Mark Bicknell

I thought it was the same group i have the A-Bet 45 but not the other one so could not compare credits etc. plus the records are upstairs...lol I just think YDEKMN sounds out of tune to my ear just might be the production..each to his own. Regards - Mark Bicknell

My neighbours think i'm very odd, a man in his mid 40's into music the same age, i often give em' George Blackwell at full volume on a Friday afternoon............lol Mark Bicknell.

Personally i think the A-Bet 45 "Bigger And Better" is a far more soulful record...that's if it's the same group which i think it is. Mark Bicknell.

Two for teatime..................and good they are too. Bobby Angelle - Living Lie - Money 125 - I did ask on here a few days ago if anyone had an idea of this superb West coast moover's value but as yet no feedback, i understand it has had a few plays at the gigs so there must be some following and interest for this Arthur Wright production which is uptempo in pace holds a very gritty pounding backbeat with an outstanding vocal, sounds the dogs bollocks at full volume and cements this powerhouse 45's quality, i found this on the bottom shelf put it on and instanly fell in love with it all over again, possibly the second time i've played it but had it a good few years, picked it up with a clutch of other records for very little money but i reckon it has a decent collectable price tag, has to be £75.00 and upwards (any ideas?????) i'm gonna give this record a spin when i'm out and about again would certainly work in the specialist rooms. The Fantastics - That One B/W High Note - Sound Stage Seven 2548/Copa 8005 Another cracking double header also can be found on two labels SS7 being the more common i think although i have a nice white demo it should set you back around £30.00 and perhaps £40/50.00 on Copa, 'That One' is the more upbeat side with oh so cool and tight harmonies, the flip is just perfection once again, this is a solid group record and needs more of a profile, used to be very cheap at around £8.00 and has been swallowed up into collections over the years i bet, i wish i could locate more records in this style as they push all the right buttons for me......Three guys on stage and when they hit the high note they mean and feel it......Fantastic from the Fantastics both sides they hit their notes perfectly. Mark Bicknell.

Snack time......tasty! The Twilights - You're The One - Aqua 29301/2 - I've always been drawn to the more quirky Blue Eyed records over the years stuff like Buck Rogers - 'Take It From Me Girl', Raving Mads - 'Where Is Love', Anthony And The Aqua Lads - 'I Remember', the Lou Roberts 45's and so on, this ravershing 45 hails out of North Carolina, who says white boys can't sing?, tight harmonies throughout this three minute romp have your full attention it's almost instant with a catchy up beat tempo in a Northern style, used to be around £15.00 in the dark ages of collecting but i've seen this at anything from £50.00 to £100.00 on sales lists in recent times, perhaps not one for the hard authentic artists of afro American origin collectors but if you like the odd ball stuff non black records then this will be a welcome addition to your collection, was quite a common record to find in the early 80's but supply seems to have dried up so it might prove difficult to find, never really been a massive record as the beat is a tad too fast for the dance floor but nice and loud in your record or bedroom this is of a quality without question and very soon you will be singing along to this this one hairbrush in hand...'Listen woman you treated me right, you gave me loving both day and night'...........you get the picture! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Just back from the doctors deep joy and another sick note was issued to me for a further 4 weeks so plenty of time on my hands to develop and contribute to this it seems very popular thread, so here we go, hit em' high, hit em' low and hit em' hard...four little moovers to start the day i think! Ortheia Barnes - I've Never Loved Nobody (Like I Love You) Coral 6259 - Starting off today with this mindblowing soulful offering by J.J. Barnes's little sister if my information is correct, this 45 very much falls into the crossover flava, a record really waiting to explode onto the mainstream Northern scene and it's flip is a superb down tempo tune 'Waiting For Joey' which reminds me of Buddy Smith - When You Lose The One You Love' Brute, well the backing does anyway...lol well worth a listen and if you like it this graceful recording will set you back around £30.00 for a stock/issue and maybe £50.00 for a yellow demo. Tommy Mosley - For Her Love - Uptown 706 - This mid tempo marvel very possibly 'Blue Eyed, another record that has never really took off as big as it should, always see it listed for £40/50.00 and i bet it flys off the lists, the flip 'You Lied, Love Cried,Love Died' is also well worth a spin, big city soul production on this from Eddie Ray and a sublime arrangement by Rene Hall brings out a top notch vocal performance from Mr Mosley............I rate this record highly, well worth the hunt and small financial investment, still you can't put a price on the return of listening pleasure created by records as good as this. Bobby Joy - You Sweet Devil You - Tangerine TRC 981 / Sentry 103 This also came out on two lables and not a lot in it price wise TRC £30.00 the other £50.00 or in that bracket at least, an incredible record which did get a few spins way back by the likes of Colin Laws Scotlands finest of course! great production of this Clarence Hunter song, Bobby Joy has a great pair of pipes and really nails this sucker, i suspect this is in many collections already so may be a little difficult to find but what a treasure when you do find one, i've had mine years and have sold more exspensive records than this but certain 45's just stay with you throughout your collecting journey and this is one of those. Sonny Daye - Long Long Road To Happiness - Power 008 This one out of Hollywood is an old Stafford Top Of The World spin, written by Frank Wilson and Sherlie Matthews also produced and performed by Frank Wilson if the rumour is true that Sonny Daye is infact Frank Wilson do i believe that indeed i do....lol This is high grade traditional Northern Soul, pretty well known but another that has some turntable action left in it, i rate this around £75.00 but i've seen it listed for well over the hundred pound mark.....is it worth this?????........oh yes, indeed it is! Regards - Mrk Bicknell.

Sweet dreams for tonight......keep them coming! Bobby Reed - You Are B/W I'm Not Coming Back Bunswick 55282/Claytown 17700 - I have this superb little gem on a yellow Brunswick demo the national release in the States, never seen a Brunswick issue/stock and only ever seen it once on Claytown, the man who recorded 'The Time Is Right For Love' ( Bell 888) is alright with me, i've rated this dynamic double header for years and my copy has been with me for a long time, a mellow production on 'You Are' as soon as stylus hits vinyl it's all there another perfect love song, the flip could finish any soul session with ease, value wise you will have to part with at least £30.00 for a Brunswick and maybe £60/70.00 for a Claytown copy, like i say i've never seen a Brunswick issue of this and would be interested to know if anyone has one out there? The Inverts - Look Out Love - Tower 324 - This is feel good group soul performed with natural perfection this group make it sound so easy, this group also recorded a biggie one of my all time wants 'Time Will Change' - Broadway 406 managed to buy this several years ago but discovered a hair-line crack on it when i got home so returned it to the seller wished i'd kept it now as it played fine that must be worth £250.00 now, the review side here will set you back around £30.00, more uptempo than the Broadway 45 infact this is a sweet mid paced dancer, i'm sure many of you will know of this record and may have passed it by, well worth picking up because this one has not really been pushed at the venues, with a few more plays this would i'm sure get a few toes tapping. Thank You And Goodnight - Mark Bicknell.

Again sorry about the balls up with The Atlantics review...... More tooooooooooooooooooooons to follow. Mark Bicknell.

I'm so sorry i really messed that up tried to link a scan of the record and messed up bigtime, i'll stick to just the written word i think. Big sorry. mark Bicknell.

Brett you say the kindest things mate, don't worry we will have a belting night out very soon at Soulsville in Leeds, Friday October 7th for some of that Russian lager and a few quality tunes....see you soon. Ok time to maybe take this thread into another dimension...it's sparkly dresses and boufont hair do time...lets go to Detroit! The Atlantics - What's So Good About Goodbye - Marquee 444- written and also recorded at Motown by the legend that is William (Smokey) Robinson published by Jobete Music this is a stunning record and a much more crisp more punchy version than The Miracles Tamla 54053, it took me years to get this record after first hearing i think Keb Darge playing it in the early 80's, i've seen a couple of copies for sale over the years prior to getting mine and they were pretty battered poor looking condition so i passed on them, winning this on dare i say the word E-Bay very late one night a couple of years ago was simply bliss, a super clean almost unplayed copy was finally mine for $300.00 approx. I'm not a big lover of Female group records normally as i find them a little lacking compared to the male group stuff, the flipside to this comment is they have to hold that something a little special as this record does, a sultry sexy performance you can just see these little girls laying this track down circa 1967/68, more of a personal record than something to play out infact i don't think i've ever played this at a venue, very selfish perhaps as this is quality through and through, one slight problem with this record is it books at at least £300.00 but i would stick another £100.00 on that figure as although there is no real big demand for this record the few copies there are of this are very firmly in collections, it never comes up for sale to often but for me personally it was worth waiting twenty years to get a copy. Regards - Mark Bicknell. Brett you say the kindest things mate, don't worry we will have a belting night out very soon at Soulsville in Leeds, Friday October 7th for some of that Russian lager and a few quality tunes....see you soon. Ok time to maybe take this thread into another dimension...it's sparkly dresses and boufont hair do time...lets go to Detroit! The Atlantics - What's So Good About Goodbye - Marquee 444- written and also recorded at Motown by the legend that is William (Smokey) Robinson published by Jobete Music this is a stunning record and a much more crisp more punchy version than The Miracles Tamla 54053, it took me years to get this record after first hearing i think Keb Darge playing it in the early 80's, i've seen a couple of copies for sale over the years prior to getting mine and they were pretty battered poor looking condition so i passed on them, winning this on dare i say the word E-Bay very late one night a couple of years ago was simply bliss, a super clean almost unplayed copy was finally mine for $300.00 approx. I'm not a big lover of Female group records normally as i find them a little lacking compared to the male group stuff, the flipside to this comment is they have to hold that something a little special as this record does, a sultry sexy performance you can just see these little girls laying this track down circa 1967/68, more of a personal record than something to play out infact i don't think i've ever played this at a venue, very selfish perhaps as this is quality through and through, one slight problem with this record is it books at at least £300.00 but i would stick another £100.00 on that figure as although there is no real big demand for this record the few copies there are of this are very firmly in collections, it never comes up for sale to often but for me personally it was worth waiting twenty years to get a copy. Regards - Mark Bicknell. Brett you say the kindest things mate, don't worry we will have a belting night out very soon at Soulsville in Leeds, Friday October 7th for some of that Russian lager and a few quality tunes....see you soon. Ok time to maybe take this thread into another dimension...it's sparkly dresses and boufont hair do time...lets go to Detroit! The Atlantics - What's So Good About Goodbye - Marquee 444- written and also recorded at Motown by the legend that is William (Smokey) Robinson published by Jobete Music this is a stunning record and a much more crisp more punchy version than The Miracles Tamla 54053, it took me years to get this record after first hearing i think Keb Darge playing it in the early 80's, i've seen a couple of copies for sale over the years prior to getting mine and they were pretty battered poor looking condition so i passed on them, winning this on dare i say the word E-Bay very late one night a couple of years ago was simply bliss, a super clean almost unplayed copy was finally mine for $300.00 approx. I'm not a big lover of Female group records normally as i find them a little lacking compared to the male group stuff, the flipside to this comment is they have to hold that something a little special as this record does, a sultry sexy performance you can just see these little girls laying this track down circa 1967/68, more of a personal record than something to play out infact i don't think i've ever played this at a venue, very selfish perhaps as this is quality through and through, one slight problem with this record is it books at at least £300.00 but i would stick another £100.00 on that figure as although there is no real big demand for this record the few copies there are of this are very firmly in collections, it never comes up for sale to often but for me personally it was worth waiting twenty years to get a copy. Regards - Mark Bicknell. Brett you say the kindest things mate, don't worry we will have a belting night out very soon at Soulsville in Leeds, Friday October 7th for some of that Russian lager and a few quality tunes....see you soon. Ok time to maybe take this thread into another dimension...it's sparkly dresses and boufont hair do time...lets go to Detroit! The Atlantics - What's So Good About Goodbye - Marquee 444- written and also recorded at Motown by the legend that is William (Smokey) Robinson published by Jobete Music this is a stunning record and a much more crisp more punchy version than The Miracles Tamla 54053, it took me years to get this record after first hearing i think Keb Darge playing it in the early 80's, i've seen a couple of copies for sale over the years prior to getting mine and they were pretty battered poor looking condition so i passed on them, winning this on dare i say the word E-Bay very late one night a couple of years ago was simply bliss, a super clean almost unplayed copy was finally mine for $300.00 approx. I'm not a big lover of Female group records normally as i find them a little lacking compared to the male group stuff, the flipside to this comment is they have to hold that something a little special as this record does, a sultry sexy performance you can just see these little girls laying this track down circa 1967/68, more of a personal record than something to play out infact i don't think i've ever played this at a venue, very selfish perhaps as this is quality through and through, one slight problem with this record is it books at at least £300.00 but i would stick another £100.00 on that figure as although there is no real big demand for this record the few copies there are of this are very firmly in collections, it never comes up for sale to often but for me personally it was worth waiting twenty years to get a copy. Regards - Mark Bicknell. SWScan00052.BMP SWScan00052.BMP SWScan00052.BMP SWScan00052.BMP

I'm just gonna slip the odd one or two in the mix from now on, sorry missed lunch and teatime selections due to being at home with my boy, i'm the master at speg bol.......yummy. Time to get out the kleenex...this is awesome! Jimmy Gilford - Heartbreaker - Solid Hit 103 - Written by J.J.Barnes a Solid Hitbound production, this record is pure perfection, very down tempo aka a beat ballad, if Roy Hamilton - The Panic Is On (MGM) etc. is your kind of groove then Mr Gilford is up there with the best of them, his other two known records also rate up there with the Detroit biggies, Nobody Loves Me Like My Baby - Thelma, and I Wanna Be Your Baby - Wheelsville 101 which are also two worthy records, 'Heartbreaker' is just that very worthy indeed from it's haunting intro you are there with this mans pain, talk about records that have me in bit's this is one of them, i've had my white promo for years think i paid a fiver for it way back, i'm sure i've seen a demo listed on a sales list for £100.00 but i could be way off on this, stock/issues should be around £30.00 but who knows, put it this way if i did'nt have this i would gladly part with a ton to get it, his voice is velvet, his emotion creates a masterpiece of a record.......................AWESOME!!!!!!! This ain't Northern it's more than that if you understand me. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Crisp beautiful melt in your mouth type of chips here Joan, not a speck of greese in sight and not a limp greesy one listed...top tooooooooooooooooones. Mark Bicknell.

Mark, you have beautiful home made chips, chip shop chips which can be very tasty, even those burger joint chips or are they called fries????? some cost 75p a bag others a quid all can be tasty at whatever the price...lol i never mentioned there was a price cap on this thread, it's just developed into the lesser known and some cheaper inclusions, if we started on the big ticket stuff that's pretty pointless as most folk know the story behind them and somene would bound to pipe up with the 'you flash bastard comment', i posted a playlist on here once with comments on each record and because some of them were the bigger ticket stuff i was shot down in flames and sighted as showing off so best we stick with the format here, ten pound or a thousand pound if someone rates a tune then bring on the information.........chip anyone....lol Mark Bicknell.

I'm happy that Dawn and Ted are happy...lol Mark Bicknell.

Another three before lunch...i really must get a hobby or a life...lol The Exceptionals - Unlucky Girl - GRT 48 also came out on Way Out 101 as The Exceptional Three Featuring Ruby Carter - This is out and out mellow crossover one for Mr Brett Franklin without a doubt very early 70's i would think 71-73 that era, awesome song, awesome lead vocal from Ruby Carter, i picked my GRT copy up about three years ago for £15.00 about half it's book price, exspect to pay around £50.00 for the Way Out release same record so really not a problem, a real floater of a tune that has so much potential and very possibly one that has already featured in the tent....lol. The Stratoliners - What Do You Want With My Love - Federal 12568 There has been a bit of a buzz on this record recently and rightly so, recorded around 1971 this is another stonking tent type record, issue/stock copies which i have paid only £25.00 for this off Mick Smith only a few yeaars back, going for a lot more money now and must be around £75.00 if not more, a bit of hunting you may find it at a more reasonable price, again this will shoot up in price with a few more spins and is sure to have it's day as a big record, very upbeat with a sublime production. The Festivals - Hey Girl B/W Checkin' Out - Blue Rock 4076 - Two yummy sides here, both oh so good, i was reminded how good this record was again from Kim Cook aka Cookie when she played 'Checkin' Out on my radio show a couple of years back, it then took me a while to find a nice white demo for around £60.00 i think, worth a bit more than that i would think now, The Festivals did another nice record 'Music' on Smash which is a good cheap group record. The two Blue Rock sides here are just stunning and work well in the tent and Northern rooms. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Still got a couple of slices of toast left so heres possibly the record of the day and it's still only early. The Intentions - Don't Forget That I Love You - Philips 40428 - This Harthon production out of Philadelphia is one of the best down tempo group redords i hold in my collection, not sure of their ethnic background as this group could be blue eyed but this matters very little, the harmonies on this create instant tear jerking emotions, leaves me in a complete mess everytime i play it. as the lead singer pleas 'I wear this uniform for the sake of the land', so he's off to war and he's busted up inside as he's leaving his love behind.....i'm crying just thinking about it. This was once another £10.00 tune way back but now possibly around the £50.00 mark perhaps a little more, you don't see too many copies of this for sale so snap it up if you see it, it won't set too many dance floors on fire but for a gut renching soulful moment this is a top tune. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Here we go again it's breakfast time with Bicknell, great selections coming in here now from everyone thick and fast, starting off today with a couple of Detroit winners...enjoy. The Rivieras - You Counter Feit Girl - Riley's 369 - This one has been sitting on the shelf on and off for about 15 years perhaps longer, i picked this one up for peanuts via Soulbowl i think for about £8.00 if my memory serves me correctly. Like so many records out there this has yet to have it's day on the scene, this Joey Kingfish production is powerhouse Detroit up tempo soul of the highest order, Riley's Records was owned by Diamond 'Jim' Riley who also had Diamond Jim Records both logos produced some superb recordings from the likes of The Tempos, E.J And The Echoes and others. I was suprised to see that this one now books at around £150.00 should be double that in terms of quality but again the price has really nothing to do with it when records are as good as this. Bee Gee Stans Of Detroit - Front Page Love - Tal-Vert 1802 - A corker of a record which has always been talked about and often included on collectors tapes, a nice early sounding production with a delightful backbeat and vocal performance, sounds fantastic nice and loud through a sound system but has not been played that much at the venues over the years, again not an exspensive record at maybe £30.00 give or take a few quid, i might give this some turntable action at Soulsville in Leeds in a couple of weeks time just to see what the boys think???? A worthy record to fit in the Detroit section of all collections. Regards - Mark Bicknell.........More to follow!

Would it be ok if i just sit back in the tent enjoy and learn a little or maybe i'll dip me toe in with one or two...lol Is it a big tent????? Mark Bicknell.

Apart from the fact that I absolutely loved living with you & Jacqui (to which I owe you so much) these are some of the reasons why I miss our little sessions in the loft link

Just counted back on this thread and i've mentioned 53 records, a few more to go at yet but over to you guys as i don't want to come across as a smart arse...lol Good thread though certainly been well looked at with over 2000 hits and it's only been up a couple of days. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Missed the main course tonight fell asleep on the sofa....hard life this being off on the sick lark...lol only one before bedtime and what a little beauty it is too. More tracks to follow over the next few days, we have plenty to go at here don't we? Jock simply outstanding selections mate, think of the stuff we missed, passed up, sold or don't know yet lol...this music is wonderful...bring it on. The Royal Jokers - Love Game (From A To Z) Wingate 020 - This record is so cool, so good and still oh so cheap i think, has it all, class Detroit from Golden World subsidiary Wingate, this outfit are far from jokers as they proceed to go through all the letters of the alphabet with a slant on love related comments to each letter fantastic stuff, mid paced tempo with a typical bouncing Motor City groove that blows me away, another very easy record to find and i bet it's under £20.00, not heard this played out too much over the years so still has plenty to offer at the venues being very much an underplayed very underated tune again this one is up there with some of the Detroit big ticket items in terms of it's quality sod the price. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Fantastic selections and you have included possibly one of my all time records certainly in my top five ever being 'Scientists Of Soul', what a wonderful tune, if it was a one off it would be four figures instead of it's cheap price status. Mark Bicknell.

Three before teatime gang....oh and Shane that's two bags of nut's you owe me now mate...lol Gody Colbert - Baby I Like It - Revue 11037 - Produced by Leonard Jewell Smith which is no suprise as this track holds the same backing as 'All My Good, Good Loving' which Mark White has already mentioned here, so we have the same backing but a different song and it's simply devine, arranged by Gene Page this is a classy record make no mistake with a half decent flip too 'I Wanna Thank You' not sure of the value on this but seen it for sale at £40.00 a bit back perhaps £60.00 now with todays prices being what they are. The Incredibles - I Can't Get Over Losing Your Love - Audio Arts 701 More of a forgotten oldie this one but what a record Northern Soul with huge testicals and another tasty flip as well 'Crying Heart', the top side has pure dance floor appeal and would go down well at the more forward thinking oldies based events today. No idea of the value at all maybe £25.00 for the nice looking promo and a little less for the issue????? The Exsaveyons - I Don't Love You No More - Smoke 600 - This oh so cheap record £8.00 perhaps less has always been a monster tune waiting to happen in my book, produced by company owner George Blackwell famed for his Northern Monster 'Can't Lose My Head' also on Smoke out of Newark, New Jersey, you see this record everywhere or used to at least, if you do not know this under no circumstances pass it by if you see one for sale, a proper group record and as good as it gets really. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sorry gang a little late with this luchtime's offerings two from the ladies and two from the gents......... More Collection Selections coming from all of us i hope....lol Charlotta Tillman - Baby I'm Serious - Josie 953 - Oh what a belter this female pouder is, shameless in your face uptempo Rhythm and Soul very much in the same style as Jeanette Williams - 'All Of A Sudden' on Backbeat, Jumping Joan put me onto this one years ago so full credit to Joan on this one, never really been played out that much but it should be, quite a hard Josie number to find so exspect to part with upwards of £60.00 plus for this jewel of a record, the voice is sublime over a busy backbeat produced by James Shaw. Nina Simone - It Be's That Way Sometime - RCA Victor 9286 - £20.00 is a small price to pay for this superb example of Nina Simone at her very best, so far from her Jazz influenced material it beggers belief, just simply a must have collection filler of a tune, powerful vocal, well produced by Danny Davis, arranged and conducted by Sammy Lowe, if you don't know this then again you will be delighted if you buy blind. Tim - I Need Your Love - Celtex 102 - A tasty little tune this one out of Chicago, a really delightful 45 that should be far more exspensive than it's £8/10.00 for an issue/stock perhaps double that for a promo, a semi known hidden gem of a tune that's just waiting to go massive. Wales Wallace - I Gotta Have You - Renee 111 - Another Chicago based production from the outstanding talents of Wales Wallace, great hard edged gritty backing and a golden vocal performance from Mr Wallace, seen this for various prices but really should only be £20/30.00 at the most, as with the 'Tim' track this needs to have it's day yet at the venues. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Funny this great minds think alike and all that, i pulled out Spencer - 'My Baby's Comin Home' to ident when reviewing his other slighty more obscure Midtown release 'Serachin' For Love' Midtown 3503 a storming slice of prime Northern Soul Soul served medium rare, this record belts along at a furious pace and would have been well suited for the acrobats on the dance floors of the 70's, slighty harder to find than the other record mentioned here perhaps £30.00 for a stock/issue and a little more for the white promo which i hold in the collection. Mark Bicknell.