Music / Clubs

Preview: Ruben Molina, The Love Inn

By Victoria Anderson  Tuesday May 3, 2016

You may have heard of Northern Soul, but have you heard of Chicano Soul? No? How about Lowrider Soul? No? Well, wonder no more – it’s coming to Bristol.

Sunday, May 8 will see renowned LA DJ and record collector Ruben Molina play Bristol for the first time. He’ll be appearing at The Love Inn where DJ Tommy Charles hosts his regular Slow and Low night.

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Supported by specialist DJs and collectors from around the UK and beyond Ruben purveys his special brand of rare, original and ‘gangster’ soul 45s from the 60s and 70s. And do they all have to be slow? 

“Absolutely,” says Tommy. “No fast tracks allowed. And all on original vinyl too – no MP3Js here.”

Just as Northern Soul is not actually British music but is rare American soul music that became popular in the North of England, so Chicano Soul is black American soul that has become a scene amongst Hispanic communities in the States – largely in and around California. Whereas Northern Soul tends to be fast, Chicano soul is slow; often they’re the flipsides of the fast dance tracks. Add to that a smooth, ‘Lowrider’ scene replete with – well, lowriders, low-brimmed gangster hats and, ideally, a few slow dances, and you’re somewhere close to getting the picture.

Ruben grew up in LA in the heart of Chicano Lowrider culture, and along with Arlene ‘Soulera’ Sepulveda is a founding member of The Southern Soulspinners. (The ‘Southern’ moniker refers to Southern California.) He has been and continues to be an inspiration to soul fans around the globe and is the author of two in-demand, collectable books, Chicano Soul Recordings & History of an American Culture and The Old Barrio Guide To Low Rider Music, 1950–1975.

Tommy Charles is thrilled to be welcoming such a pre-eminent figure from the scene. “I’ve been to LA several times,” explains record collector Tommy, “and always dreamed of bringing that scene back to Bristol with me. Now it’s becoming a reality. Not just the music, but the style, the clothes, the cars – the whole aesthetic. I love everything about it.” And does he have a lowrider? “I’ve got a Volkswagen,” he says, before adding: “I did have a Cadillac, but I sold it to my dad.”

Ruben will be supported by veteran UK soul DJ Dave Thorley and, of course, Tommy Charles.

7pm-midnight. Entry is free. For more information visit www.facebook.com/slowandlow1/

Top photo: Tommy Charles with ‘Northern Soul Girl’ Levanna McLean

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