Dayo

In my memory it was Fantastic Johnny C Don’t Depend On Me that first really split the crowd. Seven Day Lover was warmly received, as was the Carstairs. I think Shake n Bomp also divided the room - I liked it - but by the time we got to Doctor Buzzard I was seriously having doubts!

Well, the Chateau Impney of course in Droitwch. Plus the Bankhouse and Coppertops in Worcester. Actually, an all dayer at the Bankhouse was the first "do" I ever went to. Back end of 1971 maybe? I was way too young and should never have got in but it changed my life forever. The place was rammed, not an inch of space on the dance floor and the crowd was wildly enthusiastic and sharply dressed (tail end of the mods). I remember hearing Gene Chandler's version of There was a Time for the first time; the place just erupted when that brass intro blasted out and there was whoops and claps at the end. The low ceiling was dripping with condensation and I recall a guy called Froggy selling imports out of a suitcase. Human Beinz was another one that got a massive reaction as did Charge by the Dreams Band. There was also a lot of talk and consternation about the Soul Sounds bootlegs that were doing the rounds and people were a little upset that Baby Reconsider had been pressed. You never forget your first time do you?

I've been following his posts and occasionally commenting for a year or two and here's a funny thing: I can't recall ever getting an informed reply; just a thumbs up. Maybe it's a language thing, but there's never any proper interaction.

Well whoever he is, he also makes record cases for DJ's. http://bricomaligno.blogspot.com

Yeah, the sound quality is much better in later posts. He might own the records but use CD rips for better audio. If he does own them then it's an almost unparalleled collection. I don't seem to ever see any ads on his stuff - could be wrong - but I don't think he's monetising it.

How many of of us learned to shuffle at the local youth club to Wade in the Water? RIP legend.

I must admit I never used it back in the day. I was a Soul fan first and foremost. Some of it was rare and uptempo. The term "Northern" Soul was seen by some as a little bit divvy.

Ha! Ha! yes!!!! I expect Keir Starmer enjoyed the music - he was a regular at the Pier!

I heard it the first time I went to Wigan in November 73. It had already had some spins at Va Va's. I don't recall it being THAT popular even at the time, compared to other biggies like the Vel-Vets or even Ila Vann. One of the best sax solos ever though!

I admit I may not be the best qualified to comment on this thread as I haven't attended any venues of any description for years, but can anyone seriously point to any discoveries from the past twenty years that are commercially on par with a Tomangoes, Morris Chestnut, Epitome of Sound etc? Anything that would make the Top 500 if it were being compiled today?

Quality! love that...

Didn't he make some great records!? So under-rated. RIP

You might be right; bit too early for a Linn Drum or 808, though George Macrae's hits had a drum machine a year or so before this Jimmy James record. There was a fashion in the mid 70's for drums to be recorded in an isolation booth which tended to suck all the life out of them. I guess that's what they did on this one. You don't get the sense of a tight rhythm section all playing in the same (great) room at the same time.

Shame the Jimmy James version doesn't have a real drummer. Anything with a drum machine is automatically the opposite of what we know as Northern Soul.

Then you must also include Bernie Williams Ever Again and Rock Candy Alone With No Love; two big faves early 74