Sean Hampsey

Awesome record Dave... sadly not for sale! We rarely see two such superb tracks on one 45. The flip "Its Me" is Top drawer deep. Also love his CAT 45 "Its Got To Be Tonight" another wicked deepie! Good luck! Sean

Immediately thought of Robert Murphy on Romur (Mentioned earlier by Tone) but the MUST play 'Soul Birthday' tune has got to be "Just My Soul Responding" by Smokey Robinson which kicks off with the "Happy Birthday" song and melody before it glides into an ultra soulful mid ballad. Not 'Northern' but a proper Birthday tune for a Soul lover. sean

Nice little tune that was around late 70's and played heavily early 80's, and yes, quite hard even then (at about a fiver for a fairly 'recent' UK 45). Glad I kept my copy. Deserves a Re-Spin! Sean

This is the benchmark. Incredible lyrics...... Tremendous lead vocal and harmonies.. just amongst the very best that Soul Music has to offer. A Thorne Monster 15+ years ago and a very occasional spin down at the Mighty Soul Essence. A Top Choon of the highest order (infact the whole album that spawned it aint too shabby either) Sean Hampsey

Sure is! Absolutely superb record. The old Pat Brady "Alexander McKinley" Cover up from Clifton Hall. Also rate "If We Were Still Together" also on Alston... and while we're talking Jimmy Bo Horne (I also mentioned his DIG 45 earlier) how about "I Can't Speak" and the long forgotten "I'm Going Home For Love"... Magnificent Miami Soul! Sean

Hi Bri, I think this was concluded last year to that effect. I've got both the WFB & Buddy Connor 45's and never noticed any difference. Sean

Was it really worth reviving this thread for a bit of Bum and Fanny? No offence Blake! Sean

Anyone mentioned True Image "It Aint Fair" on Juana yet? And, while we're on Juana.... The Controllers "We Dont" is Soul Heaven (even better than the Tommy Tate version IMO). Two Stunning records. Sean

Good call Gaz. Friday, Saturday & Sunday is a really superb little number. Anyone know the Jimmy Bo Horne on DIG? Nice Double sider Sean

Just thought (while looking at the Jeri label above) of an old spin of mine from Roshell Anderson on Jeri. Flipside of "Come On Back" is called "Let's Steal Away" and its a superb moover in the Tyrone Davis mould from Roshell who just growls his way through it beautifully. A Top Tip... well overdue a revival. Sean

Top Man Sebastian. Isn't this one of the most Soulful Midtempo choons ever! I just love a vocal where you can hear the 'ache' in the voice. Joey Gilmore. Just Bloody Marvellous! Sean

Or how about just 'Soul'. Scores of great records played on the UK Soul scene(s) aren't rare... they're just good Soul records. I don't consider myself to be anything other than a Soul fan, having bought Soul records for 3-4 years before I'd even heard of 'Northern'.... or any of it's subsequent offspring. Just Soul.... works for me. Sean

The George McCrae on Blue Candle is new to me. Had it for many years on Soul City (an old John Benson spin) and have seen it on United Artists but I had absolutely no idea that it came out on Blue Candle too! Amazing! I guess the two Joey Gilmore 45's on Saadia qualify here. "Girl Your Best Friend Took Your Place" is a stunner... but the other track "Somebody Done Took My Baby And Gone" (also out on Phil La Of Soul.... and also recently recorded by Lee Shot Williams to reasonable effect) is one of my TOP 20 favourite 45's of all time and a very occasional Sunday afternoon spin for me down at Yarmouth. JUST MINDBLOWING Can't post a clip... but I hope somebody will. Sean Sean

Agree Bri & Godz. Watkins, Gordeno and Humperdink... the music worlds answer to Jason King They were all regulars on the Telly when we were lads. Any 'undiscovered' Northern tracks out there by Peter Gordeno... I wonder? Sean

It was always known to me as Tamla Motown Gordy. Sean

First became fascinated when I bought the O'Jays superb "Time To Get Down" on UK CBS. Inscribed in italics in the matrix was the legend "Philly Soul". Already had "I Dig Your Act" and "Backstabbers" by these guys but I bought everything O'Jays and Philly I could find released on these shores therafter. Big up for... the aforementioned... O'Jays "Time To Get Down" UK CBS Johnny Williams "Put It In Motion" UK Epic Ebonys "Sexy Ways" UK CBS & UK Epic (if my memory serves me right) O'Jays "People Keep Telling Me" UK & US Phil Int Also check out the UK Epic / US Neptune "O'Jays In Philadelphia" LP which includes most of the O'Jays Neptune material and the otherwise unavailable.... simply magnificent.... "It's Too Strong". Great thread. Sean

Was on Sky (in two parts over two weeks) about a month ago. Puts Johnnie Mae in a not very good light! Pretty faithful depiction overall though. A must see movie I reckon. Tesco A-Go-Go! Sean

Here's the definitive defdinition or explanation - copied from my previous post a few months ago! The term 'Crossover Soul' was first used over here (in the UK) by Rod Dearlove at Thorne (Canal Tavern) to describe those records produced in the late 60's and early 70's that were neither:- a) Typical 60's style Soul / Motownesque tunes or b ) Typical 70's 'strings n' things' productions. These records had not really gained mass favour on the UK 'Northern' scene as they weren't 'typical' Motown styled 60's sounding records. Nor had they been well received on the 'Modern' scene as they weren't necessarily 'uptempo, new or 'zippy' enough for the modern crowd. These were records produced around that 4-5 year 'crossover' period between the 60's and the 70's. The term 'Crossover Soul' in the UK 'Soul Scene' sense does not refer to music that 'crossed over' from the R&B charts to the mainstream (as in the US sense) nor does it mean records that 'crossed over' from the 'Modern' rooms to the 'Northern' rooms. Typical 'Crossover Soul' records referred to at the time that the phrase was first used in this context (late 80's / Early 90's) would have included:- Bobby Reed "The Time Is Right For Love" Soul Brothers Inc "That Loving Feeling" Frank Lynch "Young Girl" Enchanted Five "Have You Ever" Vivian Copeland "Key In The Mailbox" LJ Reynolds "All I Need" Sandra Wright "Midnight Affair" Ultimates "Girl I've Been Trying To Tell You" Tyrone St German "In A World So Cold" Sy Hightower "I Wonder Why" 100 Proof "Don't You Wake Me" Will Hatcher "You Haven't Seen Nothing Yet" Ray Frazier "These Eyes" None of these had been acknowledged 'Northern' or 'Modern' soul records (wrong tempo and wrong 'sound' for the Northern scene... and far too old for the other). All of the above, though, fitted the 'Crossover Soul' genre and the Thorne crowd's requirements perfectly. In the past 15 or so years (since the phrase was first used to describe records from this period) this 'sound' and type of record has since 'crossed over' to the Northern Scene alerting many people to that rich period of Soul artistry, the late 60's and early 70's... and confusing others as to the definition. Ultimately, though, we have Rod Dearlove to thank for breaking the mould. Sean Hampsey

"Taking My Love" It's the flipside of 'Heartless'. Never heard anyone play it........ except me! Choooooon! Sean Hampsey

I have the name of a great B&B close to the Raynscourt... bit I don't recall it right now... the leaflet is in my travel case. Never missed a Soul Essence, been to all 24 of them, but only ever stayed onsite once. Probably stayed in 20 different places.. but my recent find is the best. If anyones really stuck, please pm me and I'll let you know this weekend. Getting excited now Gavin. Just Bloody Marvellous! Sean Hampsey On Behalf of Great Yarmouth Tourist Information

Thanks Pete. Superb stuff. Just as a matter of interest, anyone on here rate her "Never No More" track? Features on the "Love Is Here" LP and on the flip of the "That's Understanding" 45. I always rated it... but never heard it played out. Anybody know it? Love it? Hate it? Sean

That's the one Trev. Wicked! Sean

Golden Fleece wise, I've always rate the flip side of Love Epidemic...... "I Know That Feeling". A PITCHES biggie at one time! Also, I used to play "Where Do We Go From Here" as a new release. Luvverly tune. Seems to be a bit of a revival on the Philly Sound of late and I'm pleased to see it. Bought pretty much every Philly Int I could get my hands on at the time. The new interest in the output should please Gary Pelley no end! Sean

Many thanks Julian.... but No I don't. I recently picked up two copies, within the space of a fortnight, off eBay. So that's it. I can sleep at night. The Soul Sounds Bootleg collection is now complete. Only taken me 30 years to get them all! So... what next? Shrine? Youngstown? Nah.... OOTP... much more of a challenge! Thanks again. Sean