Len

…..You would think so wouldn’t you mate? But (apart from the music) the ‘elitism’ (for want of a better word) is what attracted me to the Scene. Things like, certain D.J’s playing certain records, that ‘magic’ even makes them sound better to me, which I am aware seems ridiculous to some folk. But it’s that kind of thing that made it all so special, so when any ‘Tom, Dick or Harry’ puts on an event (or D.J’s) that Magic is lost. I know lots of people don’t share my views and I respect that, I would never look down on them for one moment like some people seem to, by using terms such as ‘Hand Baggers’ - This kind of thing makes the ‘elitism’ bit seem 'unfriendly and exclusive’, whereas it really needs to be seen as 'welcoming and inclusive’ As far as I’m concerned, Mr Kev Roberts can do exactly what he pleases and good luck to him. He is very good at what he does and although I don’t know him personally, I am pretty damn sure he genuinely loves the music. He was ‘there’ in the early days, he understands the Scene and to be perfectly honest I smile because I get the impression he laughs his head off at all us lot bickering like children The people who are at the top of their game are normally the nicest, most unassuming people you could meet, they are not the ones that go around criticising other people or events. ….With the right attitude from both sides, things can only get better. All the best, Len

I remember returning from Burnley to John McClure’s house with Danny, Terry and Irish - I’d bought a record and of course the first thing to do was ‘give it a spin’…..As soon as it started my heart dropped because it did sound sh*t, and I couldn’t have picked a worse ‘audience’ if I tried could I? -Queue Terry, “What the f*ck’s this sh*t Len?”, then Danny, “F*cking ‘ell Len” etc, etc…. You gotta laugh though ain’t ya? This is why I stopped buying records at nighters - I’d be better off going down the bookies! All the best, Len P.s — I bet the said record will have its day…..Not entirely sure which one it was though….

You know what? Every so often I ‘wade’ through it and I always ‘discover’ something I really like! — It really is unbelievable sometimes, so god knows where my head was at when I ‘shelved’ some of these records! Ref the above, one 'kinda' regret I have, is years ago I sorted a plastic bag full of records to get rid of, yes, I know a plastic bag, anyway, this plastic bag got passed around various people including Dave Vanner, Tony Parker, and even Cliff Steel had a ‘dip’ — I honestly don’t think there was anything amazing in there (Who knows!) but what time has taught me, is that you can never tell how your taste can develop or how your ears are sometimes! All the best, Len

There's no 'maybe' about that mate - Your dead right, you wanna see my 'rejects' shelf of records! All the best, Len

Yes, R.I.P Dave, you were one of the 'Faces' of our Scene. Len 'n' Nina x

I've always struggled with this one, not sure if the D.J 'tweeks' up the speed slightly....no it's me, but I dance to the b*stard every single time - It will not beat me! All the best, Len.

Yeh, Winnie ya Wimp! - Seriously though, for some strange reason (as you say so yourself) every time I play it out, there's always 'quite a few on the dance floor'.....Maybe it's such a contrast to what they think I'm gonna play! All the best, Len

Just one for me, I got work to do today! lol All the best, Len.

R.I.P Terry Callier, we will be forever dancing to your great work. Love from, Len 'n' Nina x

As long as you gave them a good listen before you came to that conclusion, that's fine. All the best, Len

Actually, I retract my previous statement - "Yes, not sure if it's 'Soul Snobery'" - Not listening is definatelly 'Soul Snobery' which ever 'side' it comes from. All the best, Len

Ditto, but we're in the minority big time at the moment. Len

Yes, not sure if it's 'Soul Snobery' but defo the ussual 'not listening' until it suits them. I mean, with ref to a post I made on another thread where I explained a guy shouting "Why don't you f*ckin' play something we like!" while 'The Dynamics - I Need Your Love' was playing - Even if he didn't 'know' it, he simply couldn't have been listening and I'm sure every single one of you would agree. All the best, Len

....and I think that my last post is actually 'on topic' Len

Seriously though, promoters obviously have to make a venue pay, so they have to give what the 'market' wants and unfortunatelly (For some of us) nowadays that 'market' is mainley well known oldies. This is why some venues are now two room events, but then that goes from one extreme to the other in the same building and although I enjoy the smaller second rooms, I would much prefere if the Oldies 'side' listened so were more excepting of tunes fresh to their ears, then it could all be in the same room as it was through the 90's.....But don't hold ya breath.... All the best, Len

'Cause I stopped promoting in 2007 lol Len

Yup that's the one mate. It ain't Rocket Science, the clue's in the title - SOUL night! All the best, Len

I know what you mean Dave, I'm just trying to reiterate the subject - 'Soul Snobery' - I think I'm pretty much the same as you, I wouldn't want to go to one extreme or the other. I like 'rare' meaning 'rarely heard' and also like a smaller quantity of well known stuff put 'in the mix' - They sound brilliant together and I think people sometimes forget that, as the starter said - due to 'Soul Snobery' All the best, Len

Yes, but I think some have lost their way and 'playing rare for the sake of rare' just doesn't cut it with a lot of people. I personally like all good soul music played, I don't care how rare it is - Although I'd be lying if I didn't say I get an extra 'buzz' from rare records, that's the 'Magic' I've mentioned before. All the best, Len

I have, and both Hammy and Pottsy have come to D.J 'round these parts' bringing their Bedfordshire 'Magic' along with them - Great sets every time. I also went to The Fleet and I liked it at that time, although I must have only been twelve, so very impressionable! All the best, Len

Good point, I expect that's how some D.J's lose their identity after getting a bit 'successful' - Pressure's on to please an' all that. Again, in their defence, I understand that. All the best, Len

I used to say that to my History teacher - She wasn't impressed! Anyway back 'on topic' - This 'Inverted Snobery' works towards 'rare soul' as well as away from it. I know of Oldies orientated folk listening to something I've put on tape to share with them, they have 'reported' back "f*ckin' sh*t"....Then a while later I've seen them playing the said record! - This is down to them not listening when I play it to them, but listening when the 'right' person (for them) plays it and to be perfectly honest, I understand it. All the best, Len

B*llshit! All the best, Len

Jem's one of the genuine ones Terry, no need to try and pull him apart because there's nothing to catch out. I've said this before because I like you both - You both have a lot in common and that's a compliment. All the best, Len

Mike, On behalf of Win, I can only apologise! All the best, Len