Scotters

Yes that's how I first heard it Ian...I must have been the person who bought one while you kept the other copy! Joking apart, it was comps like that and ALL the Mastercuts (yep, I have them all) and in particular the "Rare" series + others like them by Expansion (SoulChasers etc) with many other late 80's / early 90's releases that got me started on buying older records in original format that were before my time, so to speak...Leon Ware LP was one of the first from memory with "Why I came to California" (which I might not have heard were it not for the Mastercuts comps) + Bobby Womack Poet 1 & 2 for example. I think the point I'm making is that having an appreciation for soul (and other music) in all its formats, genres and tempos...60's to current releases... is healthy and bit more enjoyable. Expensive at times too mind! I know less about music each day as just so much out there and expanding faster than the universe!..Well it feels like that sometimes!!! What was this thread about again? Oh yes. Answer...No it's not all cr@p! All the best, Steve. PS...Has anyone mentioned D-Influence yet? They were / are good.

Great...Not seen that Chuck Stanley LP cover for a few years! If this is moving away from the NJS and Street Soul topic and more to contemporary soul then we could be a here a long time as I think there was a lot of quality about...Sounds of Blackness, Broomfield (Don't cover up your feelings etc LP), all Tashan LP's, even Najee to a degree! Anita Baker, Atlantic Starr, By All Means, heaps of stuff from Expansion etc, Kashif, Juicy (After loving you / private party etc), Maze. It's certainly the time I started buying records regularly in late teens and actually listening more. A good foundation to then discover the rest of the soul spectrum methinks

They're not doing anything new these days then? Good to see Drizabone still going...Nataya is doing a night locally here in Rushden, Northants in a few weeks, so that should be good. Actually, not sure I should have mentioned that as maybe moonlighting away from the band!

I didn't know that D'Swing record but do remember this one... Are we answering the original question yet?!

Great...Have not heard some of those in a good while and one or two new to me. Yep...Keep it going as there's at least half a dozen of us interested in this thread! The "Summer" track mentioned earlier...It wasn't the one by Pushmipullyu on Wooly Mammoth was it? Not on youtube or anything as far as I can see, but have it here from '93 and good record at the time I think.

All superb..I was only listening through the Watergates LP "The Scandal" the other night + some of the early "Movin' on" comps that featured such releases. Also Drizabone "Conspiracy" LP still good to my ears. A few more from me before my coffee gets cold too. Not to everyone's taste but fit in this thread I hope.. Ondrea Duverney - Obsession Metropolis - Reach Ola - You'd better believe The Affair - The way we are / If only you could be mine etc Lalomie Washburn - Try my love Federation - Keep pushing, etc Carleen Anderson - Mama Said (Dusky Sappho EP) Seems strange to think most of these now 20 odd years old. Does that make them "oldies"?!

Hi. Can you list some examples please? Always interesting to learn what was released / what got played out and about etc. I'm at work at the mo but I'll list some of what I picked up at the time and still listen to now and then (albeit only at home as I don't know many others who also like this part of the soul spectrum!)....Off top of my head things like Xavier "Peace & Free", Noel McKoy "Family" / "Fight" etc, The Secret Diary "Friends", Gems for Jem "Time for love" & "When you're gone", Soul Family Sensation "I don't even know..." etc etc Cheers, Steve

Not too much of this genre appreciating in value from what I can see, apart from the odd few I've seen (eg I was surprised to see Teddy Pendergrass - "Believe in love" (phat philly mix) fetching £40+ these days + some UBP 12's seem to be on the up... although maybe not really what you're talking about here I know), but someone will hopefully prove otherwise. Have to say if it wasn't for buying a lot of this when it was coming out in the late 80's / early 90's I might not have started looking back as hard as I did for something less polished and more soulful, if you know what I mean. I do still enjoy the Blaze LP from that time ("25 years later", on Motown) which still sounds good to me all the way through as a flowing LP.

Been busy at work today have we boys?! Must admit I've been nothing but amazed / pleased / educated / frustrated / confused / blown away by the range of "SOUL" I've heard out and about since I started going out to more "Northern" nights this last few years. Certainly since I met you two + a good few other like minded people, and yes....I think I have seen some soul snobbery & soul knobbery out there for sure. I personally love popular soul & dance records from the last 40 odd years as much as rarest of the rare. Brilliant when out and hear something that was maybe a big seller in its day played against something that only a lucky few own in terms of original 45 or LP (but won't open that can again!). Have to say that I've never been guilty of closing my ears based on popularity or price, apart from maybe with some R&B sounds

What was the question again? I wouldn't deliberately cut a record half way through if no one's dancing but I think fading 2/3rds in with some good mike use is okay and works. I'm only a couple of years into this complex but great hobby of playing records outside the house (not just soul nights) and I've been taking a LOT in at various events literally up and down the country and have had some LONG conversations with different people in the process, as we all do. I think there's so much that influences whether a record clears the floor, aside from the record obviously.....time of night, alcohol intake, lighting (far too many places I've been too just too light I think), room lay-out, crowd on the night, time of year even! etc etc...But I think Microphone use is also key to engage with dancers (and listeners) and when used well certainly keeps me on the floor and trusting the DJ that I hopefully won't be the only one that starts to dance to the next record, or the one scampering off to the side. I'm still learning what works and doesn't and hopefully always will be, but good microphone work and "sign posting" of certain records (particularly new stuff) is something that makes a difference I think. Don't shoot!

Thanks for all your feedback and for having us along last night...It was fun at times, mad at times and quite scary at times too I thought the day before, that 3 hours would be a long time for people to just hear records I enjoy listening to (as was proved to be the case after just the first record ), so it was great that Brian could join me at short notice and share some more of his records, CDs and knowledge on the night to make it a double dose of soul selections. All the best and look forward to seeing some of you on Saturday night. Steve

Thanks a lot Mel, but I know of at least two more people who have far worse OCD than I do. Hang on though, I'll just check and check again... (must be some link between OCD and soul!) That is unless you're talking about Original CDs?! I am bringing a couple along with me Really looking forward to tonight and thanks for having me back a 3rd time, after Len originally introduced me to Nick and this show almost a couple of years ago now. Tuesday nights have not been the same since...in a good way! I think another recent and infinitely more knowledgeable guest is joining me + will hopefully also bring a few records to include as well as talking about some of mine, as I know nothing! See you later, Steve.

Interesting thread and also noticed a Hardest Part 45 (Curtis Anderson) sold for £500 on ebay this afternoon, so still some interest in it for sure.

Great entertainment as always this week and so so good to hear the likes of Andy Fisher, Rhonda Davis, Ray & Dave, Continental Showstoppers, Robert Tanner, Lewis Clark + Papa Bear & Cubs (not to be confused with Little Bear stories cartoon my girls like!), to name but a few from memory. Anyone who's not yet tried this show on a Tuesday night is missing out. Steve

Same here + they also now do paper inner sleeves which fit well inside the card ones if you want. Steve

Blimey was that 24 hours ago already?! I think I'm losing the plot. Some great records in the show this week and some interesting stories too (well, mostly, but absolutely need the silly banter & Chatango thingy, as that's what really makes the night so good!). How good to hear that amazing Eddie Parker 45 played twice (at least I think it was!), before it was sold today for more than my annual record budget. Lucky so and so! New website sounds interesting when it finally happens and looking forward to a visit to "the cave" in a couple of weeks. There's a rumour that Len might even drive for the first time in about 18 months. Booster seat at the ready Keep up the great work Topsy & Co, as Tuesday's just wouldn't be the same. Cheers, Steve S.

Not quite mastered the art of label photos and uploading on here, but here's a few RCA 45's I've picked up in recent years since I got bitten by the bug! The Celestrals - Keep your hands off my baby / Chain reaction The Trumains - Ripe for the pickin' Sonny Til - Tears and misery

I dunno Len...starting a thread like this to help you reach that 1000 post milestone! Great entertainment this. I'm relatively new to playing records outside the house as you know and I've already been: sworn at, flashed at by frustrated middle-aged birds (yep...common theme here I can see!), handed lists of requests of records I'll never afford to own by people who obviously think they're the only people there, applauded (that's a bizzare feeling, but a good feeling!), booo'd (not so good!) + asked to play a record again after only just playing it I've done the 33/45 cock-up thing + wrong sides of records and have also lifted tone arm on a playing record . Have spoken into the mike without switching it on, or have started to try and speak but just weird things come out instead of what I meant to say. Thought I had a set organised then it just goes to pieces or have just winged it with no real plan and it's gone great, had an event poster ripped into a thousand pieces by some lovely person making a point, etc etc....but most of it's been BRILLIANT and have met some good souls along the way + learned stacks more about music (not just soul!) than I ever thought possible....No wonder everyone wants to be a DJ All the best, Steve

Although top 10 or top 20 of anything is of course completely down to personal taste, I love these type of threads and always learn from them or get inspired to look up an LP or 45 or artist info / spend the kid's inheritance on alternative investments. Some truly great LP's noted so far, some I have and some I've added to the list. Can't see any of these having a mention, which I love listening to when I can. Bobby Taylor - Taylor Made Soul Willie Hutch - Soul Portrait Dee Dee Warwick - Foolish Fool Ronn Matlock - Love City Gloria Scott - What am I gonna do Barbara Lewis - The many grooves of Barbara Lewis All the best, Steve.

Great show tonight, as always . Well done Topsy / Mel + all the guests and peeps in the chat room for giving us something to look forward to each Tuesday night this last couple of years since Len first introduced me to the show. It's good to have some madness, banter and truly great soul to break the week up. Even my missus knows better than to disturb me in my own "man cave" on a Tuesday night Well done again and all the best for the next chapter in your new studio. I look forward to visiting later in the year. Cheers, Steve

Last one from me today (honest!)...Cool Million feat Westcoast Soulstars - We can work it out. Great recently released Summer Soul I think

You did say "soul" but I'll try and sneak this great jazz vocal in if I may, as always been on my summer playlist for the ipod....Alice Babs - Been to Canaan. Green fields and rolling hills. Ahhhhh yes.

Oh my, this thread is going to be addictive! Here's another from the Futures..."Sunshine & you" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqgPEUnkm1A

Two more before I head back to the hammock.....Leon Ware "Why I came to California" and McCarys "Love on a summer night". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwRp3CkJpGc