The Top 10 Gurus Of Rare Soul

[Guest]

Being fixated on the topic of Gurus for reasons I won't go into at the moment. Just who are the Global top 10 Gurus of Northern/Rare soul?

Definition of Guru;

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

A trusted counselor and adviser; a mentor.

A recognized leader in a field

An acknowledged and influential advocate, as of a movement or idea.

Here are my first pass nominations on this very hot, and potentially very controversial subject (partly due to the ego, and competitive nature of our scene, whether its in the arena of event promotion, collecting, dealing, writing or publishing. HERE GOs....

1. Tom Kline - (knowledge, literature and top collector)

2. Tim Brown - (consistent pursuit of soul collecting, publisher)

3. John Anderson (forgot more than most know)

4. John Manship (arguably the no. 1 dealer in the world)

5. Mark Dobson (AKA Butch - Nuff Said)

6. Martin Koppel (extensive knowledge and consistent source of soul 45s)

7. Jeff Beckman (Contribution to knowledge , literature and collecting)

8. Soul Sam (possibly the most consistent and open minded DJ ever)

9. Rod Dearlove ( knowledge of modern genres)

10. Dave Flynn ( the walking encyclopedia)

There you go any suggestions??? remember, if you're gonna evict anyone from the top 10, you must nominate someone else and have a good reason why.

LET THE WAR BEGIN!!!!!

Edited June 4, 2005 by Donkey

[Guest]

I think thats RoD Dearlove, cough, cough...

[Guest]

Cheat!

[Gary]

Being fixated on the topic of Gurus for reasons I won't go into at the moment. Just who are the Global top 10 Gurus of Northern/Rare soul?

Definition of Guru;

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

A trusted counselor and adviser; a mentor.

A recognized leader in a field

An acknowledged and influential advocate, as of a movement or idea.

Here are my first pass nominations on this very hot, and potentially very controversial subject (partly due to the ego, and competitive nature of our scene, whether its in the arena of event promotion, collecting, dealing, writing or publishing. HERE GOs....

1.  Tom Kline - (knowledge, literature and top collector) 

2.  Tim Brown - (consistent pursuit of soul collecting, publisher)

3.  John Anderson (forgot more than most know)

4.  John Manship (arguably the no. 1 dealer in the world)

5.  Mark Dobson (AKA Butch - Nuff Said)

6.  Martin Koppel (extensive knowledge and consistent source of soul 45s) 

7.  Jeff Beckman (Contribution to knowledge , literature and collecting)

8.  Soul Sam (possibly the most consistent and open minded DJ ever)

9.  Rod Dearlove ( knowledge of modern genres)

10. Dave Flynn ( the walking encyclopedia)

There you go any suggestions??? remember, if you're gonna evict anyone from the top 10, you must nominate someone else and have a good reason why.

LET THE WAR BEGIN!!!!!

   

link

No Ian Levine then?

[pikeys dog]

8.  Soul Sam (possibly the most consistent and open minded DJ ever)

link

Consistently crap i.m.h.o.

WOOF!

[Guest]

As far as soul collecting is concerned maybe there ought to be some japanese guys included.

[Guest]

Dave Godin, should be in that top 10, also what about Peter Guaralnick,Rob Bowman (general Soul Authors...suppose not Northern/Rare?) oh and just about everyone i ever met, because someone always knows something you (I) don't.

[Gary]

Dave Godin, should be in that top 10, also what about Peter Guaralnick,Rob Bowman (general Soul Authors...suppose not Northern/Rare?) oh and just about everyone i ever met, because someone always knows something you (I) don't.

link

Absolutely Brett, who in that list should he replace?

Edited June 4, 2005 by Gary

[Pete S]

I'd put Ian Levine in and take Soul Sam out.

You ask Levine a question about an artist and he'll tell you what they were wearing on the day they cut the track.

[Gary]

I'd put Ian Levine in and take Soul Sam out.

You ask Levine a question about an artist and he'll tell you what they were wearing on the day they cut the track.

link

He knows his onions thats for sure. Serious contender all joking aside

[Wally Francis]

What about PAUL MOONEY,collector,writer,music publisher,label owner,exstensive knowledge of both old & new genre's of soul music,And a nice guy aswell.

[Wally Francis]

What about PAUL MOONEY,collector,writer,music publisher,label owner,exstensive knowledge of both old & new genre's of soul music,And a nice guy aswell.

link

Sorry i would relegate DAVE FLYNN a nice guy aswell.(like big brother this)

[Pete S]

I don't know who numbers 1 & 7 are. I would definitely keep Dave Flynn in there, he knows more about records and labels than anyone I've ever known.

[Guest Rich Walker]

Pat Brady's got to be in there for me!!! This man is a legend!

He has appeared at well over 1,000 soul events!!!

Cheers.

Rich.

[Guest remus]

I'd put Ian Levine in and take Soul Sam out.

You ask Levine a question about an artist and he'll tell you what they were wearing on the day they cut the track.

link

Like what shirt that geezer from pop idol was wearing when he decided to take the piss out the soul scene. Your right about flynn, contributed in exposeing the fruadster with his knowledge of the use of modern fonts used on record labels!

I would say Sam has a very good knowledge considering his musical tastes expand all decades so I would keep him in!

[Guest remus]

Consistently crap i.m.h.o.

WOOF!

link

:graywanker:

[pikeys dog]

I wouldn't call Sam a wanker, my opinion of him is in no way personal, the times I spoke to him he was a nice feller....

Just not my cup of tea as a DJ.

WOOF!

[Guest Soulscene]

Personelly from my knowledge of these people I'd add Rob Thomas, and move Dave Flynn up a notch or two, havn't seen flynny for a long time but he always amazed me with his knowledge, not hard to baffle me but there you go. Also how about the British collectors? Matchy used to live with me in the early 70s and his British knowledge always had me wondering how he used to remember all that "stuff".

At the end of the day some people really take collecting as serious as taking a degree, and on the other hand people like myself tried to keep things in a balance, fun first and collecting and knowledge second back in those days it was hard to keep a balance at times, or even stand up.

DS

[Chalky]

Thats fair enough. Bye bye Sam!

Current table..

1.  Tom Kline - (knowledge, literature and top collector) 

2.  Tim Brown - (consistent pursuit of soul collecting, publisher)

3.  John Anderson (forgot more than most know)

4.  John Manship (arguably the no. 1 dealer in the world)

5.  Mark Dobson (AKA Butch - Nuff Said)

6.  Martin Koppel (extensive knowledge and consistent source of soul 45s) 

7.  Jeff Beckman (Contribution to knowledge , literature and collecting)

8.  Ian Levine (He can tell you what an artist was wearing, the day they recorded)

9.  Rod Dearlove ( knowledge of modern genres)

10. Dave Flynn ( the walking encyclopedia)

Relegated:

(8.) Soul Sam (possibly the most consistent and open minded DJ ever)

link

Dunno who number one or number seven are so one would go and Andy Dyson would be in there. I spoke to all the others and Butch IMO is far ahead knowledge wise than most of 'em.

[Chalky]

Absolutely Brett, who in that list should he replace?

link

The two authors Brett mentions probably no very little of our scene so they can't possibly be included.

[Guest hammy]

I want to nominate Andy Dyson.

Just my opinion, but I think he has mindblowing knowledge 'across the board' and seems to keep it all in his head and not on bits of paper!

Hammy

[Guest remus]

I wouldn't call Sam a wanker, my opinion of him is in no way personal, the times I spoke to him he was a nice feller....

Just not my cup of tea as a DJ.

WOOF!

link

:fool:

[pikeys dog]

:fool:

link

Can you not respond in words, or is using a keyboard beyond your obviously limited intellect?

WOOF!

[Chalky]

Can you not respond in words, or is using a keyboard beyond your obviously limited intellect?

WOOF!

link

Think he's trying to say your a fool

Edited June 4, 2005 by chalky

[Guest remus]

Can you not respond in words, or is using a keyboard beyond your obviously limited intellect?

WOOF!

link

Read my response further up replying to Pete Smith suggesting getting rid of Sam.

Sure make it a bit clearer for you

[pikeys dog]

Think he's trying to say your a fool 

link

I know Chalky, I was goading him because he obviously doesnt believe in free speech.

It seems to me that if you have an opinion on here that doesn't comply to the norm, then the pack descends.

Guess what, I think Soul Sam is well past his sell by date, 'Pyramid' is a novelty record that sounds like the singer is pissed, 'She'll come running back' is the biggest pile of meandering pointless toss going, and anyone who wears a vest covered in patches and wishes it was 1976 again requires some kind of counseling.

But that's it, it's my OPINION, and no matter how many faceless people question it by putting juvenile little icons under my posting, I'm not gonna change it...

I challenge you to prove to me that he is the best thing since sliced bread, but when you ultimately fail, respect my opinion on the matter...

[Chalky]

Think again Chalky.. Tom Kline and Jeff Beckman are the co-arthors of the ground breaking book 'Soul Harmony Singles' both are collectors of soul records for 40 years, (both American). Tom Kline has the most extensive collection of rare soul 45s in the world, larger and more indepth than Tim Brown.

If Andy Dyson is a nominee, then you must say why and who they should replace.

3 MORE DAYS TO ESTABLISH THE FINAL 10, .... THEN WE START EVICTING ONE AT A TIME TO GET THE TOP 3, THEN ULTIMATELY THE WINNER OF

GLOBAL RARE SOUL GURU 

link

Ahhh now I know who they are. Andy Dyson's knowledge is as good as most collectors and dealers on this scene. Like Hammy said, he has nothing at all scibbled down, everything is in his head. So I'd put Andy above Levine. I'd also put him in front of the two authors.

Edited June 4, 2005 by chalky

[Chalky]

I know Chalky,  I was goading him because he obviously doesnt believe in free speech.

It seems to me that if you have an opinion on here that doesn't comply to the norm, then the pack descends.

Guess what, I think Soul Sam is well past his sell by date, 'Pyramid' is a novelty record that sounds like the singer is pissed, 'She'll come running back' is the biggest pile of meandering pointless toss going, and anyone who wears a vest covered in patches and wishes it was 1976 again requires some kind of counseling.

But that's it, it's my OPINION, and no matter how many faceless people question it by putting juvenile little icons under my posting, I'm not gonna change it...

I challenge you to prove to me that he is the best thing since sliced bread, but when you ultimately fail, respect my opinion on the matter...

link

You challenge me? I respect anyones decision on who they think is good or not. If we all liked the same DJ's/records it would be pretty boring and we'd have f*** all to argue about on here

[pikeys dog]

You challenge me?  I respect anyones decision on who they think is good or not.  If we all liked the same DJ's/records  it would be pretty boring and we'd have f*** all to argue about on here 

link

Sorry Chalky, typo, should have said 'anyone' instead of 'you'

but you get the drift...

[Guest]

Butch spoke with great respect of some japanese guys and seemed very impressed, which speaks for itself I think. Andy Dyson and others have said similar things, like guys handing over want lists which you think are a joke since you never heard of any artist or label on it, that sort of thing.

[Pete S]

This topic needs to be closed now that everyone is starting to vote for their best mates.

Even Mark's logic in including the Soul Harmony book author is blurred; that book is absolutely choc-full of mistakes, I have spotted these, should I be in the top 10 or what?

Soul Sam in the top 10 northern soul guru's of all time? Don't make me laugh.

Tim Brown above John Anderson?

Remus making a posting not relying on sarcasm and him thinking he's fucking hilarious?

Don't make me laugh.

This is all a load of bollocks and an exercise in ego massaging.

Edited June 4, 2005 by Pete-S

[Mace]

I know Chalky,  I was goading him because he obviously doesnt believe in free speech.

link

I thought you saved all your best goading for me.

If you're gonna go and goad all and sundry for calling you a wanker then I'll have to find someone else to bicker with in future.

Slag.

Edited June 4, 2005 by Mace

[Guest remus]

I know Chalky,  I was goading him because he obviously doesnt believe in free speech.

It seems to me that if you have an opinion on here that doesn't comply to the norm, then the pack descends.

Guess what, I think Soul Sam is well past his sell by date, 'Pyramid' is a novelty record that sounds like the singer is pissed, 'She'll come running back' is the biggest pile of meandering pointless toss going, and anyone who wears a vest covered in patches and wishes it was 1976 again requires some kind of counseling.

But that's it, it's my OPINION, and no matter how many faceless people question it by putting juvenile little icons under my posting, I'm not gonna change it...

I challenge you to prove to me that he is the best thing since sliced bread, but when you ultimately fail, respect my opinion on the matter...

link

Sorry, I thought the thread was about the top ten guru's, not top ten dj's.

Haven't seen Sam wearing a vest with badges, but if he did I'd rip the piss out of him.

Didn't say he was the best thing since sliced bread, said he deserves to be in the top ten and not at the expense of Levine.

He might be getting on a bit, but what he plays certainly isn't.

[Pete S]

Sorry, I thought the thread was about the top ten guru's, not top ten dj's.

Haven't seen Sam wearing a vest with badges, but if he did I'd rip the piss out of him.

Didn't say he was the best thing since sliced bread, said he deserves to be in the top ten and not at the expense of Levine.

He might be getting on a bit, but what he plays certainly isn't.

link

I've never ever seen one decent Soul Sam playlist and that's going back to 1974.

[Chalky]

Sorry Chalky, typo, should have said 'anyone' instead of 'you'

but you get the drift...

link

whether I agree with your opinion, or anyone elses is a different matter

[pikeys dog]

Sorry, I thought the thread was about the top ten guru's, not top ten dj's.

link

In that case does he deserve to be in the top 100?

He is afterall only a feller that pulls records out of a box, sticks em on a deck and spins em round...

He ain't on my list of Guru's, thats for sure.

[pikeys dog]

I thought you saved all your best goading for me.

If you're gonna go and goad all and sundry for calling you a wanker then I'll have to find someone else to bicker with in future.

Slag.

link

I like to spread happiness everywhere I go....

[Simsy]

Thats fair enough. Bye bye Sam!

Current table..

1.  Tom Kline - (knowledge, literature and top collector) 

2.  Tim Brown - (consistent pursuit of soul collecting, publisher)

3.  John Anderson (forgot more than most know)

4.  John Manship (arguably the no. 1 dealer in the world)

5.  Mark Dobson (AKA Butch - Nuff Said)

6.  Martin Koppel (extensive knowledge and consistent source of soul 45s) 

7. Jeff Beckman (Contribution to knowledge , literature and collecting)

8.  Ian Levine (He can tell you what an artist was wearing, the day they recorded)

9.  Rod Dearlove ( knowledge of modern genres)

10. Dave Flynn ( the walking encyclopedia)

Relegated:

(8.) Soul Sam (possibly the most consistent and open minded DJ ever)

link

Don't know these dudes. I recommend taking them out (not literally) and replacing them with Pat Brady (legendary collector/dealer/DJ). Also Ady Croasdell for his discoveries and bringing rare soul to the masses through his associations with Kent/Ace. Oh and as promoter of the longest running all nighter ever.

[Mace]

In that case does he deserve to be in the top 100?

He is afterall only a feller that pulls records out of a box, sticks em on a deck and spins em round...

He ain't on my list of Guru's, thats for sure.

link

Bet he ain't even on your Xmas card list......

[pikeys dog]

Don't know these dudes.  I recommend taking them out (not literally) and replacing them with Pat Brady (legendary collector/dealer/DJ). Also Ady Croasdell for his discoveries and bringing rare soul to the masses through his associations with Kent/Ace. Oh and as promoter of the longest running all nighter ever.

link

Definately higher up my list than Sam, as is Dickie Searling....

[pikeys dog]

Controversial one.....

Simon Soussan. Discuss.

[Guest remus]

This topic needs to be closed now that everyone is starting to vote for their best mates.

Even Mark's logic in including the Soul Harmony book author is blurred; that book is absolutely choc-full of mistakes, I have spotted these, should I be in the top 10 or what?

Soul Sam in the top 10 northern soul guru's of all time?  Don't make me laugh.

Tim Brown above John Anderson?

Remus making a posting not relying on sarcasm and him thinking he's fucking hilarious?

Don't make me laugh.

This is all a load of bollocks and an exercise in ego massaging.

link

:Fck_off_by_nulltarget:

[Pete S]

:Fck_off_by_nulltarget:

link

:graywanker: :graywanker: :graywanker:

Edited June 4, 2005 by Pete-S

[Guest hammy]

This topic needs to be closed now that everyone is starting to vote for their best mates.

Even Mark's logic in including the Soul Harmony book author is blurred; that book is absolutely choc-full of mistakes, I have spotted these, should I be in the top 10 or what?

Soul Sam in the top 10 northern soul guru's of all time?  Don't make me laugh.

Tim Brown above John Anderson?

Remus making a posting not relying on sarcasm and him thinking he's fucking hilarious?

Don't make me laugh.

This is all a load of bollocks and an exercise in ego massaging.

link

Who's voting for their best mates ?

Curious who you're referring to - I thought the list was shaping up to be pretty definitive.

Oh well - another promising thread down the dunny.

Hammy

[Billywhizz]

Dunno who number one or number seven are so one would go and Andy Dyson would be in there.  I spoke to all the others and Butch IMO is far ahead knowledge wise than most of 'em.

link

Yer Andy Dyson should be in there,what about his mate Kev from Norwich,he's been on the phone since 1973 talking about record's and label's hope u r keeping well.

Billy

[pikeys dog]

Of course, everyone has missed the man who invented it, and had 4 million through the doors at Wigan Casino.....

Step forward "Russ Winstanley" No1 Rare Soul Guru

[Pete S]

Who's voting for their best mates ?

Curious who you're referring to - I thought the list was shaping up to be pretty definitive.

Oh well - another promising thread down the dunny.

Hammy

link

No, carry on, it's very interesting, even if it doesn't make sense.

[Guest hammy]

No, carry on, it's very interesting, even if it doesn't make sense.

link

What in particular doesn't make sense ?

Chalky voting for Andy Dyson? - I'm guessing this what you mean by 'best mates'

I'm lost.

Hammy

[Guest]

Good topic this one boys & girls, also enjoy the infighting, this adds the edge for me .

In hindsight, i agree with Chalky about the 2 authors (i did originally say they weren't Rare/Northern..etc) having read all the subsequent posts, i'd have to include Pat Brady, and knowing the Chalkster his recomendation of Andy Dyson is then valid, very difficult this one, Ady C has to be there somewhere, would still keep Rod Dearlove ( Rod has exstensive knowledge of most Soul genres) but Dave Godin would still be the main guy for me, his championing of Soul music in this country from a very early time is without question. Not certain if the Topic is aimed at knowledge or influence in spreading the word.

Brett

[Simsy]

Of course, everyone has missed the man who invented it, and had 4 million through the doors at Wigan Casino.....

Step forward "Russ Winstanley" No1 Rare Soul Guru

link

More than a hint of sarcasm in that statement me thinks. Though, I'd put him in cos of Wigan. As previously stated Dave Godin too, he has to be in there.