Chalky

Really sad news R.I.P. Johnny

Last nights show (13-01-22) with exclusive radio plays of the forthcoming MD Records releases from the Sensations and New Loves.

Happy New Year to all listeners. Here is the first show of 2022.

They are different paragraphs and two different stories. That is how the mag was laid out. I also posted the Goodway bit in the Silhouette’s topic.

If you really want something different then look for somewhere outside your comfort zone, Djs you don’t know, seek a playlist or review, see what is offered on the flyer. There are venues out there that offer something different to others across all the various sides of the scene, but upfront, they are few and far between. Probably just the 100 club that can really call itself that as they have two Djs who have more new discoveries than anywhere. Kitch has bunch of great exclusives too.

Because it isn’t top 500 does not make it upfront. The upfront scene isn’t top 500, but they have their own top 500, probably less. Its the same for crossover scene, the same bunch of records you see time and time again on playlists. What is upfront anyway? What is underplayed? Underplayed where, on the oldies scene no doubt but on the so called upfront they are probably overplayed but because they differ from the classics people have a different mentality of how they think about these records If all you have done is attend venues that plays the classics or oldies then venues that play something different to the classics will offer then something different. It doesn’t make then upfront or cutting edge. Those days are long gone.

I was thinking this whilst out walking, there is a ton of recently releases material, new and old but there is some kind of snobbery towards them, same with cheap records that aren't necessarily rare. Yet for some reason promoters and Djs by and large ignore them or think they are a no go area.

I've heard of low attendances, and I mean really low, barely into double figures for some of the prominent "upfront" venues. The only all-nighter on this weekend, just over a 100 I was told by someone there. Yet oldies venues are packing them in, Blackpool etc I know there are extenuating circumstances but I don't think the appetite is there. The all-nighter scene is on its arse from what I see. I am really choosy now as to where I go. I want to hear unknowns, I know however the chances of that are really slim. The ones I do quality control is often seriously lacking. I am all for something different but different for the sake of it I am not prepared to pay good money for. I really thought the lockdowns and the time people have had to reflect would have brought about a change but if anything it is worse than it was before all this started. Here is to a better outlook for 2022 and maybe change will be delivered, the scene really needs it.

I think most are disillusioned because like the classic scene it was/is becoming the same old same. Like the other scenes it is what you spend and not your choice though imagination. It still seems to be the same Djs playing the records, nothing seems to have changed much at all with what has happened the last couple of years.

Used to play the Marvels as a bit of a something different quality oldie some years ago. I struggled to sell it, took ages.

Whole new generation and playing to a WHOLE new crowd, really?

Discogs doesn't get everything right, it relies on user (you or I) input for all its information. It will only mark something as unofficial or bootleg if there is evidence and enough vote on it. I would leave well alone and go for one of the two releases of What Shall I Do that you know are real for certain. The so called Jamaican Jerry Williams looks juts as dodgy or a 70s reissue, where does it state it is Jamaican?

Anywhere you go is virtually an oldies night, upfront, classic, crossover. There are no new discoveries, if there is there is just a tiny amount. Even the "upfront" venues are playing the same stuff they were playing 10 years plus ago.

Same typeface as the 70s reissue of If you Ask Me...that scan is hardly anything to judge authenticity by though and not much to go on on discogs, nothing one 45 cat. The other only other Jerry Williams Jamaican release is a different type f ace altogether.

I mean a 60s one

The whole label print looks iffy, different font, off centre etc

Like you I have my doubts, no engineer initials which with them being on the issue you'd expect on the promo....I guess? Don't recall seeing a white promo for other Calla releases either

I agree 200000 highly unlikely, more than likely and John says 20.000. As for charts, depends on how and where it was sold I guess. Whatever the figure there must have been high hopes for the group, both from the group itself and those behind the label who weren't short of a bob or two. As one of the group says in an interview when asked why they split, "it just didn't happen". Sister label too

200.000 is not a lot really for a group that topped both pop and R&B charts. The Servicemen's first 45 was a 10.000 press but it is extremely rare.

So it is a group, always assumed as I guess others did it was just the one person. What is the poster?

The group name is in it and if it was meant as a give away at gigs etc?

It’s the included in the jacket bit I’m talking about. There is no evidence it ever was included in the jacket. I’m not disputing it was ever released.

He may just be using the same information that many have been using regarding the free single without any actual facts it was included?

He did, it's the show I mention above, between 14th and 21st May, it was the first time on the radio and never at a venue as far as we knew then. Whitchurch on the 14th is the first time Eddie Whitehead was played. 21st was the first Mexborough all-nighter where these all probably got a spin. Guy had not long been back from the States with Chris King.

The last show of 2021 takes look at the scene post Stafford, in the main 1987 and the Djs at Guy Hennigan's Soultown All-nighters.