Sean Hampsey

Hi Dave, good point but infact Curtis didn't get away with the similarity in "Can't Satisfy" and "This Old Heart Of Mine". He apparently had to give up publishing rights to Jobete on that one! Didn't stop a lot of groups copying the Impressions sound verbatim though! Cheers, Sean

Yep Elbie Parker was Huge late Wigan / Clifton Hall tune for Gary. Agreed 80's was quieter than the 70's but it brought a lot of new and young devotees and hung on to hardcore Soul fans. The diversity in music, early to mid 80's, was incredible and I'll bet many of the discoveries of that time are the tunes now making their way into the new Top 500', replacing the classic Torch and early Wigan Stomper! It will be interesting to see how the content of the book compares with the first edition. And to see where the 'new entries' are and in what period they were discovered! All the best, Sean

My recollection is exactly like yours Mak. I was just a kid collecting Motown / Stax / Atlantic in '68 / 69 then, influenced by my older sister and her mates, bought 'Skinhead Moonstomp' on Treasure Isle and it all started getting messy. Turned up Levi's, OxBlood Doc Martens, Grandad Shirt, Ben Shermans, Braces and in our case Levi Jacket with the label unpicked from the inside and re-sewn above the left breast pocket! Thought it was only those of us round my neck of the woods that did that, Mak, cos I remember talking to some lads fom York at Skeggy one Bank Holiday and they thought we were crazy defacing the jacket! Guess it was a way of showing off the brand, but we never really thought about it, it was just the done thing. Then Harringtons came along, Pewter Sta-Prest, Red Socks, Barters or Royals, and that paved the way for the suedehead look, with Crombie, brolly and a longer (suede) haircut. I always felt 'skin' was just a progression of Mod. The hard 'boot boy' apparel was 'fashion' for only a couple of years, and soon evolved into a 'smoother' more 'mod-like' smarter look (we even called ourselves 'smoothies' or 'smooths'). All the while, although I bought loads of Reggae, Soul never went away for me, or my mates, and we would collect and dance to a Maytals 45 followed by an Impressions track without even thinking much about it. It was all 'our' music. By '72 I was buying more 'imports' and 'northern soul' was being talked about, but it was always a seamless progression for me: although I take the point made earlier regarding the 'cool' skin / mod / suede look and how the 70's Nighter gear seem totally unrelated. I always thought that style had a lot more to do with the Bay City Rollers than 'mod culture'. And it certainly attracted a lot of 'mainstream' people who wouldn't necessarily have any history or interest in Skin or Mod style, or taste in Music. Sean PS still got my orig copy of Symarip too and wouldn't sell it at any price. "Must Catch A Train" is still one of my favourite records of all time!

Sock it to 'em Ivor! Sean

Which is why I got £39 for my spare, not £25. Sean

I sold my spare on eBay for £39 in August this year. Has the female backing (not on the Carla 45) and always indemand. Sean

From his newly released album 'American Soul' apparently, Nick. Here's the tracklisting and a few words from Mick! That's How Strong My Love Is Turn Back the Hands of Time I'd Rather Go Blind Lonely Avenue I Only Have Eyes for You Tell It Like It Is Baby What You Want Me to Do The Girl That Radiates That Charm Let Me Down Easy Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood It's Impossible Hope There's Someone https://www.mbcpr.com/news/mick-hucknall-american-soul/ Sean

Hi Nick, Much as I love Otis Clay, surely we should never refer to this great song as anything other than Tyrone Davis' "Turn Back The Hands Of Time". But no, I didn't hear it! Was it any good? Sean

Not seen a download link yet Peter. I'll post it, if I find one! Hope you're well mate. Cheers, Sean

Thanks Steve. It's gonna be fun! Sean

Just a quick heads up! ...Just Soul comes to the airwaves 'Soul People' show again, this coming weekend... Sunday 28th October 2012 (10am-Midday) - a two hour 'Just Soul' special with Tats Taylor and Sean Hampsey on Solar Radio. Solar Radio can be found on www.solarradio.com OR you can get it on Sky Channel 0129 (why not Sky+ it and listen later!) OR you can check the link www.soulmusic.co.uk/Radio.htm later in the week to download the whole show (courtesy of Zane Hunter). So, if you're already part of the Just Soul fraternity, or just want to know what all the fuss is about, please join myself and Tats on Solar Radio's 'Soul People' (or listen later) on Sunday morning. We're looking forward to sharing a couple of hours of 'Just Soul' music with you! Sean

Didn't see that Joe. No UK MCA copy or anything resembling it to my knowledge. You might be talking about one of the 2-3 known copies of the Oz 45. I got mine off eBay but it must be nearer 12 years ago Sean

Nope, not particularly scarce on US ABC, but 'Cause You're Mine' is still a mighty fine record and I wouldn't swap my Australian Stateside DEMO of it for a Golden Chopper! Sean

Sorry John. Sean

All my records are gorgeous Peter. Yes, it is produced by the Wonderful Eugene Record mate. He of 'Overdose Of Joy and The Chi-Lites fame. He was also the Husband of the late Barbara Acklin. Together they wrote the classic 'Have You Seen Her' and many more. We are talking Soul Music Royalty, with Mr Record mate. A Genius. Sean

Here's what my Oz issue looks like. Sean

Still Looking For Dorothy Moore 45's Folks Will Pay Top Dollar! :0)

Nothing I like better than looking at a load of Record labels Pete. It's mouthwatering stuff and a real credit to you. Love it! Sean

Best thing I've ever seen online Pete. Added straight onto my Favourites. Superb job mate. Bloody superb. :thumbsup: Sean

Its about storage with me really, can' t always travel with 45s box and album box, easy in a car but i would be on public transport, also the travel overseas, can get on as hand luggage with 45s box...... I've got a box that takes 45's and LP's, Steve. Can get at least 8 albums in with me 45's (but rarely play more than 2-3 tracks off album, even then). That said, I still end up carting a box of LP's with me in most cases. Belts, braces etc. But I always go in my car, so it's fairly easy for me (except for the haul from the Car Park). I can see your point mate, if you have to use other forms of transport. And (unlike you Steve) I rarely get asked to DJ outside of the UK so its never a problem! Sean

Played the likes of Willie Hutch 'Lucky To Be Loved By You' and Clyde McPhatter 'Please Give Me' / 'Anyone Can Tell' etc. for many, many, years off LP Barry and they never sounded anything other than INCREDIBLE! But its another 'red-herring' matter and I understand what you're saying. Sean

Good question Steve. I play LP tracks off LP. Don't really get the practice of 'calving' LP tracks. Sorry. Beats me why some folk can't seem to cue an album Sean

I was referring to those who strongly advocate OVO Pete. It comes unstuck as a misplaced 'ideal'. It serves very few and limits opportunity. The late Frank Wilson would probably turn over in his grave, knowing that a DJ could not play his recording, on a legitimate vinyl 45, as a tribute to this fine artist, because of some well-intended but misguided piece of legislation in the NS Rule Book. Sean

The OVO thing is a bit of a Red Herring (IMO). What the majority of people want to see, is the end of Bootlegs and the end to the playing of Bootlegs at Northern Soul events. So 'OVO' seemed like a good idea at the time. However, this brings with it the sort of nutty problems you've highlighted, ricticman, in your post. What a bunch of grown up music fans should surely be advocating and supporting is LVO (LEGITIMATE VINYL ONLY) or even LFO (LEGITIMATE FORMAT ONLY) and then at lease we'd be doing our artists a true and proper service by buying and promoting their music - and we just might even end up putting a couple of bob in the right pockets, where its deserved! Sean

That's true. A similar 'split' took place during the Wigan v Mecca and the 'Levine Must Go' periods. And the rise of the 'Modern' scene - within the Northern scene - also caused a stir. But, of course, that's all history. What we need to do is understand the 'now'. What's happening out there and why. We pays our money and we takes our chances. Should we get all hot under the collar and try to foist our 'taste' or our preferences on others? I don't think so. Having a healthy 'respect' for individual choice is really all that's required. Sean