Soulsmith

This was my attempt at a reasonably 'non-controversial' thread Mike. Col

Doesn't really count as Home Counties, but had some brilliant nites at Centre City in Southampton. It may have been named after the Fat Larrys record or maybe 'cos the club was round! Remember one nite the whole club singing along with Willie Tee - Walking Up A One Way Street. My best mate at the time is now a total alcoholic. Funny how life turns out. I'm only a practising drunk. Also had some excellent nites at Shades Of Green in Camberley. A squalid little club that got its name 'cos the walls were .....err painted in shades of green. This was certainly one of the most influential clubs in the south. Regular 'members' now read like a whos who of soul in the south. Hope that wasn't too controversial Mike. Col ps Anyone go to either dos at Wimbledon (Plough Lane - think) or OBJs in Hammersmith? Also haven't mentioned any of Iain Stewarts dos in Weybridge.

Personally i thought it was all good fun & one of the more interesting debates on soul-source. I didn't agree with Jazzbos comments, but he made some good comments & as he appeared to enjoy a bit of a winding up, I thought I'd engage. But, if you aren't happy with it, we'll move on............ Col.

Suppose its what you would call a modern beat ballad. If you think 'the only good modern record is a broken one', this record may leave you a little confused I'd be interested to hear other peoples views on it. Personally I like it. Col.

Jazzbo's quotes above got me thinking about how much better the northern scene is now that it has evolved. Today, depending which venue you choose of course northern embraces beat ballads, 6Ts, rare soul, crossover & modern. We've also ditched poppy northern & almost all instumentals. Somehow I doubt if northern will ever except Jazz Funk though - 'cos it aint soulful......and it sucks. I wonder how much the Jazz Funk scene has really moved on. The anthem "One Nation Under a Groove" might now be "One Scene Stuck In A Groove" I'm planning a little trip to Caister. A couple of my girl-friends have said that I won't like it as its a seedy pick-up joint frequented by lads who can't handle their drink. But I'm sure that can't be true........ Col.

Your coat is over there - next to your rose tinted specs It probably was the turning point for your scene. I also thought it was the turning point for mine. How wrong was I? Col.

Jazzbo, you've made a number of good points and I'm in general agreement with a lot of them & don't want to argue just for the sake of it. But, have to diasagree with the following - "The important issue has been lost here,wasn't Hilly right to try and unite the two factions with a common love of soul music?" Although I don't remember the full details of the record I did spend some time upstairs in the Jazz Funk area immediately prior to the incident. Chris was on the mike & I do recall some of his rhetoric. He was pretty angrey that you guys were cramped in such a small environment, compared to downstairs where the northern was being played. I really don't think that he had any thoughts whatsoever about unifying the scene. It was a show of strength and a really stupid thing to do in such a charged environment. Having said that we've all grown up now & I'm looking fwd to Caister. Col

"They were called "Disco Biscuits" big white tablets meant to be given to horses as an anaesthetic. Basically they are PCP (Ketamine) which was used by vets to anaethetis animals but they give you terrible hallucinations" A mate of mine into the acid house scene purchased some thinking they were something else. Driving home he had to wrestle with the steering wheel as it turned into an enormous sausage. Col.

I'm confused......... But looking at it logically if "Could heaven ever be like this?" was being played upstairs, when he led the boys down, then he couldn't have played it downstairs when he arrived at the decks! It would have been on the decks upstairs. With the passing of time and in a gerneral state of reconcilliation I am quite happy to concede now that "Could heaven ever be like this?" is in fact a top tune! Col.

Brian, could you speak up a bit - try capital letters next time Col

"Several hours watching Saturday morning telly in someone's caravan (Steve Jeffries possibly?)" Almost def. Steve Jeffries! Amazing character. Regret to advise Steve died fairly recently after a long illness. The illness was blood poisoning brought about from a dirty tattoo needle. Tragedy had already struck in the familly when younger brother Gary died lates 70s on the way back from an all-niter. Gary is remembered (by me) as the best dancer down south. Col.

"CockneyMick W.O.F.T.A.M...." We used to call him 'WAFFLING WOFTAM'. No particular reason for this I think we were just immature. No change there then Col.

"Egham - 1st April 1979 (?) allnighter - we went on the train, Kev Griffin was DJing along with Ian Clark. Good crowd and I vaguely recall discussing the merits or otherwise of a European copy of Lynne Randell "Caio baby" with one Col Smith. Also remember a long wait on the platform for a train in the morning.....Col can you fill in some gaps here. Seem to remember it was in a gym / basketball type set up, and there were several of them?" I was partly responsible for the above. We actually made a load of money on the nite & blew it all the next week on records. Still have 2 of them - "Looking For You" & "I Go To Pieces" The other parties involved in organising it were Paul Ellis - sadly no longer with us & Roland Payne - who had an attack of nerves on the nite & never showed up! Ian Clarke was paid to do 2 spots. In my youthful exhuberance I paid him after his first spot and guess what........he cleared off home! Other matters of note were Pete Myles and I having a blazing row. I won't tell you what the row was about, but will tell you with the benefit of hindsight, he was right and I was wrong! Also, Jasmine moaning the lights were too bright & in an attempt to disconnect them, cutting off all power to the decks. Great times Col

No I failed miserably. As I always have done...... Col

Was DJing at Chalfont a couple of months back. Rates were .....'free beer all nite' Had bought a few records that week & worked out that I needed to drink 75 pints that nite just to break even. Just love a challenge Col.

Whats there to discuss? This is just an advertisment. Col.

Right, heres a test. circa 76-78 Who can remember the name of 1. Iain Stewarts mag 2. Steve G.s mag. Only rulers are nobody called Steve G. can reply. Col. Think I've still got copies of both.

Joe. Here's one for your ex-girlfriend. Hope you enjoy it. Col.

Thats the bit thats never mentioned, when the story is told & retold by Jazz Funkers. They have committed to print many times their factually incorrect version of what happened on that day. Rose tinted specs & big egos! It did get very nasty & almost kicked off big style, but I'm glad it didn't ..........cos now with the benefit of time it can be viewed in its true perspective ...................a storm in a tea cup! Young Bicknell has good memories of this fateful day. He co-promoted some Reading all-dayers, but not this one, I think. Will have a think about Egham. Col. ps I think Mick smashed the record! Mick is still on the scene & was at Bisley on Saturday

i think i've got the other bit! Col.

How about posting some mp3s?

The Sweet Things - I'm in A World of Trouble

The 2 guys that ran Manifesto have now split. Hope it carries on.

I remember Steve Davis funding this. Any one know why it stopped? Col.

Bob Kayli also mentioned above. Had a novolty record by him, think it was called Oh Pearl. Might be wrong though - anyone got an mp3. It was a really bad record. From what I can remember he watches her drown! I think I gave it away. Apparently its very collectable now! Col.