Sunnysoul

Hi Sue, both are Australian artists of course, as Godz showed above, both only released in Australia, never in the UK. I've found copies of both records quite regularly over the last 30 years. They're of more interest to Aussie beat collectors really and not really worth much either because they're relatively common. I remember I played the Laurie Allen disc a couple of times at the first Sydney northern soul nights back in 1981 but it cleared the floor. No surprise really, it isn't very good ! There are plenty of other superior versions of Cool Jerk floating around ... Cheers !

"low on knowledge" is usually the case Pete ... rather than deception ...

Terry Callier must be a 12" ... never on a 7" .. was it ???

Pete That's how my ORIGINAL Soul Bros Inc "Pyramid " 45 arrived a few years ago , in fact in even more numerous smaller pieces ...

I have a vinyl demo of the Ad Libs , plays beautifully, no hiss or intrusive noise at all ...

In your own backyard in three weeks time, Melbourne Soul Weekender, 29-31 May 2009, 3 big nights at selected venues, check your guides as they say ...

Surely the greatest foreign language Northern Soul artist of them all ... Italy's answer to Geno Washington ... Here he is ... Mr Rocky Roberts !!!

Totally live and breathe Soul music, every second of every day ...

I have this on a nice Aussie Island release. Think I might play it at the Melbourne Soul Weekender in a few weeks time !!!

I have a copy of Willie Hutch "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" b/w "Slick"on Motown Yesteryear Y558F ... only thing is, instead of playing "Slick" it actually plays The Shangri Las "Leader of The Pack" !!!!!!!

Had a feeling you'd be the first to post, Pete ! Was that "Funny Face Girl" ?

Is anyone able to post a promotional photo of Roy Docker (with Music Through Six 6) who did that version of Leon Haywood's "Mellow Moonlight" on the Domain logo. And how 'bout a photo of Gene "Sign On the Dotted Line" Latter ? The Ray King Soul Band ?

AUSTRALIA , of course ...

The First Class LP from 1980 is a rare LP, probably because Sugarhill and Sylvia Robinson were starting to get into financial difficulties around this time and therefore production and distribution would have been affected, so the LP always fetches a relatively high price (often $300-400+ US) on the odd occasion it shows up on ebay or elsewhere . It's also an excellent LP musically. However because of the varying productions and slightly dated arrangements (for 1980) (which is a complement by the way !!! ) throughout each of the tracks it has led me to conclude that the tracks were "in the can" so to speak from earlier sessions in previous years, possibly around the time of their excellent officially released first LP from 1976 on All Platinum which in itself is well worth getting ... and at a much cheaper price ... None of the tracks on the 1980 LP were previously released , either as a 45 or on the first LP, so the 1980 LP is not a re-release at all .

Bob, have you ever thought of writing a book on Chicago Soul , one that goes into even greater detail and depth than Robert Pruter's excellent work ?

Unbelieveable and fantastic footage from the girls. The only previous film available was them doing You're Absolutely Right. Now there's this ...

In the 60's, The UK had Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band ... Italy had Rocky Roberts and the Airedales ... And France had the great Vigon !!! See him here with his hit version of Bob & Earl's Harlem Shuffle ... ">

Nice one, I'd like to hear that ! So Ady, what do you think about getting Venetta and the other Mirettes (I believe Robbie Montgomery is still alive and well) together again to perform ?! Perhaps even as The Ikettes, although I suspect that Ike Turner's estate might have something to say about use of the Ikettes name ...

Strangely, Bob & Earl's "Harlem Shuffle" never at any time got a release in Australia on a 7" but Roy Head's band The Traits had their version of "Harlem Shuffle" released on Aussie Scepter in 1966 (Garrison in the US) Jackie Lee's "The Duck" was released on Aussie Philips. Venetta Fields came over to Australia in 1978 as one of the backing singers touring with Boz Scaggs and liked the place so much she ended up staying permanently.

Incidentally has the mystery of a US issue of Bob & Earl's "Everybody Jerk" been solved yet ?

Or maybe as Jay Dee during the mid 70's when he was doing "Strange Funky Games & Things" on Warner Bros ...

Couldn't help myself Mark, we love those Aussie releases !

Well Dave, arguably the greatest Ikette/Mirette of them all, Venetta Fields, has been living in Australia since the early 80's and has carved out a very respected career on the Australian music scene both in her own right and especially as a backing singer for some of the country's biggest pop acts. We've long regarded her as an Aussie ! I think it would be great if someone like Ady could talk her into going over to the UK and performing at Crossfire or somewhere like that as the Mirettes with the other girls if they are still around !!! That reminds me of when I ran into a guy at a Sydney Record Fair some years ago who, back in the 60's used to work as "security' at legendary nightclubs / cabaret lounges in Sydney like "Chequers" and he told me of the time The Apollas toured Australia (and NZ) and actually performed at Chequers in 1966 !!! Not only that he actually was given the responsibilty of "chaperoning" them around town for several days !!!

Sorry Dave, but by far the rarest is the Australian demo, and the demo stamp only appears on the original paper RCA sleeve that went with it.

Or as Edwin Starr used to sing: "What is it good for ? Absolutely nothing ..."