Like a lot of the old school soulies, Flanny got into it via youth clubs and school parties and ventured on to Wigan Casino, where he was immediately hooked for the rest of his life. Later, Flanny delved into the emerging jazz funk scene and then took a hiatus to start his family. Fast forward to 1988, it was the famous Saints Rugby Club which became the stomping ground and the first place Flanny started to spin records, mixing 70’s new releases with 60’s and breaking a lot of big records.
From here it was pilgrimages to the halcyon early days of Soul Essence, Great Yarmouth and the burgeoning crossover scene spearheaded by Rod Dearlove, Bob Cosby, Gavin Page and the mercurial Pitches run by Sean Hampsey.
After soaking up all these influences Flanny along with Barry Maleady, Steve Plumb and Steve Connor went on to forge The Orwell, a legendary crossover and modern event that lasted for 10 years and hosted some of the biggest names around. A resident at Middleton allnighter and guest at many leading crossover and northern venues across the UK, Flanny cut his teeth to some of the most knowledgable rooms such as Dab Of Soul, Soul Liberation, Feed Your Soul, Diggin’ Deep and many more. In more recent times Flanny has been DJ’ing as resident at Blackpool Intl Soul Weekender and with the Modern Soul Classics crew at The Luxury Soul Weekend, The Dunk and Soul On The Edge. The Orwell Gang have reconvened under the guise of On The Real Side. Once again booking their favourite spinners and constantly digging for new sounds played alongside established bangers. In recent years Flanny has turned his attention to sweet and deep soul particularly with a group harmony emphasis and is now a resident at Tuff Love Soul Club in Liverpool and will be spinning at the first Liverpool Soul Weekender this June.
TOP 10
Ron Shy – Don’t You Know
Tavasco – Love is trying to get a hold of me
Scott Three – Running Wild
7 Miles Per Hour Band – Playing your game
Emulations – Move a Little Slower Girl
Notations – Now I know
Crystal – Music
Seville – Show me the way
Latin Connection – Latin connection
Mixed Feelings – Sha la la