Voted by many as the greatest soul club in the world and who would argue with that. Wigan Casino has as much history attached to it as other notable famous names from Wigan and whilst it is now some thirty one years since the doors first opened on Station Road Wigan its musical legacy will live on forever. Sure, there have been other famous all-nighters up north, one only has to look at Manchester's famous Twisted Wheel club in Whitworth Street (closed down in 1971) to see how popular these sessions were many of which were a platform for the many American acts who toured the US air bases during the latter part of the 1960's and who fame and fortune with an eager UK audience.

After the closure of the Wheel in 1971 there were two other notable soul clubs that were operating prior to the opening of the Casino namely The Golden Torch in Tunstall near Stoke on Trent, and The Highland Room at Blackpool's famous Mecca ballroom situated on the resorts Central Drive. The Torch was short lived but made its mark in the history books of northern soul where many a brilliant dance tune was born and so many live acts graced the stage of that old converted cinema including Edwin Starr, and the late Major Lance who recorded a live LP there entitled 'Live At The Torch'. The DJ's there are now legends in their own right including Martyn Ellis, and Keith Minshull. The Torch was in fierce competition with Blackpool Mecca where local DJ Ian Levine cooked up a storm in the Highland Room with classic sixties sides mixed in with new more modern sounding releases of the early seventies. For many this would see a split in the scene that we had loved so much throughout the latter part of the sixties and into the new decade. Few would have imagined that some thirty years later that 'modern' northern soul sides would be played to the extent that they are today.

Wigan Casino opened its doors in 1973 and had a massive capacity and before you could say 'Out On The Floor' the venue became a mecca for seasoned and newcomers to northern soul. The weekly Saturday night sessions from 11pm - 8am became a part of youth culture history just as the Beatles and Rolling Stones had done ten years earlier. I never visited the venue myself due to the career I had at the time but just about everyone in the North Wales into northern soul could be found heading of of Wales on the A548 and A55 after 10pm. Stories of great all-night sessions and tremendous live acts are told with passion even to this day. The Casino was so large that it even had a second club within the complex at one point dedicated to playing the oldies (Mr M's).

This new release from Sanctuary Records which incidentally is presented in booklet form where a pop-up model of the Casino complete with detachable roof is the treat of the day. The music  - well what can you say. All twenty six tracks are tried and tested Casino favourites from the opening song ''Cause Your Mine' by the Vibrations before cracking into Gloria Jones' stomper 'Tainted Love' a song which became a big pop hit for Soft cell during the 1980's. Whilst Roy Hamilton's glorious dancer 'Cracking Up' had already established itself on the scene via Manchester's Pendulum Club it also became massive in Wigan.

The one thing about the club was its ability to create acceptance (to a certain degree) amongst hardened soul fans to a number of blue eyed soul gems that were regularly played there and Dusty Springfield's 'What's It Gonna Be' and Jimmy James' 'A Man Like Me' are as good as they get. Chuck Woods' 1968 release on the Big 'T' label 'Seven Days Too Long' is very much part of the clubs musical history, as is Bob Relf's storming 'Blowing My Mind To Pieces' and who could ever forget Al Wilson's 'The Snake'

During that period in the early seventies almost everything on the scene was geared towards those 100mph dance beats and love them or hate them they form part of northern soul's historic musical legacy which at present is still enjoying popularity across the UK. The music contained on the set is nothing new, but the packaging is unique and a perfect tribute to one of the world's greatest nightclubs.

Rating 9/10
Available now for under £20