Detroit Sounds of Friction

[Frankie Crocker]

Has this elusive track on the Heavy Sounds Inc label been played out much? There are 12 sales listed on Popsike, 8 white DJ copies and 4 green issues. Clearly it is a rare and expensive track, but has anyone witnessed it spun in public? If it has had a public airing, I would be interested to know who the DJ was. Any and all comments on the topic would be much appreciated.

[Guest Spain pete]

Know nothing but its a luverly record

[Lovemusic]

Richard Searling played it out back in the day,

Also Soul Sam.

[Frankie Crocker]

14 minutes ago, lovemusic said:

Richard Searling played it out back in the day,

Also Soul Sam.

Thanks for this. Doesn’t surprise me to hear these two maestros were on the case early.

[Guest Spain pete]

Lead singer sounds familiar can't put my finger on it any clues?

[Chalky]

Arthur Fenn the first I believe.  Poke too, bunch of them from John Anderson.  Ex Stafford play too. 

Edited August 9, 2018 by chalky

[Ted Massey]

It is dance floor death i tried it a few times to no floor and later the Willinghams to virtually no response at nighters as well  

[Ady Potts]

Carl Fortnum used to play it, think he got the same reaction as Ted above, killed the floor. Think he then sold it to you Ted ??

[Rob Wigley]

Dave Welding has an interesting theory on this record ! Are you there Louise ?

[Greety]

Same here. I've played it at the Hitsville Weekenders in Spain to not much reaction. Another example of a big ticket record not appealing to the dancers.

[Greety]

3 hours ago, Spain pete said:

Lead singer sounds familiar can't put my finger on it any clues?

I always thought he sounded like Jerry Butler.

 

[Guest Spain pete]

Spot on the ice man

3 minutes ago, greety said:

I always thought he sounded like Jerry Butler.

 

 

[Steve Foran]

12 minutes ago, Spain pete said:

Spot on the ice man

 

On you tube someone mentions it is their father. 

[Steve Foran]

The father is Garret Tilford it states.

[Guest Alyson Taylor]

hi coming to scarborough tomorrow wondered if any northern soul happening

[Frankie Crocker]

5 hours ago, chalky said:

Arthur Fenn the first I believe.  Poke too, bunch of them from John Anderson.  Ex Stafford play too. 

So there copies around well before the days of eBay. Again, not surprised to hear Arthur has factored the record into his sets.

[Frankie Crocker]

Some interesting comments above suggesting the record is not an instant floorfiller. If rarely spun out, most folk will be unfamiliar with it and reluctant to dance. Then again, it may be more of a slow-burner as it is a slightly different sound. Lots of good points - please keep them coming.

[KevH]

19 hours ago, Ted Massey said:

It is dance floor death i tried it a few times to no floor and later the Willinghams to virtually no response at nighters as well  

Apart from me and a few others Ted.! Bugger to dance to for some, great soul record though.

Had quite a few spins 10 years back or so. Burnley nighter Ted.?

Edited August 10, 2018 by KevH

[Louise]

21 hours ago, Spain pete said:

Lead singer sounds familiar can't put my finger on it any clues?

 

Very much a Jerry Butler soundalike, i often wonder how much the artist name has contributed to the kudos of this 45 ? for example "Albuquerque Sounds Of Friction"  ?

Dave

 

[KevH]

Just now, Louise said:

 

Very much a Jerry Butler soundalike, i often wonder how much the artist name has contributed to the kudos of this 45 ? for example "Albuquerque Sounds Of Friction"  ?

Dave

 

 

Garland Green ?

[Frankie Crocker]

Well, the vocal sounds as good as as any top performer like Jerry or Garland or Gene or Jack...a rich voice that delivers.

 

The intro is unique and unmistakable, boding promisingly for a well crafted crossover tune that is sure to have some twists and turns as it unravels. It certainly gives the dancers time to pick their spot on the floor.

 

I would agree with the comment about tricky to dance to - the record requires nimble footwork and definite change of pace, so not a track for those who only ever dance the same way all the time. This is a track that requires more thought than usual but maybe that’s not a bad thing. Definitely not one for the spinners and acrobats but a nice mellow medium-pace sound that lilts along soulfully.

[Louise]

8 minutes ago, FRANKIE CROCKER said:

Well, the vocal sounds as good as as any top performer like Jerry or Garland or Gene or Jack...a rich voice that delivers.

 

The intro is unique and unmistakable, boding promisingly for a well crafted crossover tune that is sure to have some twists and turns as it unravels. It certainly gives the dancers time to pick their spot on the floor.

 

I would agree with the comment about tricky to dance to - the record requires nimble footwork and definite change of pace, so not a track for those who only ever dance the same way all the time. This is a track that requires more thought than usual but maybe that’s not a bad thing. Definitely not one for the spinners and acrobats but a nice mellow medium-pace sound that lilts along soulfully.

 Exactly if your a later day scholar of the current N/S Dance Schools your up shit creek without a paddle ! back in the day dancers could read the tempo of a tune and ajust their own unique styles accordingly, did everyone sit around eating pork pies at The Mecca ?

Edited August 10, 2018 by Louise

[Chalky]

It is ok saying a dance floor killer but I don’t know anyone who has had the belief in the record to persevere with it. Everyone wants instant floor fillers and just drop other stuff.  It has worked in the past and its had a good reaction at Lifeline to a like minded crowd. 

 

Even though the record has been around a long time it is still reletively unlnown to the majority who seem to want only what they know. 

Edited August 10, 2018 by chalky

[Frankie Crocker]

13 minutes ago, Louise said:

 Exactly if your a later day scholar of the current N/S Dance Schools your up shit creek without a paddle ! back in the day dancers could read the tempo of a tune and ajust their own unique styles accordingly, did everyone sit around eating pork pies at The Mecca ?

Yep Louise. Spot on. You got to shake your shoulders to this one.  Maybe shimmy a bit. Adapt to the music and let it take you back to the Ritz or Mecca.

[KevH]

39 minutes ago, Louise said:

 Exactly if your a later day scholar of the current N/S Dance Schools your up shit creek without a paddle ! back in the day dancers could read the tempo of a tune and ajust their own unique styles accordingly, did everyone sit around eating pork pies at The Mecca ?

 

With all that shredded wheat sloshing about, no wonder they find it hard to dance to. No pork pies for me just chicken in a basket.

[Rick Scott]

Great record! and yes it was played out lots back in the day, Sam, Arthur and Poke so got lots of Gleggy plays and of course Dickie boy was well on the case too, there were one or two others as well, (all this already mentioned), i missed out on this when John had them and from what i can gather from my trips to Kings Lynn he did not have many, hence the Big Boys were the lucky ones,

I think the secret is on this great record is simple, it is just that it is a bloody great record, with that catchy little riff that Zips about on the record, yes they struggled to get dance floor reaction to it but who cares if nobody danced to it because everyone that liked it wanted to own it (like me) this record will fly out, no worries, and quite rightly so 'Pure Quality' bringing back great memories so Looking forward to my copy dropping through my letter box some time soon.

Just for the record i have no problem with playing records that don't fill dance floors as long as i see smiles on faces and feet taping or that they look my way and give that knowing NOD, and maybe a little ripple of clapping hands is more than welcome because it means people are showing they appreciate what I'm are trying to do, 

[Frankie Crocker]

Thanks for this Rick. I am sure we will be hearing much more of this record in minor venues where OVO is of little concern after the special reissue has circulated. With an estimated 20 copies in existence, several in the hands of top DJ’s, this soulful offering is destined to be one of those records that perhaps never quite gets the acclaim it deserves. As for dance floor reaction, not every record made will be a floor-filler but that shouldn’t necessarily disqualify it from the playlists. Personally, I would like to see more dancers staying on the floor longer rather than dashing off and on for the Top 500 or the flavour of the month.

[Concrete]

quite like the other side 'Stop Him Girl'

 

[Mal C]

cool track, kinda jazz influenced I think, those changes and violins are great...

 

did they do anything else?

Edited August 11, 2018 by Mal C

[Frankie Crocker]

2 hours ago, Mal C said:

cool track, kinda jazz influenced I think, those changes and violins are great...

 

did they do anything else?

The word on the block is this is their only record. That said, the group sound so slick and professional, they surely had some local impact that could reveal other material but don’t hold your breath.

[Wiggyflat]

I actually asked for it when Arthur Fenn played the last 100 Club...he obliged.A great record., 

[Frankie Crocker]

12 hours ago, wiggyflat said:

I actually asked for it when Arthur Fenn played the last 100 Club...he obliged.A great record., 

A great DJ with some fantastic records. His sets always reflect imagination and a willingness to innovate.

[Steviehay]

guy up here called nick mckinnon has one think he paid about 2 for it does nothing for me at all im afraid and i don't think ive seen a full floor to it either each to their own i suppose  

[Frankie Crocker]

56 minutes ago, steviehay said:

guy up here called nick mckinnon has one think he paid about 2 for it does nothing for me at all im afraid and i don't think ive seen a full floor to it either each to their own i suppose  

Thanks for posting. Is that $2 or 2K? Numbers certainly few and far between. Odd though that there was a green issue but so few have turned up? I do not think I’ve heard it played out at the venues I attend in London so can not comment on dancefloor reaction.

[Becket]

I love it and will always get on the dance floor to it.

Pestered the Willinghams quite a few times @ Prestatyn top-room rare soul and Blackpool Soul Fest Niter.

We had Greety @ our little Banbury Soul Club do's a few years ago and I couldn't wait to ask him to play it - no empty dance floor here.

Really pleased Ted has told me he has one also - I can pester him now to play it !  

(although he may have moved it on with no dance floor action ?   LOL)

 

Cheers...................   Tom.

[Greety]

On ‎11‎/‎08‎/‎2018 at 15:07, concrete said:

quite like the other side 'Stop Him Girl'

 

 

[Greety]

I've never played this side, until now, I,m ashamed to say. Really nice. Good shout mate.

[Girdwoodinc]

Great record and even better that you don't hear it out that often - it's sad that some disregard records because the don't fill floors immediately, this to me is one of the reasons why the "scene" isn't moving forward as a whole in the UK

[Frankie Crocker]

13 minutes ago, Ahoy Sailor said:

Great record and even better that you don't hear it out that often - it's sad that some disregard records because the don't fill floors immediately, this to me is one of the reasons why the "scene" isn't moving forward as a whole in the UK

Fair point - like a fine wine, perhaps enjoyed in select company. Not sure you can judge the scene from analysing dancefloor reaction anyway - never before has the rare-soul scene been so multi-dimensional and catered to all sorts of people. There are similar records making gains on the scene such as Sag Warfare and United Sounds but copies are so scarce that many wil have not experienced them in public.

[Girdwoodinc]

22 minutes ago, FRANKIE CROCKER said:

Fair point - like a fine wine, perhaps enjoyed in select company. Not sure you can judge the scene from analysing dancefloor reaction anyway - never before has the rare-soul scene been so multi-dimensional and catered to all sorts of people. There are similar records making gains on the scene such as Sag Warfare and United Sounds but copies are so scarce that many wil have not experienced them in public.

 

Totally agree, that’s why I travel most weekends to hear records like those - well worth the miles, time and energy 

[Frankie Crocker]

43 minutes ago, Ahoy Sailor said:

 

Totally agree, that’s why I travel most weekends to hear records like those - well worth the miles, time and energy 

And when you know who has the records, you’ll travel to where they are DJing. That’s why I’m a fan of playlists published after a DJ has played a set - take Dave Rimmer for example, as he regularly posts lists that would encourage you to go out of your way to hear.

[Glynthornhill]

Interesting this topic has had over 1,000 views  may I refer you to the news article for more details.

 

The group only recorded one 45 , but many members of the group had musical careers.

 

Mike has put a very informative piece from the Al Green biography book published recently.

 

 

[Arthur Fenn]

Funny this as until possibly 20 yrs ago i don't know of anyone who had the promo. Circa 78 it was Poke's "Mel Brit" cover up. 18 months later issue's turned up at the Bowl @ £20 or so apiece. I bought 2 . I found 1 spare for $2 at John Hilliyard's house in 85 & sold it to Graham Ellis. Not everyone's cup a T for sure but i love it 8-). 

[Wiggyflat]

Play it tonight Arthur lol

[Frankie Crocker]

On 18/08/2018 at 10:09, Arthur Fenn said:

Funny this as until possibly 20 yrs ago i don't know of anyone who had the promo. Circa 78 it was Poke's "Mel Brit" cover up. 18 months later issue's turned up at the Bowl @ £20 or so apiece. I bought 2 . I found 1 spare for $2 at John Hilliyard's house in 85 & sold it to Graham Ellis. Not everyone's cup a T for sure but i love it 8-). 

Thanks for this Arthur. I can imagine Kev will request it again unless you play it first. Sorry I can’t be there to shuffle along but am currently down a Soul Mine somewhere between Chicago and Detroit.

Edited August 23, 2018 by FRANKIE CROCKER
typo

[Duke]

On 18/08/2018 at 15:49, wiggyflat said:

Play it tonight Arthur lol

And so it came to pass. Great set btw

[Wiggyflat]

I asked him for it lol

[The Phantom Janitor]

On 13 August 2018 at 19:02, steviehay said:

guy up here called nick mckinnon has one think he paid about 2 for it does nothing for me at all im afraid and i don't think ive seen a full floor to it either each to their own i suppose  

I'm sure Nicks still got it Steve, he played it at Movin on a groove a couple of times, not sure if he's played it at Altrincham, must get him to play it in October, great record!

[Concrete]

the singer says something on the runout just prior to the final break, sounds to me like 'Show show' anybody any wiser ? 

[Frankie Crocker]

4 hours ago, wiggyflat said:

I asked him for it lol

But did he play it?