Steve G

When I tracked down Larry in Waukegan in 1982 he sent me a 25 box, which I sold at the Fleet at 2.50 each. This box contained some with lower case title and a few with upper case title. Therefore I am pretty certain Larry pressed it twice.

PhilD wrote: "The Barbara Pennington and Excityers were played quite extensively round Reading area when I used to frequent soul nites there, oh 25 plus years ago. But perhap I was experiencing an earlusion?" As new releases I am sure they were - when they came out they were both pretty contemporary and were played in clubs alongside contemporary releases - the equivelent possibly now would be IL producing some techno dance or garage music.

Glyn, it's a pretty expensive record. It never came in quantity as far as I can tell - quite in demand now since old Baldy has got one. Steve

Yes they do. I used to call this record as by the Black Osmonds - really poppy lyrics

Dave Withers had one for sale. Must say I still need this on Wand. Honey & The Bees did not come out on Wand......unless someone can tell us different:unsure:

PhilD wrote "Which sounds don't you hear exactly? The ones off this particular album? That's not surprising, they're not released yet. But how about any of Levine's other "tailor-mades" - Exciters - Reaching For The Best, Ronnie McNeir - Lucky Number, Supremes - Back By Popular Demand, Barbara Pennington - 24 Hours A day, Sidney Barnes - Standing On Solid Ground etc etc. Have you never heard any of these at a soul night or all-niter?" Maybe the description of northern soul is a regional thing, as it is very different down here to what you describe in your neck of the woods, and actually NONE of these examples you quote has been played regurarly at soul nights or allnighters down this way -not one. I am not saying none of them have ever been played but none of them have been regular spins. "And I am sure that you'll get a request for one of 'em one day. But you don't need to let me know, I don't care". That was tongue in cheek Phil, I have no intention of wasting my life arguing with you. tuttybye and enjoy your new "northern soul".

some real cr*p lyrics here guys, and along with them comes this one from a quite catchy tune: "I'm in love with you I know you love me too Oh my aching heart Is tearing me apart Oh baby Oooh ooh"

But that's the point Pete, it's not an old record - it relies heavily on "Downtown" itself a classic pop record, but to all intents and purposes was a "new" record. I agree it's one of his better ones though and superior to the 4 Vandals.

Yeah she did several records and indeed I have an acetate of hers that wasn't issued that's pretty good. I also have a feature on her in a magazine called "Ebony Stars" with pics of her walking down the road etc....I'll try and find it over the next few days.....pretty good it is.

Not by the majority? I attend clubs regularly, and I don't hear these sounds being played at ANY of the clubs. No doubt in your mind the DJ's are all blinkered as well as the attending punters? I was at an all dayer on Saturday and we played 13 hours of soul music - not a single tailor made played and as far as I can tell not a single request for one either. Same thing at the last weekender I was at. Or are you talking about the "majority" who don't go to clubs? Of course they planned to sell records, or get the attention of bigger labels and producers When someone presses 500 copies of something they have an aspiration that it'll get played on radio and they'll have to press another 5,000 copies. The difference between a sound made in the 60's was that it was contemporary and designed to sound like the then current success of Motown, Stax, dance crazes etc. Remember many of these records are B sides also. They were authentic recordings made thirty of forty years ago and were right in the pocket of what was then happening in the USA. Actually Levine's work with Take That was pretty good commercial music, albeit not northern soul. As for them having a massive hit with a reworking of a northern classic, we had exactly that in the early 80's with Soft Cell, and try as I might I cannot find many people who view that as "northern soul". The two are inextricably linked Phil. Listen when I get a request for one of these new sounds at a club, I'll let you know.

Phil We shall agree to disagree, and for the record 4 Vandals, Veneicia WIlson etc were never classed as northern soul round these 'ear parts of the world. Always suspect records from the first time we heard them. To my mind northern soul is essentially neglected music from black America, with a beat. It is music that was made with feeling, music that was lost from the mainstream, despite at the time of it's inception being produced as contemporary music; it's music with vibrancy, energy and enough enthusiasm to launch a hot air balloon, and which now has character and a certain mystery around it...... And that's a million miles from some artificial production made in a studio in West London in 2007. No disrespect to dear old Ian etc. but this is just tailor made cash in stuff which is not authentic or original in the slightest. I'd rather listen to his work with Kim Wilde/Take That etc. than this - at least it was original. If you really think these productions are northern soul, then I am afraid you've lost the plot somewhat. ...and if that makes me a member of the "Soul Police" as you call it then fine, I can live with that.

Whatever this music is, it's NOT northern soul, in the same way as M Peoples LP "Northern soul" wasn't northern soul.

It is "So much in love" on Sugar

A fantastic record I never tire of.

Yes Kenny does chain his box up - quite sensible too IMHO. Also keep your records away from radiators underneath windows

Agreed two brilliant sides - B side is just as good if not better.

John - Agreed it also goes down well whenever it's spun round these parts.

Yes I have all her UA releases, and I've seen a couple for sale as well. I would have rated this at £30-£40 But then again me and prices......I may be way off there.

Occasionally when he's not on the golf course

Actually Sean I have tried that line and just got funny looks.....

Just been down to the lock up and found 2 copies of "Ooh baby baby" on Avco and they both play the title. No sign of "CSAM"

He did an album of Motown covers on DJM called "Stop in the name of love" and I thought it was on there, but it isn't. Will go and find the UK 45 next.

I am sure it's on one of his early 70s albums. I will check later if no one else confirms meanwhiles.

Hi Ya Flanny Can you put a list up on here of what's on offer? Hope you are keeping well. Steve

Dear old Trevor Nelson - another self appointed "know it all". Thing is people have always slagged off northern, I remember as a kid reading Tony Cummings articles in Black Music and being shocked (though with heinsight some / much of it seems fairly spot on ) Anyway the vast majority of us aren't racist so don't get wound up by these "talking heads"; they simply can't understand our thing, so leave them to their abstract maschinations however offensive their implications may be. The real question is the dumbing down of the BBC to the point where ill researched programmes always go to the same "bores" who talk loud and say......well nothing much really (to bastardise the James Brown thing)......but we've done the BBC to death on the former thread.