John May

There are still lot's of original quality soul records out there, It doesn't take a genius to work out whats real and what's not. If it seems to good to be true, then its most likely is. Nah worries....... JM

Hells Bells, Did he leave the venue alive.........

Thanks for your input there mace, I 'm a little suprised that there has been nearly 150 replys to this topic , I didn't expect so much response when I started the topic a fortnight ago. It is difficult to sum up all the different view points. I agree with Mace's last comment, that a good D.J builds a reputation, over a long period, but must avoid becoming a prima donna, nice comment, and very true. The last thing we want on the scene is swaggering D.J's. A slight disagreement I have is on the point that a D.J must have a decent collection. IMO being a D.J and being a collector are two disciplines. usually a spot lasts for about an hour, approx 24 records, and usually a well prepared D.j will have a rough idea, as to what records he or she is going to spin, I've never understood why D.J's turn up with huge amounts of records when a box off about 100 to 150 should be more than enough to cover any eventuality. I even saw one D.J once turn up with his records in a carrier bag, and he played a blinding spot. Anyway keep the replies coming, I've enjoyed reading all the different opinions.........

Nice Chooooonss........ JM

One went on ebay last week $10 !, very cheap record, and yes excellent...........It's on Revue label.

Thank you for correcting me there Pikey boy...... I do get mixed up sometimes, it's my age. JM

I've sometimes heard it called " Two Step ". Not sure where that term comes from. JM

Just noticed Soul Searcher has a copy on Kapp for sale £40, another great record not heard anymore. Just out of curiosity I have one on London U.K. Anyone help me with a current value on it.

I really hope you find that venue Pete, can't think of one right now though....

No Pete, I realise me and you have different tastes in soul music, I'm not going to slag you of for having your opinion.

That's one great thing about the Northern scene, you can pick and choose where to go, there is always a venue somewhere that plays the stuff you want here..........

Not everybody's cup of tea Pete I know........... JM

I must be a real oddity on the soul scene, I went to Wigan, and enjoyed it, I also like Modern soul......70's, Crossover, R&B, motown. Wigan for me represents a time now long gone, and yes i've got good memories, however that was then, it's now 2005 ( well nearly ), and hopefully the best record i've ever heard, is one i've not yet heard. Oddly enough I do agree with Pete s, there is a tendancy to gang up on people when they post something that disagree's with what everyone else feels, this is open debate, let's not become intolerant of other people's view points......... that's my resolution for 2005.

I think Crossover has been a bit forgotten over the last few years, back in the 90's I would say it was the backbone of the scene, with venue's like Albrighton, Bretby, Thorne, Pitches ( Rotherham ) (etc). Sadly i feel the that too much modern soul began to creep in which wasn't everyones cup of tea, and with the 60'sR&B sound becoming popular around 2000, and a big oldies revival, crossover and 70's was frozen out on the Northern scene for a while. Many soulies returning to the scene over the last few years wouldn't really know what crossover is, however Clydie King ...The game is over has been popular over the last 18 months or so, and considering the fact R&B is now starting to get played significently less on the northern scene, Crossover hopefully is going to be making a comeback. For me Crossover represents the true Soulful side our music , Richard Caiton....I'd like to get near you, for me is one of the best piece's of soul music ever put on Vinyl........Let's hope 2005 is the year of Crossover, if it is, I'll certainly be a happy man. JM

Kelly St.Claire......Hear that beat.....AMM Back in the late 70's was my fav record, bought one for £25 quid way back then, nearly a weeks wages. Sold it long ago, but still love the track, never hear it played nowadays....... JM

Here, here, Garv.......You've said it for me I'd have to walk away !

Well said, Kolla, at the risk of getting another slap on the wrist, Im right with you there......

I understand what your saying soulsmith, and at the time, i didn't intend the comment to offend anyone........however when someone does object to a comment, it is sometimes better to make the peace. Tis the season of goodwill and all that. JM

Apology for the comment, hope it didn't offend anyone....... JM

Good post that, very true, it ain't the D.j it's the record

Yes it is a superb track, but it ain't worth over £500, so the top boy's don't play it.....

Sounds like yet another Top Manchester venue Stevie.......

Going to try and positive on this one, 2004 was a mega year for the scene IMO, at the end of last year I was a bit fed up with it all, but this year i'm feeling a lot more postive. Getting into soul source of course has been fun, lot's of new friends made, and lot's more to make hopefully . We are all such a deverse bunch, it's great that this site can bring us all together. I think soul source for me brings all the so called politics into perspective, so many different opinions, and attitudes towards the music, and without all the debate there wouldn't be a scene, and I'm convinced of that, so long live the debates / politics. Venues.....best still the 100club (when I can get down there ), Rugby soulnight i've discovered to be very good, everything to do with Manchester at the moment is brilliant ( Ducie Bridge,Greatstone hotel, NCSC ), Soulsville Leeds ( keep up the good work lads ), ponds forge, Sheffield ( smart venue, friendly crowd ) Music......Heard some great tracks this year, and I don't mean £500 + either, nearly all the best stuff i'm hearing at the moment is all in the £10 - £100 bracket, big name D.j's take note.......It's quality that counts not price tags !. 10 Favourites of the moment : Dynamics....You make me feel good...RCA Abraham & his sons...Mother understood...Revue Mandells....How to love a woman....Trans world sound Chosen Few...Birth of a playboy....Canyon Magnificent 7....Never will I...Dial Leon Haywood...It's got to be mellow...Decca Soul Survivors...Mama soul...Atco Magnificent men...Forever together...Capitol Robert Parker..I caught you in a lie...Nola Tammy Wayne...Have a good time ...Boom Weekenders.........I went to Rhyl back in April which was superb, a real connosiuers weekend, great music all the way, one of my fav' memories of 2004. Prestatyn.......Well I went but came home sunday morning wondering what all the fuss was about Too many people for me, when the artists came on in the main hall, I went into the modern room. Lows .....Of course the sad loss of Derek Allen, I can still see him bopping up and down beind the decks.........a great man. Hopes for 2005.........Small venus will continue to survive, I'm going to champion the cause this year, and also lets hope the lesser name D.J's will get more of a chance. JM

Well said Pete, I think that soulsville could become a blueprint for the future of the scene. Rather than big in ya face venues playing played out repetative sounds, a small venue like Soulsville, can start off small and build a reputation playing more quality music, it doesn't need 100's of punters to be a success. Fingers crossed for the future. JM

A record that could be included in the other thread on here at the moment, Essence on Northern Soul. A real pounder of a record...Awesome stuff, makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end