Sean Hampsey

Yep... huge at Clifton & Cleggy! Remember the days when we used to play new and recent releases at Northern allnighters? Variety was truly the spice of life! Sean

The Willie Hutch RCA LP you're looking for is actually called "Soul Portrait". Sean

Steady on Joe, you've obviously never heard Steve Plumb do one of his famed 'LP only' sets. Quite possibly the best 60 minutes of Soul Music I've ever heard played out - anywhere! Agree with all the other tips on here Shep. You're gonna be guaranteed to hear some real Soul Music in amongst that little lot!

1 - No - They're NOT For Sale - No Way - Never! 2 - Yes - Slightly Cynical 3 - Legit LP's are absolutely OK to play off. Just harder to cue in the heat of battle! Absolutely not comparable with playing Boots. Sean

Marvin Gaye Vital! Don't buy ANYTHING until you've bought this!

Bobby Womack His Finest Hour!

Luther Ingram Crucial!

Sam Dees Life Changing!

Debbie Taylor Stunning!

Sandra Wright! Essential

The 'Original Vinyl Only' format / dogma has been twisted totally out of context in recent times - by those who know no better. It 'should' refer to the non-playing of illegal issues (Bootlegs) and most definitely should not apply to other totally 'legitimate' label releases, which, of course Stateside is. Not saying for a second that 'rarer is better' but there are scores of records that are as common as muck on US 'original' label but rare as Hens teeth on British! Any collector who thinks a US 20th Century copy is more collectable than a Stateside copy of that particular track is (IMO) misguided, to say the least.

Far more scarce and desirable on Stateside than 20th Century (IMO). Anyone who would even hint that playing such a 45 is to be 'looked down on' has totally lost the plot. You should be applauded for playing such a great tune - regardless of the label. Sean

Can I just make it clear that I normally do the midnight hour session at Soul Essence and that I am not the DJ who Steve follows at 3:00am!

You're very welcome Gavin. I don't have a problem with rare (or not particularly rare) original vinyl. As you know, as a collector, I've got tons of it. Just think it's a great shame that other media is given a wide berth in some quarters - and that in itself excludes many fabulous Soul tracks from being played. After all, if we are Soul Music fans, why should it really matter that much? The music policy at Essence speaks for itself. The quality is unmatched and that's why Soul fans from all over the UK and Europe make it the first date in the Diary each year. Much kudos to you and your team... hopefully for many years to come. Sean

It was just a good example of how conservative the Northern scene is, Martin, in comparison.

Apparently not. Just plugged straignt into the system 'I-Pod' style and 'sounded awesome' through the big speakers, so I was told! Ian's Mademe JoJo's story is a classic. We do look a bunch of luddites, lugging around boxes of expensive and collectable vinyl, worrying about cartridges and possible theft or loss.

Guess it all depends if you're a Soul 'Record' collector... or a Soul MUSIC collector (lover) Ian. There are some who don't give a fig if they never get to hear new Soul MUSIC. They just collect the records (a bit like stamp collecting - and little to do with music). I heard a DJ played an unreleased track off his mobile phone, at a do, recently. Apparently the dancers just kept on dancin'

Not necessarily, Ian. The 'essence' of 'Soul Essence' is that the DJ's play Quality over Rarity. Sure some records played are rare but they only get played if they're really, really good! What's more, the format is irrelevant and all legitimate media is recognised and utilised (stay with me.... I'm talking about CD's here!) The reason for this acceptance is that the DJ's are playing Soul 'MUSIC'... not just Soul 'Records'.... the dancers want to dance to Soul 'MUSIC'... not just Soul 'Records' and people want to hear Soul 'MUSIC'... not just Soul 'Records'. Reckon you'd love it, Ian. Sean

Should be MONTHLY Simon (IMO).

Afraid it wouldn't have met the standard back then, Ian.

Think you're spot on there Gareth. The more 'obvious Northern' type tunes are thinner on the ground with records from other genres beginning to occupy the 'new/current spin' space. Sean

Piss off, Dewhirst!

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Good summary Brett. Agreed (except for the last bit ). What happened to you last weekend? I was half waiting for the call? Sean

Gee thanks, Simon. You're not so bad yerself! Totally Forgiven! Sean