Sean Hampsey

1) "big" with me too - I was one of us!! 2) No - but it helps if you're trying to promote a record on the 'Northern' scene. The point I made is that these were not 'Northern Nighter' sounds until Clifton Hall. The fact that none of those tracks were mentioned by all previous posters on this thread gives us a clue on how "big" they were at the Mecca. 3) Who could argue with that? Agreed, of course! Sorry Andy Mark is the guy I was emailing while also trying to write the post! Sean

I don't doubt that most of the list were played there, Mark, but only fleetingly. As it happens, I played Brothers Guiding Light as a new release (acquired from Contempo) - long before it would have been accepted at the Mecca. Just didn't fit the profile at all in 73/74... (along with the almost entirey 60's policy, at the time). Infact, John Vincent had it covered up in the early 80's - so it wasn't considered "big" before then, mate. Bill Harris, Ujima and Eddie Billups were brief Colin spins - but were never 'NS Nighter' records until Clifton Hall. And subsequently, they only became modern / crossover spins because of their promotion at Clifton Hall - in the early 80's. Sean

Didn't see any mention of:- Ujima - I'm Not Ready Brothers Guiding Light - Getting Together Eddie Billups - Shake Off That Dream Bill Harris - Am I Cold Am I Hot Some might say Mecca spins (but I know where they became (and who made 'em) Northern Monsters ) That aside, early Mecca to me was... Sunlovers "You'll Never Make The Grade" Dave Love "Colalined Baby" Donnie Burkes "Satisfaction Guaranted" Young Holt "California Montage" Robert Knight "Love On A Mountain Top" Shirelles "Last Minute Miracle" Bobby Hebb "Love, Love, Love" Bob Relf "Blowing My Mind To Pieces" etc. And later.... Lynn Varnado "Wash & Wear Love" Andre Maurice "Cream Of The Crop" Bang Gang "Who Said Honkeys Aint Got Soul" Anderson Brothers "I Can See Him" James Fountain "Seven Day Lover" Bobby Lester "Hang Up Your Hangups" All went a bit pear shaped for me after the 12" arrived on the scene Sean

I just can't help it, Joan. Leopards, Spots etc.

Skip JACKSON very popular currently. El Anthony also doing the biz! Both Should fly out! Sean

Agree Bob, "So Glad You're Home" is one of my favourite all time tracks. Every home should have one! Wecome (again) Paul. You're in the right place. Sean

Don't know if its already been flagged, but just in case anyone missed the Intro Post... thought you might like to know that the legendary producer behind Robby Lawson & The Superlatives etc. is now a Soul Source member! Maybe you'd like to nip over and say hello. Cheers Sean /I-m-Member-t93401.html

Saw it a few months ago, Paul. Absolutely Essential viewing (IMO) mate. Thanks for flagging it with us. Hope you're well mate. Cheers Sean

Spot on Jerry... in fact there was a trio of UK Hot wax releases that were always played out when new - "While You're Out Looking For Sugar" "Westbound No. 9" and "Somebody's Been Sleeping" by 100 Proof (Aged In Soul). Top tunes! Sean

Mine is also yellow. Not seen an Orange copy before . Nice double sider. Sean

UK copy (flipside of "Working On Your Case" - as is US Minit) is indeed a Cream United Artists label. INCREDIBLE tune (IMO). One of the very best. Sean

Huh? Who said that? Sean

Another take of Frank Wilson "Do I Love You" can be found here! Nice Piano! Sean

Yeh New Sound is the first release, prior to Bang. Luvverly old tune. Sean

As you know Gareth, that's the forgery (mock up) label. Sean

Has another one o' them turned up? Just a thought! If a third copy of FW has genuinely appeared... does that 'technically' devalue all three copies? I'm guessing the answer is 'of course not.... as 3 is nearly as small a number as 2'.... but... then again.... Sean

Dave Godin told me years ago that as Berry owned Motown musics 'publishing' (Jobete) he would have been obliged to keep an archive (file) copy of all recorded work. "Do I Love You" is a Jobete (Berry Gordy) published work, and although EMI Music paid $132 million to Berry in 1997 for 50% of the Publishing, I doubt they'd have split his file copy in half :-) In addition he was sure Berry kept a 'personal' copy of everything. Ian also alludes to this earlier in the thread. Its all speculation - certainly not hard fact - but a pretty educated one I'd have said, not forgetting that Dave was very close to the inner sanctum of how things worked at Hitsville, back then. Heard a few fans suggest that Berry will have had his own copy - and even that there are other copies of SOUL S-35019 in hardcore Motown collections. Seem to recall that Trevor Swaine wrote a fascinating article about it some 15+ years ago. Here's someone else that thinks Berry will have had a FW: Robb K (Soulful Detroit) I'm SURE that Frank Wilson DIDN'T ever get a copy of Soul 35019, as only 6 copies were ever pressed (the six pressing plant test pressings. In the early '70s, I saw one copy in The Motown Record File, and one copy in The Jobete Music Record File (both were "missing" already in 1979). Berry Gordy must have had one for himself, and that already takes up half the six. Ron Murphy stated that the pressing plant always kept 2. That leaves only ONE OTHER copy floating around Motown. The record was "pulled back" even BEFORE the first DJ issue press run. Berry decided he didn't want Wilson to have a recording career at that time, as he was too valuable to Motown as a producer. They had a lot of plans for him, and moved him to Detroit (from L.A. to make that happen). No way he would have been handed one of the pressing plant masters. I doubt that he knew at the time, that the 6 records were pressed at all. He was told that his record was cancelled. He was told the same thing as Andre Williams and gino parks were told about their scheduled Miracle releases ("Sorry. Your record was cancelled.") Guess all will be revealed in the fullness of time. Sean

You can call me whatever you like Malc. You always did! Sean

Yes mate. Worksop Town Hall. And the lad must be in his 70's now! Will certainly keep you posted. Best: Sean

Think you're the only person on here to have visited, Steve. Building work is almost complete. Even got you down for the House warmin! Guiding guests to the Rear Car Park At risk of further monopolisiing the Soussan / Dewhirst thread.... Are you joining us on the East coast this year?

That's just a nasty rumour put about by Suvverners, Dave! Anyway - I now live in Derbyshire... so technically I'm now a midlander - even though me old mates are calling me a Southern Puff! Hope you're well mate. Looking forward to the Big One! Sean

Glad you're well Richard. We are very close to finalising all detail with a new venue for our future 'regular' event - Just Soul! It will involve Tats Taylor and myself ably assisted by Kev Briscoe... and John Benson (TBC) on the first night as a Pitches reunion. Would be great to see you there - only 30 minutes max from Notts! Sean

Had it a couple of years Richard. She's a beauty. Wouldn't swap her for a Box of Frank Wilson's If the weather wasn't so bad I'd pick you up for a spin! Hope you're well mate. Sean

That's right, Roger. A different 'face' design on the label. Its got a pic cover too! Not seen it in a while though. Hope it wasn't a flood casualty. Sean

Thanks Rich, I knew it was Canal Street, early 70's, when I first started getting stuff of Selectadisc. Sean