Various Artists Southport Weekender (House & Jazz – UKCD(x3 +bonus.DVD)-suSU)

Never mind the Pontin’s….Several thousand people sharing an April or November weekend together, up in the not-too-temperate North-West of England , Getting down to anything that’s got that something…. I can’t remember which number Southport it was (they’re now up to #33), but there he was on stage, 70’s Soul legend Ron Banks, from the Dramatics…forgetting a few lyrics to some of his old hits…And finding himself being helped out by hundreds of absolutely devoted soul fans, who knew every one of the songs, word for word – What an amazing joint performance, and certainly a Southport moment.
Moving on a year or two…
The triple pack ‘Southport Weekender’ is a bit of a moment in itself, with quality up-to-the-then-minute House mixes provided by Joey Negro, and Miguel Migs, and a Jazzroom-classics selection from the very Worldwide Gilles Peterson - altogether totalling over 4 hours of weekender vibes, new & old.
There’s also a bonus DVD generously thrown in, which I do wish was a bit longer, ‘cause it does give you a good idea of how special this event is to so many people, who’ve all got their own Southport moments!
Maybe future volumes might include original soul selections from Bob Jones, Gary Dennis & Richard Searling, or a Westwood classics disc, or Louie Vega and Kenny Dope rockin’ down the house set , or…well, the list could go on, there’s been that much talent in one holiday camp!

Buy the album, book the chalet!!

This package is a great value! The Joey Negro mix is a nice mix of new house & garage & old disco and even a well-placed Underground Resistance song! The Miguel Migs mix is a beautiful, incredibly deep house mix with some beautiful female vocal songs and atmospheric instrumentals...definitely ranking with his best mix CD's for Naked Music and NRK. The Gilles Peterson CD (jazz, world music, old funk, etc.) isn't really my thing but is probably the CD most true to the tradition and spirit of the Southport Weekender festival. I'm in the U.S. and the 4th disc, a DVD about the festival, would not play on my DVD player.