Frankie Crocker

Well worth a read. Tim's musings are always insightful. Agree that #6 needs refining - put me down for a Northern volume with label photographs next time round...

Hey Dude. Good luck with the sales. A huge thank you for the heads up on the Pepper Pots - got two CD's off Amazon as a result of your info. Cheers

Agreed fellows, a superb set of sounds. For those of us off the scene in the 1980's, they helped stoke up interest and laid the foundations for an incredible run of CD's. After the 16 double albums came the pale green 'The Soul Of.....Detroit' double album also available on CD, the first CD I ever bought. I never play the LP's now but couldn't part with them - still enjoy the sleeve notes though. I think we all owe Kev Roberts and connections a big thank you for helping the scene along in between the decline of the major national All Nighters and the proliferation of local Soul Nights that exist today.

Hope you are able to locate a copy. It is a truly fascinating record. Ownership of it helps to appreciate flawed talent and develop a healthier respect for the artists of the sixties who struggled to cut a track in the face of numerous constraints. My hands tremble when I put it on the turntable and the listening experience is as good as it gets on the rare occasion when played. My copy came in what can best be described as a 'companified' sleeve that has been customised by a home made John Bull type rubber stamp giving company details including a Detroit phone number - the record within the sleeve takes on holy relic status and would possibly defy the descriptive skills of John Manship if he had the record and 'birth sleeve' up for auction. In the meantime, play the CD or be lucky enough to catch it whilst out on the floor...

Pete. You've got all the best books on your list. There are a few others worth checking out: Keeping The Faith - photography by John Barrett, a collection of black and white photos. Groovesville USA by Keith Rylatt, the definitive Detroit book. The Rare Soul Bible by Dave Rimmer, a reference work. Manchester England by Dave Haslam, the history of the city's music with some Northern references. Young Hearts Run Free by Dave Haslam, a story of the 1970's with some Northern references. On The Right Track by Rob McKeever, Ginger's story. Stuart Maconie's Cider With Roadies has a brilliant Chapter 6, "Out On The Floor" - this is worth the price of the book alone but it is a great book anyway. Hope this helps.

Craig. Deeply saddened that this should have happened. Is there any further news on the situation? Lots of good advice on here already to check local bins, skips, alleys and gardens etc. If this proves negative, the thief is more likely to be a vinyl fiend than a town-chancer. Post the details on flyers at local events to keep the records' details in peoples' minds. The genuine soul community will be watching auctions and sales lists and will let you know if anything turns up. Does anyone out there photograph their records? I have got an invisible ink pen that shows up under UV light but have not got round to using this yet - any thoughts out there? Finally, I keep a list of records and their distinguishing marks which gives a little peace of mind should some go AWOL.

Russ. Always good to hear from you true Keep The Faither... I would add Russ Vickers to the list on the basis of a good 100 Club set. Gaz Kellet awesome taste and the tunes to set the floor alight. Dave Flynn has some great records. Likewise Tony Smith #1. Ion broke some good tunes too. Russ Winstaney was always top dog for me until he caught Mecca Fever and lost his way so he would be my choice for a free Bank Holiday Redemption Nighter at Wembley Stadium (free CD for the first 100,000 entrants).

Great tune. Also available on a CD single. Would spearhead a compilation of Northern Pop tunes including Tom Jones-If He Should Ever Leave You, Ace of Base-Always Have Always Will, Vanessa Paradis-be My Baby...etcetc

Great city with awesome musical heritage. City is in dire straits with massive depopulation and abandoned housing; at the rate of decline, the place could be gone in a couple of decades so everybody should visit before it is too late. Check out the Ford Museum in Dearborn as there was a great Motown exhibit there. Check out the record stores in Yellow Pages and chat to the guys behind the counters for contacts. Thrift stores may have some 45's but the records are more likely to be of the common variety. Have a good trip.