Mike

The North Herts Family are pleased to announce that the Soulgate Mob are having a Goodfellas Night on New Years Eve at the White Hart, Chase Road, Southgate N14 (thats right opposite the Asda store, 5 mins straight walk from the tube) and all for a mere £5 OTD. Randy C. is joined by Ady Croasdale, Tony Smith and that broad from up town, Karen Bedford for a night of Motown starters then NEW YORK tunes all the way with 50s&60s SOUL, DOO WOP & MOB favourites. Nice dancefloor&bar and no doubt a bit of Dino thrown in for good measure. Make sure you mention Randys name on the door otherwise you anit getting in!!!!! This looks set to be a blinding night so get yourselves down early and welcome in 2003 with the scenes largest family. An offer you cant refuse - fuggedaboutit!!! TheBigO

THIS SAT 7TH DEC AT THE 100 CLUB 100 OXFORD ST LONDON W1 6TS NORTHERN SOUL ALL-NIGHTER 1.30 - 8 AM (SUN MORNING REALLY) END OF AN ERA SPECIAL SHIFTY, TEF AND SHARONS RETIREMENT PARTY 100 CLUB MAINSTAYS TAKE AN EARLY BATH TO CONCENTRATE ON THEIR SANITY SUPPORTED BY BUTCH, MICK SMITH, ADY CROASDELL AND SKMS DAVE RIMMER SEE YALL THERE ADY

Latest Occurances: The CSC celebrated the 3rd Annivesary this weekend and a cracking nite, see badly drawn review below Site stats for month of nov- 16,000 page views approx 3000 visitors Track listings dug out and added for Russ Vickers, Ian Cunliffe and Ritchie Sessions

Dome CSC, well after moving back to the homeland a while back , my attempts to get regular to Dome, slowly got less and less, the vast amount of events, petrol prices, other involvements all meant trips down south had to be curtailed a bit. As been a bit of time since did a review of a csc nite, standby for a return of the sense of puzzlement that usually accompanies these reviews. Written for off-list thing with soul talk bit added on for list, so apoligies if context not quite right Well after a fair sized gap since making the trip down south, felt the third anniversary was a good time to get down to what have always considered one of the most enjoyable soul nites that have been to. Plan was to get a full coach load of the worse dmsc reprobates around, who are currently not in jail or exile in spain and burn a path of crazy rare soul mayhem right across the face on England. Well that was the plan ! Just say am handing in me travel agent badge right now, After 30 + expressing a def interest plans were firm, but after a week of a lot of drop-outs, on Monday the monkey bus turned into first a minibus, then on wed a 7 seater and then finally due to high cost a five seater jap estate from bangersr us a couple of hours before the setoff ( Anyone planning similar watch out for the mileage extra costs ). A lot of factors, work, xmas, cash, came into play. and the day of travel saw frantic last min changes as trying to get the lowest cost. Have to apologise to the 3 who couldnt be fitted in, but if had got bigger vehicle cost almost doubled and would have made the trip a non-starter Still managed to assemble a fairly desperate bunch of dmsc members with the likes of kit the jock, dick john, bob shaffer, paul o and meself all geared up for a trip down south. Trip down was a record! After the usual north wales pick up confusion, have done this 101+ times and still goes wrong, wrong turnings, delays and so on. Once all picked up and I had been substituted as driver we set off. We managed to get from Springfield Hotel (dmsc home base) area to Tufnall Park in 3 and a half hours....on a Friday nite? and with a stop ? Yep, as slept most of way have no idea how or even if it was legal, but just say was most welcome.Gotta say thanks to the CSC promoters/door staff as they were expecting us, and got a good welcome, "that monkey lot is here" along with the latest status symbol for the discerning soul types the anniversary keyring.(Top quality and already replaced me merc thing) Thru doors and first noticed that a few changes, the cloakroom has gone, which was a bit discerning, as better half Sue had spent two years doing the coats in there and a few funny stories could be told. But then things were back to normal with familiar sight of Nick B dishing out flyers for next big event in London (next friday is Scenesvilles Christmas party at the Glasshouse club in Blackfriars).Fairly packed already with a good feel, time to hit bar.Many faces hadnt seen for a while so was a nite of catch up and all that. Crowd wise, official figure was 400+ and as said had a good feel, as always whole range of age groups which is always refreshing, on travels round met people knew from all over Cambridge, midlands, north west, scotland, holyhead, finland, yorkshire - all of them,north east, south west, south east etc etc - be easier to have put all over uk and beyond. Record room was busy with many familiar faces, Andy Dyson said he was fairly busy, an american seller seemed to being doing well, as always me own vinyl account was in red so avoided temptation of browsing. A request from Claire - Needs help finding 45 of "satan wont you let me" - Brenda Starr - Atco anyone help? get in touch if you can please.Jo Wallace was doing the cloakroom thing in corner, a quick bit of chat bout chatham soul in early 80s. Sounds wise - not sure how much or if format has changed a bit since last time, and as an anniversary nite always going to be a bit different, heard many familiar CSC sounds, a fair few new unfamilars, a lot more 70s+ along with a fair few revivals, thought heard an an andy rix instru (the ive got something one)? though as out for an enjoyable nite wasnt that sure. Mick Smith was main guest and Pete Hulatt Will add playlists when out so can get full view rather than my snapshot recollections. Nite seemed to finish too early, the lights went on for final finish and then spotted more who had to either catch up or sort something out . Greg finished nite with the "thats it no more, sorry no more, no thats it. " ...."oh ok then" and then after a pause let loose the Kindly Shepards which worked really well and a great way to underline the nite. Got out off there, then a short nip up the motorways of england back to the homeland, arriving at 7 am time taken up with vinyl trivia, stories, solving all the world problems and all that. An impromptu after event session as had to wait till hand in hire car. My view on nite was well enjoyable, it had been too long since last down there and had a great old time, the rest of the dmsc outing all thought nite was well enjoyable and impressed with sounds, feel of place and enthusaism of everyone and glad they risked the perils of putting their lives in hands of dmsc travel division After 3 years on from that memorable first nite, glad to report that CSC lot still going strong, and after all the events of last year am well pleased to say that. And sure that come next year be saying just the same again . As a footnote, on events of last 12 months could say a lot as have strong feelings on some of the occurrences that went on by so called "figures" of this scene. But for now all I will say is big thanks for the last 3 years to all CSC, the current crew plus all those who have been involved in the last 3 years especially including the original promoter Matt J. Often read people saying how this scene is crying out for new blood, freshness and all that. Well CSC have been doing that for 3 + years now, continually attracting fresh young soul fans, a young (compared to other events -evil grin- ) dj and promotion set up, fresh ideas, and best of all doing things the right way but as proved last nite the CSC is still strong and doing what it is good at. Offering a quality rare soul punter friendly event Hats well off to them, in fact throw the things up in air!!!!!!!! mike h Nods to all met and are readin this both, too many too list. Soul talk types, online, non-online, dmsc regulars and even the odd dmsc reg dj

Frobisher Wakefield sat nite seems was one of places to be this weekend Reports that this was a packer, with main guests being Butch and Mick Smith, and need less to say that reports say that it was a TOP nite

Many thanks to Neil and gang for taking time to pass on their view Regrettably, despite having read a lot about them, we havent been able to attend the previous DMSC nights so, when the five of us arrived at 8.45pm we were all officially monkey virgins!! Having paid our soul tax, we walked into the main room and immediately you could tell the room had atmosphere - WHY HAVENT WE GOT VENUES LIKE THIS IN SHROPSHIRE!! we all cried. What a great place!! Having grabbed some seats we headed for the bar and that was the second pleasant suprise of the night. £6.40 for five drinks!!! I thought (perhaps in some bizarre tribute to Stafford top-of-the-world) that the beers were being charged at 1980s prices!! Whilst at the bar, the tunes started to hit me. Hang on, I thought. Were still in the first hour of this night and already the big tunes are playing. If the tunes are this good early on, things could only get better - And I wasnt disappointed!! It was like being new to the scene again. LOADS of records Ive NEVER heard before - Superb. A track by Prince Paul was played twice and this was the highlight of the night for me. WHAT AN AWESOME RECORD and Ive never heard it before. Taking my seat again, my aged fellow soulie Chic said what we were all thinking, this is like an allnighter atmosphere, he said. Its like the tunes that used to get played at Droylesden and Hyde Town Hall. This truly was praise indeed as these two venues rank highly in my list of all time favourite venues. Suddenly on comes Teardrops by Soul Bros. Inc. and were up and dancing This was to be the third suprise of the night!! I have, for over 10 years assumed the slippyist dancefloor in the world was at a soul nite we used to go to at a working mens club in Leigh. THE SPRINFIELD HAS PROVEN ME WRONG!! What have you done to the thing!!?? It was like ice!! I went up to ask the DJ for a record at one point and nearly paid the ultimate price. Surely no-one in the history of Rare Soul has ever fallen on their @rse on a dancefloor whilst simply walking across it (unless very drunk!!). Anyway, I soon learned that by dancing on the edge of the carpet I could survive and I will make sure that next time I wear trainers!! Ill have to do something because when youre hearing tunes like Troy Dodds, Arthur Willis and Buddy Smith not dancing is not an option!! As you can tell, we are now all firmly Monkey converts and we will be regulars at future nights. My only regret is that the Christmas one clashes with the do we run at the White House in Cannock. Anyway, I hope that goes well and we will all be back with you at the Springfield for more quality soul in 2003. Keep up the (very) good work. Neil, Chimene, Kiddo, Wendy and Chic Shrewsbury As said many thanks for that, believe it or not the dancefloor was quite "sticky" compared to the infamous July nite, otherwise known as the nite of the falling soulies. Great to hear that enjoyed it and know that Steve T was chuffed to catch up with you

Soul talk A Tale of Monkeyness Well another monkey and another cracking nite If cant be doing with my usual words to cut it short Top Sounds, Top feel, Top people, top nite A Most enjoyable nite!! For the the extended version read on……. Of course am involved in running of this event along with Steve Holyhead Thomas and cynics could say a totally biased view, and tell the truth they are more than likely right, but that’s that. As always a disturbing lack of vinyl info. After 6 months of Monkey, one of things learnt to expect on the nites is the unexpected and this time was no different. First signs of this were when we pulled up into car park we spotted Elvis, Dorothy (from Wizard of Oz) and Fred Flintstone walking into the hotel. Straight up. Thought here we bloody go…. just what I need. Turned out what I thought was a wedding in other room was actually a fancy dress do, so bit of a relief and fears eased, lucky enough that as the bouncers were on the ball that’s all saw of them all nite. Back to reality as event got going, Lawrence and then meself took care of warm up numbers seemed a bit slack compared to previous at first, not that much fighting for the half price drinks, but picked up later on. Sue and Julie looked after the door thing, was going to say monkey ******** but took note of your concerns. And the Blue Peter style Monkey Newsletter was out with details of next event, coach trip and playlists. Mark Speakman was first up and gave nite a great start with some classy selections doing the local start up thing. The Imperial Cs - Somebody tell her (Phil A Soul) Virgina Blakely - Dont let nobody love you (Mojo) Bernie Williams - Baby Baby (Deesu) were just some of the sounds he gave out thru nite.. Mick H (notts) was a late addition to the rota, travelled up with Andy D and Chalky and though many were still arriving and dance floor wasn’t being hammered yet dished out a great set with some well “ouch” sounds. Which quite simply just enhanced the rep the monkey has for quality. Caught up with a few well-travelled not seen for a while faces, Nick G (member# 001) and mate Mick travelled up from Peterborough, (famous now as the person who asked if Colwyn Bay be a good place for a pre-event chill). Crowd wise, as always this monkey nite was different than the others, fair old gang of hardcore regulars in now all living the life, regulars from close and afar, regards to the regular St Ives lot, a few refugees just back from the latest Soul In The Sun, all the North Wales and North West quality fiends and all the travellers who showed up. Including sizeable mobs from Telford and Shrewsbury areas. Got to say crowd wise this was the best one yet for me, not numbers thru door wise but in feel and atmosphere, all were just there for a quality nite of rare soul, which made our diplomatic –“this is not a oldies nite” notice just a bit surplus. Carl Willingham, (standing in for Andy Rix – awol in Cyprus) took over the first Monkey regular spot and gave out a great well balanced set, likes of Isonics – Sugar, Faye Simmons - Please Tell Me Im Yours, and gave me a well nice surprise when he dished out the great “Love stormy weather”, as was hoping that Andy D would give it a blast later so got me pudding early, After Mick H, Carl just picked up that torch of quality rare soul and ran with it. Great stuff and had great feedback. Andy Dyson out of the traps next, what can I say, last time heard Andy was at Llandudno connoisseurs weekend, and he blew away then, this time should have had ambulances on stand by, such was the amount of rare soul damage given out with likes of “Demanding man” – Sensations, and Locations causing major casualties. Someone said recently he’s one of the top 3 UK current djs and after tonight gotta say to me that tag is well deserved. Rob Thomas jumped up next and pulled out some right corkers including the one off unofficial monkey anthem instru of Crying Time by the “lets have a go without her band” and likes of “oh isnt she a pretty girl” and much more. A great set by Rob led us to the “monkey till you drop” final half hour. Where anything goes, numbers at this time were thinning out a bit but Mark S took no notice and sealed the nite with an end of nite mix. Sound of the Nite - Nu-Rons grabbed a fair few votes Monkey over, a chill out beer and chat in bar and then the lets get out of here Final View – Sounds and make up of crowd wise, up there with the best of them, both cracking. After 6 months monkying think can safely say we have achieved what we set out, a regular event featuring a brand of quality rare soul sounds and quality DJs. We set out to offer something different than what other events offer in this part of the world , (no disrepect to any other venues, many quality ones around here, and have had many enjoyable times at them.). But we felt would give what we consider a good nite out after all if we offered similar or the same as others what would be the point! As always said its never been about the money, anyone witness our attempts to balance the books can verify that. . In past don’t say much apart from “Its just a soul nite” even though have had some quotes such as “Best soul nite ever been to” “This is what its all about” etc etc Modesty made us keep such remarks to ourselves in past, but as this is a biased view might as well let loose with some of comments on the nite and after “Crack was brill sounds were brill.” “Just a couple of lines to thank everybody at last nights Drunken Monkey who made us feel so welcome, what a brilliant night, well worth the 400 mile round trip” “All I can say is top night and top crowd. Musically great with the emphasis on quality, none of the usual overplayed hammered to death soul you get at some other venues. We all had a great night and cant recommend this place enough, you really ought to try and get along.” Numbers a bit down on last but had no effect on atmosphere, or feel a good quote from Cambridge way was along lines of was “here for the soul and people, if was just after a crowd would have gone to……” There you go, blatant in your face promotion or just a few quotes from soul fans , you decide Misc stuff: Viv Coulson passed on info on girls on the decks nite coming up at Bury town hall, which have totally forgotten dates, please someone send in details. Saw new copy of Soul Resonance out – always a hefty read; book that bathroom for a few hours. Lot of people comment about online stuff, don’t forget website has DMSC Forum section can post ought on it. And also other sections for event news, sales, and more. Cracking line up for the return of the Allbrighton event next month Butch Dave Thorley and more Thanks On behalf of Steve and meself: Go out to All the monkey crew, door staff, Springfield Hotel staff Many thanks to Anne and Trevor for yet again doing the photo thing. All the DJs – Top Thanks to all, the quality and enjoyable soul that was delivered on the nite was just first class. Up and beyond what we booked you for. Joe Dunlop for being Joe Dunlop And last but most of all, big thanks to all the members who made the nite what it was, you are the Monkey! Xmas Friday 27 Dec Friday 27 Dec sees the Xmas thing with the “Monkeys Xmas Box” Return of Regular Andy Rix, DMSC regular Rob Thomas Special Guests: Dave “I’m not gonna wear no Father Christmas suit” Rimmer Brian Ellis Close to the chest details of rest of festive going ons out soon. This will be a right old rip-up! Thanks for getting this far, as always feedback, views, thoughts etc most welcome Written by Mike h on behalf of DMSC team – release that monkey within Mike Hughes, Steve Thomas,(co-promoters) Andy Rix, Rob Thomas (regular djs) and all rest of crew text sms/mobile – 0771 9086723 Use above for membership to join the DMSC and get the odd quickly thrown together newsletter by email and sms, just get in touch through email, website, text sms,

Has any one got any info on a Northern documentary on this month? Kev Jarvis.

Just a quick shout to say what a great night was had by all those brave souls who attended the Kempston Rovers Rare Soul bash in Bedfordshire on Friday 8th Nov with Kent supremo and 100 club main man Ady C. (now with his Samson like locks shorn at last! Thank God) putting in a fantastic set featuring all the usual exclusives including the brill Gerri Granger acetate (discovered at the same time as the Ben E King acetate Ady tells me, just to rub salt into my open wounds!), Bobby Reed, Luther Ingram (which I want so bad) etc. Ady kept the floor full and with the other guest DJ from Birmingham (sorry I forget your name) also giving it some serious welly the place was rockin. Even the main men Hammie and Pete Hugelips couldnt put a damper on the atmosphere, continuing to play great sets between them. By 3am I was beat and hobbled off to my bed, leaving Lollipop Pete, Winston and Juliette and the others to it. Cracking night from one of the best little soul clubs around. Dont miss the next one. TheBigO