Soul Steve Bignell
The Engine House 1987-1990 320kbit/s

What can I say about this nightclub at this time...

Between two suburban towns, in the middle of no mans land, deep in the Worcestershire countryside and on a canalside setting there was The Engine House. The only way to get there was by taxi, or by a "designated" driver. Then you had to get past Norman "The Doorman" and the team of doorstaff. However, once inside...

It was a club like no other, it was like a Jazz Club setting, split over 4 very intimate floors, the main club area, bar, social area and resturant (of sorts - the Steak Sandwich was the perfect mid clubnight snack). If you were lucky enough to know the bar staff you would get £1 "top shelf specials" which was a healthy shot of every spirit in sight!

The music policy was very different from the clubs in the surrounding area. It was very much soul orientated and with Simon Wright and Richie Roberts at the controls every Friday and Saturday ensuring each night was a top night!

As it was so difficult to get to you would not get the "riff raff", just the regulars and as such there was rarely any trouble which meant a great vibe.

I started going there when I was about 15/16, armed with my fake ID but once you were known with the doorstaff there was no problem getting in. It was the first club that I loved. I used to go week in week out, Friday and Saturday nights, for a good three years before Acid House took hold, I could drive and started to venture to pastures new. The place also gave me my DJ'ing debut. I used to be that annoying bastard that took my House records wanting the DJ's to play them. They ultimatey relented and they let me play mini-house sets during the night, clearing the dancefloor just for my mates to take over (no change there then).

It was also the place where I met my future wife!

Anybody that went there during these times (87-90/91) will remember it well. It was the golden age of this club before it unfortunately it lost its character during the mid-late 90's that ultimately led to its demise. It has now morphed into luxury flats!

Anyway, this is a really fair reflection of the sound at the time...

Hit play, pour a Malibu and Coke, pour youself a "top shelf cocktail", reminisce and enjoy!