What Is "two-step"?

[Agent45]

I see the term "two stepper" on sales lists from time to time and have absolutely no idea what this implies, or what it sounds like. I'm assuming this is a 1980s thing?

[Albert Petit]

THIS IS THE SOUND FOR THE FUNNY LAZY´S...HEHEHE, I LIKE IT!

I see the term "two stepper" on sales lists from time to time and have absolutely no idea what this implies, or what it sounds like. I'm assuming this is a 1980s thing?

[ImberBoy]

I think this is 2 step?

[ImberBoy]

nahhh bin that, just looked on the tube and I think its a hip hop style poss a fusion of regge n hip hop?

God I am so out!

[Guest Dr Pickles]

Try this:

">

[Garethx]

Two Step, like Crossover seems to mean lots of things to lots of people all over the world.

The context in which you're referring to it here would be the slick, sometimes orchestrated urban soul of the late 70s and 80s which found favour with the more soul-oriented end of the reggae blues party scene in London, Sheffield, Manchester etc. at the time. A lot of the records played at the time had a pronounced accent on the on-beat: hence the term two-step.

Classic two-step tracks that will be familiar to most soul fans are things like Starvue "Body Fusion" or The Three Pieces "If Only I Could Prove To You". These two are pretty-much definitive anthems (alongside a thousand more) but give a fairly good idea of the two step sound at its best.

Like all scenes though there are records played which don't have anything in common with these musically. Rather like Northern it can be a broad church, but in the main it is the type of orchestrated, melodic dance music pioneered in the early 70s by the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Leroy Hutson etc.

Of course the term also applies to a lot of other scenes as well. There is a two-step component of the UK garage scene, for instance, which tend to be the lighter and more melodic end of that music, but I think when you see two-step or stepper on a soul record list it will refer to records of the type above.

[Karlm]

Another good example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkVzu7qUsEU

Slick, soulful ballad with a beat.

[Guest in town Mikey]

I wrongly then assumed that it had something to do with 50s and early 60s RnB. I was given a tape at boogaloo a few years ago by a rocker couple and the told me they liked two step.

Its awful IMO but then I'm no RnB fan on the whole.

The stuff on the tape is RnB but seemed to be a cross of the rockabilly type lyrics and country ish singers with a very defined RnB beat.

The couple also told me the style of dancing they do to it is called Strolling??

There is a fella at the weston do's who plays this kind of music I'm trying to describe. I told a few people down there it was two step. this is how rumours start ;-)

I dont know all this mixing of mods and rockers on an RnB level, its like they never fought on the beaches! Mark my words. it'll end in tears.

Edited May 21, 2008 by in town Mikey

[Agent45]

Another good example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkVzu7qUsEU

Slick, soulful ballad with a beat.

This, along with Gareth's post makes perfect sense. Thanks very much to all.

Edited May 21, 2008 by Agent45

[Gene-r]

Walking round the garden like a teddy bear,

One step, two step............................?????

[Girthdevon]

Of course there is a long running SS thread which should answer any & all questions on the subject

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/Stepper...amp;hl=two+step

19 pages and more to come i'm sure......

Cheers Girth

[Jordirip]

I've heard it described by an American as mid tempo smooth funk, which is a pretty good description.

Jordi

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

The definitive two-step track - in 'as played on a predominantly balck, soul oriented scene' - is Barbra Striesand and Barry Gibb's "Guilty". I'm not joking - all the two-step/rare groove type sounds were playing it in the 80s. It has the perfect beat for the two step sound.

Not saying it's a great record or anything (although I do quite like it) - just that if anyone wants to know a record that epitomises 'two step' then that one does!

TONE

[Garethx]

The definitive two-step track - in 'as played on a predominantly balck, soul oriented scene' - is Barbra Striesand and Barry Gibb's "Guilty". I'm not joking - all the two-step/rare groove type sounds were playing it in the 80s. It has the perfect beat for the two step sound.

Not saying it's a great record or anything (although I do quite like it) - just that if anyone wants to know a record that epitomises 'two step' then that one does!

TONE

Something of a classic indeed on that scene. A really good example as well in that it illustrates the point about rhythmic restraint which Jordi makes above and which a lot of these records have. They tend to be syncopated without being too funky. There is usually a gloss to the production which marks a record out as having two-step potential.

[El Corol]

The definitive two-step track - in 'as played on a predominantly balck, soul oriented scene' - is Barbra Striesand and Barry Gibb's "Guilty". I'm not joking - all the two-step/rare groove type sounds were playing it in the 80s. It has the perfect beat for the two step sound.

Not saying it's a great record or anything (although I do quite like it) - just that if anyone wants to know a record that epitomises 'two step' then that one does!

TONE

Well I'm saying it IS a great record.....there said it.......now I'll wait for a slating

Rob

[Guest mel brat]

I dont know all this mixing of mods and rockers on an RnB level, its like they never fought on the beaches! Mark my words. it'll end in tears...

Love it!

[Barry]

'Two step' is a term, and I feel that I have enough spent enough time on the BAS (Black American Scene) to have a view, describes a time when venues, and their jocks, began playing tracks in the vein of Keni Burke's - 'Rising To The Top' (easy target), Bobby Womacks - 'How Could You Break My Heart' (Ralph Tee's beautifully obvious 12"), Keith Barrow, Harold Melvin's - 'Prayin' etc etc...

This period, which was post Northern/Modern, was instigated by movers and shakers on the scene at the time (Searling/Edwards/Rose at al) was borne of a love for deeper, heavier and more refined productions - tracks that had been appreciated from the home and the heart, but had never been given a real forum on the dancefloor - it was almost a real adult reaction against everything that had gone before.

Richard's - 'Halfway House' - Blackburn - 'Parkers' - Manchester, 'The Cricket Club' - Earlestown and a millenia of local events made it real.

'Two Step' was a coat hanger term.

There was a period following the NS scene, when (obviously) people moved on from the aforementioned, maybe didn't attend but still kept abreast of the BAS, they listened to their local BAS jock (Mike Shaft eg), more album tracks got exposure, more downtempo things got played - basically people opened their eyes, and moved on.

'Two Step' is an old term, to me anyhow, it probably means something different nowadays I don't know, but the music - and the lads that championed that sound at the time - have a great deal to do with people growing up musically.

Not all to do with the jocks, they are nothing without the direction given to them from the dancefloor, but 'Two Step' as a term alone doesn't do the music that that term encapsulates any favours.

A major force in the scenes progression.

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

The two step scene was actually the outgrowth of the soul records that were being played on Jamaican sound systems. I don't think you can give any credit at all to the Northern/Modern scene or to the likes of Searling etc. for 'inventing' it. The sound system DJs had it all figured out, and were championing it, long before the days of Parkers/Halfway House etc...

...And Harold Melvin "Prayin" a two step? Not in this lifetime or the next, I'm afraid.

[Garethx]

I agree with Tony. Searling etc. cherry-picked tracks which were already huge on an existing, quite separate scene.

[Ian Dewhirst]

...And Harold Melvin "Prayin" a two step? Not in this lifetime or the next, I'm afraid.

Haha LOL! You're right Tony - I never saw "Prayin'" as a two-step.

Arnold Blair's "Trying To Get Next To You" is the one that springs to my mind. When I think of all the copies I left in the 70's it kills me now LOL...........It sounded horrendous back then but put it in another context and era it made perfect sense.

Ian D

[Geoff]

I wrongly then assumed that it had something to do with 50s and early 60s RnB. I was given a tape at boogaloo a few years ago by a rocker couple and the told me they liked two step.

Its awful IMO but then I'm no RnB fan on the whole.

The stuff on the tape is RnB but seemed to be a cross of the rockabilly type lyrics and country ish singers with a very defined RnB beat.

The couple also told me the style of dancing they do to it is called Strolling??

There is a fella at the weston do's who plays this kind of music I'm trying to describe. I told a few people down there it was two step. this is how rumours start ;-)

I dont know all this mixing of mods and rockers on an RnB level, its like they never fought on the beaches! Mark my words. it'll end in tear

I think they were referring to a dance from the late 50s called the Stroll, big hit at the time by the Diamonds, Canadian white doo wop group who specialised in cover versions. Not sure of the steps, seem to remember it is literally strolling. I remember Lesley attending Courts in Enfield before we started going out, and she said that was the one dance you were allowed to do separately (without a partner) there.

Your description of the music on the tape you were given sounds like classic rock'n'roll or rockabilly. If they strolled to it I assume it was mid tempo or slower.

[Steve G]

Probably one of the easiest to find (as it must have been out on at least six of Ian's CD mixes) and one that encapsulates two step for me is Starvue Body Fusion.

Edited May 22, 2008 by Steve G

[Guest nusha]

The definitive two-step track - in 'as played on a predominantly balck, soul oriented scene' - is Barbra Striesand and Barry Gibb's "Guilty". I'm not joking - all the two-step/rare groove type sounds were playing it in the 80s. It has the perfect beat for the two step sound.

Not saying it's a great record or anything (although I do quite like it) - just that if anyone wants to know a record that epitomises 'two step' then that one does!

TONE

[Guest nusha]

The definitive two-step track - in 'as played on a predominantly balck, soul oriented scene' - is Barbra Striesand and Barry Gibb's "Guilty". I'm not joking - all the two-step/rare groove type sounds were playing it in the 80s. It has the perfect beat for the two step sound.

Not saying it's a great record or anything (although I do quite like it) - just that if anyone wants to know a record that epitomises 'two step' then that one does!

TONE

Tis True..They also liked The Pina Colada Song (Cant remember who did it?

[Guest nusha]

Epitome of 2 step to me is Natural 4 You Can Always Count On Me.

[binsy]

The two step scene was actually the outgrowth of the soul records that were being played on Jamaican sound systems. I don't think you can give any credit at all to the Northern/Modern scene or to the likes of Searling etc. for 'inventing' it. The sound system DJs had it all figured out, and were championing it, long before the days of Parkers/Halfway House etc...

...And Harold Melvin "Prayin" a two step? Not in this lifetime or the next, I'm afraid.

I think we were lucky in london because we had the likes of Trevor ' 2 step' Myzacks and Charlie'Jackie Wilson' Mitchell. Some of the stuff that were put onto Mary Mundy,Next Movement,Rhyze,fantastic tunes.

[Guest Salv]

I wrongly then assumed that it had something to do with 50s and early 60s RnB. I was given a tape at boogaloo a few years ago by a rocker couple and the told me they liked two step.

Its awful IMO but then I'm no RnB fan on the whole.

The stuff on the tape is RnB but seemed to be a cross of the rockabilly type lyrics and country ish singers with a very defined RnB beat.

The couple also told me the style of dancing they do to it is called Strolling??

There is a fella at the weston do's who plays this kind of music I'm trying to describe. I told a few people down there it was two step. this is how rumours start ;-)

I dont know all this mixing of mods and rockers on an RnB level, its like they never fought on the beaches! Mark my words. it'll end in tears.

Off topic I know, but Strolling in the current 40s/50s/rockabilly scene is best described as a line dance, usually to mid-tempo tracks such as the Diamonds song that Geoff mentioned, and Sixty Minute Man by Billy Ward & The Dominoes. There are a couple of clips on You Tube from recent Rockabilly events that demonstrate it:

">

[Supercorsa]

I wrongly then assumed that it had something to do with 50s and early 60s RnB. I was given a tape at boogaloo a few years ago by a rocker couple and the told me they liked two step.

Its awful IMO but then I'm no RnB fan on the whole.

The stuff on the tape is RnB but seemed to be a cross of the rockabilly type lyrics and country ish singers with a very defined RnB beat.

The couple also told me the style of dancing they do to it is called Strolling??

There is a fella at the weston do's who plays this kind of music I'm trying to describe. I told a few people down there it was two step. this is how rumours start ;-)

I dont know all this mixing of mods and rockers on an RnB level, its like they never fought on the beaches! Mark my words. it'll end in tears.

Strolling! Bloke at work goes to these 50's nights says about Strolling, he said Booker T's Green Onions would be classed as a stroller, whatever that means!

What's this Rocker doing here?

[Barry]

Just think about the term 'Two Step' lads.

[Barry]

The two step scene was actually the outgrowth of the soul records that were being played on Jamaican sound systems. I don't think you can give any credit at all to the Northern/Modern scene or to the likes of Searling etc. for 'inventing' it. The sound system DJs had it all figured out, and were championing it, long before the days of Parkers/Halfway House etc...

...And Harold Melvin "Prayin" a two step? Not in this lifetime or the next, I'm afraid.

Giving Searling props for playing what is deemed by the majority to be Two Step has little to do with giving the NS/Modern scene credit for 'inventing' it Tony.

Obviously you pigeon hole 'Prayin', as I would expect a mainly NS type to do, as simply an all nighter play - it wasn't.

Try not to spill knowledge to relevant others....when your knowledge is gained only from the insular scene that you have evolved within.

I would hope that my reply is along the lines of what you would have expected of me.

[Neiljon31]

Two Step, like Crossover seems to mean lots of things to lots of people all over the world.

The context in which you're referring to it here would be the slick, sometimes orchestrated urban soul of the late 70s and 80s which found favour with the more soul-oriented end of the reggae blues party scene in London, Sheffield, Manchester etc. at the time. A lot of the records played at the time had a pronounced accent on the on-beat: hence the term two-step.

Classic two-step tracks that will be familiar to most soul fans are things like Starvue "Body Fusion" or The Three Pieces "If Only I Could Prove To You". These two are pretty-much definitive anthems (alongside a thousand more) but give a fairly good idea of the two step sound at its best.

Like all scenes though there are records played which don't have anything in common with these musically. Rather like Northern it can be a broad church, but in the main it is the type of orchestrated, melodic dance music pioneered in the early 70s by the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Leroy Hutson etc.

Of course the term also applies to a lot of other scenes as well. There is a two-step component of the UK garage scene, for instance, which tend to be the lighter and more melodic end of that music, but I think when you see two-step or stepper on a soul record list it will refer to records of the type above.

Gareth take a bow ! what a great description, love it.

Also I'm with Barry on his points about Searling et al pushing the 'soul' scene into 2 step,yep it was nicked, no he did not invent it, yes there were people elsewhere digging that sound but it did crossover at that time and it opened a lot of ears up..mine included.

I like those rockabilly clips too but how bored do some of the lady dancers look at times...maybe recreating that post war still on rations vibe ?

good stuff this thread better than a row about my dad being bigger than your dad

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Giving Searling props for playing what is deemed by the majority to be Two Step has little to do with giving the NS/Modern scene credit for 'inventing' it Tony.

Obviously you pigeon hole 'Prayin', as I would expect a mainly NS type to do, as simply an all nighter play - it wasn't.

Try not to spill knowledge to relevant others....when your knowledge is gained only from the insular scene that you have evolved within.

I would hope that my reply is along the lines of what you would have expected of me.

Yes, it's exactly what i would have expected of you - and the only 'pigeon holing' that seems to be going on here is of me as a 'mainly NS type'. The thousands of hillbiilly, reggae, punk, MOR, girl group. beat group, rockabilly, R & B (both 'types'), punk, big band and jazz, pre-WW11 blues and god knows what else albums, 78s and singles that I have bought since I started my first collection in the early 60s would seem to contradict that.

Anyway it wasn't me who (erroneously) 'pigeon holed' 'Prayin' as a two step, was it. It would never have copped even one play on a geunine two step scene, however great it is (and it is).

Gareth's subesquent posting eloquently summarises my own feelings about the origins of two step. Except that it doesn't quite reinforce that this was originally a predominantly southern 'phenomenon' that drifted north for a change, rather than the other way around.

Edited May 25, 2008 by TONY ROUNCE

[Modernsoulsucks]

I gotta agree with Tony there and can maybe add a bit of background as to maybe why 2-step did begin to feature at places like Parker's.

John Anderson had opened "Expansions" run by Dean in Manchester and Dave Withers and I had joined forces in "Out of the Past" . Dave, Dean and John were well aware of the London 2-step scene by around '87 and a lot of the London guys [Victor,Stanley,Adam,Malcolm] were coming North and buying up 70's albums for not much money and re-selling down South.

In '88 when our shop started Northern was in the doldrums and to make a living we had to focus on something that was relatively easy to track down in the USA for which there was a consistent demand and so we concentrated on the 2-step market. A bit of a steep learning curve for a 60's dinosaur like myself but luckily the music does have a very identifiable sound and at the time there were tons of albums lying around in the shops/warehouses in the USA.

Spending three months at a time in the US we musta sent back thousands of albums that were either in-demand titles or had a track in that vein, plus of course the rarer 45s like Carl Hall,James Nelson,Arnold Blair etc

We did the record fairs down London and we got mobbed. I think the table collapsed one time.

Where I disagree with Barry is that it wasn't Northern/modern fans buying the stuff [with a few exceptions like Dave Ripoles] but mainly London-based guys who as Tony says were also into their reggae. In fact given the choice between JR Bailey LP on MAM and that Record Player 45 the Northern modern guys would go for the latter everytime. That was my first realisation that Northernmodernsoul does really suck!!

Richard most likely "discovered" the genre from his association with John and the fact that he was a pretty regular customer at our shop for a couple of years and we would play him whatever the guys in London were keen to get hold of.

I also tend to think that the 2-step guys played a very large part in the evolution of the crossover phenomena as it was them asking for Jesse James, Bobby Dukes,Jean Wells, Debbie Taylor etc long before I noticed any Northern interest.

ROD

Edited May 25, 2008 by modernsoulsucks

[De-to]

I think they were referring to a dance from the late 50s called the Stroll, big hit at the time by the Diamonds, Canadian white doo wop group who specialised in cover versions. Not sure of the steps, seem to remember it is literally strolling. I remember Lesley attending Courts in Enfield before we started going out, and she said that was the one dance you were allowed to do separately (without a partner) there.

Your description of the music on the tape you were given sounds like classic rock'n'roll or rockabilly. If they strolled to it I assume it was mid tempo or slower.

is this the stroll,

[Karlm]

I gotta agree with Tony there and can maybe add a bit of background as to why 2-step did begin to feature at places like Parker's.

*ALOT OF TEXT*

ROD

Interesting read Rod!

[Barry]

Yes, it's exactly what i would have expected of you - and the only 'pigeon holing' that seems to be going on here is of me as a 'mainly NS type'. The thousands of hillbiilly, reggae, punk, MOR, girl group. beat group, rockabilly, R & B (both 'types'), punk, big band and jazz, pre-WW11 blues and god knows what else albums, 78s and singles that I have bought since I started my first collection in the early 60s would seem to contradict that.

Anyway it wasn't me who (erroneously) 'pigeon holed' 'Prayin' as a two step, was it. It would never have copped even one play on a geunine two step scene, however great it is (and it is).

Gareth's subesquent posting eloquently summarises my own feelings about the origins of two step. Except that it doesn't quite reinforce that this was originally a predominantly southern 'phenomenon' that drifted north for a change, rather than the other way around.

Tony, do you honestly think that the fella who posted the initial thread opener was hoping to be told about Jamaican sound systems?

If so, stick yer Baz & Babs record back on yer turntable mate.

And you have the nerve to have denegrate Searlings input.

Blinder!

[Barry]

....and I feel you should start showing a little of the knowledge you surely must have gained from being such a wide and varied collector (I wouldn't have known if you wouldn't have posted your musical conquests) on this message board.

I may take you more seriously if you did.

May!? that is.

[Garethx]

Tony, do you honestly think that the fella who posted the initial thread opener was hoping to be told about Jamaican sound systems?

If so, stick yer Baz & Babs record back on yer turntable mate.

And you have the nerve to have denegrate Searlings input.

Blinder!

I mentioned reggae blues parties in an early reply to the thread (post no. 6) because it's the correct answer. It's where two-step in this context started. It didn't start at Parkers. Searling didn't invent it. That is fact. Why do you find it so hard to accept?

Rod's post gives a great first hand insight into how and why the two-step phenomenon started to make inroads into what might be termed the rare soul scene and collections thereof.

The comment about the Streisand/Gibb record is puzzling. Are you saying this was not a two-step anthem? If so you are wrong. That particular record has and would have 'wrecked' many a two step dance for decades. In fact it was one of the first tracks specifically bootlegged for that particular scene.

Edited May 30, 2008 by garethx

[Girthdevon]

'Two step' is a term, and I feel that I have enough spent enough time on the BAS (Black American Scene) to have a view, describes a time when venues, and their jocks, began playing tracks in the vein of Keni Burke's - 'Rising To The Top' (easy target), Bobby Womacks - 'How Could You Break My Heart' (Ralph Tee's beautifully obvious 12"), Keith Barrow, Harold Melvin's - 'Prayin' etc etc...

This period, which was post Northern/Modern, was instigated by movers and shakers on the scene at the time (Searling/Edwards/Rose at al) was borne of a love for deeper, heavier and more refined productions - tracks that had been appreciated from the home and the heart, but had never been given a real forum on the dancefloor - it was almost a real adult reaction against everything that had gone before.

Richard's - 'Halfway House' - Blackburn - 'Parkers' - Manchester, 'The Cricket Club' - Earlestown and a millenia of local events made it real.

'Two Step' was a coat hanger term.

There was a period following the NS scene, when (obviously) people moved on from the aforementioned, maybe didn't attend but still kept abreast of the BAS, they listened to their local BAS jock (Mike Shaft eg), more album tracks got exposure, more downtempo things got played - basically people opened their eyes, and moved on.

'Two Step' is an old term, to me anyhow, it probably means something different nowadays I don't know, but the music - and the lads that championed that sound at the time - have a great deal to do with people growing up musically.

Not all to do with the jocks, they are nothing without the direction given to them from the dancefloor, but 'Two Step' as a term alone doesn't do the music that that term encapsulates any favours.

A major force in the scenes progression.

What Is "two-step"?, exposing my ignorance.......

Agent45 admitted openly that he had no idea what the term meant - perhaps Barry, you should do the same.....

Some spot on replies from Tony, Gareth & Rod.......

Girf

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

What Is "two-step"?, exposing my ignorance.......

Agent45 admitted openly that he had no idea what the term meant - perhaps Barry, you should do the same.....

Some spot on replies from Tony, Gareth & Rod.......

Girf

I was thinking of playing a few two steppers at monuMENTAL tomorrow night, Girf. Perhaps I'll kick off with 'Prayin'...

[Barry]

What Is "two-step"?, exposing my ignorance.......

Agent45 admitted openly that he had no idea what the term meant - perhaps Barry, you should do the same.....

Some spot on replies from Tony, Gareth & Rod.......

Girf

Are you lot real?

[Barry]

What Is "two-step"?, exposing my ignorance.......

Agent45 admitted openly that he had no idea what the term meant - perhaps Barry, you should do the same.....

Some spot on replies from Tony, Gareth & Rod.......

Girf

Actualy I feel like taking you to task on that, pm me with your views, you obviously have it in mind that I have just pissed about on dancefloors for a bit.

I mean it, pm me, lets talk.

[Barry]

I was thinking of playing a few two steppers at monuMENTAL tomorrow night, Girf. Perhaps I'll kick off with 'Prayin'...

Your ace Tony, and I'm sh*t - obviously.

Simply shown by the fact that it is very obvious by your jokey and unconcerned message board demenour that I have you running scared (don't take it too seriously mate, I don't) and you are having to rely on other misinformed Northern 'drones' that are similarly as insecure as yourself to give your poor drawlings creedence.

No matter how much effort you and yours put into making me appear somewhat of a being not worthy of having a view (that is worth listening to), the PM's I receive from other board members tell me different.

Good luck with your task, it will ultimately bear little fruit.

I'll still talk intelligently about this music, which will enable you and your school-ground bullies to continue spouting their pointless drivel.

I don't see a positive bone amongst you.

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Your ace Tony, and I'm sh*t - obviously.

Simply shown by the fact that it is very obvious by your jokey and unconcerned message board demenour that I have you running scared (don't take it too seriously mate, I don't) and you are having to rely on other misinformed Northern 'drones' that are similarly as insecure as yourself to give your poor drawlings creedence.

No matter how much effort you and yours put into making me appear somewhat of a being not worthy of having a view (that is worth listening to), the PM's I receive from other board members tell me different.

Good luck with your task, it will ultimately bear little fruit.

I'll still talk intelligently about this music, which will enable you and your school-ground bullies to continue spouting their pointless drivel.

I don't see a positive bone amongst you.

I don't need to hide my opinion of your opinion behind PM's. You're entitled to that opinion, it's a forum here and that's what a forum is all about -differences of opinion...

...But the bottom line is, you're just wrong, simple as that. Completely and utterly wrong. Parker's was a great club, and Richard was, is and always will be a great DJ, but he would be the first to tell you that your view of the origins of the two step scene is complete and utter tosh. Surely the fact that Sourcers from all over the country are trying to tell you this, in public rather than via alleged PMs, must mean something to you?

I have no personal agenda here, I assure you. We've all been guilty of inaccuracy at one time or another, and you're guilty of it now. Please accept it and move on gracefully.

BTW I was at every single Parker's except one I missed through illness. I even guest DJ'd at one in the 'other room'. Don't remember seeing you at any of them, though...

...that's humour, incidentally, which I thought I'd better explain as you don't seem to have much of a sense of it.

Edited June 1, 2008 by TONY ROUNCE

[Barry]

I mentioned reggae blues parties in an early reply to the thread (post no. 6) because it's the correct answer. It's where two-step in this context started. It didn't start at Parkers. Searling didn't invent it. That is fact. Why do you find it so hard to accept?

Rod's post gives a great first hand insight into how and why the two-step phenomenon started to make inroads into what might be termed the rare soul scene and collections thereof.

The comment about the Streisand/Gibb record is puzzling. Are you saying this was not a two-step anthem? If so you are wrong. That particular record has and would have 'wrecked' many a two step dance for decades. In fact it was one of the first tracks specifically bootlegged for that particular scene.

Without rattling on about my history gareth (which I could do, it is wide and varied as it happens).

Who said Searling invented it, I certainly didn't - how can you invent a term? - and you should respect your elders and betters my friend, or it all stands for nothing - just reflect for a moment it'll do you good.

I almost bit there but then I realised the majority of the above negative comments appear to be made from people that weren't truly involved in the black music scene, the same comments appear to be second hand borrowed scaredy cat white boy comments.

I have no problems with that at heart but you're talking to a lad that has been involved on these scenes.

It seems to me that you are white soul boys, borne of white soul boy venues.

Tell me I'm wrong.

[Barry]

Tony?

Your view?

[Barry]

I don't need to hide my opinion of your opinion behind PM's. You're entitled to that opinion, it's a forum here and that's what a forum is all about -differences of opinion...

...But the bottom line is, you're just wrong, simple as that. Completely and utterly wrong. Parker's was a great club, and Richard was, is and always will be a great DJ, but he would be the first to tell you that your view of the origins of the two step scene is complete and utter tosh. Surely the fact that Sourcers from all over the country are trying to tell you this, in public rather than via alleged PMs, must mean something to you?

I have no personal agenda here, I assure you. We've all been guilty of inaccuracy at one time or another, and you're guilty of it now. Please accept it and move on gracefully.

BTW I was at every single Parker's except one I missed through illness. I even guest DJ'd at one in the 'other room'. Don't remember seeing you at any of them, though...

...that's humour, incidentally, which I thought I'd better explain as you don't seem to have much of a sense of it.

What has Parkers (and your irrelevant illness) got to do with owt?

I simply gave a few relevant venues that played good soul music in the NW off the back of the Northern scene, and you lot horribly, and yet fantastically, spewed your errant dislike of Searling by jumping on his input and knocking it - Freudian as Feck.

Without me having to spell it out for you, you've shown your true colours Tony - old, misconstrued and faded as it happens.

I'll live my life knowing I'm right as I have first hand knowledge, with or without your nod.

Love you.

[Barry]

Did you think twice about your response Tony?

Shame I had already quoted it.

Don't dally son.

[Barry]

I see the term "two stepper" on sales lists from time to time and have absolutely no idea what this implies, or what it sounds like. I'm assuming this is a 1980s thing?

Before I bore myself, the board, my dead family members, and yourself Tony - I'll just quote Agent 45's opener to this ultimatley pointless and awfully dreary thread.

I'm assuming this is a 1980s thing?

Jamaica, Baz & Babs etc....I honestly don't think he was looking for an answer that required such a display from yourself.

Or maybe it was me, and not you, who was hi-jacking a thread with irrelevant information that displayed to the board how deeeeeeep my knowledge of the scene is - that is without actually giving the short and (wanted) succinct answer to what should have been a decent thread.

[vnicepce]

I see the term "two stepper" on sales lists from time to time and have absolutely no idea what this implies, or what it sounds like. I'm assuming this is a 1980s thing?

who cares? just dance to the music, rather than bothering to classify it; If you like the track, that's good enough, isn't it?