John Benson

Yes, we had snow on the first night and also a year later on the first anniversary. It was the latter where Sam got snowed in and stayed at Kev Briscoe's house for a couple of nights until it cleared enough for him to leave!

Doesn't sound right to me either. I remember it being played from the LP before it came out on a single. So why would anyone do that if you could get the 45? Or maybe just a few demos were out when it first got played and the actual release was a few months later? But in the meantime the LP was released? I forget the details but can certainly recall it getting played from the LP before the 45 was in the shops...

The issues with the side you want are German copies - are they any good to you?

These look like 7" copies to me - unless you want a particular release: https://www.discogs.com/sell/list?master_id=230281&ev=mb

Thanks guys, Yes you're correct it was 20 years ago only a few weeks back. In fact I guess you missed the thread I put up with a link to Mixcloud where you can hear the very first Soul Solution Sampler Tape we did:

There's a few copies of the 45 and LP on Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/artist/291970-Angelo-Bond

"Gimme little action" - very much in the same vein as "Touch me with your love" to my ears. Just a bit better than Sylvia's version on Vibration...

It was a sort of maroon / purple colour with orange around the edge. Here's an issue and demo, I've only got an issue copy myself though...

I wouldn't go so far as to say far superior... But it's at least just as good

I only managed to go to the Cats once, which was that last night. I do remember it was packed, very hot and having to go out to cool down! Bad memories also, as I went down to the car with one of my mates and as he was just getting into the car, another car came belting past and hit the open door, bending the door big style! The car was my dads.... He wasn't pleased when I broke the news to him the next day. It spoiled the rest of the night for me!

Thanks, we did 3 tapes in total. At some point in the near future I'm hoping to do the other two. Watch this space!

Yes Steve, I'd got them down as copies intended for juke boxes rather than promos. Maybe the white colour confuses some people into thinking they are promos? When it first got played, I thought it was as a CD track. I don't recall seeing it on vinyl for some time afterwards and that would have been the 12". The 7" appeared later still and was indeed sold by Steve Plumb at Essence, but they were actually Kev Briscoe's copies that he was selling for him.

Thanks guys, might I add that this isn't just a copy from the cassette tape, but a recording of all the tracks direct from their original format & 'lovingly remastered' !!!

Track listing:

20 years ago, way back on the last Friday in January 1995, Sean Hampsey, Kev Briscoe, myself and Andy 'Tats' Taylor started what was to be almost 5 years of monthly Soul nights. Here is the very first 'sampler tape' - in digital format, that was given away on that first night, I hope you'll enjoy it: Welcome to the First of what will be many great SOUL nights at the PITCHES. It’s taken a couple of years in the making but it’s been worth the wait! The format is simple. The very best in SOUL music from across the decades. Crossover and Modern from the 70’s and 80’s, together with best of the new 90’s releases and classics from the 60’s. (You will also hear a few underplayed 60’s and perhaps some you’ve never heard before!) The enclosed tape is representative of the music policy of Soul Solution, and there will be no compromise! The time is right for this type of event and this is the first of it’s type in the Rotherham area. https://www.mixcloud.com/JohnBenson/soul-solution-pitches-tape-1/

I must have been giving them away then, I sold a small handful between £30 and £40 a couple of years back...

Hi Andy, I got one of these just before it started getting popular (around '76?) and there was no real demand for it at that point. I'm fairly sure it's an issue copy. I'd have to go 'rooting' through a few boxes to find it, but if no one comes up with anything else, I'll scan it for you so you can compare it - assuming it's the issue! I do remember seeing the green and white boots turning up but that would have been some time later.

Great record, I have one of each, although the Shout copy is a bit crackly. I did wonder if it was related to the Eddie Parker label, although the South Carolina and Moses Dillard / Tex Town connections did make me think it probably isn't the same one. A Shout special would be interesting to hear. Donald Height's flipside "There'll be no tomorrow" used to sound nice, along with both Phillip Mitchell 45s, El Shobey & Co and The Exciters to mention just a few. By the way, that Awake sleeve looks nice doesn't it

Flip side to "New breed..." "If You Don't Want To Be In My Life"

As a slight (but related) aside, a soul venue timeline would make an interesting little project for someone! What do you think Chalky?

Recovered enough to go for some more tonight! New York here we come

Yes, I've got the LP with it on.

Just checked and that one was "I take it to my baby" a Hayes / Porter song. So not the same song!

I'm fairly sure my white demo came from Dave Withers at around £3 to £4

Wasn't that song also done by The Raisins? Or was that something similar?