Sean Hampsey

Played LP tracks all my working life. Can't imagine why any Soul DJ would limit their playlists entirely to 45. The LP only sets I've heard over the years, particularly from Steve Plumb, are always refreshing, entertaining and enlightening. Who in their right mind could object to that? Say no to Format Fascism. Sean

Nice to see this GREAT record being talked about. Yes, I played it at Soul Essence and have done for the past 5+ years. Has a huge following at Just Soul. Almost emptied the floor on a couple of occasions, but now it's getting hugely appreciated, not just by the collectors, but (with the current popularity of mellow Soul) also by the dancefloor. I got my first copy from Rupert, but have scoured the net ever since and manage to unite several folk with copies over the years. It really needs to be in the hands of the many. I speak to Buddy regularly. He's one of the nicest guys in the world. Suffered a stroke a few years ago, but now he's on the road to recovery and was recently in the Studio on a new album, which is a Country Soul, Gospel set. The story behind 'There's a Way' is a cracker. He's an Alabama boy, but having recorded at Muscle Shoals / Sheffield (the Quinvy 45) some years earlier, he made the trip to LA to doorstep Jerry Fuller at his studio. Fuller had him wait three days in the reception, before he finally had him in the studio to sing! (Like a scene from 'The King of Comedy'). But Fuller recognised the talent and had him stay around (living in his Pool House for 6 months) while they put together the 4 Capitol tracks. In his time he performed with David Ruffin, Wilson Pickett, William Bell and many more. A great unsung Blue-eyed Soul Man and a real Gentleman. Sean

Lovely old tune, and yes it is Jobete. Both Issues and Demo's are White, so you may have seen an Issue and took it for a Demo. Sean

Several Coral releases were Jobete, presumably because of Berry's relationship with Brunswick. Exotics - Like You Hurt Me - Coral Exotics - Let's Get Together - Coral Frances Burnett - Sweetie - Coral Frances Burnett - I Love Him So - Coral (Written by Berry & Smokey) Frances Burnett - Too Proud - Coral Frances Burnett - How I Miss You So - Coral etc. Sean

Yep - And Big Maybelle 'Oh Lord' also, all 'Smooth E-Groover's of the highest order!

I used to play Eloise 'If You Don't Watch Out' on a 45. Still have it. Nice pic sleeve too! It's an old Bell / Creed number originally recorded on the Stylistics, which is also quite nice and can be found on the flip of 'Peek A Boo' UK AVCO. Worth a listen. Also, Peter, you might remember Eloise Laws '1,000 Laughs' on ABC, I used to play at Cleggy, after Mary Chapman gave me a copy, saying 'dedicated to all those who 'used' to be on the Northern Soul scene'. Sean

Priceless mate!

Used to play "Make It Look Good" off my shiny UK demo, many years ago. Nice record, know very little about the artist. Sean

Its the BIGGEST thing to have happened in Lincolnshire EVER! The guy has a stunning repertoire of his own HAPPY / I FORGOT TO BE YOUR LOVER / YOU GOT THE LOVE I NEED / MAN IN THE STREET / NEVER LIKE THIS BEFORE / IT'S HAPPENING ALL OVER / SOMEBODY'S GONNA GET HURT / ANY OTHER WAY etc... and having been owner of the owner of the legendary PEACHTREE record label, the possibilities beyond his own vocal cuts are mouth watering... producer of 'SEVEN DAY LOVER' and Eddie Billups 'ASK MY HEART' etc. Good Lord! This could be truly INCREDIBLE! Awesome job Ady. Best news I've heard since SPENCER! Sean

Its the BIGGEST thing to have happened in Lincolnshire EVER! The guy has a stunning repertoire of his own HAPPY / I FORGOT TO BE YOUR LOVER / YOU GOT THE LOVE I NEED / MAN IN THE STREET / NEVER LIKE THIS BEFORE / IT'S HAPPENING ALL OVER / SOMEBODY'S GONNA GET HURT / ANY OTHER WAY etc... and having been owner of the owner of the legendary PEACHTREE record label, the possibilities beyond his own vocal cuts are mouth watering... producer of 'SEVEN DAY LOVER' and Eddie Billups 'ASK MY HEART' etc. Good Lord! This could be truly INCREDIBLE! Awesome job Ady. Best news I've heard since SPENCER! Sean

Yep, you're right Pete. It would have took a while to break at a Nighter. We played it locally a helluva lot, in South Yorkshire. Most folk played it off a cheap UA LP. Took me a while to pick up a UK Liberty 45, but even that would have been pre-78. Think it was big with the Notts lads as well at the time. Course, that's how many of the Big Nighter sounds got started, out in the field, at club level. Either way, it was almost certainly the first big 'Post-Torch' Beat Ballad played at an Allnighter. Sean

I guess this comes down to whether we are talking about the Pre-Torch era as opposed to the Post-Torch era. Certainly the 'Pre-Torch' - 'Soul' 'Rare Soul' 'Club Soul' - nights and allnighters (Mojo, Wheel etc.) played slower records; Garnett Mimms 'It Was Easier' 'Cry Baby', Jimmy Radcliffe, Bobby Bland 'Call On Me', various Billy Stewart's, Jackie Edwards 'Feel So Bad', Artistics 'I'm Gonna Miss You', Jerry Jackson 'Rough Out There', Little Anthony 'Hurt So Bad', Ray Pollard, Tams, etc. But the Torch, Va Va's, Mecca, Wigan etc. accelerated the Pace / Tempo and that became the 'fashion' or 'in-vogue' to the point where anything below 100 mph was virtually unheard of. Imagine dropping Ray Pollard in alongside Terrible Tom? No way! 'Sapphires 'Gotta Have Your Love' was about the slowest record I would have heard at that time (more of a fingersnapper!). Soon after 'Garnett Mimms 'Looking For You' became a big tune and it was clear there was room to slow the tempo down and still keep a dancefloor. But Pete is right, the first BIG Post-Torch tune, in a climate of 'Stompers' to be classed as a 'Beat Ballad' was Gene McDaniels 'Walk With a Winner' - (though I would have said I first heard that played out around 76). Jock, you're right. I often played Barbara McNair at Clifton Hall, in the middle of the night. It was huge and slotted in beautifully, as 3 minutes respite after a 12" Norman Conners or a Skip Mahoney Love the 'Funky Hunk' handle by the way. Think I'm gonna insist on that on Flyers in future lol Sean

And a 'cash in' reissue is more likely to play DOWN Frank Motley. Interesting one Joe. But too late to investigate too hard tonight! :0) Cheers. Sean

Have you got it? What's the flip like? I think it looks earlier than the Stop copy mate.

3 x copies on Popsike Is it Canadian Joe?

Yep! Love me a bit of Jackie Shane!

Brilliant job Pete. Really enjoyable. Just like looking through a huge pile of old British 45's. No feeling on earth quite like it! Sean

Really Imaginative and Refreshing playlists there folks. Triffic! Sean

Valentinos. Sean

Billy Preston attached. Also seen Valentinos - Definitely exists as a WLP. Sean

I've had three copies Pete - and I'm not a dealer. The popularity of 'One More Chance' this past 10 years and the 'bootlegging' of the Back Beat copy has obviously pushed up the price. Sean

This is a typical example of the UK Sue Demo you're probably referring to. Seen and had many of these over the years and always understood them to be Demo copies. Sean

Big crossover spin in recent times! :0) Sean

A beaty play on the 'Shirley Brown' 'Woman To Woman' saga that really deserves your attention. Sean

Will never forget her rendition of this... live! It was like we were the only ones in the room and I swear she was singing only to me! :0) Sean