: Greg Edwards, John Leech, John Osbourne, Ronnie Herel

Fat Freddie M, Bigger & Calvin Francis

2pm start  –  11.30pm finish

Details on (07968) 779950

Tickets : www.skiddle.com

https://www.facebook.com/events/138255376660468/

 

 

Weekenders:

 

Bless The Funk

Friday 26th May, Sat 27th, Sun 28th

The Lemon Tree Hotel, Orwell Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1PS

DJs from JFSR

www.jfsr.co.uk

www.blessthefunk.co.uk

 

Margate Soul Festival 2017

Friday 4th Aug, Sat 5th Aug & Sun 6th Aug

*Candi Staton, Arrested Development, Gerardo Frisina*

*Joe Bataan*

*DJ set from Trevor Nelson*

https://www.facebook.com/events/1765269347073504/

www.margatesoulfestival.co.uk

 

 

Weekly Events:

Fridays :

“Soul City”

The George II, High Street, Hornchurch, RM12 4UW

“Soul & Disco Classics, Motown & Caister Anthems”

DJs: Trish & Peter P

Free Entry ; 8pm  –  1am;

https://www.facebook.com/thegeorgeIIhornchurch/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheGeorgehornchurch/

 

 

Fridays:

“Old Skool Friday”

Bar Zero, Western Road, Billericay, CM12 9DZ

“Soul, Club Anthems ”

DJs on rotation : Deano, Geoff Lawrence, Mikey Porter, MJ

Free Entry  ;  8.30pm  –  1am  ;

Over 25’s  –  Smart Casual Dress

Tel: (01277) 656581

(also “Anthems Night” on Saturdays – DJ: Dave Rothwell

www.bar-zero.co.uk

 

Fridays :

“Classic Soul, Jazz & Funk Night”

Saturdays:

“Contemporary Soul & Club Classics”

The Chequers, Market Street, Old Harlow, CM17 0AH

Guest DJs each night  –  8.30pm – 1.00 am

Free Entry ; Over 30s ; Tel: (01279) 427302

https://www.facebook.com/The-Chequers-1708414582721885/

 

 

Monthly Events:
First Friday: Zero Soul Night Out – Spread Eagle, Rayleigh

First Friday: Essex Soul Sessions – Marco’s , Rayleigh

Second Friday: Shakit ! – The Woodmans, Thundersley

Third Friday: Soulful Seduction, Bread & Cheese, Benfleet

Third Friday: Soul Kitchen, Grey Lady, Tunbridge Wells

First Saturday: The Cock Tavern, High St, Ongar

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 2017 ? Let me know the details whether you are a DJ , promoter 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