Seen These Master Tapes On Ebay?

[Mark Jones]

I emailed the guy about this and he sent me an mp3 sample. Thought I'd share. What ya reckon? Some of it sounds bloody excellent to me!

Any background on the tracks? Are they demo's of unreleased sounds? Some sound familiar but will leave it to those more knowledgable than me!

tem number is 270481520628.

email he sent me: "It's 11 minutes of short clips thrown together, there's 20 tapes so its hard to represent how awesome they are..especially the demo tape.

thanks!

bobby"

No it's not me selling them! Just thought it may catch the imagination as it did mine!

Jonzy

...see you at the Lord Hill Shrewsbury on December Tuesday 29th...guest COLIN CURTIS!!!

[kevinsoulman]

don't know what's NORTHERN about most of them certainly interesting though kev

Edited November 12, 2009 by kevinsoulman

[Steve G]

Some interesting stuff there, how many have got the equipment to play it on?

[Mark Jones]

Now that would be worth having if it is!

Bloody 'ell wish I'd never posted this now lol

shame it says 7/6/76 on it but you never know!

Edited November 12, 2009 by soulechoes

[Guest Dante]

They aren't all Motown are they?

There are some Inter/Soul stuff there, wich also had some really good stuff from the 70s. All of 'em are, aparently from Detroit, so anything after 72 isn't Motown, as that's when Gordy & Co re-located in LA. And that stuff about James Jamerson in the early 70s, mhhh Thought at the time he could barely stand on his feet because of all the buzz he was doing, so I don't know if I believe that...

Anyway, it's some really good stuff despite all. It'll be great if it ended up in the right hands...

[Mark Jones]

Yes did realise it wasn't as his title of course.....was just a topic title quote of his ebay listing "20 Motown Northern Soul Master Reels Unreleased " not the facts!

An obvious title just to get our attention..then again maybe an obvious mistake (as we don't know the extent of his knowledge...he may have found them in a skip!)

Whatever the reason there's some quality stuff on them, just great soul the 12 minutes I've heard.

If nobody else bids I will!...Anyone got a reel to reel player I can borrow? lol

Seriously though probably one for the Mr Croasdells and Ace records of this world to look at.

Imagine if this was all on vinyl though...jeez....how many times would I need to remortgage?

Must admit though I thought I was a vinyl freak (well which I am of course as have just bought the Imaginations rather than a dishwasher for the Mrs) but these original tapes do have a charm...think it's the "catching a point in history" and hearing the private chit chat in the studio...imagining I was there with them (which I'm sure we've all dreamt about..being in the studio when Jackie Wison, Sam Dees, Garland Green recorded etc etc !)

Yes I am a big northern fan (as my collection reflects) but if true to myself more a soul fan (meaning if I like it I like it it doesn't have to be northern...generally is though ) and have to say I'd like to hear all 20 tapes!

Can someone buy them and post them here please!

If you do pm me ffs!

Edited November 12, 2009 by soulechoes

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Hello everybody -

I have it on good authority these are not Motown tapes/recordings/dubs/masters. These artist were not signed to the label. Also I believe that copyright law would come into play as to the ownership of the songs (music and lyrics) and the actual recording eg. ABC Records/Detroit, sold to DEF Records/Detroit and even left to WXYZ person in a will, as an owner passed away. Not that I am a legal bod, but a purchase of these tapes would mean no exploitation of the recordings possible as the copyright is somebody elses. These tapes may have been found, stolen, acquired, but either way, I do not think you would be purchasing the recordeed works and isolated tracks etc. Maybe Paul or Ady can clarify. My understanding this would almost be like buying a 'record', where you simply own the carrier (vinyl), but not the lyrics, music, orchestration.

[Samson]

So who won em?

[Wrongcrowd]

It looks like a whole lot of Ernest Kelley master tapes...very interesting...and just listening to the sample, there's some obvious finished and released tracks in there including Mike Jemison, Sandra Richards and Priscilla Price. It'll be very interesting to know where thes turn up, and whether there'll be any unissued material released in the future.

[Guest Paul]

Interesting.

I have equipment to play these master tapes but there's no guarantee what quality to expect because many 1970s masters are damaged due to oxide shedding etc.

And, as Carl said, you have to consider the ownership of rights issues.

But, as it happens, Millbrand control rights to most Ernest Kelley and Johnny Griffith tracks anyway and we already have masters of most tracks listed on those tape boxes.

The seller of these master tapes should consider dubbing copies for Ernest Kelley or myself.

Whoever buys them needs to understand their lack of rights.

[Louise]

Don't know what all the fuss is about, when all these songs where released and can be bought off e-bay for less than the total shipping costs to bring these tapes over. Spoke to Ernest this morning who knows nothing about this?

These tapes may have come the Sound Suite Studios which closed recently due to reputed, financial difficulties, reputedly there where tapes left in the building? The building has now bought by the church who may have just sold any remaining contents off.

Dave Welding

[Guest Paul]

Hello,

I suppose the fuss is that some people might think they'll find an unheard gem on there. Especially as the seller suggested a "Motown" connection.

To me they look like mixdown tapes which were sent to the studio for lacquer cutting. So most tracks will have been released.

After shipping and master transfers, it will be an expensive and worthless project.

Best regards