Mace

Looks like another copy of the boot is gonna go for stupid money on ebay........

Recently added 75 new 45s to my website.....lots of styles, all with sound clips and label scans from actual 45s on offer. Check out the new stock on link below, plus plenty of great 45s still available on rest of site. https://rhythm-and-soul45s.com/ourshop/cat_1282676--NEW-STOCK-ALL-GENRES-.html

Well worth a read..... https://www.pbrtv.com/more/special-articles/bob-mack-mad-mike-and-pittsburgh-oldies/ Here's a snippet..... How did the music you found first get onto radio? In early 1963, realizing that two thirds of greater Pittsburgh’s three million residents were too old or too young to attend dance clubs and hear these rare records, I started a radio show to feature the obscure, unknown and uncharted records I called “Macs monsters”. I began hosting Mac’s Wax Museum on a small radio station WZUM, which I discovered by again turning the radio dial from the center, this time to the far right side. It quickly became Pittsburgh’s hottest radio show for teens and young adults. In the late afternoon, countless Pittsburgh record collectors turned on their tape recorders, to capture and try to figure out the names of “Mac’s monsters”. Collectors in cities across the country began hearing about these rare records; since this obscure music was unique to Pittsburgh, they began referring to it as “the Pittsburgh sound”. Since the obscure records were first exposed to the masses through my dance clubs and radio show, I became known as the “architect of the Pittsburgh sound”. In interviews, Mike and I typically gave equal credit to the other for the popularity of these obscure records. In the mid to late 50’s we frequently ran across each other while traveling the country in search of uncharted r&b records. Although we were the pioneers in chasing the progressive and obscure records, hundreds of collectors and club deejays quickly followed. Deejays on competitive radio stations tried frantically to obtain these unknown records, but when they found one, I introduced ten more; they kept coming. The competition was intense and demand for the records we played went through the roof. Soon bootleggers found a few of “Mac’s monsters” and began pressing and selling them locally. I decided to open Tri-State, a record shop in downtown Pittsburgh which would offer some of the hottest and hardest to find records to the public. There was a line outside the store for the entire day when we opened.

I've been told by respected Pittsburgh record dealers and collectors who frequented the Pittsburgh Scene that this was a big spin for Mad Mike and was subsequently booted to supply demand for this 45. I guess there could be some confusion over whether it was a boot or a legit reissue, so I presume John Manship has some compelling evidence that proves it to be legit? There seems to be 11 x 45s released on the Hiback label, most of which seem to have 'Hirich Music Company' printed on one of both labels. There is no discography showing for Hirich Music Company, so seems the Aquamen was the only 45 released on that label......quite a good name for a label that would tie in with the Hiback label info and seem legit.........even moreso they printed 'Formerly Hiback 109' on the Hirich label.....wow, looks even more proper! I'm guessing that no-one can be sure if this was a legit reissue or a snide boot......maybe Fred Bohn in Pittsburgh knows more about it, and maybe John Manship has had a conversation with Fred about it.........however, many other popular records were bootlegged during Mad Mikes popularity on the Pittsburgh Scene, so that may well be why the Pittsburgh guys call it a boot.....my instinct tells me its a boot but I would be happy to see proof its legit cus I'll probably find one on my future trips Stateside and would like to know myself for sure. Best case scenario its a legit reissue/2nd press.

Website just updated with 48 new titles including some nice Northern/Rare Soul 45s......please check out new stock on link below, plus plenty of similar quality Soul 45s on rest of site...... https://rhythm-and-soul45s.com/ourshop/cat_1264445--NEW-STOCK-ALL-GENRES-.html

Just updated my website with some killer 45s, including some great Rare Soul.....check out my new stock on link below... https://rhythm-and-soul45s.com/ourshop/cat_1236498--NEW-STOCK-ALL-GENRES-.html Plus plenty of great 45s in other catagories......Enjoy! Regards Mace

Just updated my website with 96 x 45s......there's some great Northern, R&B titles in the New Stock category on link below.... https://rhythm-and-soul45s.com/ourshop/cat_1200283--NEW-STOCK-ALL-GENRES-.html Plus plenty more still in stock on the rest of the site....go to home page on link below! https://rhythm-and-soul45s.com/ ALL 45s have soundclips and label scans. Cheers! Mace

My website has just been updated with 48 tasty 45s, including the following soulful gems..... The Trends - Thanks for a little lovin' ABC Promo Joanie Sommers - Don't pity me - WB Promo James Barnett- Keep on Talking - Fame Promo Embers - Watch out girl - MGM Issue Cavaliers - Hold to my baby - RCA Issue Bobbettes - Having fun - RCA Promo Art Freeman - Slippin' around - Fame issue Ambers - I love you baby - Verve Commands - Hey it's love - Dynamic Freddie North - Oh Lord, what are you doing to me - Abet Kim Weston - I'm still loving you - Tamla Promo Levon & The Hawks - He don't love you - Atco Promo Plus lots of great R&B, Popcorn 45s etc..... You can check out my new stock on link below........plus there are plenty more great 45s already in stock in existing catagories! https://rhythm-and-soul45s.com/ourshop/cat_1177523--NEW-STOCK-ALL-GENRES-.html

Apologies to everyone who may have already checked out my website update, but seems I forgot to make a few items live.....anyways, just switched the rest on live....the extra 45s in question include.... The Dynells 'Call on me' Young Jessie 'You were meant for me' Cold Blood 'Im a good woman' Bobby Hutton 'Come see about me' Sting Rays 'Im gonna surprise you' Sherman Evans 'i dont care' Gladys Tyler 'A little bitty girl' Helen Shapiro 'He knows how to love me b/w Shop around'.... Regards Mace

Just updated my website with 80+ new 45s, including some rather tasty Northern 45s (including the ones listed in the title above)...... well worth a visit ! New stock can be found direct on link below, but there is also lots of great 45s still in stock listed in other categories from previous updates! https://rhythm-and-soul45s.com/ourshop/cat_1146516--NEW-STOCK-ALL-GENRES-.html

Recently updated my website with over 70x 45s......all with pics and soundclip. https://rhythm-and-soul45s.com/ourshop/cat_1127382-NEW-STOCK-ALL-GENRES.html

Was there last year but the shops had nothing....sent Chris Anderton a FB contact for you who might be able to hook you up with a few guys if you have a spare couple of hours one evening....this worked out okay for me but I was buying mainly R&B so don't know if they will have much Northern etc. Fantastic place though.....

Well, well, well...look what I found on Adobe Bootfilter......

Also, all those other label scans have nice crisp clean centres.....even the ones with label wear......Levines looks rougher cut around the centre hole.......

Oh the irony.................

Presume the cente section of the stampers would be lathed off to form the bevelled edge in centre of lathing.....maybe poorly lathed or possibly intentional to create a better grip for label adhesion?

So does Ian Levines own copy have this tell tale stamp under the label or is his a boot as well ?

In most record shops and record fairs in the last 3 years! It gets tougher to find clean records every trip.

Chicago and Detroit is awash with lower grade 45s...as are lots of other US Cities......you get sick of seeing battered 45s.

Not if Pete was buying the sleeves, and the records were free !

Except the offer of a refund ... Which I guess would have sufficed. I know it's a soul pack, I know it's pot luck....but Ian hoped to sell lots of these packs, so you'd do your best keep your customers happy...that way they will return ....as will more....simple business logic. PS I know they were only £1 each but the same applies whatever the cost.

As I said the other day, list your copies of the boots on ebay and get back what you can from your outlay that way....describe them for exactly what they are and at least that way you are giving the ebay market the heads up on what these really are......not everyone uses SS or FB forums so plenty of potential buyers who could still get burnt it the remaining copies filter away into other hands.....

In light of certain recent events it might well re-appear for a third time very soon!

Pretty sure Jessie did the one with same track both sides cus he couldn't source the flip....don't know if he got it eventually and did it again ?

That first E on Jenges at bottom of the label looks slightly smudged in the same way too me on both copies.....could be evident on all proper copies mind, and suppose it's obvious that if the Austin one is a boot then label scans would have been sourced from this copy.