Mark Bicknell

Happy New Year to everyone out there, the show will be running tonight 8pm - 10pm www.solarradio.com - CHANNEL 0129 SKY DIGITAL, the recent gremlins have been sorted out and it's a totally current new fresh show tonight, thanks to everyone who has supported the show throughout 2006, special thanks to all sponsors and all donations which has kept the show on air. Big shout to the many quality guest DJ's who have graced the 'Soul Shack' turntables this year, more top guests to follow throughout 2007. I'm looking forward to 2007 both on the station and out and about at the gigs. For requests, mentions and dedications please contact bicknellmark@aol.com and markbicknell@solarradio.com Thanks again - Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Billy Storm - 'Please Don't Mention Her Name' has to be worth a mention, still sounds good to me at least. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Not DJ'ing that much these days and only really buying stuff to play on the show and for my own personal entertainment i've only picked up the odd thing this year....lol Willie Wade - When Push Comes To Shove - Nite Life DJ The Inverts - Time Will Change - Broadway DJ California Rock Choir - Whoever You Are - Cyclone DJ Skip Jackson And The Shantons - I'm Onto You Girl - Dot-Mar Benny Latimore - Girl I Got News For You - Dade DJ A few i got back from way back included - The Quotations - I Don't Have To Worry - Di Venus The Heartbreakers - I've Got To Face It - Derby City The Star-Tells - Falling In Love With You Girl - Lamar, Nice little ten quid bargain cheers 'Mak' off here. The Caesars - (Lala) I Love You - Lanie multi coloured design...mmmmmm Porgy And The Monarchs - That's My Girl B/W The Girl And The Boy - Green Sylves Stock/Issue The biggest thrill for me recently was pretty much completing my 'Darrow Fletcher' run of 45's with an Ebay $20.00 bargain of 'Infatuation' on Jacklyn. Another USA 45 which illuded me for years also came my way recently which was The Liberty Belles - Shing -A-Ling Time - Shout DJ, stonking proper Northern. The best record i've bought this year infact in many a year has to be the stunning 'Anthony And The Imperials' - It's Not The Same - Veep, £15.00 from Rod Shard very recently, possibly the best record 'Little Anthony' ever cut. One set to go mental which crosses over so well is the brilliant Chimes - The Beginning Of My Life - Down To Earth - Really easy to pick up at the moment at around £15.00 to £20.00....simply stunning Chicago soul from the early 70's. And finally just about the best double header purchased this year was The Intertains - Need Your Love (Right Now) B/W Glad I Found You - Uptown, a little harder to find than the current £100.00 to £150.00 price tag would suggest, wonderful tune both sides. Sorry i've mentioned 15 records and not 5 as the thread asked....lol sorry. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Hi Drew, I think Tony means it's a tune that has done the rounds when people share tapes, like a collectors thing, you do me a tape and i'll do the same kind of thing. Fantastic record which has had the odd spin on the show over the past six years, alway's used to be a five pound record, however i've seen it listed for sale recently for fifty quid, Tony's valuation is about right but i reckon you will have to part with at least thirty to fifty for a copy, the flip is awesome down tempo 'Never More'....tune!!! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Highlights for me include 'Take That' reforming, their Audience with show on ITV, celebrating seven years on Solar Radio, The Attic gig in Mansfield, The Orwell takes some beating musically, can't comment on that many allnighters as i don't go much anymore, Winsford was fun, always enjoy Bury for Neil Jones, 'Take That's' New album, Dave Moore's 'There's That Beat' Magazine....stunning read, found some nice little records throughout 2006, just nice personal stuff. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Drew, you must have missed it mate as i did this a couple of shows ago, played three tracks from the album, will do it again sometime in the near future. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Really sorry, no idea what happened????? well i do either this weeks show was lost under the mass of Christmas cards at the post office? the wrong tapes were loaded? but apart from that i really have no idea, pretty pissed off as the Christmas Eve ahow was special with my son Luke but nothing i can do just put it down to Christmas Gremlins but as there was dead air for the first 25 minutes of last weeks show so all was not lost, more of the same quality radio to follow throughout 2007, now where's the mince pies...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

That's Luke on the left, like father like son, have a good Christmas and see you at The Attic in the New Year. Regards - Mark Bicknell www.solarradio.com

You can tell i'm bored.....lol mad dash to Marks And Spencer's that was fun...lol, presents wrapped, Turkey and Ham cooking, veg all prepared so popped upstairs for a little Soul before i'm back on cooking duty.....ten soul selections that went down rather well with a large glass of Eggnog. The Festivals - Music - Smash DJ - Beautiful little record, got this last night from Mr Shard, well i had to have it at £8.00......Awesome tuneage. Sits well with their other great record on Smash 'Makings Of A Lover' and the very indemand 'Hey Girl' B/W 'Checkin' Out' on Blue Rock. Darrow Fletcher - What Good Am I Without You - Jacklyn 1006 - Made three records on this logo, all good, all played back to back here, again first class tuneage. Darrow Fletcher - What Have I Got Now - Jacklyn 1002 - Fantastic tune with an awesome down tempo flip 'Sitting There At Night'...simply stunning. Darrow Fletcher - Infatuation - Jacklyn 1003 - This is one of his best records IMO, just so good. The Original Cadillacs - I'll Never Let You Go - Josie - Street corner to soul in one fail swoop, great vocal group 45. The Liberty Belles - Shing -A-Ling Time - Shout DJ - Also came out on UK Jay Boy, well due for some turntable action once again. Thumps along at that perfect dance floor pace, proper Northern Soul! The Caesars - (Lala) I Love You - Lanie - Tunnnnnnnnnnnnnnne! and a killer down tempo flip 'Get Yourself Together' that simply takes me to another place and it ain't Coventry...lol Fantastic double header. The Chimes - The Beginning Of My Life - Down To Earth - From Chicago this crosses over so nicely, won't break the bank at £15.00 to £20.00 at the moment but i can see this going mental when a few more people get the bug for this one......brilliant record. Glenn Watts - My Little Plaything - Bunky - Pretty much all of the above on 'The Chimes' comments, if ever there was a perfect down tempo tune that also crosses over well then this is it, £20.00 on JM'S site, a must have 45. Anthony And The Imperials - It's Not The Same - Veep - It's so nice when Mr Shard visits our house with a small sales box, pulled this out by far the best record he made out of Rod's box and paid the man...well i'm gonna pay him soon...lol This record has it all infact if this dog has nuts then they are huge. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

If you plan on wrapping those last minute presents tonight then why not join me on www.solarradio.com CHANNEL 0129 SKY DIGITAL - 8pm - 10pm - Festive fun with Mark And Luke Bicknell......That's My Boy!!!! Luke will be playing a selection of 'Tempting' Temptation's classics from 9pm onwards with a few quality Northern tunes form the old man, a bit of fun and a real joy for me to do. Show also going out on New Years Eve - www.solarradio.com Merry Christmas and a very Soulful New Year from Mark Bicknell and all at Solar Radio. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Up with the birds today (Christmas Eve) 6.45am, final bit of ironing done, spuds,carrots,sweed and sprouts prepared, just off to Marks and Spencer's now as i forgot the luxury gravy.......have a fantastic Christmas day. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I know the demo i posted (see example) is dog rare to find. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

They look yummy yes....lol Mark Bicknell.

Possibly the four most sought after Sue USA Demos Billy Prophit Marjorie Black Derek Martin Lovelace Watkins Sorry about the picture quality but i'm no Daivid Bailey....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

All the best Paul to you and yours, have a top Christmas and soulful 2007. Regards - Mark

Ho! Ho! Ho! see you both later, we is cleaning at the moment, done the ironing in the middle of the night.......bliss. see you later. Mark.

All the best Chalky, get Christmas out of the way and we will do another show together perhaps leading up to the 'Lifeline' weekender, i'll give you a shout after Christmas, have a good one. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

It's almost 5am, i'm watching BBC News 24 and i'm ironing....bliss oh and it's almost Christmas and still no sign of George Pepp....lol Happy Christmas. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

All the best Kev, see you 'Under The Attic Street Lamp' in 2007, regards and have a top Christmas mate. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I've never really seriously collected albums but i have picked up over the years a few of the key ones connected with the rare soul theme, no collection should be without the likes of The Hesitations - Soul Superman on Kapp, Freddy Butler - With A Dab Of Soul - Kapp, Darell Banks on Atco, Tempests - Smash, Baby Washington - Veep, Garland Green - Uni, Magnificent Men - Capitol, Metros - Rca, Gloria Barnes - Maple, Williams And Watson - Okeh, Spellbinders - Columbia, Reflections - Golden World, Artistics - Okeh and perhaps one of the most complete quality rare soul albums ever made and perhaps the only other album to rival the stunning Hesitations holy grail 'Soul Superman' is The Artistics - 'I'm Gonna Miss You' album on Brunswick from around 1967 this can match The Hestitaions track for track, everyone is a winner, just a genius must have LP, i love this album so much i have it on CD, Original USA and a Canadian Brunswick copy,every track is special, pure perfection......... could let this whole album go at a gig and it would work. Sweeter Than Sugar Glad I Met You There Is No Sadness Love Song Hope We Have I'm Gonna Miss You Girl I Need You I'll Always Love You It's Gonna Be Alright Why, Why, Why You're Wonderful On And On Merry Christmas - Mark Bicknell.

Thanks Steve, you bet i'll be back at 'The Attic' real soon, a small venue with a whole lot of soul. Thanks for your support with the show. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Cheers Alan, Seasons Greetings to you and yours, just had a thought mate we have known each other for almost thirty years...........lol thanks for the tunes for the little fellow on the left, he's buzzing like all children are. Happy Christmas - Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Pleasure Kev, fantastic group and an awesome album, have a fantastic Christmas and show is on normal time on Christmas Eve. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Looks like you have a new customer Dave for the hippity - hop stuff, aged ten, i see this is gonna cost me a fortune....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.