Jem Britttin

BTW talking about getting out. I have two spare tickets for 'Blackburn All Nighter' on 26th September. If any body would like them (free) pm me your address and i will post them to you. You never know it my be just the spark you need to get you in the mood again

Did anybody dance to them (sorry couldn't resist that one)

Think a lot that keep bemoaning the 'Top 500' should remember that if it wasn't for these records, you wouldn't have even bothered looking for the rest. Too much time spent in my opinion trying to get people interested in half baked mediocre Soul Records! some of the top 500 records are just brilliant end of. That's not to say that's all people want to hear! even among the 'great unwashed mass out there' who some on here believe that they only have 'Frank Wilson' on the loop on their ipod. I have spoken to some of these people and they know about a lot of tunes! just they can decipher between, a listening session at home and having a good old dance out! There were quite a few like that at The 'Attic' on Saturday, they even danced to some of Len's records and quite liked them . Just get out there folks you have got to be in it to win it!

Hi Steve, don’t think the scene is being ‘destroyed’ you’re just turning in to a grumpy old git Lol! Think record prices latterly are driven by two things. 1. As has already mentioned, people out there spending their retirement fund or similar 2. More importantly don’t think rarity in numbers has much relevance in most cases now; it’s more how many are available to buy! a lot of these old classic originals are tucked away in peoples collections for posterity reasons, sure Epitome of Sound numbers wise not that rare, although probably not so many genuine ones as people think remember this got counterfeited pretty convincingly. Also a lot of rough copies about (mine included) but wouldn’t part with it for the world, which kind of explains what I am trying to say. If someone out there is looking for a pristine proper original and they have the where with all then they will pay what they want: surely their decision, but remember the value of your investment can go up as well as down as the small print says! Incidentally think there is a certain amount of hypocrisy going on here. I notice Kev Such commented that he had no idea why prices had gone bonkers and why people would pay so much, come on Kev you must have some idea! Correct me if I am wrong but you paid a king’s ransom for Timi Yuro a few years back and by your own admission you’re not a record collector per say so why? As for the other points too many nights etc. ‘gawd luv a duck’ ain’t we done with this yet. This isn’t 1973 and unfortunately we are not all 16 year olds still. It is what it is folks. I gave up worrying about it years ago, sure it pisses me off when I am fed a load of bullshit about a record or something by some ‘new age ebay sage’ while taking a fag break outside at a night, but I just smile now and say thanks for the info mate and walk off it’s much easier. Things are never going to be the same as they were, but one thing I do feel we have failed to do over the years is to properly welcome or encourage new blood to the scene, we should have engaged more folks instead of arguing the toss! That’s why in the vacuum left behind everybody of a certain age seems to be a DJ or an expert now! It’s so easy folks, spend a week on the internet learning the basics of Northern Soul history another one buying the records of ebay and the like, hey presto your ready to go ‘The Northern Soul Instant Identity Kit’ I am thinking of seeing if it has any legs on Dragons Den. All that said I and the same 4 or 5 DJs (Thanks Kev) are determined to carry on our own local night that attracts all sorts, old and young including people that have been around for years and those that know only 6 Northern Soul records, because funnily enough that’s what Northern Soul was built on, people in a room dancing and enjoying the music, despite their relative knowledge of records etc. Why is it we look back on it as though everybody was oh so cool and knowledgeable back then? Never was the case! All the best ‘Right On’ Jem

Many thanks to Brian (Colonel White) and Steve (Captain Scarlet) for letting the Captain Black of the Soul Scene! in to play a few sounds. Great room and very friendly and accommodating folks, even to and outcast like me and you don't even have to have any expensive or rare records to play, as you can see from the ones I played...so what are you waiting for folks? get over there and take advantage of a half hour spot or just pop along have a bevvy and some banter! surprised me more locals were not there!! maybe they heard i was coming seriously get yourselves along you lot, these guys deserve more support at the very least from those around Kettering!... or Steve might not put his 'Carlos Fandango' new cartridges in Chuck Jackson - Beautiful Woman - All Platinum Ronnie Limar - You mean the world to me - BRC Little Anthony - Nothing from Nothing - Pure Gold 24kt Tommie Young - That's all a part of loving him - Soul Power Deletts - What's the use - Blue Rock Geraldine Hunt - Never Never Leave Me - Roulette Mary Wells - If you can't give her love - Reprise Ron & Candy - Lovely Weekend - Inner City Hearts of Stone - If I could give you the world - VIP Barbara Brown - Pity a Fool - Sounds of Memphis Ila Vann - My Mother Said - P I P Esther Phillips - Home is where the hatred is - Kudu Detroit Spinners - Could it be i'm falling in love - Atlantic Mysteron's - I know you can hear me earth men - Martian KTF Jem ps. don't forget that sound file Brian please mate, email js.briton@ntlworld.com thanks again

Yes remember me and a mate combining paper round money saving up and buying them regularly 1976/77 my Mum flipped out in the end and Dad threw loads of records out as they were piled up in my bedroom, heaven knows what got chucked but i do remember getting 'Tough Girl' Billy Arnell in one because of the distinctive label. We put it on the 'shite' pile as we both thought it sounded like it was recorded underwater only to hear it at St Ives a few months later, remember looking at each other and simultaneously saying 'that was that record by marine boy we had wasn't it' In truth think there is a touch misty nostalgia about the packs, remember there always seemed to be a very small pile graded 'good record' smallish one 'very average' and a large one'crap' however enviable times by today's standards where everybody is outbidding each other to pay huge amounts for the latest buzz record. There was still a lot to be discovered and found back then, unfortunately me and my mate probably helped keep some rare, because shock horror we actually threw some away but records in general were considered disposable back then, not the 'hallowed objects' they are now. Great thread btw

A few examples of tracks I threw in with Steve on the night and a few I played earlier. Archie Bell - Here I go again Eddie Holman - I surrender Ronnie & Robyn - Sidras Theme Linda Jones - My heart needs a break Majestics - I love her so much Three Degrees - Contact Lorraine Chandler - I can't change Soul Twins - Quick change artist Frank Popp - Breakaway Steve Karmen - Breakaway Major Harris - Call me tomorrow Little Anthony - Better use your head Little Anthony - It's not the same Gerri Granger - I go to pieces Bobby Bland - Shoes Don Gardner - My baby likes to boogaloo

All sounds a bit egotistical to me Kev some people eh