Benelew

Yeah, second that - Blue with Bunky's pick and a "Star" I think. Had one when I was at school (all I could afford in those days!)

Good debate folks and some good calls thoughout the thread. Can I join in. Surely we're into the old supply and demand argument aren't we? If there's a need - fill it, if not, don't bother. Living in Somerset, I don't have the luxury of choosing where I go to dance and it usually involves a car journey of at least an hour. I rely on trips back up North to get my fix where there's always plenty of choice, maybe too much now. Are we nearly at saturation point? I think so. Has the popularity of the scene reached it's maximum? Yes, probably - the scene has certain attractions for those of a certain age (me included) who can have a good laugh with like-minded people and get a dance to boot which for most others in our age group is not necessarily available. That said, I think it's only a matter of time before that bow wave subsides once the more "casual" punters have had their fill. For me, I'll keep going but not for long if I get the same DJs with the same sets every week (I don't care how rare their records are!), if I get venues with bad dancefloors and poor sound systems, and if I get tired oldies and am told "you weren't there" cos I'm too young to have gone to the Twisted Wheel! Only time will tell and people ultimately vote with their feet. We don't have to go back very far to remember that the die-hards on this scene are relatively very few in number. Let's enjoy it while we can.

Yep, was in a container going to a buyer in Taiwan I was told. Must have come across those South China Sea pirates methinks.

One US seller I buy from regularly has ditched Paypal after a shipment of 10000 LPs went "missing" and PayPal found in buyers favour. Seller now says I can send UK cheque which they can cash without charge. Done it a couple of times recently and no problems either side.

Come on Harry, we all know you're a closet Andre Brasseur & his multisound organ fan!

Goods to hear Pete. I like to think that I'm one of good guys when it comes to selling (and hopefully buying too). I always try to give the benefit of doubt to the buyer, but sometime's it's the buyers that p#$* you off, especially those who leave neg feedback because the items are not what they were expecting with no communication and without trying to resolve the issue first. Even when you inspect a 45 under a lamp before listing you don't always pick up hairline cracks and you certainly can't control what Royal Mail do with it (apart from insuring more valuable items). Sure there's plenty of con men and shysters out there but I like to treat everyone as honest and reliable until I know different.

Great R&B side on SAADIA (same as Little Beaver on same label?) - had if for years but never seen listed or in any price guides - anyone got a value? Thanks.

Christ was it that long ago Harry? I remember you lending me one or two of those from that collection so I could tape them - hope I returned them in one piece! That was quite a playlist you had in those days mate - didn't realise young dez was so clumsy! Do you remember my Yvonne Baker demo didn't make it home from Wigan in one piece about the same time. Hope you're doing Ok and might bump into you again one of these days..... Jorge

You think as bad as that "Love from the Far East" bilge Jorge

I thought that Reckless Records in Berwick Street got most of them when the BBC auctioned off all their "Dup" copies a few years ago. Jorge

John, fair point about the million sellers but isn't the question of finding MINT condition copies of hit 45s another issue? - surely the fact they were hits suggests that most sold copies were well played/used making it harder (relatively speaking) to find Ex or better quality copies. Jorge

Yeah, I've got a few with notes and a Christian name same as the artists - maybe the artist giving them away to mates/girlfriends? On a similar theme, not a rare soul 45 but I've got a New Zealand Jay & Americans "Living..." with New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation sticker complete with record library index card and stamps showing each time it was taken out of the library in 1967! Anyone got any other record library anecdotes?

Fascinating topic guys, I'm enjoying the education. Some interesting stuff about bb holes, shop scams and artist royalties. One thing springs to mind; of all the 1000s of rare soul 45s that are out there and pass through our hands, what percentage of them were actually purchased at a traditional point of sale? Anyone hazard a guess? Continued thanks for filling my lunch hour. Jorge

Nice one Sean! Yeah, twas about the same time I bought my Yvonne Baker West Coast Demo for £12 then some goon decided to use my holdall as football and cracked it! Also reminds me of the Tomangoes I was offered for £15 but didn't want it cos there was some writing on it - fool! It never entered my head that the Chubby could have been recorded in UK. The production and recording certainly bears little resemlance to the UK Pye mid-60s output that was often clynical in the extreme. Jorge

Sorry for jump in on your thread again.... Am I reading this right? Surely the US copies have been around for years haven't they? Recall one for sale in Casino record bar circa 80/81, westcoast DJ of course, a bit rough - for about £50. Still... I've lost a few brain cells since then, and that time of my life's a bit of a blur! Jorge

Was fortunate to get one of these off Ebay in about 2002 for £41.00. Nice clean EX condition. It was listed under the B-side title (which is of course the real A-side) and in 60s Pop category. I'd like to think I'd get a couple of hundred if I sold it.

Sure, what's in a name but I, like many, have been confused when being talked to about a "crossover" 45 only then to scratch my head in disbelief when I realised they were talking either about some 60s garage sound or a late 70s smooth soul slowee. As JM says, he needs to know how people want 45s categorised if he is to sell them what's on the tin and how many times has he had to re-categorise 60s and 70s soul 45s over the years? I don't think you can be precise about the years to define "crossover" but generally speaking I agree with late 60s to early 70s - but it's about the sound - a 60s "style" dancer with vocals and harmonies but reflecting more advanced/adventurous production and instrumentation techniques of the later period BUT stopping short of the disco/techno productions of the mid 70s onwards. A real cheapie but Darrow Fletcher's Changing by the Minute springs to mind. Or am I talking bollocks?

Apologies if someone's already posted this answer. Reissue LP was "Footstompers" on KENT, one of my favourite comps which had a load of the Coral, Decca and Congress stuff on it (Patti Austin, J Caswell, J Carter, Lee Roye, 7th Ave Aviators, Richie Adams etc). Len Barry track also appeared on a recent budget Double CD package ( you know, one of those that recycles the same old stuff and you pay £5.99 for the two tracks you don't have - can't remember package title but one of the 2 CDs was also called Footstompers if I recall).

Not at present but I know what the missus would say!

I was lucky to get one of these last year in a "100 soul 45s for $50.00" box - all unplayed store stock from a guy in the Deep South along with a few other gems. Doesn't help you out much but shows they're out there.