Md Records

been collecting sleeves & picture sleeves, whilst buying this & that, for quite a few Years, probably the oddest one I have is a "Gold Soul" sleeve which had a "George Lemmons" in it, sold the disc off, but kept the sleeve. Will take it out & about with me this weekend, so if anyone can scan it up for me, you can have a butchers (I'm a complete technophobe,and can just about manage typing this out & posting it up on my Daughter's computer thingy), unless anyone's got one, and can save me a job. DES PARKER

What did surprise me is that Kenny Smith recieved payment off Simon Soussan for licensing "Lord What's Happening" for those 70's GAR reissues. DES PARKER

Strange label, putting out some bizarre (and that's being very diplomatic) Instrumental versions, to some very sought after rare soul records. I'd always thought of these as having poor sound quality, but a few years ago picked up a handful of unplayed "Jades - Come On & Live" and was pleasantly surprised by how good they sounded. Does anyone feel that this label will ever be collected/collectable, or is it now. DES PARKER

The Irony is that there is possibly less copies of the Reissue around than there is of the original! Des Parker

Give me a call (07816 511488), I might be able to help (legally). Des Parker

I met a guy a few Years ago, who was one of the Supervisors at the RCA pressing plant in Indiana during the 1960's. As you'd imagine all promo's were freebies, sent out (and then forgotten about) to Radio Stations, D.J.'s and the like, whereas Issues were sent out on sale or return. once returned to the plant, the centre was punched out and the vinyl then recycled to make more records. I'd hazard a guess that many of the other Major's employed the same system. Des Parker

Adey Pierce got hold of some Guy with something to do with "Saintmo" and bought all his stock, when he got round there the Guy was just putting the finishing Artistic touches to the Peak release with a Marker pen (as above). Adey only managed to get a few that hadn't been "Customised"

Paul P.M.'d You Des

What I have in my posession is a pretty battered single sided "Dick Clark" Acetate of the track which I bought off one of my American contacts whilst in the U.S. about 5 or 6 Years ago, who didn't even know the tune (allegedly) but knew it sounded kinda Northern. Luckily I didn't pay a fantastic amount of dosh for it (about $200) as I am as sceptical about these things as the next Man. Everyone who's seen it is as curious as I am, as it looks, smells & sounds the business, but there's always an element of doubt about these potential metal "monstrosities" I wouldn't even think about selling the thing, and as a bizarre twist of fate, was offered the rights to the tune a few Months ago, but am equally curious about the ownership rights to that prized item. I have ABSOLUTELY NO plans to even think about putting the tune out, but I bet that it is released in one format or another, within a few Years, mark my words!! DES PARKER

maybe, and this is playing a little bit of a Devil's advocate here, putting out Records for the "Rare" Soul scene, that by it's very nature, in a lot of cases, only wants to buy "Rare" Soul Records is perhaps not a great market, unless you make the discs very limited, so people will put them in their D.J. boxes & collections (like the highly sought after "Anniversary" 45's) However, is there a Market for some of the classic Northern Soul tracks to be packaged in a sort of "Director's cut/Northern Soul Masters/The ....Session" type of package with Picture Sleeve of Artist, with detailed sleeve notes, superb and unsurpassable sound quality (as you'd expect from a "Kent" item) and possible inclusion of "Count Ins" "Alternative Takes" "Extended Version" on the flip. As well as being a definitive collectors item, there are also the sales possibilities for the emerging Soul Scenes in other parts of the World, where the concept of spending the equivalent of One Month's salary on 1 used 45rpm Record seems a little daunting. Des Parker

I'm also torn as to which of my Children to leave my "Stardust" collection to. Des Parker

Excuse me for being naive, I assume these were all legally obtained tracks,or are they "bootlegs" as a few have suggested. Des Parker

Des' top tip number 1 - A favourite Album of mine that shouldn't set you back a fortune "Magnificent Men - World Of Soul" some great Album only stuff on there, well worth looking out for, and not PLAYED TO DEATH (sorry if I infringed any CAPITAL LETTER ruling) DES PARKER

I met & chatted to Simon a few times at events in the Gloucestershire area, and news like this is difficult to take in. I'm really sad for the tragic loss of Simon, and also my thoughts go out for his Two Children, especially at a time when Families should be together. R.I.P. Simon Des Parker

Was confirmed to me recently by a collector of old T.V. shows, that Black & White footage of Judy hughes performing both sides of the"Vault" 45 exist. Des Parker

I recently picked up some Red Reissues of the "Ditalians" whilst in the U.S. recently (though not 100% sure which market they're aimed at) so be warned, they're out there! Des Parker

I think "Walter Wilson" was something to do with, or a member of the "De Lites" on "Cuppy". Des Parker

I'm sure I've got UK & US of this, I'm absolutely up to my eyes in it tonight, but if you call me on my Mobile about 8.30 tonight (working in the Record "shed") I can check then, and can sort you out ........cheap!! Des Parker 0781 6511488

Neil Have "P.M.'d" you. Des

Went to Disney, Florida many Years ago, promising not to do the vinyl thing......but by the Hotel in Kissimmee was a Music & Film Memorabilia type Boutique with just a Handfull of oldies on "45" including an unplayed "Ad Libs - New York In The Dark - AGP" for $3. Des

There's certainly no shortage of people wanting to D.J. at venues. It's not an ideal situation, but I wouldn't like a scene that is controlled by a few individuals,so as a side issue, who do you think is honest, fair handed & forward thinking enough to be the Chairman of "Northern Soul PLC", I'd be too corrupt! Des

I think that's going to stay behind John George's counter for a few more Years. Des Parker.

Johnny Beggs often plays the "Baby, baby don't you do it" in his sets, and I think this is a slightly different cut to the one Searling has/had. As far as who it is, I've done a bit of digging amongst the great & good in the "Philly" music scene, and they've never heard it, or have the foggiest who it is......at the moment. I like it, but I feel that the cut "Johnny" has, is a little under produced, which I adore. Des Parker

In all the countless trips I've made, I've only ever visited Val's once, and although it was O.K. (he does have a lot of vinyl!!) the prices didn't warrant me making a hasty return visit. Unless you can acheive the difficult task of being one step ahead of him ( and many of the other dealers out there) then expect to pay the price. Ironically I was passing the store in June and didn't even bother going in, I don't think that wading through Thousands of unpriced 45's that you know ain't gonna be cheap is a fruitful way of spending A LOT of your time Record hunting in the U.S. Ironically, John Anderson introduced me to him a couple of years back (and after he'd long forgotten me from my only visit), and he was incredibly friendly and was insistant that I stop by the Store and have a dig around, so out of common courtesy I feel somewhat obliged to visit, but maybe not next time..eh. Des Parker

In my opinion "Margaret Littles" is an interesting piece of Detroit Soul, to which I have my own theory (please feel free to add any constructive thoughts). John Anderson pretty well had a lot of stuff off Popcorn Wylie, and then subsequently others followed(e.g Guy Hennigan) yet nobody turned up a copy? Someone then commented to me about the vocal, saying that "Popcorn" would never have used a vocalist this poor, with all the talent literally on his doorstep, whch, if you forget the superb backing and concentrate on the vocals, it's no Pat Lewis/Martha Starr/Rose Batiste!! Now in BASIC financial terms there are Two ways of having a record released, the company records you, or you pay them to record you, often referred to as a "custom" record (e.g. The Vondells, on "Airtowns" custom subsidiary) and you therefore get the number of discs you paid for and f*** off with them. I think that Margaret did just that, hence, apparently no copies at the Wylie household, as he was paid to do a job. As far as New discoveries go, the "Two Plus Two" on "Velgo" was a surprise when I first heard & saw it about 5 Years ago, now how did that one remain hidden! Des Parker