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If I'm not mistaken Neil Jones did a write up in one of the last N.Souls explaining totally how this type of disc was made, a proper anoraks piece if I remember & running for 2 pages. Spot.

Here goes then, in for a penny in for a pound. The clue to me is in Northern SOUL, yes I know you don't have to be black to be soulful but it bloody well helps. Mr Popp's stuff reminds me of early 60's Mod stuff like Georgie Fame etc, just my humble opinion, and I agree it's danceable but it don't do it for me. As for Mr Levine he was the main man for me in the early 70's but his attempts to recreate the Northern formula has failed miserably with possibly 2 or 3 decent tracks out of his entire output, as Phil intimated bland & too similar to each other. By the way Phil will you be playing it at Burnley? If so let me know cos I'll be having me legs waxed that night, it'll be a lot less painful. Awaiting missile strike in atomic bunker, Spot.

Steve, Gail & I were there on that fine occasion (oh no you wern't, oh yes we were) & as I remember it, someone had spiked your glass of wine with a bottle of wine, so you had a very strong sway on (to say the least) so the half & half crowd count was infact you having double vision & actually wanted you in an "Elevator with a couple of hoods" but your right the other half did want you rubbed out, we however love you no matter what you play, honest!! Anyway a couple that are starting to do my head in besides Chris Claaaaaark "Su ling wong" are; Dj Have a p*ss - Insult to Betty (even though it a brill dancer) & Checkerboard sq's - Double cookin'. By the way Steve where did you & Lubby disappear to friday night at Hull Soul? I said "Hello" had a dance & you were gone, surely my dancings not that bad that you had go home? Spot.

With me it was an obsession from 72-82 when vinyl was my life, making lists & constantly dealing here & with US. It ended in 82 a year after we married, the vinyl went to buy a home & bills had to be paid & I worked away for long periods, also the scene then had splintered & became very Jazz Funk. The beat & sounds were always in the back of my mind & 5 years ago my Brother-in-law Gary asked us to a local Soul venue & the music still made my head tingle & my feet tap, so we came back to it with a vengeance. We've met up with lots of old friends, made some very good new friends & feel alive again, not sat at home vegetating infront of the tv. We've caught up with all the fabulous sounds we missed whilst we were away & now it's a passion with me as I dance now instead of pursuing the obsessive vinyl. Don't it make you feel funky? Spot.

Hell half the funs making up your own lyrics (Ain't it?). Then when you all sing em wrong at same time you can have a big discussion as to who's right & then try to decipher real lines & words from mp3 track by replaying over & over & over again. Sounds stupid (when written like this) but it's a laugh & passes a few hours. Spot.

IMVHO badges & patches should be worn if you attended the venue or the nighter etc & not just because you've heard of it. In the early 70's & onwards we got loads of sew on badges but put them away at home, as it was thought to be "Divi" to be plastered in them & a dead give away to "You know who". Nowadays I'd sooner "eat my own arm" than be seen in a bowling shirt & bags or have a jacket or bag cover in badges & patches but its a free country & each to their own & if it makes them happy & feel part of something, then who am I to argue? Even if it does look slightly ridiculous. Spot.

Carl sorry to hear your not well, lets hope you have a speedy recovery & are back out & about with Troy & Tim etc very soon. Take care & be safe, Spot & Gail.

What a difficult question & I don't think I've got one Soul best mate but I've definately got a few, who are; Gary Wood, my brother in law, because in October 72 we went together to our first nighter at Leeds Central & now some 35 years later are still going to nighters together. William "Snowy" Snow because he introduced me to this scene & after not seeing him for 20 odd years we just picked up where we left off. Neil "Nell" Goddard, I'm unsure why but we exchanged words & a laugh at Drax Soul night bar some 4 years+ ago & just hit it off, he's a mean looking so & so but as sweet as kitten & a heart of gold. Theres my top three Soulie mates & the ones I'd do anything for that was in my power but theres plenty more very good soulie mates & some non soulie ones to. Take care & be safe, Spot.

Hey it's nice to see the younger element joining our little fraternity & nice that they ask us wrinklies for advice, well heres some friend; 1. Theres 1000's of cd's for all tastes, so I'd just buy what i thought looked ok or go on sites like soulclub.org to listen to some tunes or on here Soul Source & hopefully this will give you some idea of your tastes & not other peoples. 2. There are NO must have records for any collection, just collect what you love & don't try collecting for others tastes, unless your Dj'ing. 3. The Spencer Bags you can still get, a couple of guys in Nottingham still make them & you can find clothing via some Northern Soul links but I think (personally) they look out dated & out of place now just like a fully draped Teddy boy would at your local disco. Spot.