From 1978-1983 Rafters on Oxford Street, Manchester, became the destination club in the centre of Manchester for Black Music. It was also one of the original venues that created the whole Jazz / Funk movement in club culture
in the U.K. During this period the main Dj's were Colin Curtis John Grant and Mike Shaft ! The connection between the club and raising of musical awareness in Manchester for black music was huge as was borne out by the sales in what was Manchester's premier record store back then,Spin Inn on Cross Street.The clubs reputation was further enhanced by Mike Shaft's iconic Soul Shows on Picadilly Radio. The combined effect brought thousands of black music fans flocking in from all over the country.
Music included Roy Ayers, Lonnie Liston Smith, Pleasure, Kleeer, Maze, Jeff Lorber, Grover Washington, Whispers, Keni Burke, John Klemmer, Quincy Jones, Rufus, Stephanie Mills, Kinsman Dazz, Brothers Johnson, Bootsy Collins, Willie Bobo,Teena Marie, Sharon Redd, Terumasa Hino, Loose Ends, Narada Michael Walden, Paulinho DaCosta, Galaxy, Brick, Donald Byrd, Jean Carne, Dennis Edwards, BB&Q, High Fashion, Lakeside, Alexander O'Neal, Steve Arrington, Slave, Melissa Morgan, Ronn Matlock, Luther Vandross, James Brown, Crown Heights Affair, War, Active Force, Fatback Band, Cedar Walton, Neil Larson and hundreds of other great Soul,Funk & Jazz Artists.
