Sean Hampsey

Remind me to tell you the Jan Barker 'Soul Essence 1' story Gareth. Sean

I'd turn that one right on its head to read:- It's certainly true that a DJ with great taste, a focus on the dance floor and two or three hundred records to choose from that are very carefully chosen will do a much better set than a collector with thousands and thousands of pretty average, very rare records chosen with a weak ear and no focus on the dance floor. The 'Hot Box' aspect is superfluous... and the 'rare' reference transposed. Agree that "Either type of DJ can play a poor set if they have a bad ear and don't know how to work a dance floor". Sean Hampsey

Not Really. But thought some of you might be interested in the cover of this CD case, a mixtape from Hip Hop, Hot Box, DJ Sketch. So are we the last to catch onto the 'Hot Box' rather than the first? Just a thought. Sean

It wasn't me Sean

Hi Rod, We know that the Seller is not claiming its an Original as he states its RE which we know means Re-Issue. But, of course, even this is a misleading description. I thought that this title was a 'Re-Issue' when I first saw it advertised on the JAZZMAN site some months ago, but it transpires that it is neither an Original or a Re-Issue, but a Counterfeit. A Boot. Of course, it's difficult to prevent people bidding on 'these Boots' when the Seller claims that they are 'Reissues' (whether they claim its an original or not is a seperate thing). I certainly wouldn't have spent $100+ on a Reissue, though, in any event. Credit to the original poster for flagging this as otherwise my mate would have been stung and although we could claim that he's not taken a duty of care in his bidding the fact is the onus should be on the seller to make it explicit in the description that the items in question are illegal counterfeits (as if they would). Sean

Fair comment Sebastian, but my Bidder friend said that he'd only put a low bid in and didn't expect to win it so hardly read the description. When you consider that this guy has over 30,000 45's and owns everything from George Blackwell to Chuck Cockerham, I believe that he never gave it a seconds thought and just slapped a bid on. The consequence though would be, whether he won it or not, that the seller would end up receiving an even higher price for the record. So, he is retracting on the basis that he has since been informed that it is a worthless 'Counterfeit' rather than a legitimate 'Re-Issue' as advertised. Cheers Sean

He's just taken his medicine and is promptly retracting the bid. And an early night has been recommended. Sean

Just texted him and he called me straight back. He's GOBSMACKED and didn't know it was recently put out (and he's a VERY serious collector). Must say, I was aware of them, Steve, but honestly thought that Jazzman had put them out legit, purely on the basis of their good reputation in doing stuff the right way. I'm amazed that they are stocking and promoting Counterfeits. What's more, I just can't believe that a track like this has been booted as a 'Repro'. Is nothing sacred? Sean

OMG The Bidder is a VERY good friend of mine. Will send him a Text right away! Thanks Steve. Just Unbelievable. Sean

Hi Ian, Many thanks for that. Does seem strange to me that Gerald would take the time to go through the correct procedures in order to license his own releases and yet would also support a Bootlegger, through stocking the other items in question. I take it that he is aware of the potential legal implications in the sale of counterfeit goods and, of course, the commercial consequence that some might, erroneously, be lead to conclude that the 'legit' releases might not be 100% Kosher also. Suggest you 'have it out' with him again mate! Many thanks for the clarification. Because of the source, from which they came, they certainly had me fooled. Sean

Amen Paul. Just made a similar reference on the Selectadisc thread. Sean

Ah Yes, Roger I remember them well! I've got some old Boylans lists somewhere in the Cellar. And the old Selectadisc 'Pink Book' lists too, from 72 / 73. Can't look at them these days though. Makes you weep! But what's worse is that there are great tunes coming out of the states... still... that some people won't be coveting, over here, for at least another 10 years! What Goes Around... etc! Food for thought y'all. Sean

What do you think mate?

Now That comment really made me smile! And now, back to the footie! Sean

Same could be said for some Northern Soul DJ's too! Sean Hampsey

I understood it that these were 'done' by Jazzman, but under the Arctic Logo. Is that not correct? In the same way as they are selling a Lou Pride SUEMI Repro 'Overstock' 45's from the Lou pride Box set that they put out. They are also promoting their new Jazzman CD, featuring the Honey & Bees "Love Addict" side. I can't imagine that they'd be putting the Honey & Bees track on their own JAZZMAN logos CD compilation, if they hadn't licensed it... nor can I imagine that they'd be selling 'Bootleg' 45's of a track ('Booted' by someone else) that they DO have the rights to. I'm all for castigating Bootleggers, but if someone has obtained the rights to legitimately reissue a track I dont see that they should be tarred with that same brush. Think I'll contact Jazzman and Jamie/Guyden (who are still active) and ask them. Sean Hampsey

Surely that depends on your definition of 'Bootleg'. As I understood it, the Jazzman 45's are legitimate 'licensed' reissues. Are you sure that this is not the case? Sean

Ah, shame about the Van Stevie. T'was a helluva fire! Would have warped a few records would that! Cuts Back to thread topic before the abuse starts! Sean

Best they don't revive the Saturday afternoon North v South Soul Quiz then Simon. Wouldn't like to see you wind up on the losing side! Look forward to meeting up with you there. And will definately point out Fraser for you. Scotland's Finest! Sean

That's right Steve. Family ties and all that. But after the Famine we had to let few of the old 'uns go. Things were tough, around Galway & Roscommon. Even the Tinkers that used to scrounge off the land ended up emigrating... to Sheffield, I seem to recall.

You'll get to meet Fraser Dunn at Essence, Simon, if you're going. The Big Man never misses. Sean

I'll play it for you at Essence. Just after we've nagged you into getting a round in. Place'll be flooded!

And I thought it was Pete asking us what records we listened to... while we're doing the ironing! But if it's about ironing out the warps in records, I'm afraid I've not had as much success as Pete. I recently turned a slightly warped (otherwise mint) copy of Gladys Knight "No One Can Love You More" that I picked up for a quid at a records fair into a Black Plastic Bin Liner, in one foul swoop! :angry: Sean

The LP is "Dreams Come True" on Universal family, Simon. Sean

Whether the term 'hotbox' is recent or not, the theory has been around for ever. Terry Sampson (ace Nighter Promoter from back in the day) had the legend "If You've Only Got 20 Good Records... Play Your Best 20" stuck to the record decks, and he made a point of referring every DJ to it. I remember Pat Brady and I having a discussion 25+ years ago, where he believed it was nigh on impossible to be a Top DJ and a Collector also. He believed that you had to continuously sell the 'back of the box' tracks to finance the new 'front boxers!'. It's a reasonable theory, if you're always aiming to be upfront and keep your set 'fresh'... but as a Soul Lover 1st, a Collector 2nd and a DJ 3rd, I've always found it unattractive... even though I'm always adding new tracks to my box, I just can't bear to part with the ones that drop out of the back! Personally, I'd rather hear a DJ with a good pair of 'ears' and a decent collection to call upon, over someone with a box of so called 'hot' items that are, in reality, only average. The Elipsis (case in point) is about as 'average' a record I've heard played out in ages and the the Stevens & Foster, Jeri track is, at best, a 4 out of 10 tune (IMO). Still a reasonable approach though, if the intention is to attempt to raise standards. Sean Hampsey