The Just Brothers 'Go On And Laugh' Amazing News

[Mark Bicknell]

Where do I start? firstly I would like to thank Mark White a dear old friend for turning a light bulb on this morning, I will explain, I have built up a very good strong relationship with a USA based record label so much so I am now it the process of advising/compiling/marketing and retailing all future and current Northern Soul related material they produce.

Back in the early 80's John Anderson I believe found a bunch of acetates one of which was 'Go On And Laugh' with no artist ident on the label the acetate was sold to John Vincent who gave it the group name of The Just Brothers as the story seems to go he played it first then sold it back to John Anderson who then sold it to Mark Dobson AKA Butch both John Vincent and Butch have championed the tune since then, now in the mists of time I had forgotten or not  noticed the tune being played out and about, fast forward to March 2016 with my now connection with the USA label I have recently been sent over 250 sound files of master tapes including un issued material/demos/alt takes of various tunes, as I was going through the stuff some of which has already been released preparing future projects I click the file which I got really excited about, talked to Mark White on the phone this morning chatting about my good news and played a couple of things down the phone, well after he finished listening to it he almost fell on the floor telling me it was the elusive 'Go On And Laugh', much of the material is on 1/2" tape and above which basically means it's multi track which means the tunes can be mixed and brought up to the best possible sound, there are 2 takes, I know where it was recorded, who recorded it and when it was recorded, it's not The Just Brothers, I have contacted both Mark Dobson- Butch and spoken to John Vincent tonight just out of respect and courtesy that I have found these tracks and I'm so pleased that Mark White basically marked my card exactly what I had played him, the record company is first rate, everything with their releases is totally legit and all licences etc. covered and dues paid, I can promise some very interesting material not tons but certainly enough to impact the scene.

I am the only person outside of the US to have the privilege and honour to hear this material and it's blown me away, this is by no means the full story, I can promise that the upmost attention to detail will be followed, I know DJ's and collectors are very protective of their exclusives but it's also nice to be able to share stuff like this..........watch this space.

Mark Bicknell.

Edited March 10, 2016 by Mark Bicknell

[Andy Rix]

Great news Mark ... sounds really exciting .. you must be thrilled to be involved in what sounds like a great project and in turn we will be thrilled at the tunes that will appear in time.

I have no doubt that you will make sure the music is presented with a great deal of care, authenticity and respect

Nice one

Best

Andy

 

[Mark Bicknell]

Wow Andy thanks mate how the devil are you, send me a PM we must chat real soon, right up your street this, I'm buzzing.

[Andy Rix]

I'm really good .... enjoy the moment .. and make it last for as long as possible .. occasions like this are surely a once in a lifetime thing ... unless you are Ady Croasdell 

Andy

[Mark Bicknell]

I have sent Ady a message via Facebook as there is something of interest to him but not heard back yet, Andy now I know what you must have felt like with the Shrine thing and Ady with all his stuff, I want to tell you, I want to tell everyone but I have to respect the process.

[Bridgesoceity]

Brilliant news, well done Mark.

Just Bros my all time Fave record 

[Mark Bicknell]

Just now, romulus said:

Brilliant news, well done Mark.

Just Bros my all time Fave record 

From the master it sounds sublime as I said there are 2 takes both are stunning, crystal clear no pops or anything just stunning.

[Chris Turnbull]

What a story, amazing stuff - have loved 'Just Bros' since I caught half of it on tape from Butch's radio show at an early Yarmouth w/e lol - pure magic

[Markw]

Couldn't believe it when Mark played this down the phone to me this morning. When I heard those first few chords I knew exactly what he had. Fantastic stuff - what a tune.

[Bridgesoceity]

Nice to see rare soul history still out there to be discovered in stead of dodgy boot legs and their supporters 

[Mark Bicknell]

2 minutes ago, romulus said:

Nice to see rare soul history still out there to be discovered in stead of dodgy boot legs and their supporters 

Thank you for you nice comments, you are so right stuff like this has Northern Soul historical significance, to see the master tape boxes the writing on them, dates, studio notes etc. is just mind blowing for this fat fool anyway. 

[Will]

What a great piece of news just before going to sleep. 'Just Brothers' is one of those supreme, unsurpassable records and the thought of being able to buy a copy and learn more about it...this is a huge event.

[Jim Elliott]

This record has been rattling away in my subconscious for about 25 years, I too heard it possibly for the first time in 90 or 91 at the now legendary TAC weekender via Mark on the radio. My tape has long since been lost in a house move. A good friend came to my rescue a number of years ago with a cd with it on.

It's right up there with Patrinell Staten for me as one of the best discoveries of 80s/90s.

If this gets a legitimate release I'll be over the moon.

Fingers crossed, Stoke On Trent.

[Mark Bicknell]

Just like to add I'm sorry if the post comes across a little vague and not specific to detail it's just at this stage I can not expose all the information, if any points are incorrect in my original post please feel free to fill in the blanks, I just tried to give a little background to the origins of the original acetate with the information I had, I am pretty sure that the full story will come together, so sorry if I've rambled a little it's simply a case of excitement and enthusiasm on my part.  

[Jez Jones]

8 hours ago, Mark Bicknell said:

Where do I start? firstly I would like to thank Mark White a dear old friend for turning a light bulb on this morning, I will explain, I have built up a very good strong relationship with a USA based record label so much so I am now it the process of advising/compiling/marketing and retailing all future and current Northern Soul related material they produce.

Back in the early 80's John Anderson I believe found a bunch of acetates one of which was 'Go On And Laugh' with no artist ident on the label the acetate was sold to John Vincent who gave it the group name of The Just Brothers as the story seems to go he played it first then sold it back to John Anderson who then sold it to Mark Dobson AKA Butch both John Vincent and Butch have championed the tune since then, now in the mists of time I had forgotten or not  noticed the tune being played out and about, fast forward to March 2016 with my now connection with the USA label I have recently been sent over 250 sound files of master tapes including un issued material/demos/alt takes of various tunes, as I was going through the stuff some of which has already been released preparing future projects I click the file which I got really excited about, talked to Mark White on the phone this morning chatting about my good news and played a couple of things down the phone, well after he finished listening to it he almost fell on the floor telling me it was the elusive 'Go On And Laugh', much of the material is on 1/2" tape and above which basically means it's multi track which means the tunes can be mixed and brought up to the best possible sound, there are 2 takes, I know where it was recorded, who recorded it and when it was recorded, it's not The Just Brothers, I have contacted both Mark Dobson- Butch and spoken to John Vincent tonight just out of respect and courtesy that I have found these tracks and I'm so pleased that Mark White basically marked my card exactly what I had played him, the record company is first rate, everything with their releases is totally legit and all licences etc. covered and dues paid, I can promise some very interesting material not tons but certainly enough to impact the scene.

I am the only person outside of the US to have the privilege and honour to hear this material and it's blown me away, this is by no means the full story, I can promise that the upmost attention to detail will be followed, I know DJ's and collectors are very protective of their exclusives but it's also nice to be able to share stuff like this..........watch this space.

Mark Bicknell.

WOW and WOW again...good on yer mate...exciting stuff indeed

[Tony Smith]

Thats great news Mark, and if it's who I think it is, we won't be fobbed off with inferior product!

[KevH]

Well done Mark.!!

[Mick Boyle]

Wow what a record - What a find - Well done 

[Winsford Soul]

Mark. Big congratulations. You have served your time on this scene that we love, nice for it to be giving something back. Forgot to add. What a tune.

Steve

 

Edited March 11, 2016 by Winsford Soul

[Gilly]

Mark, I know as much as anyone that you've been chasing a musical dream for many a year, looks like its been granted we are very pleased for you, Jackie and for everyone who will get to hear these songs come the day. Fantastic Gilly ans Nicola

[Edwin S Wales]

cracking news Mark...well done..look forward to hearing what comes out of this find.

Hope you're well

Best Ed 

[Quinvy]

I can't help feeling slightly meloncholy, that a very special one off is now going to be played to death by all and sundry. 

Edited March 11, 2016 by Quinvy

[Mark Bicknell]

The thing is and despite being very much into the scene back it the day and  what I'm going to say now is perfectly honest and I stated this in giving Mark White credit when I played it down the phone to him that it did not register with me, I guess people think that we know everything about the history of tunes etc. that's simply impossible and despite the kudos of this track I don't ever remember hearing it out and about and may have missed it being played way back, never had a tape with it on or anything I simply just knew it was quality and I certainly don't ever remember having a conversation with anyone about it as you always do and never read anything about it or certainly have no recollection of it so if that makes me lacking in some knowledge then so be it, I simply never moved in the in the know circles in that way, sure I paid attention within my premise outside of that perhaps blinkered at times,  my role with the company is more marketing/promotion and distribution of current and future releases and projects, if I don't know something I will ask for help, I guess it's down to not really moving in the more upfront circles that certain information and tunes are alien to me, the project will include alt takes of some well known records, some unissued stuff etc. which will I'm sure be of interest to the majority of people, some of the activity on the scene in recent times and since it's inception I guess many tunes have been re issued/bootlegged used and abused, if there is a flaw in my knowledge and I don't know something then I'll say so and get the second, third, forth opinion, so I've come across by accident, default whatever but what I will say it's down to luck that this track has not been put out before now as it so easily could have happed as the source had no idea of the tracks history.

I think the preservation of the music is paramount, should sharing it as the likes of Ady Croasdell, the Soul Junction boys, Hayley records etc. do with the upmost respect and integrity, fully legal and above board and if the amount of any financial kick back however small  goes back to the publishing/artists label owners and so on is not the issue as it's far better to give back a little something than nothing which is exactly what they get or don't from the bootleg scene, I'm not going into the rights and wrongs of that issue more to convey, there is not a huge amount of material here unissued anyway but certainly some interesting stuff, in the future I will always get a second opinion as I say, so far the general response to this has been pretty good, I respect everyone's input good, bad and indifferent, I sincerely hope this pretty much covers everything, I've not had the best of rides in recent times from a personal perspective so this has come along at the right time, I know what I know and do not pretend to an expert by any stretch of the imagination certainly enthusiastic though , bit like knowing about a book or a movie but not actually ever reading or seeing them if that makes sense, there are obscure books and film that unless you have seen it or it's recommended or endorsed by someone it remains unknown to you much the same about music, I've forgotten about records I've actually owned and just put it down to being part and parcel of it.

 

Edited March 12, 2016 by Mark Bicknell

[Guest Byrney]

Like Quinvy I too have that uneasy feeling that this amazing one off that rang around the walls of the 100 Club so many times to be greeted by a packed dance floor will now be heard  (if they are clued up enough to play it) at your local night.

However - we've been privileged to hear this for what, 30 odd years (more so early days then in the past decade) so it's a good thing this is happening.

How lucky are those who's going to hear this amazing record in a venue for the first time.

 

Edited March 12, 2016 by Byrney

[Mike]

 

have been asked by Mark B to temp close this

so now temp closed