Sean Hampsey

Nominations are bound to include: Gladys Knight, Candi Staton, Jackie Moore, Millie Jackson, Shirley Brown, and Aretha. - All distinctive individual performers. Credit must also go to Maxine Brown, Big Maybelle, Brenda Holloway, Betty Lavette, Barbara Lynn, Thelma Jones, Irma Thomas and Bettye Swann, also very consistent. If pressed though, it has to be the late, great Linda Jones. Totally Unique, Incredibly Expressive, Tremendous Vocal Range and Sheer, Jaw Dropping, Intensity and Power! Oh yes! Northern Boys Just Love Linda.

It's a rare one alright. Caused a stir when it was first discovered and played out, but apart from the "collectors piece" value the vocal is infinitely superior (IMO).

The Temptations Greatest Hits. 1. The Way You Do The Things You Do 2. My girl 3. Ain't Too Proud To Beg 4. Don't Look Back 5. Get Ready 6. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep 7. Since I Lost My Baby 8. The Girl's Alright With Me 9. My Baby 10. It's Growing 11. I'll Be In Trouble 12. Girl. Why You Wanna Make Me Blue What a compilation, and probably never bettered 36 years on! Also bought Prince Buster "Wreck a Pum Pum" at the same time... and of course we all had Motown Chartbusters Volume 3 Sean Hampsey

The Temptations Greatest Hits. 1. The Way You Do The Things You Do 2. My girl 3. Ain't Too Proud To Beg 4. Don't Look Back 5. Get Ready 6. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep 7. Since I Lost My Baby 8. The Girl's Alright With Me 9. My Baby 10. It's Growing 11. I'll Be In Trouble 12. Girl. Why You Wanna Make Me Blue What a compilation, and probably never bettered 36 years on! Also bought Prince Buster "Wreck a Pum Pum" at the same time... and of course we all had Motown Chartbusters Volume 3 Sean Hampsey

Good call Russ. Progressive Northern.. almost a contradiction methinks, but desirable nontheless. I've had many an earbending from Northern Soul fans over the years for playing "Non-Northern" tunes at Northern Soul Nights e.g. Bobby Patterson "I'm In Love With You" back in 75, Brothers Guiding Light "Getting Together" in 73, Darrel Banks "I'm The One Who Loves You" in 74, Invitations "They Say The Girls Crazy" in 73, Ujima "I'm Not Ready" in 75 etc. etc. material that was either brand new at the time or only a couple of years old when I played them, all established "Northern Soul" tunes some 30 years later. But you're right, in order to progress DJ's need to dig deep and mix up the format, keep it soulful and not rely on the tried and tested monotony associated with the "oldies" scene. Oldies with imagination by all means. New discoveries..yes please, New releases, of course... (I could play you stuff from the last few years that would have been massive 30 + years ago... had they been around). But you know the score Russ, you're a Yarmouth lad, when you're in the UK so you know the stuff I'm referring to. Bring it on in a couple of weeks. Also, check out the upcoming Cleethorpes dayer which will feature a PITCHES / Phoenix room ...with the original PITCHES DJ's for a dose of real Progressive Northern Soul. Smug Plug over. Hope you're well Russ. Watch the blood pressure. Sean

I've had my RITA copy of Rubin 'Parker' since 1973. An early Selectadisc Boot if my memory serves me right!

Tower Of Power "This Time It's Real" has that "More Today Than Yesterday" Summer Time, Good Time Feel... to lift the spirits on a pissing down, miserable march monday.

Amen to that one! Always been a fave since it was big at my local in the early 70's. Finger Snappin Good Time Soul Tune If Ever There Was One!

I saw her live only last year. Did all her later stuff (WB) but missed out on the FAME repertoire (sadly) Still bloody wonderful though!

Absolutely stunning track. Loved it for a lifetime. Always will. The whole LP is gorgeous and often comes up for $15 - $20 on eBay etc. Only one 45 came off the album - No Deposit No Return / Too Sad To Tell Her other 70's 45's on Arista & Polydor are also indispensable. Sorry, don't have the mp3 to hand but would happily do you a "Best Of" sometime. Sean Hampsey

Hi Blake, I played it at the last Yarmouth. Wunnerful tune! Escalating in price too... so get one NOW! I've also got a female version on SHOUT by Softtouch... but, although quite pricey, aint anywhere near as good. Look forward to seeing you at essence. Sean

The "Whoop Whoop" at the intro of D. Ross & Supremes "Reflections". The Telephone Call at the start of Tony & Tyrone's "Please Operator" The Oh so Eeeeeeeerie Viola at the start of Walter Jackson's "Not You" The Red Indian "Keem O' Sabe" style intro to Bobby Womacks "I Can Understand It" (instruments, sure, but used to good 'effect') And (as so many sound effects are used in the introductions) the sound of Soul Sam introducing "The Best Thing He's Had In Years"... to half his set.

Sorry, but the label actually states 'Featuristic 60's' So, not just shocking graphics but lousy typography too! The Devil's In The Detail! Must say though, I don't know the record. Is it any good?

All of these unreleased William Bell tracks were recorded at Stax Records, Memphis, Tennessee, in 1962 and 1965-67 and as you said, remained in the can for some 25 years. Doubt if anyone (even the Mighty Mr Bell) could have recreated the authentic 60's sound of Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn, Al Jackson Jr. and Isaac Hayes in the 90's, although William's output is still strong even in the past few years!

I Need A Man. Not me, I Mean I Don't. But that was the title.

The album was made up entirely of unreleased Stax material, so, sadly, no 7 inch 45! Another great track from this CD 'Lets Do Something Together' which is a cool midtempo number was massive at Thorne, Canal Tavern, in the early 90's. Agree though, "Forever" is a superb, gritty Sam N' Dave type stomper that should be given wide exposure.

I read this thread just to see if anyone mentioned "Not You". Well done that man. It's a MASTERPIECE! no doubt. I often play it at Soul Essence and it always raises eyebrows. Also rate "After You There Can Be Nothing" alongside "Uphill Climb" but nobody mentioned "Funny" ...also truly awesome!! Nothing beter than a night in with a good claret and my self compiled "Best Of Walter Jackson" CD. Sean Hampsey

Hi Danny Good to see your name on here. Always loved your work! Hope you're well mate. Sean Hampsey

Another Top Drawer Forgotten Venue 'Lincoln Drill Hall'. Good DJ Line up there and well recall me old mate Graham Coates, Dave Levo, and Jim Eddleston and loads of British label bargains. Is it still standing or have they extended the dual carriageway?

Agree Steve. Takes us back to the basement!

Agree the PITCHES boys doing Cleethorpes. The stuff that dreams are made of! Must admit, it'll be nostalgic for me on all counts. Broke many a good choon at the Winter Gardens and even managed to slip my disc while deejaying. Not many jocks can add that to their repertoire! Got the date in my diary for 'Clifton Hall Returns To Rotherham'. Should be utterly wunnerful!

It's an 'unreleased' Goldwax track by Willie Walker called 'I Dont Want To Take A Chance'. It laid in the can for 25+ years, untill myself and the other lads at Pitches (10 years ago) started playing it from my vinyl Japanese LP. It later came out on a Jap CD. They don't get much better. Absolutely Gorgeous record. Sean Hampsey

Hi Mart Got a date for the Clifton revival yet? Started digging out my set already! Sean Hampsey

Nice to see a thread that leans towards the 'deeper side' of things Painful Soul.... James Carr - These Aint Raindrops Bobby McClure - To Get What You Got Lee Jones - This Heart Is Haunted Vivilore Jordan - Maybe Betty Lavette - Let Me Down Easy Tyrone Davis - I Keep Coming Back To name only a few! Sean Hampsey

Dont forget 'Shagging'. My favourite!