Many believe the emergence of northern soul, particularly in northern Britain’s clubs funnily enough, helped to shape a unique and particularly British dance culture which encompassed everything from rock’n’roll to disco to break-dancing This feature film and documentary DVD/CD package takes a fond look at such an iconic time.

The expressionism shown throughout the documentary ‘ Way Of The Crowd’ showcases the fashion styles and dance moves of the time as important and groundbreaking. One part in particular shows highlights how unique it was to be middle class in northern Britain and take an interest in how one looked. From the hairstyles to the flares to the outright ridiculously expressive and expressive dancing, it takes a snapshot of a time where to be seen out and about was a way to flaunt one’s individuality and to ignore the worries brought on from the week at work.

An interesting part of the documentary, which is perhaps relevant the prominence of electronica and dance music in the UK, is that the northern soul movement contributed to the rise in status of the common DJ.  Previous to this time, according to the DVD, DJs were just a part of background noise associated with the waiting around before the main entertainment to start such as a rock band.  With northern soul, the DJ takes centre stage and the respected ones were those who could find rare releases and make or break an event through playing someone else’s music. 

Many enthusiasts, DJs and events organisers of the time are interviewed and there are the mandatory cases of rare vinyl and sounds, which now fetch mega bucks. Some of these were released by limited numbers or the DJs themselves would travel to different countries in search of new music. Overall, the DVD shows how the 60s and 70s enjoyed their own rave culture and how such a vibrant atmosphere and rapidly changing youth culture influenced so many styles running up to and including the UK’s now hugely profitable and creative dance/drug/rave culture of the 90s and the electronica of the new millennium. 

Whichever way you look at it, the format of this documentary is superb and the content informative and researched. The interviewees who were captivated by such times are passionate about the events both musically and visually and herald it as a massive authority on themselves and the general populous straying away from typical musical and style ideals.

The short film ‘Function At The Junction’ is pleasing in such as it notes dance moves and the competitive natures of slim, young and agile fashion-conscious human beings.  This aside, the artistic freedom the producers of this DVD give themselves is disappointing as it screams out extreme painter-loser disposition, many black and white slow motion shots seem as if the director is just taking the Northern piss. I thought this film was about colour and music and having fun. It appears not, just a few burly lads kicking the shit out of each other. A shame especially when you consider the potential of such a medium to fictionally exploit disco lovers, drug/dance visuals and flare junkies.  

Anyone interested in the history of dance and modern pop and rock will be delighted with at least one part in this collection of short films and music, but may find it is a little shallow socially and politically. Great sounds on the CD though  but it’s a shame that this isn’t available on it’s own as a compilation.
(4/5)

Soul Function