First niter for a while, they still slay me!!!! This one had it all, not a bad DJ line up Nige Brown, Neil Jones and of course the North East’s very own Neil Taylor, spinning his creative up tempo 6Ts mix. Quite a comfortable venue, apart from the biting cold!!! A canny crowd in, a bar with competitive tariff, however, I was disappointed there was no where to get a coffee, at my age, I need a couple of shots of espresso to get me through the night!!!!

Musically it was the canines testicles, some cracking tunes. Some I knew, others I had not heard before, but wished I had!!!! Neil Jones played such an outstanding set it caused Ash to comment ‘Was this the same DJ he had witnessed spin a spot of overplayed dross, not a fortnight before at The Big Club. One of the numbers I recall from Neil’s set Gene Toones ‘What Do you Want….’ A few others I can vaguely remember dancing to Paul Sindab ‘You Dropped Your Candy In The Sand’, Terry Callier ‘Look At Me Now’ Detroit Soul ‘ All Of My Life’ The Enchantments ‘I’m In Love With Your Daughter’

Unfortunately, Neil Taylor’s set was not until 4AM, and by then I was feeling s little ragged, with the prospect of a long drive home, but I have to mention how radical it was, real class. Little Flint ‘Pain’

Irene & Scots ‘ Stuck On You Baby’ The Turnpikes ‘Cast A Spell’ Just right for this venue, very imaginative.

New year, New Venue, New Beginning! Circumstances beyond our control forced this move, but, judging from early feedback we have discovered a gem of a venue. Compact, sympathetic, no! supportive management, a cheap well stocked bar and comfortable seating. Just right for the style of music you have come to know and love from residents and guests at NESU.

Another first was the appearance of Tynemouth’s (The posh end!!!) very own master of the interior décor and quite a few slabs of black plastic, Decca. This time, as the new resident spinner. It was the man himself who opened the new venue with a cracking spot. It included a few New Breed R&B tracks, some classic northern Soul with a couple of 70Ts numbers thrown in, for good measure. Here are a few which spring to mind……..Freddie Scott ‘Ill Be Gone’ Cicero Blake ‘ See What Tomorrow Brings’ The Exits ‘Under The Streetlight’ Phyllis Hyman ‘You Know How To Love Me’. Some great stuff there.

Now, I have witnessed the next DJs tastes develop over the past four or so years and I now see a truly confident spinner. Echoing the influences he has been acquainted with. From his early days, being known as a purely R&B (Which was not strictly accurate.) To today’s Disc Jockey who’s sets include alongside R&B…Sixties uptempo, Seventies upbeat, rare and long forgotten soul sounds, classic and familiar soul tunes and anthems, Crossover and others which just seem to appear!!! All on a very restricted budget. Ladies and Gentlemen I give you, the soon to be 50 Ash!!!!!! Four Tops ‘Don’t Bring Back Memories’ Nick Ashford ‘when I Feel The Need’ The Vontastics ‘Never Let Your Love Grow Cold’ Martinells ‘I Don’t Care’. Just a couple there of what was an outstanding spot.

Name two local spinners you would invite for an across the board soul night and the names Davy & Matty would consistently be in your top three. Involved in the underground soul movement since time immemorial, in fact, I think they were guest DJs at The Last Supper, (Last track played, Richard Cayton ‘Gotta Get Across To You!!!!!) So it was quite a coup Ash grabbing them for our opening night.

Of course they delivered, never missing a beat as they double decked the night away, I think they operate telepathically. Some of the tunes they spun were just mouthwatering……Patrice Holloway ‘Stolen Hours’ Jock Mitchell ‘Not A Chance In A Million’ Charles Sheffield ‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’ Hytones ‘Bigger & Better Things’ Lenny Curtis ‘Nothing Can Help You’ Need I continue?

The next resident spinner needs no introduction, Steve D. in demand from Newcastle to Stoke and beyond. However, after the transfer window has closed he is still NESU and he certainly makes for an enjoyable and danceable night. From ‘Central Park’ Harvey Averne Dozen to ‘Dropped Your Candy’ Paul Sindab he certainly picks the mood of the dance floor. Oh! And don’t forget Richie Adams ‘I Cant Escape’ Cajun Hart ‘Gotta Find A Way’ Stemmons Express ‘Woman Love Thief’ and the so rare, haunting ‘Lonely No More’ JJ Barnes.

So, NESU bounce back with a belting venue and a great night’s music.