Sean Hampsey

I just love REAL Soul music.... don't care when it was made... or how rare it is... all tempo's... all formats... On older 'danceable' material, if pushed I prefer Chicago (Mayfield / Chandler / W. Jackson etc) over Detroit and yet I'm seriously wedded to the old Temps & Tops stuff.... cos it was just magnificent.....! On the 'Modern' side.... I guess I was amongst the pioneers at the time in that particular genre... but I'm not a great fan of zingy pop 'disco' soul... it's gotta be Soulful if its Modern (Post 80) and I just can't be doing with a lot of this 'Euro Housey stylee' Bouncy Castle stuff that masquerades as soul these days.... I still buy 20+ new US released CD's every single month and am still finding Quality Soul from 2006 / 2007 that rocks my boat... just as it always has done.... and yet I still pick up dozens of 45's and LP's every month from previous decades (Crossover.... 60's.... the whole 9 yards). Generally prefer Deep Soul over Uptempo material and it tends to be Southern stuff that does it for me, because that's the door I came in on (if that makes sense).... discovered Southern Soul years before I'd heard of 'Northern'..... I'm a Muscle Shoals.... Malaco man.... and I just adore.... and really love.... the New Orleans sound from Willie Tee through to Inell Young... but if I have a real preference its Memphis... most of the Hi stuff.... that's the epitome of Soul for me.... Syl Johnson "Any Way The Wind Blows".... Quiet Elegance "You've Got My Mind Messed Up"..... Otis Clay "Holding On To A Dying Love" .... Ann Peebles "Give Me Some Credit"..... Bobby McClure "To Get What You Got"...... I'd die without a blast of each of those (and hundreds like 'em) each and every week! How do you categorise Bobby Womack.... on any tempo.... Sam Dees.... on vocals or on lyrics only..... James Carr..... (could sing the phone book).... in any other way than just SOUL. Either way you cut it, we are very, very lucky... to have such a fantastic spectrum to choose from. Sean

I've played both tracks over the years. "It Happens Every Time" an early Yarmouth fave. Stunning... both of 'em! Sean

As I understood it, the story at the time was that Simon Soussan (The soul fox himself) got hold of Mirwood master tapes from Fred Smith (Label owner) and these two tracks were amongst the unissued stuff... so he put them out. Always thought that they were 'suspect' though and that Simon had a hand in the actual recordings. Anyone confirm? Sean

My mate lives in Wallingford Conneticut. It's the sort of place you would never go to unless it was absolutely necessary. 'One horse....' comes to mind. Can't believe this record was made there! Mike. ...................................... Well it was....and they did. I guess, some would say, cutting "All Of My Life" was 'absolutely necessary'. If it helps, Synchron Studios later became Trod Nossell Studios. The Wildweeds "No Good To Cry" was also recorded there and Ben E King, Fleetwood Mac, Felix Cavaliere, Taj Mahal, Steppenwolf, Andrew Loog Oldham etc all used the studio over the years. Sean

Dead right Sebastian. The 'vinyl only' collectors don't know what they're missing! Sean

Don't know if its been mentioned on here yet... but take a look at what's coming in late September! LARRY BANKS' SOUL FAMILY ALBUM In 1964 Dave Godin was captivated by Bessie Banks'original recording of 'Go Now' and was incensed by the Moody Blues'usurping of the song and what he considered an unduly hasty campaign by the British record company to pass their version off as the original and best. To make amends on behalf of the small but eager coterie of UK soul fans, he took a special interest in Bessie and her husband Larry, the composer of the song. Further delvings into the pair's releases lead to more revelatory record finds and soon Dave was to champion Larry's releases on Select, Kapp and Spring and his composing and production work with artists such as the Exciters, Kenny Carter and the Geminis. Dave built up a strong friendship with the family and a bank of information on their work. His discovery of Jaibi's (Larry's second wife) 'You Got Me' on Kapp Records was a personal Deep Soul revelation and he awarded the recording the prestigious last track placing on his first Deep Soul Treasures CD. The family were well represented throughout all the volumes of Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures but their work wasn't restricted to deep soul and he planned a CD project to showcase their other talents. Sadly he became terminally ill but before he died he asked Ace/Kent consultant Ady Croasdell to complete the project. Fortunately Ace has bought many Banks family recordings from GWP Productions (for whom Larry worked in the late 60s). Some prime previously unheard soul songs have emerged from this source and feature here. Other vital and important tracks have been licensed-in from RCA and other smaller labels and Ady has built on Dave's research with extensive interviews. Apart from deep soul classics there are examples of Larry Banks' northern soul genius in tracks such as 'What's One More Lie' by Milton Bennett (co-composer of 'Go Now'), the Geminis' storming 'He Moves Me', the Devonnes' 'Doing The Gittin' Up', and unknown group the Shaladons' classy take on 'We Can Do It'. Of the deep soul tracks the highlights include two previously unissued Kenny Carter beat ballads and his excellent rendition of 'Lights Out' plus Jaibi's original intense demo of 'You Got Me'. This CD is part of the occasional Artistry In Soul series. 1. Go Now - BESSIE BANKS 2. You'd Better Get Hip Girl - KENNY CARTER 3. What Good Am I? - JAIBI 4. Don't Pull Away - LARRY BANKS 5. We Can Do It - THE SHALADONS 6. What's One More Lie - MILTON BENNETT 7. Doin' 'The Gittin' Up' - THE DEVONNES 8. Come On Act Right - THE GEMINIS 9. My Life Is No Better - THE DYNAMICS 10. Showdown - THE SHALADONS 11. I Can't Stop Laughing - KENNY CARTER 12. Living In The Land Of Heartache ÂETHE CAVALIERS 13. Will You Wait - LARRY BANKS 14. Don't You Know (I Love You) ÂETHE PLEASURES 15. You Should Have Been A Doctor - BESSIE BANKS 16. Ooh It Hurts Me - LARRY BANKS 17. He Moves Me - THE GEMINIS 18. I Couldn't Build A World (With You On The Outside) - THE DEVONNES 19. We Got A Problem - LARRY BANKS 20. No Brag Just Fact - THE HESITATIONS 21. You Don't Know What You're Missing - THE EXCITERS 22. Let's Roll Up Our Sleeves - LARRY BANKS 23. You Got Me (Alternate version) - JAIBI 24. Lights Out - KENNY CARTER Over the years I received numerous tapes from Dave featuring various tracks from this compilation. These were certainly amongst his favourite all time records. When he passed away, a white label first cut of the CD was on his bed (alongside an empty fag packet). I was tempted to sneak a listen then, but, somehow, resisted the temptation. Now, I can hardly wait! Well done to the guys at Kent for making this finally happen. It ought to sell a million. Sean Hampsey

I believe so Matt. Great descriptions of the line up mate!

Here we go! Sean

For some reason its not uploaded. Will keep trying! Sean

The Detroit Soul had a regional hit with "All Of My Life" produced by Ken Griffin on Music Town records, in the summer of 1967. It was recorded at Wallingford's Syncron (sp) Studio. The "Detroit Soul" was a regular at the Good Guys All Family Outings at Riverside Park and won all of the Battle Of The Band competitions, including one over Al Anderson's Wild Weeds (No Good To Cry etc.). Bob Mazzarella (pictured centre) is now a local Conneticut Radio DJ (and has been since the 70's). 'Proper' issues are Yellow with Black Type. It was Booted on a Music Town Repro (Orange not Yellow) with Detroit Executives "Cool Off" on the flip! Sean

I dont know if anyone on here has seen this group "The Detroit Soul". I've got a cracking old publicity card of theirs. Will try and post it. Sean

Shhhhhhhh.... it's a secret! It's Hellishly rare... and cost me a Bloody Fortune!

I believe you Simon! You'd be one of the last people I'd expect to see with a box full of 'rare for rare sakes'!

I have no limit and always buy whatever I like. Fortunately, in the main, nobody else wants the records I buy... at the time I'm buying 'em... so its a fairly inexpensive exercise for me. Best tip I can give is to never chase other DJ's titles or 'known' tunes. And Simon... tut tut. £250 min items in your playbox. Just Shocking! Always make room for high quality cheapies. If you stick with 'em they'll become pricey through demand. Any fool can buy a £300 record for £300. The trick is to get em cheap and make 'em big... and pricey! Always works for me (and many other DJ's if truth's known) . Sean

About as much as all other Acetates cut for DJ use. Tenner? Just can't see it being proper. But I've been wrong before... so better to keep it than sell it in any event. Nice track though!

Oh! and its Maya Fernik!

The US 45 Pic Sleeve of "The Day will Come" Graphics based on the original LP.

Correct. US Great Expectations LP on TAMLA. Never on a 45 and also came out on a UK Sounds Superb LP. Best track for me was always "The Day Will Come Between Sunday And Monday" on UK TMG 45 and US TAMLA 45. Would suggest that the Audiodisc is most probably an 'EMI' in the 'Boot' sense of the word. Sean

Hi Mate, Yes its meself! You're right... it's a kind of online remand home for the criminally insane geriatrics that were once the backbone of the British Northern Soul scene and now struggle to carry more than a 50 box without causing a fliipin' hernia or putting a joint out. So whazzup? Have you sold up Josies too then? I'm running South Yorkshires Leading Brand Development Agency... for my sins... and loving it! Just fathered another kiddie, 3 weeks ago, so plenty of life in the auld Dog yet... but not as handsome as when I was a lad (and when I actually looked more like a lass!). Would be good to catch up properly. Not seen you since John Bensons 50th (about 20 years ago )... Give us a shout if you've figured out how to do a pm. Meanwhile... kuckin gek that kucking ga ga uckin' asgard kuckin Jimmy kuckin' Burns in the kuckin' post to me!!!! Oh... and Dennis says Hi! Sean

MAGNIFICENT! Thank you.

That's why I said you've a lot in common, if you've mentioned the Dees track on Major Minor here before Blake. I know for sure that we've also discussed it before... unless I've got you confused with someone else... probably John Benson (I've discussed every record ever released with him, at least twice in my lifetime ). So what abot Buddy Causey? Have you got one yet? I saw one on a list about 3 weeks ago but when I called it had gone. Was it you?

I've got the same "Its Been Such A Long way Home" Acetate / Emidisc as you have shown, except on mine it credits The Enchanters in the same type. Got loads of em... proper (and otherwise!)

Afraid so, since a large part of my collection got damaged in last months flood!

Dennis Says Hi!

Got loads more... but I'm supposed to be working right now. Trying to complete a presentation that I'm doing in the morning. I live west of Chesterfield. Will be at "Without Boundaries" on Bank Holiday Sunday! Am Tall Dark & Handsome... and have a GSOH Sean