Soul Sam

[Theothertosspot]

Did Soul Sam change the course of Northern Soul when he exchanged the Mega Bucks now Oh so sought after records for Modern??????

[Guest Nick Harrison]

No and neither has my recently fitted underfloor heating effected my quarterly bills.

[Guest sharmo 1]

_{I don't think so Bob He's still pulling good sixties northern out the hat as well as modern (please read smallprint before replying your statatory right;s are nor affected ) regards Simon.}

[Theothertosspot]

He's top dog give you that. Read your PM there's a good message for you.

Anyway I wasn't decrying the guy, for me he does no wrong, HE TAKES CHANCES AND DEFIES LOGIC, unlike others who play expected.

Bob

[Guest sharmo 1]

He's top dog give you that. Read your PM there's a good message for you.

Anyway I wasn't decrying the guy, for me he does no wrong, HE TAKES CHANCES AND DEFIES LOGIC, unlike others who play expected.

Bob

Bob have you taken a logic pill today ?

[Wiganer1]

he did a 90 minute motown spot at blackpool and nearly everything was a british demo which was great to see...

the guy is a legend no doubt about it

[Guest sharmo 1]

he did a 90 minute motown spot at blackpool and nearly everything was a british demo which was great to see...

the guy is a legend no doubt about it

You right on that one bro can't wait to se what he play's at his eightyth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! regards Simon.

[Keithw]

Sam has always had great taste - ive known him from about 1970 - he always had his finger on the pulse but as well as that

he played things that made you think - "hey thats a cool choon why havnt i heard that "

all in all one of the northern leaders rather than followers like me

[MrsWoodsrules]

He was always on the cutting edge, hadn't heard him for over 25 years until he was guesting at Lowton a couple of years back, his set blew me away although I didn't know many/any, but the tunes/vibe was something else.

Used to hear him regular back in the late 70's, remember him spinning Jimmy Burns way before it ever got a run out at Wigan.

The scene certainly needs mavericks like him thats for sure.

Aid.

[Guest giant]

No and neither has my recently fitted underfloor heating effected my quarterly bills.

ha ha hee

[Guest giant]

a born leader in a every way' soul music 'teaching or any thing else

[Dazdakin]

_{I don't think so Bob He's still pulling good sixties northern out the hat as well as modern (please read smallprint before replying your statatory right;s are nor affected ) regards Simon.}

Funny as f**k!!

Sam is the man!! knows more about rare soul than most of us have forgot, and he just "knows" what and when to play a tune. His Motown spot on Sat. was fantastic, nothing mad rare, most if not all he played everybody there would have known, and it was all dance music, which is what the tower is all about. Not the place for rare soul fanatics, forget the quality,just feel the beat

And he made my night by playing "Ghost In My House"

[Geeselad]

10 or 15 years ago I thought sam was awful, I'd seen him clear the floor so many times with things that just didnt work on the dancefloor for me and many others. I've seen him play 3 times this year and jus tthink he's amazing now, a consumate proffesional who always delivers in playing quality biggies whilst evenhandardly deliving a sublime mix of new spins, quality oldies, 60's 70's et all. All heil Sam he da man!

[Steve Brown]

We have him headlining our last Pembo in December and I can't think of a more fitting man to ensure we will have a night to remember! I am also providing him with his B&B so that should be interesting.

[Geeselad]

to go back to the poster original piont, he probably did, there are certainly many modern fans out there still buying and searching for contemporary independant releases like the ones Sam played in the later days of the cassino.

[Wiganer1]

wasnt richard searling who did this ? were they both at the top of their game at this time....

[Guest Nick Harrison]

with

wasnt richard searling who did this ? were they both at the top of their game at this time....

Good early evening to you Mark - indeed they were both very much ahead, but Sam was voted/kick off at W/C for playing too much modern back then. Sam struggled to get bookings at Northern Soul based nighters even Clifton Hall. Then came Rotherham Tiff all - nighter with Arthur and Martin enjoying their musical freedom. Poke was also the main man around the decks. Best thing to match this event was Nottingham's Rock City nites 100 % new release's and modern (IMHO), but no Richard. .

Edited November 15, 2011 by Nick Harrison

[Wiganer1]

slightly before my time nick, but got alot of tapes from sam at wigan and all the stuff he played was brill..some still rare now

respect to all those djs

[Glynthornhill]

Both short lived venues Nick , but they were cutting edge if you now look back. 1982 top 20 in my old fanzine shows many Modern 45s still gaining spins today ..we just did not realise we were taste makers in those days just following and buying new releases .. some that command ludicrous price tags now....

[Rob1159]

I know when I used to run the Riverboat in Rhos On Sea, the Highwayman in Abergele, the all nighters at the Pier in Colwyn Bay and others back in the early 70's I would always try to book soul Sam as I always thought he was one of the best around at the time, used to enjoy it when he would go to Bob Fosters home in Llandudno. Always a good night with Bob and Ritchie Andrews as more than likely Bob would pull something incredible to play for us from his collection back then. Cheers LA Rob

[MrsWoodsrules]

I know when I used to run the Riverboat in Rhos On Sea, the Highwayman in Abergele, the all nighters at the Pier in Colwyn Bay and others back in the early 70's I would always try to book soul Sam as I always thought he was one of the best around at the time, used to enjoy it when he would go to Bob Fosters home in Llandudno. Always a good night with Bob and Ritchie Andrews as more than likely Bob would pull something incredible to play for us from his collection back then. Cheers LA Rob

Hey Rob, a gang of us from Warrington went down the Pier in Colwyn Bay once, Sam was on & spinning some s*hit rare stuff of the day, we had a great time, top venue, we knew two locals girls who were our mates from Colwyn Bay who we used to meet at WC every single week, pretty sure we'd been to an alnighter the night before too or maybe it was a Dayer the next day, can't remember now, but anyway, we had a really great time down there, if you were promoting you did a sterling job mate, happy days.

Aid.

[Rob1159]

Hey Rob, a gang of us from Warrington went down the Pier in Colwyn Bay once, Sam was on & spinning some s*hit rare stuff of the day, we had a great time, top venue, we knew two locals girls who were our mates from Colwyn Bay who we used to meet at WC every single week, pretty sure we'd been to an alnighter the night before too or maybe it was a Dayer the next day, can't remember now, but anyway, we had a really great time down there, if you were promoting you did a sterling job mate, happy days.

Aid.

Thanks I really enjoyed the short lived all nighters at the pier myself, the only reason they came to an end was the manager did a bunk with his girlfriend from the bar, took some money from the owners so when they sent in a new manager I had to go and speak with him about the up coming all nighter and he said everything could continue just the way things were, but then the local police stepped in and told him no more all nighters or he wouldn't be able to get his liquor licence. I forget how I found out but it was a mad dash to try to convince him to let it go on, but no luck, then the police turned up at my mom's house where I lived to let me know they were going to stop anyone attending and I should get the word out, back then it was almost impossible, especially as this was the week leading up to the Friday all nighter.

[Scotters]

Soul Sam. How lucky are we that individuals like Sam make it their mission in life to do what they do? I think that's all I wanted to say really...other than I can't wait 'till 10th December when he makes a guest appearance in my home town!

[Guest Nick Harrison]

Both short lived venues Nick , but they were cutting edge if you now look back. 1982 top 20 in my old fanzine shows many Modern 45s still gaining spins today ..we just did not realise we were taste makers in those days just following and buying new releases .. some that command ludicrous price tags now....

Yes - Okeh Northern Soul your own publication fanzine Glyn back then, which no doubt kept Alison Thornhill up till the we' small hours, typing it. As I do recall only Okeh N/S and Steve's Blackbeat remained focused on the cutting edge sounds, if only a few pages dedicated to us anyway, as Rod Dearlove's earlier fanzine Midnite Express had folded. Looking back to those days how many cover up's did Sam have around 1982 ish. Here's a few listed....... .

James Bynum - Get On Up Be A Star

Tamla Lewis - You Cant Do Anything Right

Merlin And The Magicians - Under Your Spell

Verdell Watts or Heaven And Earth Band - I Got A Stone Crush

Edd Tibes - Gonna Make It With You

Alexander McKinley - Come Get My Love.........................played along side Barbara Stant, Target, Timeless Legend, Gemini, Jan Jones, Patches, Roy Dawson, Pages, Goldie Alexander, Garfield Fleming, Magnetic Touch, Pro Fascination, Family Of Eve, Tony Troutman, Jesse Gomez, Vernon Birch, Curtis, Larom Baker, Omni, Velvet Hammer, Oscar Perry, Charles Veal, Dimple Fields etc etc and more.

I agree with Geeselad cause Sam has experienced what I would term "Isolation" and a few periods of it, the reason's we don't need to drag out again. Anyway great to read Sam is back on top and in a "fashioned sound mode" again. So should we bring out our copies to play on R C A - by James Gaylyn - "You Came First At Last"............as a sort of thank you tune .

Thanks .

Edited December 8, 2011 by Nick Harrison

[Mark R]

I was going to keep out of this as I was concerned with O-levels when all this happened......that's a way of saying I was too young!! As such, I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer the question.

BUT, I do know that Sam conceeds with hindsight that he went a bit too far at the Casino in that he went too contemporary too quickly. My assessment from afar is that perhaps Richard balanced his playlists better. Whatever......some of you guys know that better than I.

I have heard first hand Sam's story of John Anderson putting a tape on during a visit to Soul Bowl and Sam being bowled over by (his perceived) quality of the records on that tape and that he felt that they were so much better than what he was playing at the time. Hence he soon hoovered those titles up and started featuring them big time. As a new music fan myself, I can totally empathise with his excitement back then (I want to feel that every week!!) and how he felt it was his duty to play those records. That HAS to be admired I think.

Love him or loathe him, and he has his share of knockers, the man is a TOTAL LEGEND and via his enthusiam alone should be an example to anyone regardless of what you think to the music he plays, which of course is subjective anyway.

Passion, excitement, conviction........not a bad thing is it.

AND, I often wonder (and I'm sure I've mentioned it to him), what may have been if as a lover of all forms of soul (new and old) he wasn't a self-confessed technophobe and he'd have taken to other formats than vinyl to select his playlists from............we'll never know..........but I did catch him practicing the art of playing CD's once............

Cheers,

Mark R

[Guest Nick Harrison]

Nice balanced post Mr Randle and I am so glad you did seriously put your education first, back then. Nice too see you didn't take music or either politics, cause most one here have a higher degree in both combined subjects. :lol: .

Edited December 8, 2011 by Nick Harrison

[Wiganer1]

gr8 post mark,,,

[Guest gordon russell]

TOMMY DENT!!!!

[KevH]

TOMMY DENT!!!!

I hope i can twiddle those knobs when i'm Sam's age.Top man all round,had his ups and downs musically,but he's still standing.

Whenever you're feeling niters have passed you by,or you're going to throw the towel in,think of Sam and his enthusiasm.

Edited November 16, 2011 by KevH

[purist]

he did a 90 minute motown spot at blackpool and nearly everything was a british demo which was great to see...

the guy is a legend no doubt about it

how strange you should write this Mark, because 25- 30 years ago I witnessed Sam play a set made up of US Motown wdj's ! I think he did it as a favour for the promoter because at the time he was playing lotsa new releases, which included my then favourite "Cash Play" and I hadn't seen or heard of him playing Oldies sets, or indeed 60's sets for quite a long time in that era.

The reason i remember it so well was because it was what started my own obsession with Motown WDJ's of Northern Sounds !

I followed him around a lot in those days, both learning & enjoying his wide tastes. When he and Butch became regulars at Albrighton in the 90's I thought they were just about the two best DJ's the scene had, and nothing has made me change my mind ever since.

I think he was very unfortunate to be pushing new release soul in the middle 80's when so many Niter goers had nailed their colours to the 60's only mast. If there hadn't been so many great 60's Newies around in that time then perhaps more folk would have been more willing to listen to the best 80's tracks that Sam played, but such is life.

Best memory of Sam ? as I clambered on stage at Lea Manor, him with the hugest smile on his face as he was playing some quite slow Detroit gem, maybe Buddy Smith "When You Lose The One You Love" to a full dance floor. Yes I know he greets you with that same genuinely pleased to see you smile whenever he sees you, but his smile as he connects to like minded souls on the floor, that's the one !

long may he continue to show us the way, to upset a few, and to fill up our souls with new tunes we didn't know.

[Guest gordon russell]

I hope i can twiddle those knobs when i'm Sam's age.Top man all round,had his ups and downs musically,but he's still standing.

Whenever you're feeling niters have passed you by,or you're going to throw the towel in,think of Sam and his enthusiasm.

EXACTLYAMUNDO.....my little mansfield friend........keep it sensible!! ......keep it long time!!!.....we,ve seen plenty, here today big soulman lot ta say........gone tomorrow fade away!!!......maybe see ya at the 1oo atb kev......tezza

p.s give my regards to the other two

[Steve G]

I got him to write a regular column in Blackbeat in the late 70s / early 80s. Always controversial, always pushing the boundaries, Sam is a legend. end of.

[Andy Reynard]

Sams set sat evening modern room Blackpool was a great mix of old and new sounds to me anyhow but from the word go he had the floor lifting and it stayed that way everytime he jokked int circus all weekend all credit to him for still avivg his finger on the pulse of wot folk wanted to dance to just like he had in 1981 at todmorden allayers THats a long time to be at top of your game but personally I still think he is.

[Guest soulboy]

what sam clears the floor with now will fill the floor in years to come ,the man is a legend years ahead of the rest of us mortals

[Theothertosspot]

I was going to keep out of this as I was concerned with O-levels when all this happened......that's a way of saying I was too young!! As such, I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer the question.

BUT, I do know that Sam conceeds with hindsight that he went a bit too far at the Casino in that he went too contemporary too quickly. My assessment from afar is that perhaps Richard balanced his playlists better. Whatever......some of you guys know that better than I.

I have heard first hand Sam's story of John Anderson putting a tape on during a visit to Soul Bowl and Sam being bowled over by (his perceived) quality of the records on that tape and that he felt that they were so much better than what he was playing at the time. Hence he soon hoovered those titles up and started featuring them big time. As a new music fan myself, I can totally empathise with his excitement back then (I want to feel that every week!!) and how he felt it was his duty to play those records. That HAS to be admired I think.

Love him or loathe him, and he has his share of knockers, the man is a TOTAL LEGEND and via his enthusiam alone should be an example to anyone regardless of what you think to the music he plays, which of course is subjective anyway.

Passion, excitement, conviction........not a bad thing is it.

AND, I often wonder (and I'm sure I've mentioned it to him), what may have been if as a lover of all forms of soul (new and old) he wasn't a self-confessed technophobe and he'd have taken to other formats than vinyl to select his playlists from............we'll never know..........but I did catch him practicing the art of playing CD's once............

Blimey, Sam defies all laws, he's multitasking, mixing with both hands whilst looking at the camera.

Good on yer

TOTP

Cheers,

Mark R

[Theothertosspot]

Sam defies all laws, look at the entry above, he's mixing two decks simultaneously, whilst putting on another track

TOTP

[Theothertosspot]

As was told in a different PARODY , you can take the Sam out of Soul but you can't take the Soul out of Sam.

God love Him, we do.

[funkyfeet]

The Man's a God.

[Guest mickeyb]

wasnt richard searling who did this ? were they both at the top of their game at this time....

Yes

[Wiganer1]

anyone got any tunes he used to play in his not so rare soul days?

know he played that one on smash..

[Blackpoolsoul]

On 07/12/2011 at 23:42, wiganer1 said:

anyone got any tunes he used to play in his not so rare soul days?

 

know he played that one on smash..

Not sure I am old enough

Found this set from 1984

https://playlists.net/soul-sam-dj-set-stafford-top-of-the

[David Meikle]

7 hours ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

Not sure I am old enough

Found this set from 1984

https://playlists.net/soul-sam-dj-set-stafford-top-of-the

I agree with the praise being heaped on Sam.

However he played 13 records during this 67 minute set.

If he hadn’t changed his tune (I know, I know) he could have played double that.

[Chalky]

Whoever posted that set should give the credit to where they got it all from.  I did the research and did the original podcasts on the Stafford site

Edited December 21, 2018 by chalky