Sean Hampsey

It's been a HUGE 'Crossover' record for the past 18+ years. In recent times 'Northern' interest /spins has fuelled its popularity and demand has outstripped supply - hence the price! I've a pretty poor condition copy that we could do a 'part-ex' on if you like... say my copy + a couple of ton! (but somehow I don't think you'll take me up on it). Let's just say you can expect more than the £50 that's currently riding on it! Good luck! Sean

Sorry Pete, no you didn't give me that impression I was just saying that I remember buying that particular issue... Sean PS: Off topic... any news on that Freddie Hughes etc?

That one 'Top Left' Pete, with the Monkees 'Autographed' Cover, I've still got somewhere in amongst all my memorabilia! Bloody hell, I rememeber buying it like it was yesterday. 1968 at a guess! (?) The other 5 I don't recall (I think they must be 70's... by which time I'd stopped buying it) Sean

Right Click and 'Save As' JohnnyT.ram I've just done it... and I'm on a different machine to the one I uploaded from. (but if you're struggling, you're missing nothing mate!)

That 'looks' proper to me. I had half a dozen (or more) of these early/mid 70's and that 'looks' just like 'em! The only Boots knocking around at the time (or soon after - 76/77) were Black & White 'photocopy type labels. However, these days, with Colour Printers and Colour Laser Copies that could easily be a 'mock up' job on a Carver (or a Colour Copy on a Pressing) so think I'd be very wary because the scan does not show the Nashville Matrix stamp... or at least I can't see it on my monitor. Went to a guys house recently and he'd quite a few Top Rarities, mounted in frames, on his Record Room wall (Mel Britt / Cecil Washington / Don Gardner / Billy Woods etc.). They looked amazing... but they were lasers stuck onto old Pop and C&W 45's... purely for effect!

Comin' Up John!

Johnny Thompson on Star Vue (just found it... but think I'll give it a miss!)

Mum's always loved "We Did It" too, John. So have I. Bought it as a new release after hearing Dave Grounds play it (every weekend at the Charade) and I always hammered it at The Windmill, late 70's / early 80's alongside BoBo Mr Soul.... always sounded GREAT together... and even gave 'em both spins at Clifton Hall! Cracking choon that's now seen as an 'essential' 30+ years later and is (IMO) one of the few 'genuine' 10/10 Double siders. Think I've about 10 copies... on all formats! Sean

Thanks Ken, She's only got a UK London Demo so I've just emailed it to her!

She certainly knows her stuff Pete... but she always rated Brady more than she did me!

Think it's currently Larry Braggs, who followed Brent Carter, Melismo, but at one time, apart from Lenny Williams, Rufus Miller and Rick Stevens, the Band was lead by Eddie McGee (of Crossover Monster "What Made You Change" fame). Have been playing "It's So Nice" from the "Aint No Stopping" Columbia '76 LP recently. Eddie is on there, sounding superb, but I think that was the only album with him on lead. Sean

It's actually me old Mum's all time favourite record, Peter. I did loads of tapes for her during that time (she's still got em - and even at 85 can still Boogie with the best of 'em) but Pickett has always been her favourite (alongside Syl Johnson "Any Way The Wind Blows" of course). It's a record that's got it all. Fabulous Lyrics, Superb Production and Absolutely Stunning vocals... puts most of the £1,000 'big tunes' of the day to absolute shame. Pat Brady was responsible for breaking some of the most 'left field' tunes during that period and was never afraid to go out on a limb. Remember his 'Alexander McKinley' cover up? (Jimmy Bo Horne). Who else would have played that at the time? Much respect! Sean

Awesome tune! Pat Brady's old "Brother Louis Brown" cover up (Clifton Hall early 80's). Still slays me after all these years! Quality.

Hi Bob, big fan of "Brighter Side Of Darkness" (ever since I bought "Love Jones" as a lad) and I'm aware "He Made You Mine" came out on Magic Touch but I also read somewhere (was it Robert Pruters book???) that it came out (or was scheduled to come out) on Star-Vue. I thought I'd include it in the 'top of my head' list but I can't verify it for sure. A bit like my theory of 'the other version' of "That's What My Lady Says". Any thoughts on that by the way? One things for sure the output of the label was a bit thin... and the numbering implies there are unlisted releases. Would certainly love to know for sure. Sean

Yeh, well I'm trying to write a proposal at the moment and I don't have the mental Bandwidth to do both, 100%. I'll leave the flipsides to you mate! Must get this Bugger written befor the X Factor Final!

It was Clarence Johnson's Label, Chalky, he'll have the list I bet Off the top of my head: Teques - "If I Could" / "Why Must It Be" Brighter Side Of Darkness - "He Made You Mine" pts 1&2 Brighter Side Of Darkness "Because I Love You / Oh Baby" El Anthony "Sweet Jo Ann" El Anthony "That's What My Lady Says" Any more? Sean

Lovely tune! I seem to recall that there's another version of "That's What My Lady Says" (also, I think, on Star-Vue) if i'm not mistaken. I know The Artistics had an LP track of the same title, but that's not what I'm thinking of. Help me out someone! Gary Cape brought the El Anthony track out earlier this year on a wicked comp "South Side Soul Survey". I've another nice El Anthony 45 - also on Star-Vue - but can't recall the title for the life of me! Sean

Right on Brian! Seriously, it is fabulous. The vocals, the lyrics, the vibe, the whole thing. Just an awesome Soul record. Total Quality.

Amen Jock, But its a shame it takes a 'stomper' on the CD to get tongues wagging on here! (Sorry Rachel... I missed your thread.. but it looks as if we all did!). About 2 months ago, Kev Briscoe made me listen to the entire set in his car (I didn't take much persuading). Needless to say, I was on Amazon the minute I got home. The entire CD is an essential purchase (even for the mutt n' jeff blokes above ). Soul People... make sure its in your stocking this christmas!

Was always a steady fifteen quider. It won't have even been on the radar for some. Now it's over a ton there'll be a few taking notice! But let's not tell 'em all how good it is... until Neil gets his copy eh!

Nice track. Just love Freddie Waters. Never heard it played out! The track is on the "Singing A New Song" album. Think it must be quite hard on a 45 though. What's on the flipside?

A truly Great tune Neil. No idea how much it goes for nowadays. One of those that doesn't come up very often... cos people generally dont want to part with it! Good luck mate! Sean

That's the one John (from memory). Almost certain it's on there. Not been able to get at my records for 5 month otherwise I'd go and check Sean

Last time this was up on eBay it went for £460.00 Interesting little Q&A went as follows: Q Hi, Just seen this on ebay. I am Dave McGerty, the keyboard player with Chapter five, and I wrote "You Can't Mean It" We were not aware that this record had been released. John St John is in fact our vocalist John Ritson, and it's his picture on the sleeve. I can only assume that the record company decided to release this record after the band broke up in the sixties. It's very interesting to say the least. Cheers, Dave McGerty 22-Ott-07 R: Are you really a CHAPTER FIVE member? i can¡t believe it!!!! thanks a lot for info as i knew John Ritson was your vocalist but i did not find any info regarding to john st john as i did not think they were the same person thanks ed