In the 70s, youth in northern England went all out on Black American soul with a heavy beat and brisk tempo. Northern Soul, as the subculture was called, is one of those bizarre anomalies that makes music history so fascinating. In nightclubs in cities like Blackpool, Wigan and Stoke-on-Trent, DJs played their finds, often the most obscure records they could get from the USA, while working class kids and mods went wild on the dance floor. With the closure of legendary venues like Wigan Casino, the scene disintegrated as quickly as it had come, but Northern Soul nights persisted in the UK and the heavy Funk and Soul grooves of the movement's soundtrack had a lasting impact on British music.

Led by lead singer John Turrell and producer Smoove, Smoove & Turrell has been keeping the British romance with soul & funk alive since their debut 'Antique Soul'.Their heavy grooves and soulful vocals reference the sound of those forgotten rarities of yesteryear, while Turrell keeps tradition alive with his socially critical lyrics and working class roots.They call their new spin Northern Funk, a contemporary blend of Northern Soul with funk, soul, hip-hop and electronica. Smoove & Turrell is also one of the hardest working bands in the UK. Since their inception, they have released no less than eight albums and played countless live shows, ranging from the gigantic stages of Glastonbury to the smallest working men's pubs.

In October, the group released their latest album, 'Red Ellen' named after famed Labor politician and activist Ellen Wilkinson, "a woman who embodied everything that those currently in power seek to dismantle," according to Turrell. The perfect excuse to invite Smoove & Turrell and their live band for a steaming concert at Cactus Café!