Seano

Shades Of Soul #6 Dec 1985- Fanzine Scan Editor Derek Pearson aka @Derek Pearson site note A quick intro to a new ongoing series of pdf based reference articles This and other fanzine scans were originally posted in our forum by our members As time allows work is ongoing to convert the pdf scans uploaded of various fanzine/mags to a lighter and a more searchable format and then present them in a stand alone user friendly format As you can see you can now search these articles fanzines content and copy and paste the text (though results may be mixed depending on the original quality) Where possible the member who originally posted will be given authorship of the 'new' article It's an ongoing affair but hopefully will build up to a quality reference Credit and deserved thanks go to the members who scanned and cataloged/grouped the uploaded forum scans/posts including Bob, Sean and Chalky @Theothertosspot @Seano @Chalky plus others

Shades Of Soul #5 Aug 1985- Fanzine Scan Editor Derek Pearson aka @Derek Pearson site note A quick intro to a new ongoing series of pdf based reference articles This and other fanzine scans were originally posted in our forum by our members As time allows work is ongoing to convert the pdf scans uploaded of various fanzine/mags to a lighter and a more searchable format and then present them in a stand alone user friendly format As you can see you can now search these articles fanzines content and copy and paste the text (though results may be mixed depending on the original quality) Where possible the member who originally posted will be given authorship of the 'new' article It's an ongoing affair but hopefully will build up to a quality reference Credit and deserved thanks go to the members who scanned and cataloged/grouped the uploaded forum scans/posts including Bob, Sean and Chalky @Theothertosspot @Seano @Chalky plus others

Shades Of Soul #4 Dec 1985- Fanzine Scan Editor Derek Pearson aka @Derek Pearson site note A quick intro to a new ongoing series of pdf based reference articles This and other fanzine scans were originally posted in our forum by our members As time allows work is ongoing to convert the pdf scans uploaded of various fanzine/mags to a lighter and a more searchable format and then present them in a stand alone user friendly format As you can see you can now search these articles fanzines content and copy and paste the text (though results may be mixed depending on the original quality) Where possible the member who originally posted will be given authorship of the 'new' article It's an ongoing affair but hopefully will build up to a quality reference Credit and deserved thanks go to the members who scanned and cataloged/grouped the uploaded forum scans/posts including Bob, Sean and Chalky @Theothertosspot @Seano @Chalky plus others

Shades Of Soul #3 Dec 1984- Fanzine Scan Editor Derek Pearson aka @Derek Pearson site note A quick intro to a new ongoing series of pdf based reference articles This and other fanzine scans were originally posted in our forum by our members As time allows work is ongoing to convert the pdf scans uploaded of various fanzine/mags to a lighter and a more searchable format and then present them in a stand alone user friendly format As you can see you can now search these articles fanzines content and copy and paste the text (though results may be mixed depending on the original quality) Where possible the member who originally posted will be given authorship of the 'new' article It's an ongoing affair but hopefully will build up to a quality reference Credit and deserved thanks go to the members who scanned and cataloged/grouped the uploaded forum scans/posts including Bob, Sean and Chalky @Theothertosspot @Seano @Chalky plus others

Shades Of Soul #1 Jan 1984- Fanzine Scan Editor Derek Pearson aka @Derek Pearson site note A quick intro to a new ongoing series of pdf based reference articles This and other fanzine scans were originally posted in our forum by our members As time allows work is ongoing to convert the pdf scans uploaded of various fanzine/mags to a lighter and a more searchable format and then present them in a stand alone user friendly format As you can see you can now search these articles fanzines content and copy and paste the text (though results may be mixed depending on the original quality) Where possible the member who originally posted will be given authorship of the 'new' article It's an ongoing affair but hopefully will build up to a quality reference Credit and deserved thanks go to the members who scanned and cataloged/grouped the uploaded forum scans/posts including Bob, Sean and Chalky @Theothertosspot @Seano @Chalky plus others site note - the below rough text has been added as a reference aid (it adds the text to the soul source site search database) best to use our inbuilt pdf viewer at the top of the page for viewing, saving, printing the issue EDITOR -Derek Pearson, 17 Crooke Lane, Wilsden, Bradford, West Yorkshire. BD15 OLL Cullingworth 273758 CONTRIBUTORS -Stuart Raith, Darren, Geoge Sharpe, Dave Hitch, Eddie Hubbard, Pete Gregory. Welcome to Issue 2 of Shades of Soul; if you're buying this for the first time I hope you find it interesting reading; if you bought Issue 1, I thank you for your support -all copies of the first issue have been sold. I may reprint a limited number of 'numero uno' if there's sufficient demand. (ISSUE 3 out NOV/DEC 1984) Sub-standard new 60's -ah, here's a subject that raises controversy, now I would be the first to 'jump and down' and 'get hot under the collar' if people tried to tell me there weren't any 2nd rate new 60's sounds being played. However, not all the 'new 60's' (a contradictory term if ever I heard one -but we all know what it means), are as bad as claimed. Amongst these sounds there really are some excellent new items; I won't go into listing these sounds as they are purely my own choices, remember everybody's opinions differ (and always will do), the term 'music is taste' probably sums the whole situation up. Whether somebody likes only 60's or only 80' s doesn't mean they're wrong, we've all got different tastes -who's to judge the rights or wrongs anyway -'each to his own ' that's my philosophy. I mean I regard Freddie Chavez "they'll never know" and Terrible Tom "made for each other" as 2nd division items, and yet look how many people rate them highly . 2nd rate sounds have always been and will continue to be spun, depending on one's own tastes. 'Having a go' at 60's newies D. J . 's is an easy trap to fall into, these guys put a lot of time and effort into digging deep into the mine of Soul music to reach the disappearing seam of unknown black nuggets (topical eh!) Remember this is 1984 not 1974,new sounds are a damn sight harder to find these days, 10 years ago the scene was turning out dozens of sounds many of which went on to become the classic oldies of today. I've a great deal of respect for D. J.'s who prefer to ride the 'bumpy' road by spinning new sol.Dlds (be it 60's, 70's or SO's) rather than take the 'smooth' road by spinning known and accepted sides. I take the view that a D.J. is there to entertain and educate the crowd. Finally, oldies D.J.'s have just as equal a place on the scene today as they always have had and will continue to do so, let's just programme a few different sounds eh chaps! O.K. the Reverend Pearson has had enough of preaching, I'll get down off my pulpit and onto less serious things (the church roof's in urgent need of repair -sorry wrong magazine). If any of you wish to buy Issue 3 (you mad fools you) remember when sending your monies to enclose a s.a.e. (12 x 9 inches) also if you include 50p as an advance for Issue 4, don't forget to include a s . a.e. for that Issue as well or I will get very angry and you won't like me when I'm angry. The alternative to sending 50p and a s . a . e. is to send just 75p and we'll mail the mag to you via 2nd class post. In fact the correct postage rate to send 1 copy throughout the U.K. is 21p (2nd class) and 29p (1st) (no, I don't work for the Post Office). The majority of s.a.e.'s I recei ve use a 16p stamp; I don't know of anybody that's had any problems. Q Q If you have any suggestions for articles you would like to see in this mag, or think you may be able to contribute an article, don't hesitate to contact me , remember this mags only as good as the information it receives, the more you provide, the better it will be for all of us.-------------------------­ . SIGHT 'N' SOUND -Read about the records, then listen to 'em! Send £2 . 50 (cheques/ p.o. payable to D. Pearson) and I'll mail you a quality TDK D-60 tape with the following 60's, 70's, 80's sounds on•Side (A) 1) Tempests ''What you gonna do" , 2) Renaldo Domino "Don't love me no more", 3/4) Irene and the Scotts "Stuck on my baby/Treat me like you do", 5) Jimmy Delphs "Almost", 6/7) Commands "No time for you/Hey it's love", Darrow Fletcher "What good am I", 9) Lovemaster's "Pushin' and pullin', 10) Groovers "Bashful guy", 11) Traits "Too good to be true" , 12) Little Charles "Its a heartache", Side (B) 13) Lew Kirton "In the afternoon" , 14) Cody Black "Keep on trying", 15) Skip Mahoaney "Running away", 16) Walter Jackson "Touching in the dark", 17) Jeannie Reynolds "Hit 'n' run", 18) Goldie Alexander "Go back", 19) Atlantic Starr "Circles", 20) Scott/Benson "We'll.make .it". All editorial correspondence should be sent to the above address, remember to enclose a s.a.e. with all letters requiring a reply . Front page -Johnny Rodgers -ex. Chandlers c/u 1984, San Fletcher -ex. George KirQy , 1983, (.both .© George Sharpe) . DAY AT THE RITZ After a one hour bus journey from Bradford to Manchester, we made our way down Whitworth Street to the Ritz oldies all-dayer. After paying £3 admission we entered the main room, a large square room of similar size to Rotherham's Clifton Hall, the elevated dance floor occupied 3/4's of the floor space with clusters of chairs and tables down 2 sides, being a Mecca venue, it had the compulsory balcony on 3 sides and its decor was typically red -carpets, upholstery and wallpaper. Didn't notice any of the infamous plastic palm trees, yet did notice typical Mecca bar prices -45p for a small glass of coke, and no cider. Les Cockell was on when we arrived at 3, and played mainly 70's oldies such as Vickie Sue Robinson "Turn the beat" 12", Montclairs "Hung up", Carstairs "Hurts me", Barnaby bye' live this way", voices of East Harlem "Cashin' in", Moments "9 times", Rimshots "Do what you feel" 12", plus a few 60's like Seven Souls "I still love you", Eula Cooper "Let our love" and 4 Perfections "Strong enough" . Siz was next on for half an hour and played a mixture of 60's and 70's such as Adams apples "Out of this world", Ronnie McNeir "In my class", Kenny Smith "Lord" , the Commodores"The zoo" and the Philly All Stars "Clean up the ghetto". By now the place was quite full and the dance floor stayed reasonably busy all the time, by the looks of things many people had been to either the Stafford 2nd Anniversary or to Hinckley to see Richard 'Popcorn' Wylie the night before. I thought it was a crazy situation to have 2 big events on the same night within 50 miles of each other, surely in the interests of the punters one of the events could have been brought forward or put back to avoid the clash. Full credit must go to Chris King and the Weekend Soul Club for bringing 'Popcorn' to our shores (and also for the stars he has brought in the past and hopefully will continue to do) yet I was rather cynical as to what the guy was actually going to sing, after singing his only northern hit "Rosemary what happened" was he going to perform all the songs which he helped write and produce such as "Get it baby", "Sister lee", "Yes I love you baby", "Friday night" and countless others. By all accounts the attendance was around the 300 mark and Mr. Wylie put in one hell of a show singing everything he'd had a hand in, backed by a very competent backing group. Pity there weren't more people there and it's a pity Mr. Wylie didn't record more songs throughout his long association with the Detroit music scene. Is there only me that thinks that there's something not right to bring over a man more known as a producer/writer than a singer to do a show singing his versions of the songs he wrote (when's Frank Wilson coming over). Was told that Stafford was packed to the roof with 60's newies in the main room and an oldies room upstairs, not everybody had a good time as one guy complained to me that there wasn't a 'modern' room and very few 'modern' sounds were played. Admittedly there wasn't a 'modern' room advertised but as the event was supposed to play 'memories from the past 2 years', I was surprised more 'modern' sounds weren't played as many new 80's sounds were first broken at Stafford. At 5 Dave " as long as it's Soul, I'll play it" Evison came on and during his l½ hour spot played a wide range of interesting records, some 60's, some 70's, some obscure,some well known. Dave who's known as 'Mr. Oldies' has branched out considerably over the last few years by playing anything from the 60's to the 80's. He started with Southside movements "Do it to me" and finished with Oscar Perry's "I got what you need" and inbetween these spun 70's sounds like General Johnson "Can't nobody love you like I do", Ivan Neville's "Dance your blues away", Pockets "Catch me", Don Thomas "How can I help you", Montclairs "I need your love more than ever" (originally released on Paula in 1972 and due out on Charly records forth­coming Rare Soul L.P.) . Ila Van "Made me thi.s way", Jackey Beavers "Trying to get back" and Crystal Motion "Mainsqueeze" on Sound Gems -I'm trying to compile a listing of this Philly label, all info. appreciated. He also mixed in 60's sides like Terry Collier "Look at me now", Emanuel Lasky "Peace lovin' man" (there's a guy I'd like to see in concert) . Mikki Farrow "Heart at ease", Lillie Bryant "Meet me half way" , prior to spinning Sam Ward's "Sister Lee" he mentioned that 'Popcorn' Wylie was the best live act he'd ever seen and sang many of the songs better than the actual people who originally recorded them. Also played Pookie Hudson "Gets to me", Jackie Lee "Would you believe", Ritchie Adams "Can't escape from your love" (has got a backing track very similar to something else but can't think what). Skip Jackson " I'm onto you girl" and Mickie Laney "I 'm gonna walk" -after a spot like that who can honestly say that the oldies scene is a stagnant pond, it's a flowing river if allowed to be! There were quite a few boxes of records for sale which included4 Connie Questrell "Give up girl" Decca demo £20, Gene McDaniels "Walk with a winner'' UK Liberty £17, a load of UK demos such as Mary Love "Lay this burden down" Stateside demo, Fascinations "Girls are out" Stateside demo and a mass of UK Tamla Motown Red and Whites. Les Cokell started his 2nd spot at 6.30 with Gentlemen and Lady "Like her" and proceeded to spin mainly standard 60's outings like Belles "Don't pretend", Edward Hamilton "Don't you weep", Freddie Chavez "Never no why" (I'll never no why it's played!) Lou Johnson's "Unsatisfied", Ambers "Potion of love", MVP's "Heartbeat" (the groups name is an American sports term -most valuable players) and ended with a record which he claimed probably nobody will know:-The Scientists of Soul "Be that way" on Kashe. Richard Searling took to the decks at 7.30 and opened with Billy Woods "Let me make you happy" then went onto play Moments "9 times" (that's nearly how many times I heard it!) and Al Kent's"Way you been acting!" We left at 8 to the sound of Marvin Gaye's "Lonely lover" with mixed feelings -happy 'cos it's a great sound, sad ' cos the guy's no longer with us . When we left the venue was very busy so if you like to hear a cross section of sounds with the emphasis on 70's oldies, try make it the next one.__ FANZINES PART II In the article on Fanzines in Issue 1, I mentioned several mags I'd heard of but never seen, since that article I've been lucky enough to be loaned copies of the following -Eddie Hubbard (Banbury) loaned me copies of "It's the beat No.1' and 'Nitelife No. 1'. Both mags were edited by Dave McCadden of Manchester, only one issue of 'Nitelife' was released (late '78) and reviewed Twans "Can't see him", Paula Parfitt "Love is wonderful", Billy Arnell "Tough girl" (never liked this record), Marie Knight "Treat a girl" , Paula Durante "If he were mine", Eddie Parker "I ' m gone" (a goddie) and the Showmen c/u "Put that woman down" (which as we all know turned out to be the still very rare John Leach on Lawn -was told it only sold 700 copies on U.K. Destiny). 'It's the beat' ran to 3 copies, Issue 1 was out March '79 and featured a U.K. reviews page and Richard Searlings current biggies -also had a list of the editors top thirty 60's newies -the top 5 were ­1) Joe Mathews "Don't like to lose" c/u. (The Group feat Cecil Washington on Prophonix still £60), 2) Delights "Lover" (Cuppy), 3) Construction "Hey little girl" (Sync 6), 4) Tamala Lewis "Won't say nothing" (Marton), 5) Patrick Bradley "One more chance" (Inst.) (Decca). Dave also released 3 issues of'Soul Time' in 76/77 period (Issue 1, Nov. 76), Issue 2 featured a U.K. Minit listing and contributions from Russ Winstanely, Frank Elson, Dave Withers, Dave Evison and Martin Koppell. Dave Hitch (Walsall) loaned me Issue 5 of 'Right Tracks' which was out early '83 and edited by Ian Stabbing of London, it featured articles on Ric Tic, Chess and Wand labels, Impressions, Jan Bradley and a Ben E. King appreciation article. Basically it was a mod fanzine, yet 8 of the mags 18 pages are of interest to Soul fans. Chris Savory's 'Hot Buttered Soul' mag ran from Issue 1 (Oct. '72) to Issue 52 (Sept. '77) -I recently bou~ht 10 copies of this highly recommended mag, so here's a brief review -No. 33 Jimmy Holiday discog., No. 35 North Bay, Chariot listing -mentions the rumour about Tony Turner "these rooms of mine are only 6 x 6" (Musicor) as being the vocal to Earl Van Dyke's famous instrumental although slightly slower, No. 44 Mab's, Ric Tic listings, Buddy Lamp discog, No. 45 May '76 Veep,Crimson listings, No. 46 July '76 Eastern listing, 8th day and 100° Proof discogs., No. 47 Sept. '76'Detroit special' included Brute, Burt, Cool School, Dotty's,Geneva, D-Town, Golden Hit, Grand Junction, Impact, Inter/Soul, Inferno, Kool Kat, Mid-Town1Northern Della, New Moon, Ram Brock, Soul Hawk, Sir-Rah listings (phew-and that was only the front page! ) No . 48 Dec. '76 Westbound, De-to, Music now listings, No . 49 Jan '77 Seventy Seven , Sound Plus, Luna listings (also printed in Steve Bryants ' Souled Out' No . 6) , No So March '77 Neptune, Loma listings (the latter one also printed in Martin Scragg's'Sound of Soul', No's 3/4), No. 51 May '77 Calla, Artie listings, No. 52 Sept '77 Venture, Maverick, Fame, Red Coach listings and Carl Hall discog. You can probably now understand why it's so hard to find a label which hasn't been listed before, never mind actually preparing the listing -any ideas on previously un-published listings that you would like to see? I've extracted the following info. from several letters, mainly John Clarke (London) and Colin Dilnot (Merseyside) which adds details about some mags mentioned in Issue 1 and also sheds light on many obscure mags from the late '60's and early '70's. Perhaps the longest running and most authorative mag of this era was'Shout' which covered most aspects of black music and was produced by Clive Richards the mag started under the name 'Soul Music' in the autumn of '67, became Shout at Issue 34 and carried on till Issue 112 in July '77; it featured many well-known scribes such as Tony Cummings, 5 Charlie Gillet, Bill Miller, Ray Topping; Roy Stanton, Kurt Mohr and Dave Godin. In fact Roy Stanton ran the Black Wax record shop in London and during the period Jan to July 1973 released 6 copies of the mag 'Black Wax'. The mag'S.M.G.' was edited by Barry Lazell of Mansfield (later by Chris Savory) and whilst featuring mucho pop music had articles on '70's Soul and Doo-wop (Sept '77's issues featured an article on Ric Tic records) -ran to at least 6 issues. It's interesting to note that H.B.S., Shout, S.M.G. and Black Wax were all members of a specialist magazine organisation entitled1 Rhythm and Blues magazines incorporated (R.A.B.I.N.C.). Just a quick mention of a new mag entitled 'Soul-Scoot' which emerged late '83 edited by Terry Smith of Hermitage, Berks. , it's aimed mainly at scooterists, who happen to like Soul music. Just less than half of the magazine is of interest to Soul fans, amidst the articles on Lambrettas, there's a Sound of Chicago article re'Lance/Chandler/Butler, record reviews and an informative James Brown article. Issue 2 should be out by the time you receive this mag. Due to a lack of space this article has had to be 'chopped' in half so that's it until Issue 3. Please send in any info. you have on fanzines (no matter how small) and remember I buy and collect any fanzines which have a Soul content. The L.A. Coupe label -I know of 4 releases, I have 2 of them, and I suspect there's more -the label looks like an import, yet has 'made in Britain' printed on it -American boot-leg label perhaps? Did the Aristocrats "Let's get together" have a U.S. '45' release? Please send all info. to mag address. Soul -WHAT IT MEANS TO ME The previous 'What Soul means to me' article in Issue 1 featured Eddie Parker's 'Crying Clown' on Triple B, the record under review this time is another Detroit item. Jimmy Delph's 'Almost' on Karen 1538 is a fine example of the ballads that were produced during the late 60's in one of the USA's premier music cities. Jimmy's controlled voice sings the simple lyrics (written by Harold Thomas and Leroy Mason) with conviction over a steady backing beat, with little help from the backing vocalists, a simple 2 mins. 20 second song, but very effective. "Ooh, the saddest word that I ever heard is almost, 'cos it means what ever-· you tried to do, you didn't make it, oh no, but baby you almost, honey you almost, now take a man who's saved and plans his whole life through the years, only to find he ran out of time, he didn't live to see his dreams come true, oh baby but he almost, he almost, he almost, now listen everybody what I have to say, it happens to all of us sometime there's some kind of way, baby she almost, not quite, but almost, Now you take a girl who's in love with a guy, but she's too shy to show it, and when she finally wants to tell him so, another girl has him going, so you can see, she almost, yes baby, she almost, .-----~ she almost, oh baby, she almost, not quite but almost, she almost." The producer on this record and owner of the label was Ollie McLaughlin, who also owned Carla records. 'Almost' was also released on Carla 2535 with 'I've been fooled before' as a flip, whereas the flip on its Karen release was 'Don't sign the paper baby'. Betty Lavette had a female version of 'Almost'/'Love makes the world go round' released on Karen 1540 DARROW FLETCHER Darrow Fletcher was born in 1951 in Inkster, Michigan and at the age of 5 his family moved to Chicago. He showed an interest in music at a very early age but had to wait until 1965, when at the age of 14, he made his recording debut for Inc. «IMII HOT FOa SAU Groovy records of New York, with the National hit "The pain gets a little deeper", (also issued on UK London HLU 10024 -his only UK release). Whilst he DARROW FLETCHER recorded many quality sides for a variety of labels, he was never to achieve the chart success of his first release. After two releases on Ray Charles's "Crossover" label in 1974, he faded into the depths of obscurity, like so many of our 'northern' heroes. GROOVY ( B.S. -Both sides) 3001 "The pain gets a little deeper" (T. Daniels/D. Fletcher) KSG 001 "My judgement day" (M. Simpkins) KSG 002 3004 "My young misery" (D. Fletcher/K. Rudman) KSG 007 B.S. A 'Fletcher production' "I gotta know why" (M. Simpkins) KSG 008 B.S. produced by Ted Daniels 3007 "Gotta draw the line" (Richard Barret) KSG 307A A 'Solid Hitbound production' "I gotta know why" (M. Simpkins) KSG 008 Produced by Ted Daniels 3009 "That certain little something" (Karl Tarleton) KSG 3007(8.S. sides produced b!J "My judgement day" (M. Simpkins) KSG 002 (Ted Daniels JACKLYN 1002 "What have I got now" (M. Simpkins) 1002A (B.S. produced by "Sitting there that night" (J. Haygood/D. Fletcher) 10028 (Ted Daniels 1003 "Infatuation" (M. Simpkins/D. Fletcher) 1003A (B.S. produced by "Little girl" (J. Haygood/D. Fletcher) 10038 (Ted Daniels 1006 "What good am I without you" (McNeir/Mancha/McNeir) V4KM 7329-2. Produced by Don. Mancha and arranged by Mike Terry "Little girl" (J . Haygood/D. Fletcher) 1003B Produced by Ted Daniels REVUE 11008 "The way of a man" (M. Simpkiss) 514 (B.S.produced by D. Fletcher/ "I like the way I feel" (M. Simpkiss) 515 (M. Simpkiss and arranged by (Mike Terry (A Haygood production) 11023 "Gonna keep lovin' you" (M. Simpkiss) 543 (B.S. produced by D. Fletcher/ "We can't go on this way" (M. Simpkiss) 544 (M.Simpkiss and arranged by (Mike Terry (A Haygood production) 11035 "Those hanging heartaches" (M. Simpkiss) 567 Prod. by D. Fletcher/M. Simpkiss "Sitting there that night" (J. Haygood/D. Fletcher) 568 Prod. by T. Daniels UNI 55244 "When love calls" (J. Moore/T. Daniels) 492 (B.S. prod. by Haygood "Changing by the minute" (L. Hanks/Z. Grey} 493 (& arranged by Tom Tom 55270 "What is this" (J. Moore/J. Daniels) 544 Produced by J. Moore "Dolly baby" (D. Mancha) 545 Produced by Haygood CONGRESS C6011 "I think I'm gonna write a song" (D. Mancha) 8001 Produced by D. i11ancha (A Haygood production) "Sitting there that night" -(J. Haygood/D. Fletcher) 8002 Produced by T. Daniels (A Haygood production) ~~ 7 1002 "Now is the time for love" Pt. I (J. Moore/B, Reed) (B.S. prod. by J. Moore "Now is the time for love" Pt.II (J. Moore/B. Reed) (B.S. A Haygood production) CROSSOVER "Try something new" "It's no mistake" 983 "We've got an understanding" "This time I'll be the fool" Thanks to Roger Nicholls (Willenhall) and Bob Hitchcock (Ormskirk) for information. Darrow had a hand in writing and producing many of his own releases during his career, which considering how old he was at the time is quite amazi ng. His father Johnny Haygood produced many of his releases and it's interesting to note that certain other people helped Darrow throughout his recording career, e.g. Ted Daniels (with or without the!_) has produced his records for several years, Maurice Simpkins (M. Simpkiss) wrote many of his releases on Groovy, Jacklyn and Revue also Johnny Moore ' s name crops up regularly on writing/production credits. The ballad "Sitting there that night" was released on Jacklyn, Revue and Congress and all three releases have the same arrangement and length. Darrow's male version of "Gotta draw the line" was originally recorded by the 3 Degrees on Swan/UK Stateside, his version omits several words from the song which was written by Richard Barret who was the 3 Degrees manager . None of Darrow's release are expensive, they should all be in the £1-3 bracket, however, many of them are very hard to pick up. Anybody know of a) any other songs which Darrow wrote for other people, Darrow Fletcher's Blues and Soul U.S. Top 100 entries ­ 27. 3.70 "I think I'm gonna write a song" Congress 71 23.10.70 "When love calls" Uni 43 22 . 1.71 "What it is" Uni 64 16.3.76 "We got an understanding" Cross Over 88 He also made the Billboard Pop and Soul Charts as follows (only pre-1971 info. available) -POP CHART 15.1.66 "Pain get's a little deeper" Groovy 89 SOUL CHART 1.1. 66 "Pain get's a little deeper" Groovy 23 7.3.70 "Think I'm gonna write a song" Congress 47 ( Pete Gregory) LOCAL'N' NATIONAL RELEASES This follow up article to the 'Double Detroit' article in Issue l concentrates on records released on a small local label then 'picked up' for national distribution by a large company. Generally speaking the releases on the local labels are rarer than the 'nationals', hence their higher selling price. track as Precisions 'Such misery' (Drew) 'Please stay' Despenza/Wand 1152 'That'a enough' Gerri/Wand 1125 'Black eyed girl' Columbus/Wand 1108 'Everything is everything' Sow:1.d of Soul/Wand 1169 'Carleana' Garrison/Wand 1144 'Let's get back together' Garrison/Wand 1141 records on Wand have never been seen, yet they appear in anybody confirm their existence with a photocopy. 'Humphrey stomp' (released on U.K. London 10121) 'Too i<)Od to be true' 'Without you baby' 'Because of my heart/ Feel I'm wanted' 'If that's what you wanted' 'Lonely in a crowd' 'Can't take it no more' 'Hey it's love' 'Bettin' on love' 'Bashful guy/Go for me' ' I'm no fool' 'Sweet sweet baby' 'Don't let it happen to you' 'Get out' 'New· love' ' One step at a time' ' Girl watcher' out in U.K . on Stateside 2126 Natural Four Nights Cliff Nobles Willie Tee Barbara Lynn Mark Putney Stagemasters Sam E. Sola Wonderettes Sons of Moses 'I thought you were mine' ' Let there be love' 'My love is getting stronger' 'Walking up a one way street' (out in U.K. on Atlantic 584.116} 'Take your love and run' (out in U.K. on Atlantic 2091.133) 'Today's man' 'Baby I'm here just to love you' 'Love is not a game ' 'I feel strange' ' Soul symphony' ABS/Garrison/Wand 1134 Pacemaker/Garrison Priority/Fairmowit Rouser/Fairmount Gamble/Sassy Dynamics/Westbound Whiz/Dynamic Dynamic /Backbeat Teri-de/Fontana Teri-de/ Minit Musette/Teri-de Teri-de/Highland Gemini/Phil-la-Soul Landa/Phil-la-Soul J.V. /Phil-la-Soul Fee/ ABC Northern State/ ABC Boola Boola/ ABC Little Star/ABC J. V ./ Atlantic Nola/Atlantic Jetstream/Atlantic Ovide/Atlantic Hit King/ Slide Ruby/ImperialRuby/United Artist s Soft/Coral Lenis Guess 'Just ask me' S.P.Q.R./Legrand Phil Flowers 'Discontented' Loft/Dot True Tones 'He's got nerve' Paul Kelly 'Chills and Fever' Al Wilson 'Show and tell' Danny White 'Keep my woman home' (out in the U.K. on Sue 4031) Nolan Chance 'Just like the weather' Soulville/Josie Lloyd/Dial Renfro/Bell Atteru/Atlas Bunky/Constellation I remember once being in the record bar at a Wigan oldies and after hearing Richard Searling playing his Nolan Chance on 'bunky' got very excited about the thought of owning it and in a moment .of near hysteria rushed up to him and offered him £100 for it, I was Chaumonts Shaine Hunter Ballads Denese Lasalle C.O.D. 's Dov Gardner Dynatones Shadows (previously covered up Jan Bradley Wooden Nickels Bobby Freeman Vala Reegan Charles Russel Wilson Picket Curtis Lee and KCP's Ral Donner E. Rodney Jones Formations Charles Perry Betty Webb Garland Green Rita Dacosta Sandy Wynns Herb Johnson Mel Williams Wall of Sound Hosanna Dobie Gray Ann Sexton Kenny Smith Del Capris Deuces Wild Band Betty Swann Volumes Jeanette White Fred Parris Bobby Mac Earl Cosby Incredibles Top Shelf Barbara Greene Chuck Jackson Calvin Williams Showmen Legends Fantastics politely refused. 'I need your love' 'Sweet things ' 'Can't see your love' 'Love reputation' 'Michael' (released on U.K. Stateside 489) 'Ain' t gonna let you get me down' 'Fife piper' (also released on UK Pye Int.25389) 'My love is gone' as Jimmy Georgetowns 'Stars above' 'Back in circulation' 'Nobody but you' 'Lies' 'Fireman' Bay Sound/·Caravelle Awake/Sue Wee/VJ Tarpon/Chess Emase/Kellmac Tru-Glo-Town/Sack St. Clair/HBR Golden Sounds/USA circa 81/82) Sound Spectrum/Adanti Omen/Vault Loma/Warner Bros. Bob Crewe/Atco (out in the U.K. on Atlantic 548.009) 'It ain't easy' 'Heart belongs to you/ Let me be your boy ' (also on U.K. MGM 1286) 'Everybody's going wild' (released on U.K. CBS 2717) 'Don't let it slip away' 'R'N'B time' 'Top of the stairs' (out in the U.K. 'How can I' 'I know' 'Rained 40 days 'Don't bring me 'Touch of venus' ' I 'm so glad' 'Can it be me' 'Hang on' 'Hip it' on MGM 1139) and 40 nights' down' 'Out on the floor' 'You've been gone too long' 'Lord what's been happening' 'Hey little girl' 'Keep on' 'Make me yours' (out in the U.K. on CBS 2942) 'Gotta give her love' 'Music' 'Dark at the top of the stairs' 'Keep on' 'Ooh honey baby' 'Another dirty deal' 'No second thoughts' 'Treated you right' 'Love lights' 'Lonely you'll be' 'Take it baby' 'Fear not' 'High ote Bionic/Psyche Correctone/Verve/Cub Wheelesville/Rojac Sunlight/Starfire Charisma/Tuff Bank/MGM Mutt 'N' Jeff/Magnum/MGM XL/MGM Gamma/Revue Pandora/Mohawk Doc/Champion Toxsan/Brunswick Astronaut/Modern Big Bird/Tower LHMA/Calla Thunderbird/Charger Impel/Sound Stage 7 Gar/Gold Spot Ronjerden/Kama Sutra Corby/Vault Money/Abet Astra/American Arts A and M/Vibrations Birth/RCA Original SoundjMoonglow Mirwood/Mira Audio Arts/Contempo Lolo/Calla Vivid/Renee Page/All Platinum Jam/Atco. B.B./Swan Locket/Red Balloon/ Commonwealth Copa/Sound Stage 7 Don Varner 'Tear stained face' Quinvy/Veep 1296 John Anderson (Soul Bowl) tells me he remembers having 25 white Veep demos around 1971 and selling them for the 'A ' side 'Meet me in church', 'Tear stained face ' was first played around 1974 . Can anybody supply me with a photocopy of the Veep release. Stanley Mitchell's 'Get it baby' Dynamo was rumoured to have appeared on musicor, also Sam Williams 'Love slipped' rumoured to be on a local label prior to the rare Tower release, might have only got to the acetate stage though, can anybody confirm these rumours? The Okaysions line up in 1968, the year when they recorded 'Girl watcher' for the tiny North Carolina 'Northstate' label was Denny Weaver, Jimmy Hennat, Wayne Pittman, Bruce Joyner, Jim Spidel and Ron Turner. The Natural Four line up during their time with ABC was Chris James, Allen Richardson, Al Bowden and John January. As one can imagine this article only lists a very small percentage of sounds released on a local/national format, any additions would be welcome. I'd like to thank Cliff Steele (Northampton), Stuart Raith (Gt. Harwood) and Graham Anthony (Derby) for helping me to compile this article. Please don't 'bug' me for Frankie Beverley on Rouser, it's not mine it's Adam's, the Leicester D.J.'s, it's thought to be the only copy, there ' s that many people after it, the list looks like a London telephone directory, besides my name's at the top of the list .... .... isn't it Adam!! Mystery Record Does anybody know which country, this record was released in? (' cos I haven't a clue) (Ed -Australia,N. Z. , South Africa perhaps?) SUPREMES Sunday, 22nd April SUNNY SCARBOROUGH We arrived in Scarboro' mid afternoon,dumped our bags in the guest house and went for a Kentucky. After a quick phone call to Rudie's we were told the all­dayer had been cancelled due to a non-existent turn-out but the evening session was on; so come 8 o'clock we arrived at the door step complete with record boxes and long arms to be told that was off as well. We dumped the records behind the bar and went off to the Salisbury and Pickwicks -2 pubs just round the corner, where many Soulie's (old and new) congregate at Bank Holidays. Sure enough many familiar faces were seen yet non had ventured up to Rudie's, so Sunday's events were ditched. Monday, 23rd April After the compulsory walk up the sea front and a fish 'n' chip dinner (still can't beat good al' West Yorkshire fish and chips), the afternoon was spent chatting to many of the older Soul fans in Pickwicks who said they were going up to Rudie's in the evening. Popped into the all-dayer around 4 for an hour to find a dozen people present (I counted them -doesn't include bar staff or D.J. 's), this was possibly due to the sunny weather outside but most likely the fact that since the mods stopped their scooter runs to this east coast town about 2 years ago, due to council/police pressure, attendances throughout the day have slumped dramatically. Back to the Kentucky for tea (it's either that or Fish 'n' chips, still it's better than a Wimpy carpet burger). Back to the all-dayer for 7.30 pm to find the numbers hadn't increased at least they hadn't decreased. Nottingham's Rob Smith was on spinning the 70's version of "Just like the weather' by the Detroit Sounds and the inferior version of "What's wrong with me baby" by Little Harold (c/u?) then the poppy Main Change "Sunshine is her way" (Nebula) (ex. Rock Candy c/u -supposed to be only 2 known copies on Manships recently at £120). Rob stuck to the rarities till 8 . 30 which pleased us but not the other 12 as few dancers were evident as he spun the Magnetics "Lady in green" (Bonnie), Yvonne Vernee "Just like you did" (Sonbert) (both via Keith Minshull), Revlon's "What a love" (Toy Records from New York) and 2 records still under their psuedonyms Micky Valvano "She's fine" and the Chessmen "Like I never did" which as most people know are the C.O.D. 's and the eombination respectively (both on Kellmac). He also spun the recent U.K. Inferno release of the instrumental version of "Our love is in the pocket" by the Suspicions (quite good as instrumentals go,sax dominated), before finishing with a sound which whilst I don't like it I haven't heard for ages. Rufus Lunley's "Stronger than me" on Skyscrapesr. Yours truly was allowed to damage the decks for the next hour and a half -don't know whether it's good editorial practise to review one's own spot, never the less here goes -I played a mixture of sounds as follows -Keni Burke "Let somebody love you" (RCA. '81) , Luther Vandross "Never too much" (Epic '81), Denis Edwards "Thought I could handle it" (U.K. Gordy '84) flip side to funk club monster "Don't look any further"). Bobby Taylor "Roses somewhere" (Sunflower '72) . Little Johnny Hamilton "Oh how I love you" (Dore), Danny Woods "Had me fooled" (Correctone), Robert Taylor "Packing up your love" (Alteen '68) and Layern 'Bondage' Baker· "Wrapped, tied and tangled" (Brunswick). Atl> George Sharp took over the ruined decks for 60 mins and spun many of the sounds he played during his Bensons spot (see review) plus Lada Edmunds "Spellbound", Vonettes "Love is guaranteed", Cheryl Anne "Little things you do to me", Rober_t 'Red Top' Young "Aint that love", Charles Farren "Changed my life" (Hawk), plus a few rarer items like Vivian Carol "Oh yeah, yeah" Merben (ex. Roddie ~~ c/u circa 80/81), Dean Courtney "Love you just can't" (MGM) (current price around £30) and Vickie Baines "Country girl" (Parkway). By now the attendance had swelled considerably and there was quite a good atmosphere apart f~om some of the non-Soul section who were pestering girl's on the dance floor with their " 'ear do you want a dance darling" routine, these guys soon got bored and went off home to get a hangover and left us to listen to "Jinxy" and Nick Ward who shared the sounds alternatively for the last 3 hours and kept the dance floor busy by spinning both their all time top 5 sounds (see below) as well as Gwen Owens "Wanted", Micky Moonshine "Name it", Danny Wagner "Lost a true love", Willie Kendrick's "Change your ways", Frankie "Dynamite"crocker, Today's People "S.O.S.", Ann Sexton "You've been gone", Eloise "Love factory" Laws, East Coast Connection "Summer in the park" (about as Soulful as a bag of cri~ps!) Gene Chandler "I can take care", Jackie Lee "Oh my darling". (I remember buying a U.K. Jayboy demo for £2 at Wigan -happy days). Florence Devore "Kiss me now',' there were a few less obvious sounds played Lee Andrews "Never the less" (Crimson), Jackie Wilson "Since you showed me" (Coral), the excellent Tyrone Barclay "Man of value" (f'rhDSo,./& -hard to find now) before finishing with Charles Mann "It's all over" ) 2 (ABC). I must admit I did get slightly bored with this type of musical format,but everybody else was having a good time so who's to argue. John 'Jinxy' Lofthouse who's organised the Soul events at Rudie's for the last 4 years gave me his all­time top 5 (_no particular order), as Mel Britt "She'll come running back", Imaginations "Strange neighbourhood", Alfie Davidson "Love is serious business", Majesties "Hurts me girl" and Doug Parkinson "I'll be around" (Australian "South star").Nick Ward who used to run the Scarboro' coach via Leeds to every Wigan oldies gave his ·ATT5 -a:s Detroit Ex' s "Cool off", Embers "Watch out", Triumph's "Coming to your rescue", D.D. Sharp "What kind of lady" and Edwin Starr "Back street". Other D.J.'s were Ron Pedley, Graham Kelly and Dave Knight all from York. Finally, Jinxy cannot be expected to organise all-dayers indefinitely~to see them reduced to entertainment, will there be any more? Hi folks, yes it's another boring old Detroit review. Over the past 6 months the price of northern originals seems to have risen sharply. Records of Detroit origin have been no exception to this upward trend. In fact Detroit items seem to be going up in price more than anything else. From that observation alone , it doesn't take much to work out that Detroit is in demand and the Motor City Sound is as popular as ever: The Sequins "Try my love" Detroit Sound 503 This rare Detroit stamper starts with the Sequins breaking straight into the chorus after a short powerful piano intro. Lyrically the record isn't too brilli ant , but I've heard much worse. The record moves on at a great up-tempo pace making it an excellent dancer, with a catchy beat. Recently had a few spins as a rare oldie , still plenty of 'air play' left in it. One of the rarer Detroit items , it may cost £40 + 'these days', that's if you can get one. B-sides pretty good too. Atlantics "Baby I need you" Marquee MQ 444 Another up-tempo girlie group sound, if anything slighter faster than the Sequins. The Atlantics from Detroit sounding very much like the Twans from Miami. The record starts with a thumping very deep bass beat which is maintained through­out the song, the high pitched vocals makes some of the lyrics difficult to understand, however, there's a nice chorus which when added together makes a classy Detroit dancer. Very rare again and would probably cost around £20 . Gene Cooper "Go go in" Hi-Q 5037 A very early sounding record not unlike The Executive 4 (one off) "I've got a good thing going" (ex. Robert L. Martin c/u) but nowhere near as rare. Gene and the Voices are singing the praises of the "Go 0 go in". •They got a back street beat that makes you put your feet' is one of the many virtues of the 'in' crowd. There's a nice guitar and piano backing very neat but not too heavy. The neat harmonic vocals help to make up for the corny lyrics. Quite easy to get hold of; should cost around £5, well worth looking out for . Art 'Posey "No more heartaches" Scope A great finger snapping mid-tempo. Collectors gem, which starts with Art Soulfully singing the title/chorus with his female backing. A good production compared with some Detroit sides, the record being complemented with strings, horns, drums and very theodore coffe sounding guitars, with a great mid-tempo beat maintained throughout. Well worth picking up 'Soul Bowl' has it often listed at £4. Publications BMI Tim• 2:00 91Sf.5037 H KM-6196 LOST IN THE WORLD GO GO INN · OF ADREAM GENE COOPER THE SHARPETS ond The Voices featu""9 tt.• SynchrofflCltiC Sound Sharpets "Lost in the world of a dream" Sound City SC-001 This was a monster side in 1978 for Soul Sam and others and was fetching £40-£50, then it was bootlegged and hasn ' t seen much of the turntable since. Compared with the last record, the production on this one stinks, the whole thing seems to be held together with a thumping bass guitar and sounds like it has been recorded in someone's back garage. However, all these short-comings seem to add to the character of the record. The lack of technical brilliance is in a way, what helps to make the record, one can almost picture the girls singing away in some makeshift recording studio somewhere in Detroit, circa mid-60's . Recently saw a copy on sale at £15, but if ever the record was played again, I feel the price would rise due to rarity. P.S. -the original bas a %TSC matrix stamped in the run-out groove, the bootleg matrix is just scratched in. George Sharpe Pl Recommended reading -Midnight Express No. 7, Send 60p and s.a.e. to Rod Dearlove,LJ 39 Back Lane, Burstwick, Nr . Hull, HU12 9EG. The Drifter No. 5, _Send 60p and s.a.e. to Gary Evans, 7 Linstock Ave, Riverdale, Cockermouth, Cumbria. CA13 9ES, (Issue 6 will cost 80p and s.a.e.), Souled OutNo. 7, Send 50p and s.a . e. ·to Steve Bryant, 141 Pembroke Road, Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex. IG3 SPF, Otis Redding File, No. 1, Send £1 (no s.a.e.) See ad, Soul Scoot No. 2, Send 70p no s.a.e . to Terry Griffith, Gabled House, Hermitage Berks . RG16 9RG (See review). QI couldn't let Issue 2 go to print without passing my own personal tribute, to another 3 of the Soul Scene's greatest singers Jackie Wilson , n Hill, and Marvin Gaye on tbeir sad, premature and untimely departure -spare a thought also for the 'Larry Clinton/ Jimmy Burns' of the scene, guys who record only once or twice, never to achieve fame, or even session men/ producers/writers -how many of our northern heroes have passed on without so much of a brief obituary. OUT OF THE PAST RECORDS AFFLECK$ PALACE ANTIQUE MARKET, CHURCH STREET, MANCHESTER. OPEN MON -SAT, 11am-5pm WHERE TBE PRICES ARE AS GOOD AS THE SOUNDS. BRATFUD REVISITED Saturday, April 21st We arrived at Bensons around 12 to find the usual small queue, the nighters have been running at this venue since around Sept. '83 and tonight was the last one so I was surprised not to see hundreds trying to get into the venue which by many was regarded to be the best all nighter in the North partly due to its geographical position but mainly because it catered for all forms of soul music, be it 60's, 70's or 80's. The night started well with a group in front of us in the queue trying to explain to a bemused French couple what was going on -"We dance all night to Soul music and drink pop 'cos there's no bar. " -Steve Croft and an un-named guy alternated every half hour for the first hour and a half playing standards such as Fascinations "Girls are out", Gems "I'll be there", Frankie Beverley "If that's", Gloria's ''Worship you", Johnny Sayles "Get enough", Fantastic Johnny C "Depend on me", and a few 2nd Division items like Frankie Crocker "DY!J.~mite" , Today's People "SOS" and Father's Angels "Bok to Bach" the standard was raised however with Williams Watson's "Quitter", Leroy Taylor's "Oh Linda" (Brunswick) and the Tymes "What would I do". Pat Brady came on at 1.30 am and started to spin some of his top c/u's such as Johnny Hampton "New Girl" (check Accents "New Girl" on M-Pac for slower version), Chandlers "Change is gonna come", Robbie Lawson "Mr. Misery" (Excellent), Eric Lomac "Things you do for love" then a couple of rarities like Bill Coday "Righton" (Crajon), Brooks Bros. "Looking for a woman" (Tay), Bell Boys "Don't want to lose" (Jamar) followed by two instrumentals, the first Stanley Mitchell "I thank you" c/u which I liked, the 2nd a version of the Incredible's "Nothing else to say" which I didn't like (whilst appreciating the dance a~ility value of instrumentals, I generally di slike and dismiss them as being Soul-less . Then due to the crowds reluctance to dance to anything but well known items, he was forced to retreat to playing Dean Courtney "Always need you" , Pointer Sisters "Send him", High Voltage "Country road" , Candi ::ltaton "Upper hand" MVP's "Heartbeat", Larry Santos "You got me" and Lee Roye "Tears". I think it's a great shame that big name D.J.'s whose record collections contains some rare originals, c/us and good obscurities should be forced into a position where the only option to keep the crowds happy is to play well known oldies, Big name D.J.'s because of their pulling power and influence, should and must be pushing forward new sounds, nearly all the big name D.J . 's choose this direction, it's a pity the masses don't see it this way. Pat finished with Gwen Owen's "Wanted and needed", H.P. Barnum "Heartbreaker" and Little Richie "Heartache". At 3 Staffords "Top of the World" organiser and D.J . Dave Thorley took to the decks and opened with two Stafford 60's biggies, Johnny Henley "Yes I love you" c/u and the Detroit 5 "Rat race" c/ u, then Eddie Holman's "Hurt" (Eddie in a recent interview couldn't remember recording "Hurt"), before playing some well known things like Kenny Smith "Lord", Mel Britt "Running back", Chapter 5 "Don't mean it", Edwin ~tarr "Have faith", then a couple of c/us which didn't do much for me on first hearing, Ronnie Forte "Here it comes" and Porgy and Monarchs "Congratulations" . The dance floor then filled to the instrumental Rufus Wood "Before 2001" (not often heard), the frantic High Voltage "Country road", the awful Crow "Autumn" and the very awful World Column "So is the sun". Dave spun several "Not so often heard sounds throughout his hour like the Delrays "Destination unknown" (Tampette) (a request from Terry of Manchester, I suspect), Dobie Gray "Honey take a chance" (White Whale) and Delarks "Job opening, pt. 2" (which I don't like) followed by the excellent Kell Osbourne "Heartbreaker" on Highland (ex. Billy Greasham c/ u) and the Empire's "Your on t op girl" (Candi) (ex . Johnny Cole c/u -recently on Manships a t £50) also played Del Satin' s "Your're on fire"? (same backing track as Connie Clark' s "My sugar baby"), Honey and Bees "Dynamite explodes"(Arctic) and Frank Dell ' s "He broke your game" . All in all a varied spot which filled the floor with some of t he oldies and cleared it with the c/ us and less well known items not due to their poor quality but because of lack of exposure up this end of the country as this was Dave's first visit to Bensons. At 4 local D.J. George Sharp opened with Jimmy McFarland's "Lonely lover" and mixed some of his c / us such as Judy and the Affections "Please leave me", Virginia Blakely "laughing at me", Derek Martin "Say you'll be mine" (one of the best c/ u's I've heard recently) , Frankie and Twana "Good thing love" (storming 60's dancer , ex. Guy Hennigan c/u) with 60's rarities Joan Courey "I got the power" (Twirl) , Professionals "That's why" (Groove City), George Blackwell "Lose my head" (.Smoke) Fluffy Falana "My little cottage" (Alpha -rarely heard these days) as well as the Chicago recorded Metroes "Since I found my baby" (RCA -great sound now getting accepted) and the 15 Detroit recorded Gene Cooper "Go go inn" (Hi-Q). George has tried hard to break new 60's sounds (covered and uncovered) but has received mixed response as have most D.J.'s in their attempts to programme something different. Tonight was no exception, we left around 4.30 am disappointed in the last night, the attendance was the lowest I've ever seen it (numbers had dropped over the last few months, possibly due to Steve Crofts non-existent advertising campaign). One guy said to me and I quote "Venues are always quiet over Easter, everbody goes to the coast either Morecambe or Scarborough." The atmosphere never mind being so thick one could cut it, was so thin one could see through it, the night overall was an anti­climax, still it will be sorely missed, at the time of writing apart from London there's no regular all-nighter in any large city in the U.K. BOOTLEGGING IN 1984 Bootlegging has largely disappeared over the years in terms of the numbers of actual records bootlegged and the quantities pressed, possibly due to the people in the States (or U.K.) not knowing what to press or because its not financially worth it on the northern scene or even because of insufficient quality 'monster' records (that should get you going -letters please). However, all is not quiet, a few bootleg 45's have been appearing at venues such as Barbara McNairs "You're gonna love my baby" backed with the previously unreleased Vandellas "Spellbound" track (which is quite good actually), Bobby Bland "Shoes"/Benny Troy "Give you tomorrow" on Moondust,also Prince Philip Mitchell "I'm so happy"/senny Troy "Tomorrow" on Silver Tip. Remember when Benny Troy was a £3 sound -now fetching £10 -the P.P.M. '45' he's stayed rare still demands a £10 price tag. I've only seen two 'modern' sounds bootlegged (reasons why? -letters please!) and that's Greg Perry "It takes heart" (an orig. 1982 release only sells for £3) backed with the most unlikely flip side ever, the banal Derek and Ray "InteIPla:y" (??!) (Big in London perhaps), it's out on the U.K. look-a-like Airwave label, also Alfie Davidson "Love is serious business" backed with Benny Spellman "Fortune Teller" on the (lurid pink) monumental label. There's 2 L.P. 's currently doing the rounds, the first a W.V.O.N. F.M. Chicago sampler entitled "All night long", retailing at £10. Has an interesting track listing but is let down by poor sound quality -only 1000 pressed. Contains many of the top sounds from the last few years -Side A -Willie G and the Styles "No second chance", Bobby Jason "All these things", James Lewis "That's the way", Professionals "That's why", Court Davis "Lover who loves", Seven Souls "1 still love you", John and the Weirdest "Memor.Ws", Ty Karim "Li.ghten up" -Side B -Cheryl Berdell "Giving it", Doug Parkinson "I'll be around", Jan Jones "Independent woman", Charles Johnson "Never had a love", Tyrone Barclay "Man of value", Otis Clay "Only way is up" and James Mack "Over the top". Who do these people think we are -I mean advertising it as a Chicago L.P. and including an Australian only released single -I shake my head! The original records were reputedly supplied by a well-known Lanes. D.J. and the album organised by a well-known Manchester promoter. (Both these guys work for the same Soul Club ­clue -Soldiers involved in Iranian embassy seige several years ago}. The second album is entitled 'Nitelife' retailing at £5 (spies tell me it originates from a well-known Soul scribe from the South) -Side A -Showmen "Our love will grow", Gene Chandler "Such a pretty thing", Shakers "One wonderful moment", Spellbinders "Help me", Valentino's "Sweeter than the day before", Vibrations "Cause your mine", Al Wilson "Snake", Julian Covey "A little bit hurts", -Side B -Delrays "Fortune teller", David and giants "Super love", Jay and Americans "Hung up on your love", Williams/Watson "Too late", Superlatives "I still love you", Majesties "1 love her so much", Epitome of Sound "You don't love me" (check excellent flip side on single -"Where were you"}, Professionals "That's why I love you", (how long will it be before this is pressed on a '45', I wonder} . Secretary: John Stuart 53,Ravenglass Road Membership is £3 per year -U.K.Westlea.Swindon. £4 per year -Overseas Wiltshire. Members will receive 3 copies of 'Otis File' each year England. plus members card and free badge -monies payable to Phone : 0793 873193 John Stuart, or send s.a.e. for details -£1 for Issue 1 'Otis File' (.no s.a.e.} BACKBEAT RECORDS Seems like many people found the Backbeat label listing interesting reading as several collectors wrote in with information, thanks to John Clarke (London), Graham Coates (Lincoln), John Poole (Solihull) and Graham Anthony (Derby) for the Backbeat UK releases list, Eddie Hubbard (Banbury),, Roger Nicholls (Willenhall) and finally Pete Gregory for the labels US chart successes. Backbeat releases on UK labels Backbeat 541 Joe Hinton -"Funny how time/Gotta have love" on Vocalion 9224 (Sept. '64) Backbeat 546 Roy Head -"Treat ner right/So long my love" on Vocalion 9248 (Oct . '65) Backbeat 548 O.V. Wright -"Gonna make me cry/Monkey dog" on Vocalion 9249 (Oct. '65) Backbeat 555 Roy Head -"Apple of my eye/Pass the day" on Vocalion 9254 (Jan. '66) Backbeat 551 O.V. Wright -"Poor boy/I'm your corner" on Vocalion 9255 (Jan. '66) Backbeat 550 Joe Hinton -"Just a kid/Pledging my love" on Vocalion 9258 (Jan. '66) Backbeat 560 Roy Head -"My babe/Pain" on Vocalion 9269 (Apr . '66) Backbeat 558 O.V. Wright -"Gone for good/How long baby" on Vocalion 9272 (Jun. '66) Backbeat 563 Roy Head -"Wigglin' and gigglin'/Driving wheel" on Vocalion 9274 (Jun. '66) Backbeat 552 Bobby Adeno -"Hands of time/Sad world" on Vocalion 9279 (Aug. '66) Roy Head's "Treat her right" provided the Vocalion label with its only UK hit, reaching No. 30 during Nov. '65. Backbeat 571 Roy Head -"Big man cry/Don't cry" on London 10097 (Nov. '66) Backbeat 580 O. V. Wright -"8 men, 4 women/Fed up"on London 10137 (Jun. '67) Backbeat 586 O.V. Wright -"What about you/Girl of mine" on Sue 4043 (Mar. '68) Backbeat 609 Jeanette Williams -"Hound dog/Feel a heartbreak" on Action 4557 ___j(John Clarke writes) -The Backbeat label was a subsiduary label of the Peacock/Duke record company based in Houston and owned by Don Robey . He formed Peacock records in 1949, acquired Duke records from its founder Memphis D.J. John Mattis in 1952 and formed the Backbeat label in 1953 (Source -"Nothing but the blues" by John Boven, Hanover books, 1971). However Charlie Gillet in his book "Sound of the city" dates the labels formation to 1956, which agrees with the fact that "Tell me whv" by The Rob Roys (BB 501) was a small hit in 1957 . Pete Gregory mentioned the label was formed in 1957 and supplied the following release dates: Backbeat 501-3 (1957), 506-514 (1958) and 573 in 1966. Eddie Hubbard mentions the sleeve notes on a O. V. Wright (Charly) L.P. he hasJsuggests that "Can't find true love" (BB 544) was released in 1965 and "Nickel and nail" (BB 622) was out in the early '70's , both these dates agree with the chart which follows . Don Robey continuedto run the three labels independently until 1972/3 when he sold the entire complex to the ABC/Dunhill group. It appears ABC retained the Backbeat logo for a while, see O. V. Wright on BB 631 (1973) above and in 1974 Carl Carlton reached no. 6 in the Billboard pop charts with "Everlasting love" on Backbeat 27001. Highest Billboard Chart Position Backbeat US Chart Entries• Record R&B/ Year Number Artist/Title Pop Soul 1958 503 Original Casuals -"So tough" 42 1963 537 Joe Hinton -"You know it ain't right" 88 20 1963 539 Joe Hinton -"Better to g:l.ve than receive" 89 1964 541 Joe Hinton -"Funny" 13 1965 545 *Joe Hinton -"I want a little girl" 34 1965 546 Roy Head -"Treat her right" 2 2 1965 548 O. V. Wright -"You're gonna make me cry" 86 6 1965 555 Roy Head -"Apple of my eye" 32 1966 560 Roy Head -"My babe" 99 1966 571 Roy Head -"To make a big man cry" 95 1967 580 O. V. Wright -"Eight men, four women" 80 4 1967 583 O.V. Wright -"Heartaches, heartaches 25 1967 586 O. V. Wright -"What about you" 46 1968 588 Little Carl Carlton -"Competition ain't nothing" 75 36 1968 591 O.V. Wright -"Oh baby mine" 36 1968 598 Little Carl Carlton -"46 Drums and 1 guitar" 19 1969 601 Jeanette Williams -"Stuff" 39 1969 603 Little Carl Carlton -"Look at Mary Yonder" 42 1969 607 O.V. Wright -"I'll take care of you" 43 1970 609 *Jeanette Williams -"I can feel a heartbreak" 50 1970 610 Little Carl Carlton -"Don't walk away" 12 1970 611 O. V. Wright -"Love the way you love" 70 1970 613 Little Carl Carlton -"Drop by my place" 78 12 1970 615 0.V. Wright -"Ace of spades" 54 11 1971 617 *Carl Carlton -"I can feel it" 47 1971 620 O.V. Wright -"When you took your love from me" - 21 1971 622 O.V. Wright -"A nickel and a nail" 19 1972 624 Carl Carlton -"Where have you been" 86** 1972 627 Carl Carlton -"I won't let that chump break your heart" 20** ** Blues and Soul US Top 100 * Indicates the record first charted in January and w~s probably released in previous year. -~­Graham Coates mentions 2 Backbeat releases, one missed of the listing, Issue 1 - Backbeat 626 O.V. Wright -"Drowning on dry land/Gonna forget about you" Backbeat 628 O.V. Wright -"Please forgive me/ and a couple of New Zealand releases, Kim Weston -"I got what you need" (MGM) and Sam Cooke "Sugar dumpling" (RCA). Also I've just remembered Ben E. King ­"I who have nothing" Green Atlantic (N.Z.). If any of you readers out there wish to know if your favourite group/ artist ever made it into the U.S. 'Billboard' Soul/Pop Charts or 'Blues and Soul ' U.S. Top 100 during the 60's or 70's -write to me and our resident Record Chart Statistician Pete Gregory will hopefully be able to supply all the required info. Quiz Time -Issue 1 -Answers Several persons wrote to say Clifford Binns "You got to help me" was originally released on an orange Carrie label then re-released on a green Carrie label. The orange release (see front page) has a slightly different label design to the re-issue. Eddie Hubbard (Banbury) -wrote to say the missing words from Jerry Williams "If you ask me" were 'Alpha and Omega' which means 'first and last' as 'Alpha and Omega'were the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet (cultural eh and you thought this mag was only about records). Eddie also remembers seeing a Tamiko Jones 'Spellbound' Golden World issue on Soul Bown for £25 many years ago. info . wanted on records released by Betty Lavette, "Die Masqueraders and Betty Everett for future discographies. SPOTLIGHT ON THE SMASH LAIBEL The Smash label was a division of the Mercury Record Corporation, and though it released many white acts, it has several releases of interest to the Soul music fan. Here's 3 releases which you'll probably only hear on tape. TEMPESTS 'What you gonna do' Smash 2126 'What you gonna do when your girl is leaving you, and you realise you just lost a good thing, think of all the fun you had together and there was nothing any better' . A record ripe for reactivation, not often seen, value around £5. One of several releases by this THE TEMPESTS Arranged by The Tempests &group on this label, taken from the album 'Would you believe it'. RENALDO DOMINO 'You don' t love me no more' Smash 2160 Nice (2:46 mins) mid-tempo song arranged by Renaldo, with lots of 'ooh oohs and yeah, yeahs from the backing vocalists. Typical 'boy loves girl' lyrics that were common in the late 60's . 'We don't walk together hand in hand, I never see you smile, you used to call me each and every night, but I haven't heard the phone for a while ' . A sound that turns up quite often at venues priced at around £1-2. IRENE AND THE SCOTTS 'I'm stuck on you' Smash 2138 A short (2:06 mins) Theo-Coff arranged mid paced sound, that pounds along with the infamous Detroit 'twanging' guitar, a wi cked horn section in the middle, an incessant backbeat with Irene screaching the lyrics along with her raucous voice 'I'm stuck on my baby, stuck like glue, stuck on my baby and there ' s nothing I can do'. The lyrics are rather weak , with the title being repeated many times, part written by M.Cambell and R. Monette -better known as Michael and Raymond for their 'Man without a woman' RCA and 'If only you knew' Giant outings, it's rumoured they were actually in the Scotts, I doubt it tho' as it sounds like a female back-up. Check the other side 'Why do you treat me like you do' a mid-tempo dancer that also could be played. Detroit all the way!! "GOOSEPIMPLES" -by Stuart Raith 19 Hello there all you Soul people, gonna take a look at a few tasty L.P . 's, plus the usual northern tracks that are only destined for the front room or somebody's tape in the car, so here goes ­ JIMMY COBB 'So that nobody else can hear' Contempo Vibrato L.P. As Jimmy is a jazz session drummer, this late '83 L.P. is as one would expect jazz orientated, but wait! The title track on. side one is brilliant Soul, the slow shuffly intro reminds me of Nina Simone's 'My baby cares'. Greg Hines and Marilyn Redfield are the 2 singers and the overall structure of the song is in the classic 'Marvin and Tammi , boy loves girl mould! 'Speak softly darling, whisper gently in my ear . . . . so that nobody else can hear' . Greg and Marilyn's mellow voices blend into each other so skilfully they tend to distract the listener from the distinguished backing musicians, who include 'Freddie Hubbard and Pee Wee Ellis'. I hope you all get to hear thi s, it could just have easily come from '63 instead if 1983. YOUNG HOLT UNLIMITED 'Just ain't no love' MCA L.P. From a jazz L.P. with a difference, to a jazz duo with a difference . Eldee Young and Redd Holt are well known on the scene via their brilliant version of the film score ' California montage' which first gained exposure at the Highland room. This instrumental doesn't add or detract to the Barbara Acklin vocal, but if instruments ever came back into vogue, this would be right there, leading the way, definitely one for Stafford's oldies room. Taken from the excellent 'Soulful' strut' L.P. GARNET MIMMS 'Right in the palm of my hands ' AristaL.P. New York recording from 1978 and unlike the mainstream Soul records from this area and this time, it has a lightweight 'fresh' feel about it, almost to the extent of being blatant pop, but the man ' s voice drips Soul on this great little shuffler. The L.P.'s 'Has it all' which also contains the full version of his semi-disco smash ' What it is'. Pity poor old Garnet is only remembered for 'Looking for you'. OTIS REDDING 'The match game' Atco L.P. Eh!! . . .. good time, Soul time. Now aost people either love or loath our old Otis and I must admit that I've gotta be in just the right sort of mood for him, but there ain't no doubt that he is the main man. This track taken from the 'Tell the truth' L.P. makes you wanna stomp in the way he wanted us to. 'You strike me and I'll be the flame ' !! Don't worry Otis yer flame is still burning, no way will Russ Coe believe he's dead. IMPRESSIONS 'You want somebody else' Curtom L.P. From the 'This is my country' L.P . , this must go down 'as my fave Impressions recording, and you don't have to be clever to realise how aany gems these blokes have churned out. This track really epitomises their incredible style, a nice mid-tempo plodder which gradually works itself up and down in tempo, carried along by the cool vocals of Curtis. Nice to see the Kent label showing interest in re-issuing this groups L.P.'s, but they shouldn ' t have overlooked this one, cause this is 'Soul class'. MARV JOHNSON 'So glad you chose me' Tamla Motown L.P. From the classic Chicago sound , over to the classic Detroit sound. It really is a pity that this man only received minimal success with motown and it's suprising seeing that he went way back with Berry Gordy, in fact he was the first artist ever to be released by him. This L.P. 'Pick a rose' is faultless, pure motown all the way. Recorded in 1969 this track is a classic dancer, written by Dean , Weatherspoon and Bowden , it belts along in true motown fashion. The true roots of northern? Well!! that goes without saying. FOUR PROS 'Just another girl' Carla (Ed. -thi s isn't a quartet from Soho) . Back to the singles and we've got this fast loud Detroit tune with screaming tortured vocals, screaming tortur ed sax and that compulsory tinkly piano. Unless you're extremely fit or doing naughty things, this one wil l put you out of action for at least fifteen minutes . 'You can't let one girl get you down, it 'll make your pulse beat slow' . . . well this one certainly won't. Northern Soul , loud and proud. MARVELOS 'Somethings burnin' Loma Now this record doesn '·t need a title like it has, all it needs is a few spins at any all-nighter and the dance floor will be set on fire. It's that magic full group sound, up-tempo, full of strings, good backing vocals, sounds slightly echo­chamberish. The lyrics are brilliant 'Smokey the bear, would pull out all his hair, if he could see this heart of mine'. Please somebody out there in 6T's land give it a spin and just watch 'em burn. (Ed . -Better than Burning bush eh!!) SOUNDBREAKERS 'The jerk is catching/Trying' to get back with you' Symbol New York sixties recording from a label more famous for the Poets. In fact this group could easily be the Poets, as the style of T.T.G.B.W.Y. is very similar to 'I've got two hearts' the Poets 60's dancer. Both the above tunes are first class. 'The jerk is catching' is a title that needs little explaining, 'Tryin' to get back' is the usual'lost a love' saga, again 2 good sixties dancers that are just too good to be ignored. INFORMATION WANTED PLEASE -on the following releases to fill in gaps in listings ­ONEDERFUL 0/1/2/3/5/9/13/36/42, OMEN 1/4/14, THOMAS 1/2/5/8, M-PAC 17/18/23. Twilights -"No greater thing", ST. LAWRENCE l/2/3/6/15/16/17/18/19/21, SATELITE 1/4/9/11. I've also started work on the New York based BIG WHEEL label, the Chicago based ALTEEN label, the Detroit based WILD DEUCE label, the Pittsburgh AMERICAN ARTS label and the nationally distributed GARRISON label -Can you help? Still need info. on the SHRINE, NOTE and SOUND GEMS labels. If there are any listings you would like to see drop me a line. Can anybody provide info./track listing on the Lupine records compilation alb\.DD entitled the 'Original Sound of Detroit ' released on U .K. Speciality. The L.•P . contains tracks by The Falcons and The Corvettes . Recently read that Gino Washington's "Gino is a coward" was released on 6 different Detroit labels -I know of Correctone, Ric-Tic, Do Re De and Sonbert, do you know of anymore? For the last 22 years I've been working on a J.J. Barnes discog./life story, I'd welcome any snippets of info. on his recording career (either under his name or a psuedoname) prior to and after his much publicised Groovesville/Ric-Tic/ Revillot period in Detroit, especially his early 60's outings on MicKays, Rich,kQbl&, Ring, etc. Thanking you in anticipation of your help. ''It's a heartache" was c/u as Sam Coltraine by Pat Brady circa 82, current value around £15. Little Charles also had a release on the Detroit based Drum label entitled "Got my own thing going/Hello heartbreaker" (D-1202). It could be possible that 1/ there are 4 releases on this label which was Voul With previously thought· to have only one release ­the Famous Billy Hambric "She said goodbye/Found I'm trying to prepare an article on issues of Mot for Stl•Haw ld ¦a• Jrl,usk: c;o, late 60's Chicago label was set up by Johnny Haygood who previously worked with the New York based 'Groovy' label but left this label as he was unhappy about the fin~ncial rewards that his son Darrow Fletcher had received for his 4 releases on the label. Johnny Haygood had a hand in co-writing some of his sons releases and also helped produce several sides. 1001 Paul Smith 'I'll run' {Maurice Simpkins) MW 738 (Both sides produced 'Ain't that something' (P. Smith) MW 739 {by Ted Daniels 1002 Darrow Fletcher 'What have I got now' {M. Simpkins) 1002A {B.S. Prod. by 'Sitting there that night' (Haygood/Fletcher) 1002B{Ted Daniels 1003 Darrow Fletcher 'Infatuation' (Simpkins/Fletcher) 1003A (B.S. Prod. by 'Little girl' (Haygood/Fletcher) 10038 (Ted Daniels 1004 Paul Smith 'Only one in a lifetime' (Daniel/Smith) 1004A (B.S. Prod. by 'Ain't that something' (Smith) MW 739 (Ted Daniels) 1005 Bobbie Brown 'I gotta have you' {Daniels) 52267A Prod. by Daniels/Gosev 'Love won't give us a chance' {Daniels/Jackson) 52267B Prod. by Daniels/Jackson 1006 Darrow Fletcher 'What good am I without you' {McNeir/Mancha/McNeir) V4KM 7329-2 'Little girl' {Haygood/Fletcher) 1003B A -Prod. by Don Mancha, B -Prod. by T. Daniel, arranged by Mike Terry. 1007 1008 1009 Lovemasters 'Pushin' and pullin' (J. Moore/Simpkins) 1009A (B.S. Haygood 'Love train' (Don Mancha) 1009B (productions 1010 Joe Savage and 'All power to the people Pt I' (J. Moore/D. Mancha) lOlOAR the Soul People " " " Pt II'( " " ) lOlOBR Both sides a Haygood production. Stereo recording 1011 Pam Colquitt 'I done got over loving you' (Johnny Moore) 1011A (B.S. Prod. 'It's gotta be love' (J. Moore) 10118 (by D. Moore Several persons mentioned the Detroit Soul Masters 'Stirrin' up some Soul' as a Jacklyn release, but gave no release number or its flip side -can anybody add any info. on this or the 2 missing numbers. The 2 best known sides are 'What good am I' and 'Pushin' and pullin', both have been played on the scene; 'Ain't that something', 'Pushin' and pullin' and 'I gotta have you' all have similar/same backing tracks. 3 different label colours were used -1001 had a white label with red/brown writing, 1002/3/4/5/6 had a yellow label with black writing and releases 1009/10/11 were on an orange label with black writing. Demonstration copies are not thought to exist of any of the releases, whilst none of the issues are particularly rare or expensive, all sell for around £1-2 thanks to Eddie Hubbard (Banbury}, Bob Hitchcock (Ormskirk}, Gilly (Derby) and Roger Nicholls (Willenhall) for their help. This article which we have Pete Gregory (Welling) to thank contains a chart analysis of every record to enter the Blues and Soul U.S . top 100 during the year 1970. This issue we deal with the artists with the surnames A to E, future editions will progress through the alphabet. Figures in brackets indicate the record achieved a DARRENS PAGE Issue 2 at last, quite a lot has happened since last time with Bradford Bensons and Rotheram's Clifton Hall nighters closing down. All is not lost though with Bradford Bensons staging fortnightly all-dayers and the Loughborough all-ni ghters on the first Friday in the month. The last one (1 . 6 . 84) being the best all-nighter I've been to in a long time. It seems like years since the last all-dayer of any note, immediately springing to mind are Jaspers in York, the Todmorden all-dayers and of course the legendary Snaith all-dayers, the best thing that ever happened to promote 70's, SO's dance music . By July, however, there should be a new all-nighter venue in Yorkshire, watch the Soul press for details. Right,on with the reviews; first off a memory from the Snaith all-dayers of 1980. The Intrigues " I'm gonna love you" Yew In my opinion their best ever recording, all the qualities that made "In a moment" so popular, but with an extra something added. Superb harmonies and an excellent lead vocal make this mid-tempo dancer a real stand-out record in any spot. Usually found for a couple of quid, a 'winnie' classic , give your ears a treat. Bill Harris "Am I cold, am I hot" RCA One of Bradford's biggest 70's records after only a few weeks. The 'uptown Saturday night' man is back with a bang. Distinctive Soulful vocals on this 1975 mid-tempo outing, written and produced by the late Van McCoy, Bill asks where he stands with his woman, ' i s he cold, is he hot', the record is certainly hot! Grey and Hanks "Love's is command" RCA 12" A more up-tempo record which met wi th instant approval upon first play. Also produced by the talented duo, this b-side from 1980 is one of many fine dancers that they have recorded over the years . Solid beat and powerful vocals makes this a dancefloor winner. Ronn Matlock "You've got the best of me" Cotillion L.P. 25 Another track from the superb "Love city" L.P. which contains "Backstreets" (See Issue 1). One I've been playing for a few months now and finally getting the recognition it deserves. An amazingly Soulful down-tempo record which took over from Walter Jackson as my finishing record. Ronn's voice really complements the laid back strings 'n' things of the Detroit Symphony (a real 60's cover up name if ever I heard one), one of the best records I've heard in years, if you're into quality Soul music, buy the L.P.,you won't be disappointed. Ujima "I'm not ready'' A record which picked up a few spins at Cleethorpes via Mr. Hampsey. Excellent Mecca/Pier type up-tempo dancer from 1975. With light vocals and crisp backing, the lead proclaims his undying love for his woman; deserves to be a classic. Keni Burke "Can't get enough (Do it all night)" RCA Another record I've been playing for a few months now. Taken from the L.P. "Changes" and released in the States as b-side to "Risin' to the top" in 1982. (Ed. -Had no UK 45 release) . A very catchy up-tempo dancer with excellent use of horns and bass complemented by Keni's vocals. Jesse Anderson "Pick up the phone" A record I've just started playing and already getting a lot of dancefloor reaction. Light vocals over a solid bass beat as Jessie pleads with her man to give her a chance and pick up the phone. A late 70's dancer to listen out for in the next few weeks to come, cheers Barty! Detroit Sounds of Friction "I'm leaving you" Heavy Sound Inc. Originally covered up as Mel Britt by Richard and the Idle few by Arthur?! A record first played at Snaith around 4 years ago but never really gained the popularity it deserves! Mid-tempo early 70's recording. Brass intro and then in comes the deep lead vocals explaining why he must leave his woman and get himself together. Plenty of breaks, plenty of Soul, copies however aren't plentiful. Last time on Soul Bowl it was £10, but the value is already rising due to reactivation. Jo Ann Courey "I got the power" Twirl Memories of Cleethorpes dayers 1978. A record that Poke used to feature around the same time as Mickey Lanay, Bobby 'Guitar' Woods and Melvin Davis . All of which have stayed pretty obscure despite the latter two being pressed. "I got the power" really epitomises Northern Soul at its best, a superb up-tempo New York dancer. Good use of horns and a thudding beat makes this a gem of a dancer . Last seen on Soul Bown at £30, worth every penny. Debbie Taylor "I don't wanna leave you" Arista And now for something completely different. One of my all time favourite deep Soul records . How can anyone describe perfection, words really do not do this justice. Debbie's extremely powerful,almost gritty voice wails out "Why she can't stay with her man". Excellent sax rap perfectly finishes 5.30 mins. of pure Soul. Still sends shivers down my spine everytime I hear it. Would you believe a Tom Moulton mix from 1975, Soul as deep as you like and then some .... , buy it now!! Until next time, ..... All the best, Darren. (June 84). WANTED: The following singles: Tamla 54026/30/32/43/44/50/52/67/81, Soul 35007 Gordy 7003, Motown 1000/l/2/5/6/10/19/20/25/26/47/49, V.I.P. 25002/3/11/18 Alternatively,would anyone be prepared to tape any of the above for me. I would be prepared to pay for or exchange for a casette of your wants. CONTACT: PETER GREGORY, 226 Montrose Avenue, Welling, Kent. DA16 2QX FOR SALE: Vickie Baines "Country girl" (Parkway) £55 _ WANTS. p . Pat Lewis "No one to love (Solid Hit), Eddie Day "Guess who loves you" (Shrine) Chandlers "Love makes me lonely" (Col Soul). Must be Ex/Mint, please contact George Sharp ­0274 568042. Graham Coates (Lincoln) mentions that a 'Modern' label listing appeared in fssues 7 and 8 of a mag called 'Blues Research' . Can anybody photocopy the listing and send'.. it in. BONUS RECORDS When buying singles one tends to get one good side and one not so good side, so isn't it a bonus to get two good sides, a typical example of a record that falls into this category is the Commands release on Backbeat 570. This was the groups only release on this label and what a release ­"No time for you" a brilliant slow/mid­tempo group harmony sound which is probably my favourite of the two tracks and contains typical lyrics about a guy who ' s been rejected by his girl, then she wants to return and he tells her •he's no more time for her and finds another girl, contains the rather suggestive line "it's been a long time since I held you in my arms and even a longer time since I felt your many charms"!? (Sexist humour} "Hey it's love" DEEP STUFF FROM EDDIE­ Carl Weathers "You ought to be with me" Mirage Quite a recent release this, (1981) the song is built around Carl feeling lonely and attempting to persuade his girl to spend the night with him. With a classy vocal style similar to 'Peabo Bryson', full marks are also due to 'Hadley Murrell' on the production side for creating a romantic quality backing of piano, cymbals and strings for Carl's soulful tones to soar over. Shouldn't be too hard to find as it's 'Atlantic' distributed, well recommended for those 'late night' soul sessions. Banks and Hampton "Caught in the act" Warner Bros. (of getting it on) Continuing the easy going theme of 'slowie', this is another of those 'slipping around' epics that were so prominent around '76, though this is a real stand out cut, with ace lyrics about a guy being caught bedding someone elses wife in a hotel room, i.e. "Get dressed baby, I'm afraid we're caught, your husband is here, somebody must have tipped him off, he's waiting in the lobby with tears in his eyes, and he'e not there alone, my wife is by his side." It's produced as well as sung by Homer Banks and Carl Hampton, another sound that's near to perfect in all departments. McKinley Travis "Baby, is there something on your mind" Pride Although a true deep sound,· this has 'northern' stalwarts Art Freeman and Bobby Sanders (who also issued this recording on his own 'Soul Town' logo) on the production side. McKinley asks his girl what's wrong with her as she's acting 'quite strange' as he puts it. "I've only been out with the fellas once or twice this week, I came home one night with lipstick on my shirt, is that's what's blowing your mind?" Similar to an early '70's 'O'Jays' number, my thanks go to 'Ady Pountain' ·• for putting me onto this slice of Soul magic. Rozetta Johnson "Who you gonna love" Clintone (your woman or your wife) Sam Dees at the writing and producing helm again on this amazingly brilliant item from 1972, the ultra-soulful Rozetta is giving her man an ultimatum as the title indicates, to make up his mind where his true love lies, displaying with bitter irony all the hurt and despair of a ditched wife. "You could have at least got a room for the night, instead of loving her in my sight." Sympathetic male backing gives this wa ing a full sound, wistful strings flow in and out creating a vinyl masterpiece that's once heard, never forgotten -great!! Jerry Butler "I don't want to hear it anymore" Vee Jay The ever consistent Jerry Butler's achingly soulful voice has (for me) never been displayed to better effect than on this early 'Vee Jay' cut, especially at the beginning of the song as he sets the scene with just a piano for accompaniment "In my neighbourhood, folks don't live so good, the rooms are small, most of the buildings made of wood, I hear the neighbours talking about you and me." What he hears through the thin walls is the heart breaking news that his girl has found another, and though he realises it's true, he'd rather not hear about it. The backing is very simple and dated in style, but a vivid and nostalgic reminder of a Soul style sadly erased in the passing of the years. Bobby Womack "American dream" Beverly Glen After the last review, I felt it would be a good idea to come right up to date (April) and mention this pure Soul outing from the superb 'Womack Poet 2' album, to attempt to show that true Soul still exists in 1984. Bobby sings in typical harsh gritty style of his hopes that the 'American dream' of love, hope, peace, etc., will become a reality, using the great idea of dubbing one of 'Martin Luther Kings' speeches to the track to create a real spine chilling opus ­ The whole cut reaches a climax near the fade out with Womack and the girly backing singing in true gospel tradition, while 'Martin Luther' preaches his famous 'I have a dream' speech in the background. A truly inventive idea, great uplifting Soul!! Mike Williams "Lonely soldier'! Atlantic One of the all-time Soul greats this, highly rated by anybody who's heard it, but probably quite unknown by the mainstream of collectors. Maybe now that the likes of 'Ray Pollard','Gene McDaniels' style of 'slowie' are being spun at 'nighters'this will garner a few plays as an 'ender'. Set at a slow to medium pace, and held tightly together by organ, drums and stabbing guitar, Mike's plaintive story of a sold.ier sent to fight overseas soon hits home to the listener, via the heartrendering lyrics "I'm a lonely soldier, many miles from home, with a heart that's heavy, but with a will that' s strong. " An all round winner, if you're only slightly into slower sounds you should dig this. American copies sell for about £2 to £3 and UK Red Atlantic issues around £5. Jimmy Holiday "The turning poin,t" Liberty Of all the sounds I've reviewed in this column, this is undoubtedly my favourite, a definite for my all-time top 10 (if I were ever fool-hardy enough to compile one!) (Ed. -Guess what I was going to ask you to compile next, Eddie?!!) From the opening groove this is a truly magical record, just listen to the flowing strings and strumming guitar as Jimmy sobs "I'm a man, no not a boy, God made me human, not a toy, then my love went wrong and my heart got broke, now I stand alone at the turning point._" It's tear-jerking stuff all the way and Jimmy sounds as if he isn't going to get over his lost love as he wails remorsefully on the fade-out. "I don't know which way to go, left or right, crying myself to sleep each and every night." Credit for recommending this to me goes to 'Pete Widdison' thanks mate, for putting me onto a record to end all records. That just about wraps up the reviews for this time; if anyone out there would like to hear these records (and more like them) just mail a tape (plus an s.a.e. ) and I'll record them. Also would like to trade tapes with other 'deep' Soul collectors, as I ' m sure there must be many more goodies hidden away in collectt.oas. Write to Eddie Hubbard, 34 Longleat Close, Banbury, Oxon. OX16 9TG John Pugh (Wolverhampton) wrote in and asked for a Teri De listing (Ed. -I'm already working on it) anda U.K. Jay Boy listing. He mentioned that it was suggested to him that Chris Bartley and Chris Jackson are one and the same person - anybody know? John Anderson (Soul Bowl) informs me that Singing Sam of "Move it baby" fame is not Sam Ward of 'Sister Lee' fame, but the guy from Sam and Kitty "I've got something good" on the 4 Brothers. A fact confirmed by Graham Anthony (Derby) who says both records used the same writers (Weems/Dandridge) , the same productions (wee-dan) and the same music publishers (Fairshake). Possible that the ' Dandy' label was connected to the '4 Brothers' label. Interesting, but it still raises the question whose Kitty and what's Singing Sam's surname? S-O-U-L FROM THE 70s A lot of people have differing opinions of 70' s Soul music, but one thing'.s for certain, the 70's produced some of the finest "L.P.'s" of all time; if you don't believe me please read on ­ CURTIS MAYFIELD "Curtis" U.K. Buddah 2318015 This 1970 released album was a natural progression from his 'Impressions ' days. A concept album i . e. Social awareness/status etc. , which was 'in vogue' during the early 70' s e.g. 'What' s going on' -Marvin Gaye, 'Ship ahoy' ­the O' Jays, 'The devil is dope' -Dramatics. If one can imagine determination, degradation, pride, hope, sufferance, deception and love conveyed in lyrics by one of Soul music' s greatest songwriters, then this is one of the finest L.P.'s of all time. The full version of 'Move on up' is a gem, complemented with bongo , sax and string breaks, a typical Mayfield inspirational song. The gentleness of 'The makings of you' , the reality of 'We people who are darker than blue', the thought provoking 'If there's hell below', the hopeful 'Miss black America' and the sad and depressi ng 'The other side of town' all combine to make this his first and probably best album; although his 'Roots' L.P. isn't far behind. I've just played J . Blackfoot's 'City slicker' U.S. Steeltown album,certainly the best L.P. I've heard for years, do yourself a favour and give it a listen too. HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUENOTES "Ditto" U.K. C.B.S. 565350 Gamble and Huff certainly ruled the waves with the 'Philly' boom of the early and mid seventies. I.'m sure all connoisseurs of slow/deep Soul ballads will love this 1973 L.P. Everyone knows the classic 'If you don't know me by now', but that to me is overshadowed by classic cuts such as 'I miss you' with it' s ingenious telephone rapping and pleading vocals of a young Teddy Pendergrass. The bluesy tinged 'Yesterday I had the blues' is great and 'Be for real' is a rappers delight. Also included is a good rendition of the O'Jays oldie 'Let me into your world' and there's nice falsetto wailing in the final track 'Let it be me ' . An L.P. full of emotion and drama with an essential factor running throughout, one of sheer CLASS! AL GREEN 'I'm still in love with you' U.K. London SHU 8443 To be fair Al was one of my idols of the 70 's, so this review is biased to say the least! I rate this 1972 album my fave by a short head in front of hi s other L.P.'s 'Call me (come back home)' and 'Living for you'. Al had a unique sytle, laid back yet emotional and intimate, complemented by an amazing vocal range, not the power house of Otis Redding, but still unforgettable. All of Al's best songs were either about Love or Religion, the latter of course he dedicated his life too. All the tracks are typical 'Green' with stabbing brass, sparse strings and a female backing. My fave cuts are the title track, the up-tempo 'Love and happiness' (years later ripped off by Greg Jolly with 'Love is' on the Enjoy label !) , the intimate 'Simply beautiful', the marathon version of 'For the good times ' , the chirpy 'Look what you did for me' and even a bouncy version of 'Pretty Woman'. It's such a pity that we'll never see the name of Al Green gracing the charts again -happy days! DRAMATICS 'Dramatically yours' Volt VOS-9501 (U .S. only) Like the former reviews, a name linked with the past and well known in the 'Northern fraternity' for 60' s releases on 'Wingate and Sport'. However, the link ends there as this 1974 album (their third L.P.), is full of masterly ballads, the hallmark of the group. To me, like the previously .mentioned H. Melvin set, this is Soul group perfection. A mixture of gritty lead vocals , faultless falsett o and ace group harmonising. The stand out cuts are 'And I panicked' , 'Toast to t he fool' (released on U.K. Stax 2025-117A), the mid-tempo swayer 'Highway to heaven' and the highly intensified 'I made myself lonely' . Rumour now has it that the group have split, so after L.P.'s on Volt, ABC, MCA and Capitol so ends the career of one of the most underrated (and unplayed in the U.K.) Soul harmony groups of all time . One of my greatest disappointments in life was never seeing them ' live' but at least I do have their L.P. 's to cherish and play forever. (P.S. -I'm in desperate need of the 'Dells v's Dramatics' L.P. on Cadet -anyone got one for~ or could tape for me?) JACKIE MOORE 'Sweet Charlie babe' U.S. Atlantic SD 7231 A 1973 L.P. split by two producers, the Miami tracks by Dave Crawford and Brad Shapiro and the 'Philly' tracks by the 'Young professionals' (i.e. Lebaron Taylor, Phil Hurt, Tony Bell and Bunny Sigler on title track} . Side one contains three tracks from the 'Philly' sessions, starting with the bouncy 'Sweet Charlie baby', the classy up-tempo 'Clean up your own yard' and the haunting 'If', certainly a 'grower' after a few spins; next is a great cover version of the Elgins motown classic 'Darling baby'. Side two starts with the 'Philly' dancer 'Both ends against the middle' which got a few spins on the 'Northern' scene. The Dave Crawford 'Miami' sounds are classics, 'Time' a gritty, funky protest song with laid back horns, followed by 'Precious, precious' which has a great southern feel to it, with its flowing sax. This is an album that has great appeal to any Soul fans. Till next time -happy listening, Dave Hitch. (Ed. Dave is interested in swopping tapes of Soul music, be it 60's, 70's, 80's, deep or whatever, please contact him at 107 Westbrook Avenue, Walsall, West Midlands, KENNY CARTER In the true tradition of this mag, we bring you another in-depth report on one of Soul music's forgotten singers -Kenny Carter was born somewhere in America, several years ago; he became interested in music and over a period of years released at least 6 records ­ RCA "I ' ve got to find her" (Larry Banks/Bonnie Head) 2 :30 TPKM 3410 47-8791 "Body and Soul" · (Green/Heyman/Sour/Eyton) 3 : 12 SPKM 5124 B.S. produced by Paul Robinson and arranged by Garry Sherman. RCA "Got to get mysel1 together" SPKM 5126 47-8841 "Showdown" TPKM 3411 RCA "Don't go" (early '67) 47-8970 "How can you say goodbye!" Renee "What about the children" (Kenneth Head/Troy Davis) 2:20 R223 RE 3001 "Why do you have to go" (Verve Allison/Ewart Abner) 3:15 R224 B.S . produced and arranged by Dimp Paco and Deep Down Atlantic "I ain't got love" (J. Northern/K. Head) 3:21 A.24678 45-2898 "It's sad when love is gone" (K. Head) 3:20 A.24680 B.S. arranged by Tony Camillo and produced by Kenneth Head (1972) United Artists 308 "Hey lover"/? Kenny's superb mellow voice really excells on his RCA outing~yet in my opinion was let down by 'average' material for his later releases. As implied by the song titles, the lyrics convey Kenny's disappointment in having no love or having lost his love. All his releases fit into the sad ballad category, it would have been interesting songs. The Renee Label RE 3001 Kenny Carter "Why do you have to go/ What about the children" 3002 Jungle Jim "Masai,(do the masai children/ Inst." 3003 3004 Midnight Movers "Follow the wind, Pt. I /Pt. II" 3005 Midnight Movers "Truckin'/Put your mind in your pocket" ( Graham Coates ) The label was basically all black in colour with the name Renee in orange, (see photocopy) . I would be grateful for any info. on this label re-town of origin, release dates, missing numbers plus anything about Kenny Carter. site note - the above rough text was just added as a reference aid (site search) best to use our inbuilt pdf viewer at the top of the page for viewing, saving, printing the issue

Shades Of Soul #1 Jan 1984- Fanzine Scan Editor Derek Pearson aka @Derek Pearson site note A quick intro to a new ongoing series of pdf based reference articles This and other fanzine scans were originally posted in our forum by our members As time allows work is ongoing to convert the pdf scans uploaded of various fanzine/mags to a lighter and a more searchable format and then present them in a stand alone user friendly format As you can see you can now search these articles fanzines content and copy and paste the text (though results may be mixed depending on the original quality) Where possible the member who originally posted will be given authorship of the 'new' article It's an ongoing affair but hopefully will build up to a quality reference Credit and deserved thanks go to the members who scanned and cataloged/grouped the uploaded forum scans/posts including Bob, Sean and Chalky @Theothertosspot @Seano @Chalky plus others Text version of above - this is a rough (very rough) text version of the above scan and is added for reference (so the site search engine can index the document - suggest use the above pdf to read) Shades Of Soul #1 Jan 1984 Editor: Derek Pearson, 17 Crooke Lane, Wilsden, Bradford, BD15 OLL, West Yorkshire. Tel: Cullingworth 273758 CONTRIBUTORS - Darren, Stuart Raith, Eddie Hubbard, George Sharp Hope everybody's had a Merry Christmas and here's my best wishes to everybody for a happy 1984. Thanks for buying Issue 1 of the mag (the first of many, I hope) . I trust you will find it both informative and interesting and also stimulate people to send info to me. If all you collectors send me a trickle of information, I can let it flow together to form a river of knowledge (corny or what). I hope I will not knowingly reproduce articles/label listings which have previously been printed. Without having read or seen every Soul magazine printed in the UK over the last 20 years, one is not aware of every article that has been prEpared. Certain discographies may be reprinted if the new one is an update of the old version with additional facts and figures . Providing s~several years has elapsed since:e t the initial printing of a label listing, I think there's enough justification to reprint the listing if it's an important and interesting label which will advance thE! readers knowledge of Soul music. For example, after spending a lot of time and effort trying to piece together the 'Backbeat' listing I was informed that it had originally bE!en printed in a 1973 edition of 'Hot Buttered Soul ' . Since that was 11 years ago, I thought that the number of collectors (both recent and of long standing) who had seen a listing of this important Southern State label was very small, thus making a reprint justifiable. If there are any:" label listings which you would like -to see printed, send in your request to the address a t the top of this page and I 'll see what we can do! (Ed -Don't anybody dare suggest a U.S. RCA label listing! ! ) Note the two different label designs on the Dynamics Top Ten white demos. Thanks to George Sharp for his photocopy, he owns the one on the left, mines the one on the right. Anybody know why there's a difference? Both (light blue) Top Ten issues and white demos retail at around £12-15. Rumour has it that Keith Minshall recently sold his copy (the only known copy) of the Executive 4 "Good thing going" for £180 . Also Larry Clinton "Wanted in 3 States" Dynamo recently fetched £120. Also a copy of Jimmy Burns "I really love you" Erica recently turned up on a U.K. Blues list on sale for £1 -somebody got a bargain. (Ed -Understatement of the year! ) As the title of this rag (Ed -ma1~ not rag!) suggests, I'd like t o cover all aspects of the Soul scene be it Northern. deep, modern, even jazz/funk/blues if there i s sufficient interest. If you have any ideas for articles, jot them down on a piece of paper and send them to me . At the recent Preston. Gatsby's all dayers on New Year's day, I obtained several D. J . 's all time Top 5. (N.B. -These are NOT playlists) Gary Rushbrooke Gwen Owens - "Wanted and needed" Jimmy Mack - "World on fire" Jackie Wilson - "Whispers" Vibration - "Get along without you" Temptations - "Why you wanna make me blue" Keb Darge Chandlers - "Your love makes me lonely" Big Joes Ivory Brass - "She won't see me cry" Salvadors - "Stick by me baby" Trade Martin - "The hurt on you" George Kirby - "What can I do" George Sharp Herb Ward - Strange change' Lester Tipton - "This won't change" Donna King - "Take me home" Rita and Tiara's - ''Gone with the wind" Billy Prophet - "What can I do" Kev Draper Magnetics - "Lady in green" The Group - "I don't like to lose" Yvonne Vernee - "Just like you did me" Gwen Owens - "Wanted and needed" George Blackwell - "Can't lose my head" Also got Tommos all time top 5: Don Gardner - "Don't let him get you down" Magnetics -"When I 'm with my baby" Yvonne Vernee - "Just like you did me" Rose Valentine - "When he's not around'" Melvin Davis - "l must love You" My top 5 for Jan 84: Gloria Jones - "Come go with me" Uptown Con funk shun -"Spirit of love" Mercury Gloria Jones -"Come go with me" Uptown D. D. Warwick -"Kept on talking" Atco Catolinas -"Laughing' thro' tears" Pagoda Danny Woods -"Had me fooled" Correctone Recommended Reading: New Blackbeat from Steve Guarnori, 101 Seven acres , Orton Brimbles, Peterborough PER OXJ out every 2 months . Midnight Express from Rod Dearlove, 10 George Street, Hedon, Hull , HU12 BJH ­50p The Drifter from Gary Evans , 7 Linstock Ave, Riverdale, Cockermouth, Cumbria , CA13 9ES 60p plus s . a.e. Support them all, buy them a l l!! ! All articles in this mag prepared by me (Derek Pearson) unless stated. Thanks to George Sharp for photocopies o:f' the Revlons (ex .Al Williams c/u) Honey & the bees Mr . Caldwell (ex. Bud Harper c / u) and Rayford Tucker (ex. George Blackwell c / u) 'BRATFUD' REVIEWED LATE '83 My home town of Bradford (or 'Bratfud' as it's known to us locals) used to have quite a following of Soul fans mainly due to the fact that there was a well known Soul Club in Station Road, Wigan, within easy travelling distance . During the last few years of the Casino and after its demise, a large percentage of local fans ceased to travel to other venues and the interest in Soul music in Bradford· began to wane . Around this time , various all-dayers and all-nighters were tried at the Queens Hall in Bradford. This building in Morley Street is situated behind the famous Alhambra Theatre and house.s the Bradford College Students Union offices and bars . These all-dayers and all-nighters proved unsuccessful,that is until 'After Dark ' promoter Steve Croft too.k charge. All-nighters began on a once a month basis, then onto once every 3 weeks as their popularity grew. During the summer of 1983 on any regular visits I noticed the attendances in both the newies and oldies rooms were gradually increasing as people started to travel from further afield to hear the sounds spun by Pat Brady, Richard Searling, Soul Sam , Steve Croft, Adam, Darren and a variety of guests. As time went on I realised more and more record dealers and collectors were attending, making the night for me, more interesting as I was able to browse throughgh hundreds of records. My only complaint as regards the Queens Hall was that there was no particular area where record dealers/collectors could gather, the main hall and newies room were too dark , so that left us all crowded into the area between the toilets , the main entrance door, and the door lead.ing into the main hall. I didn't mind the pushing and pulling that went on (Ed. -Memories of the record bar on a Friday oldies night at Wigan) , it was that one couldn't hear the music from either the oldies or newies room properly! After every visit to the Queens Hall, I looked forward to my next visit more and more, then on the 13th of August 1983 the last all-nighter was held, due to renovations and repairs to the Queens Hall. The Soul scene in my opinion had lost one of the best venues for all-nighters, in a long time, yet there are rumours that all night dances may reappear at the Queens Hall in the future. TNighters were transferred across town to the 'Bierkeller and Bensons' Club owned and run by those 2 long ti.me promoters of northern events -Chris King and Terry Sampson. In fact, all-dayers and all-nighters were promoted at 'Bensons' (prior to the opening of the 'Bierkeller') by Chris and Terry through the last year or so. All-dayers on a Sunday llLsed to follow Saturday all-nighters at the Queens Hall. On Saturday 24th September I ma1de my first visit to the ' Bierkeller'. After paying my £2. 50 entrance fee (£3.00 for non-members), I entered the Bierkeller (60's and oldies room) which is a squareroom with the stage and record decks on one side, a square dance floor in the middle of the room, and seating comprising of heavy wooden tables down the other 3 side walls. The 'newies' room (_70 's and 80's) is situated in Benson' s night c:lub which is adjacent to the Bierkeller, this room is slightly larger than the oldi.es room, and has more of a nightclub feel to it with its smart decor and comfortable seating. Both rooms aren't very large when compared to other venues such as Stafford, Hinckley or Clifton Hall, yet the advantage of this , is that both rooms fill up very quickly and always look busy. The newies room doesn't open till around 2 (the nighter runs from 12 till as i t's full of beer drinking disco fans lurching to the sound of Culture Club, David Bowie, Rod Stewart etc. etc. This means that everybody crams into the Bierkeller for 2 hours, packing into the room like ' sardines in the proverbial sardine tin' . When one stops to think that if a large percentage of the people who attended the much larger Queens Hall venue, come to the much smaller Bensons/Bierkeller venue, one can see why it's always full. As I wasn't armed with a chalk and slate on my initial visit and my memory is pretty bad, I couldn't remember much of the D. J. 's play list except to say that Steve Croft played one of my favourite sounds Lost Souls -"Love Men" (Glasco). I listened intently to the top class c/u's spun by Pat Brady in his hour, which received good dance floor response in the oldies room. For me it was the first time I'd heard many of his c/u ' s and I can sincerely say that such such was the quality of his 60's sounds that I couldn't help dancing to them on my initial hearing, normally I have to hear new sounds, be it 60's, 70's or 80's, several times before I can decide whether I like them or not. One of Pat's most 'Instant' 60 's sounds is the Tay records release -Brook Bros. 'I need a woman' . . .. . ... . . . (Ed. -I need a copy in my collection!) My next visit to the Bradford venue was on October 8th; this time I came adequately supplied with pen and paper:r. Steve Croft was on first in the oldies room from 12 till 1.30 his playlist included the Tymes 'What would I do' (MGM), Glories 'Worship you baby' (Da·te) and the immortal Linda Jones 'Just can't live my life'. He also spun Chapter Five's 'You don't mean it' on 'tasty' looking UK CBS label plus 2 sounds which have been played constantly at both Bradford venues over the last few months and have reached monster proportions -Belles 'Don't pretend' and Johnny Sayles 'I can't get enough' . ­ At 1.30 am Pat Brady started off with his Johnny Hampton c/u 'Got to know her name', then the Twans 'I need yo\llr love' c/u, followed by the Gene McDaniels 'Stop tearing me apart' c/u. I was t:hen seem to make a fool of myself on the dance floor to that 60' s stormer by t:he Brook Bros. 'I need a woman' . Pat also played his Leon Washington c/u 'I found somebody new' and the Chandlers 'A change is gonna come' c/u. Some uncovered sounds which were spun were John Bowie 'You'll miss a good thing' (merben) v.-hich has become a Bradford biggie after months of playing, Larry Hale 'Once' (diamond), Wilbur Walton -24 hours of loneliness an Id ,the superb Lolleta Holloway 'Moth.er of Shame' . (Ed . -I remember seeing a white Aware demo of this record on sale for £3.00 about a year ago and left it as I wasn't keen on the record then, but after hearing it regularly, it's now gone on my want list). The Esquires said they could ' Dance A hole in the world' , well I could have danced a hole in the floor to Pat's excellent Jimmy Raye ' In the one' c/u. From 3 -4 am, Adam played established sounds like Larry Santos ' Got me where you want ·me , now• •, plus ., the 2 Bierkeller biggies, Belles 'Don't pretend' and Johnny Sayles 'I can' t get enough' keeping the dance floor as full as ever. I apologise for not providing a more detailed account of Adam's session but as I was constantly 'bobbing' in and out of' both rooms trying to catch people, I didn't make a note of what was being played (moral -man with one body, cannot view two rooms at the same time!) We left at 4.45 am, so I was only able to catch 45 minutes of George Sharpes spot. George D.J. 'd to little dance floor action with some excellent 60' s sides such as Sonny Herman 'What about me' (Utopia), Ray Agee 'In losing again' (Soul Town), Monique 'Love me or let me go' (Maurci) and Jo Ann Corey 'I got the power' (Twirl). Also spun were obscure sounds by New Yorkers ' Ain't that news' (Tac-full\singing Sam 'Move it baby' (Dandy), and Elaine Jones ' Their doing it' (Angel Town) • After playing hi s 2 cover-ups Verdelle Smith 'Love me and leave me ' and the catchy Donna Washington 'Someone else's turn', my ears were treated to the sound of 'the Prophets/Temptations/? 'Suspicion' and the Proffesionals ' That's why I love you' (Groove City) which filled the floor more than any other record played that night in the oldi1as room. I'm sure that if George who was willing to spin a selection of rare :~nd lesser known sounds was able to do a regular spot every two weeks at Bradford, the dancers would soon come to know and appreciate his records and in turn would fill the dance floors just as if he was playing established oldies . I apologise for not commenting on the newies room playlist; I hope to do this on my next visit. It's a pity that the Queens Hall all-nighters have finished, as there was a cafe called 'The Olympus' (known as 'The Pus' to locals due to the Chef ' s excellence in preparing fried egg sandwiches) conveniently placed at the rear of the Queens Hall which stayed open till 3 am on Saturday nights. A lot of nighter-goers used to congregate in the cafe after the pubs had shut prior to the midnight opening of the Queens Hall. Since the nighters have moved across town, the cafe isn't frequented by 'Soulies' anymore on Saturday nights before Bensons, as it's quite a long walk between 'The Pus' and the Bierkeller. Sorry if this article is slightly outdated, but I thought I'd include it as I haven't seen a report on Bensons/Bierkeller in any of the Soul press except a brief report in December's Blues and Soul . BACKBEAT LABEL I would very much like to thank Roger Nicholls of Willenhall, and Graham Coates of Lincoln for all their time , effort and valuable assistance in helping to prepare this listing. The Backbeat label was based on 5208, Wylie, Houston, in the State of Texas, the home state of J.R. Ewing and the land of oil rigs. This Texan label had a 'well' of excellent Soul records and ' gushed' forth with a total of 128 records , many to become classics on the rare Soul scene. Records such as "All of a sudden", "Something's got a hold on me" both by Jeanette Williams and Carl Carlton "Competition ain't nothing" still pack the dance floors up and down the country. Without knowing release dates for any of the records, I estimated that the company probably operated during the years 1967-69 as 8 records from the latter end of the catalogue were issued on the U.K. ACTION label during the late ' 68/mid '69 period. I could be way out on the dates, ao if anybody can offer any assistance, please do! Nearly one third of the releases on the label were divided between a group of 5 well-known artistes, some of them having over 10 releases on the Southern State label . For example (by my calculations) veteran Soul star O.V. Wright had 16 releases , Joe Hinton also had 16 releases,northern hero Carl Carlton provided 10 releases, whereas Roy Head had 8 releases and Jeanette Williams "All of a sudden" chipped in with 5 releases, Several releases on this label, prompt me to ask the following questions ­ Are the Catolinas on Backbeat 513 the same group who recorded "Laughing' through' tears" and/or "You haven't the right" on Scepter? Was release number 584 "The flea pts 1 and 2", an attempt by this label to promote a dance of that name, similar to those North American dances such as the Jerk, Philly and the Temptation Walk? Whilst researching into this label I was informed by Roger Nicholls that the Backbeat listing was originally published in a 1973 edition of Hot Buttered Soul, from where a large percentage of this listing came from. I would be grateful for any information on the 14 missing numbers, I know of a record by Jean Elias "You make me anybody's woman" on Backbeat, but I have no release numbers . The colourful red based label design incorporating a drum and drumsticks is exactly the same for promotional copies as well as issues, except that on ' demos', the familiar words 'Promotional, not for sale' are printed, along with a line of 3 X's (XXX) indicating the plug side. Call her your sweetheart/Too much of not enough I know/ Ladder of prayer What would I do/Your love Tell m.e you love me/ Tear down the house Action packed/ I make the love Grapevine/Mary Lou Pretty little mama/Will you Song of love/Dollhouse Someone else, not me/Pauline My first love/I'm here to tell you Handsome/Betty Joe Unloved/Hot seat A thousand cups of happiness/If you love me Everybody/Rain, rain, rain Lonely one Romeo The girls in my life/Come on baby Texas is going to be my home/Smile You know i t ain't right/ Lovesick blues Better to give than receive/There's no in between There ought to be a law/You're my girl Funny/You gotta have love The crying man/I ' ll take love Teenage letter/Pain Don't ·want to sit down/Can't find true love I want a little girl/True love Treat her right/So long my love Everything/Darling come talk to me You gonna make me cry/Monkey dog You oughta see my baby/My one sin Kid n~med Joe/Pledging my love Poor boy/I'm i n your corner It's a sad world/The hands of time Dancing to the shotgun/You're moving too fast Alright/Wonderful you Apple of my eye/I pass the day A friend:a friend of mine/You didn't know then Backbeat 567 Shirley Lawson released on U.K. Soul City 108 DOUBLE DETROIT Whilst gathering info. for an article on records released on local labels and then picked up for national distribution, I soon realised that there were enough Detroit records released in this category to form1 an article of its own. I haven't tried to indicate which of the several local relea.ses were issued first. Just because a certain label has been typed first on the line doesn't mean that it was issued first on that l abel, e.g. Gino Washington ' s "Gino is a coward" was first released on Correct One, then re -released for the second time as the opening release for the Ric Tic label. 'New Holidays "Maybe so, maybe Soul Hawk/Westbound Emanuel Laskey "Lucky to be loved Wild Deuce/Thelma (Some claim that the Thelma release doesn't exist, some claim to have seen a copy, I don't know myself, I only write these articles!!!) Little Rena Scott "I just can' t forget that boy" Black Rock/Grand Junction Joe L "It's love baby 24 hc,urs a day" Boss/Valtone Soul Tornadoes "Go for yourself" Burt/Magic City Steppers "Come on and get it" Bumpshop/Aware Dee Edwards "Tired of staying honie" D-Town/Tuba Soul Brothers ''What can it be/We ge>t heartaches" D-Town Wheelesville Emanuel Laskey "Remember me `` D-T / Stag Gino Washington "Gino is a coward" Ric-Tic/Corretone/Do Re De Juanita Williams "Baby boy" Wingate/Golden World Cody Black "The night a star was; born" Groove City/Rambrock Mike Jemison •~You' 11 never get my love" Geneva/Lake People's Choice "Ease the pain" Grandland/Palmer Johnnie Mae. Mathews "Lonely you'll be" Art/Jam (Was told that this record was also released on Northern and Atco) Jimmy Soul Clark "If only I knew then'' Karen/ Moira Jim.my Delph "Almost" Karen/Carla Jimmy Gilford "l wanna be your boy" Solid Hit/Wheelesville Fabulous Peps "With these eyes" Wheelesville/Wee 3 Buddy Lamp "Confusion" Wheelesville/Wee 3 Buddy Lamp "l wanna go home" Wheelesville/Wee 3 (Thi s was released 3 times on Wheelesville) J .J. Barnes "Won't you let me know" Mickays/Kable J.J. Barnes "My love came tumbling down" Rich/Kable/Mickays Al Williams "lam Nothing" L.A. Beat/Palmer Records were released several times generally because on their initial release the record 'flopped' due to either insufficient promotion, the musical climate wasn't right at that time, or simply the standard of the record wasn't good enough. Another company or sister group may have faith in the record (or have been talked into it) and release it again on a new label at a later date, perhaps when the musical climate was better suited to its release. When a record was released on a local label, there were probably one of two options why it was picked up by a large company for national distribution 1) the record achieved good local sales, and it was released on a national label in an attempt to get a nationwide hit, 2) the record didn't sell well locally, but the record scouts for the ' nationals' were convinced that because of the quality of the record, given good promotion and a push in the right direction, it could result in a nationwide hit. Records which were released on local Detroit labels first, then picked up for national distribution or released in other towns (Detroit labels first) Timmy Willis "Mr. Soul Satisfaction'' Sidra/Veep Derek Martin "Sly girl" Tuba/Volt (Also released on U.K. Stax) Innocent Bystanders "Frantic escape" Pameline/Atlantic Masqueraders "A family" L.A. Beat/Tower Jimmy Soul Clark "Tell her" Moira/Cotillion Emanuel Laskey "I need somebody" Thelma/N. P.C. (Pittsburgh) Lorraine Chandler "What can I do" Giant/RCA Tony Hestor "Watch yourself" Giant/Karate Tommy Neal "Going to a happeilling" Pameline/Palmer/Vault (Also on U.K. Vocalion) (Los Angeles) Ronnie Taylor " l can't take it" Revil~ot/Nassau (Cleveland) Just Bros . "Things will get better" Empire/Music Merchant (Hollywood) Edward Hamilton "I'm gonna love you" Mary Jane, Carrie (Nashville) Virgil Murray "I still care" Kool Cat/Airtown Johnny Griffin Inc. "Grand central shuffle" Geneva/RCA (1973) Dynamics "Yes I love you ba.by" Top Ten/Laurie Marv Johnson "Come to me" Tamla/United Artists J . J. Barnes "Just one more time" Mickay,/Ring/Scepter Shaine. Hunter "Sweet things" Awake/Sue Wilson Picket "if you need me" Correctone/Lupine Wilson Pickett " I can' t stop" Thanks to Cliff Steele of Northampton for photocopies of above Detroit rarities . Many thanks must go to Graham Anthony of Derby, Stuart Raith of Gt. Harwood and Cliff Steele o:f Northampton for all their time and effort spent in obtaining :facts for inclusion in this article. In Issue 2 there will be an in depth comprehensive list of records released on local labels then picked up for national -distribution -any additions would be most welcome . Please send them in, listing A 8t B sides, label number and record numbers if possible. "Wants List" -Contact Derek Pearson, addr and telephone number at front of mag Kenny Carlton -"Lost and found" Bluerock. Ad Libs -"Think of me" Karen De~o . Informers -"Hard way to go" Blackjack. Ga:rland Green -"Rained 40 days & nights Gamma. Joseph Moore -"I still can't get next to you" Mar.v.lus. Ascots -"Another: day" Mir.a.don. Bobby Kline -"Say something nice" M.B. Holidays -"I've lost you" Groove City. Falcons -"Love look in her eyes" Big wheel. Lou Lawton -"I am searching" Capitol Patti Drew -"Stop and listen" Capitol. Sbo:rty Long -"Baby come back home" Soul. Five stairsteps -"Don't waste your time" Windy City . Blue Jays -"Point of view" Jay• Wanted Pat Lewis "No-one to love" Solid Hit SH 109 -Contact 0274 568042, your price paid, must be in ex/m nick. The main aim of this article is to draw attention to lesser known sounds produced by major American labels. OIK, I know this sort of article isn't a new idea but I think I'm justified in printing it as there are so many excellent sounds on major labels that stay hidden in the shadows of more well known sounds. Many of these 'hidden' sounds a.re well known to collectors through the growing Underground tape scene that continues to flourish, yet I think it's a crime that these records are not played every now and again at venues to gain acceptance by the masses. (The word REACTIVATION springs to mind straight away). OK enough of the waffle and on with the first label under the spotlight ­'the MODERN label'. The label which produced one of the all-time stomping classics Danny Monday's "Baby without you", Mel Williams "Can it be me" and released six records from the immortal Mary Love including her 'tasty' masterpiece "Bitter into sweet". Here's 3 sounds everybody should have in their boxes. Mel Williams "Can it be me" Modern 45 I agree this is probably well known by a lot of people, but I must admit I haven't heard it pounding out of any speakers at venues for a long time. Powerful start to this up-tempo dance:r that never lets up. Mel seems really struck on his lady friend, but is unsure of her love for him as he repeatedly sings in the chorus Shrine and Jacklyn labels and discographies/ articles on Kenny Carter and Darrow Fletcher. I would be grateful for all info. The selling prices of U.K. rarities has stayed relatively constant over the years with no increase, taking into account the rise in inflation. However, I think prices are set to rise again from what I've seen and heard over the past 4 months with mega­ rarities like Hoagy Land's 'Next in line" Stateside Demo on sale at £60 , April Stevens "Wanting you" MGM Demo for £40, P.P. Arnold "Everything's gonna be alright" Intermediate Oemo £40 and Barbara Mills "Queen of Fools" Hickory Demo for £80. by Eddie Hubbard Kenny Carter "Don't Go" RCA Victor Stunning ballad this, beginning with a big drum roll, as Kenny steps forward, feeling down and out "What more can I say, you've said goodbye . " The girly chorus confirming the point as they call "Bye bye baby", lovely strings and gentle piano make this a razor sharp production in the fashion of other great 'enders' such as "Walk with a winner""uphill climb to the bottom''etc. In actual fact, Kenny sounds very much like Walter Jackson on this 45, as he tries to convince his girl that her new man is of ill repute, "He just wants to use you, he wants to mislead you" feeling so strongly about her that he uses the 'B' side "How can you say goodbye" to emphasise his point. Also an ace side though more 'late night' style with tinkling piano and Kenny getting quite gritty at times (probably desperate by now) "Before I lost my control, tell me how can you say goodbye". Great double sider, which is so good, I can't make my mind up which is the best -always a good sign. Raw Spitt "Songs to Sing" U.S. United Artists Deep Soul fave. Charlie Whitehead is the voice behind this gritty, testifying opus, this change of name was used apparently at the Company's request. With lyrics from the prolific pen of Jerry Williams Jnr., this 1971 outing is still topical today, as Charlie sings of his hope for peace and harmony in the world. " If songs to sing, I had a choice, Lord and the whole world could hear my voice , I'll sing about war, completely unjust, I'll sing about a nation the world would no longer trust, I'll sing about the riots, Lord you see on T.V. and how after five hundred years, people still are not free". The name 'Raw Spitt' reflects exactly the mood and style of this record, but it's raw Soul in the best possible way. Very hard to find apparently, (despite the huge label name) but for lovers of James Carr style ballads an essential purchase. Freddie Scott "Johnny's Hill0 U.S. Elephant V/U.K. Roulette another Soul man who really excels on slow moody ballads, his strong blues tinged voice combined with mournful horns and piano make this a real killer. The sad story-line is about ~merica's Vietnam war dead being brought home to rest on 'Johnny's Hill'. Here's a few lines from the song which really bring home to the listener the sheer waste of life war brings. "They gave us an old medal but it doesn't mean a thing, Johnny's little brother asks why did Johnny have to die, the Captain says I'm sorry, but I have to tell you again, he was a hell of a soldier, he was one of our best men". A really depressing heavy song then, but tells it like it is and is superbly sung and written. As Kenny Gamble says, "There's a message in the music"! Mattie Moultrie "That's how strong my love is" U.S. Columbia/U.K. CBS From 1966 and issued on U.K. CBS (though ultra rare) this is the version of the classic song also recorded by a wh,ole host of Southern Soul stars such as Otis Redding, O.V. Wright and Eddie Giles . Mattie's intense, powerful vocals i nterprete the R. Jamison lyrics with real conviction and feeling. "If I were the sun way up there, I 'd go with my love ,everywhere, I ' d be the moon when the sun goes down just to let you know I'm still around ." Thundering backing and sweeping strings add to the already smouldering wax, reaching a climax in the last seconds with a crescendo of gospelesque wailing from Mattie's trembling vocal chords, "Baby, baby please, oh my, oh my, I just can't save myself, everyday I find myself calling your name, on 11y, that's how strong my love is". Recently re-issued on U. K. Epics "Lost Soul" L. P., get it or regret it! Barbara Mason " You did not stay last night" WMOT L.P. More up to date for this one, a ibeautiful sensual slowie taken from Barbara's 1980 album "A piece of my life". Possibly her best waxing of all time, she brings it all home to her man what he missed the previous night, dig these purring lyrics you did not stay last night, you missed the best thing of your life, you could have kissed my lips, right down to my fingertips, you did not stay last night, missed all the wine and candlelight, I put on my 'best for you, just so I could undress for you". A really sophisticated late night sound, that's a million miles production wise from the 'Raw Spitt' single, though equally as good in its own right. by Stuart Raith "GOOSEPIMPLES" This is the first time my name has gone into print, well regarding Soul anyway. I'll try and review any kind of Soul be it easily obtainable , on one-off, deep , new, anything as long as its got a good tune, and it gives me goosepimples so here goes: 1) SAM AND IRIDESCENTS "WITHOUT MY SUGAR" CAPITOL Ah pure sixties magic, I know that everybody uses that pun, but it really does sum this disc up. I've seen this record go for as little ,as three quid, and yet it'll probably never be heard by the masses . Nice mid-tempo dancer, which starts off with Sam pleading for his sugar to return, followed by such poetic lyrics like "A nightingale without a song to sina,, like a gambler without a chip, like a captain wjLthout his ship. " Now iiow can you justify not playing records like this pure magic, pure class and miss it at your peril !!! 2) SHEP "FOOL TO FOOL" T.N.T. Not really hard to find, and at one time a much sought after record, but by gum, wouldn't it be good to hear this belting out of a pair of loud speakers again, during any oldies spot. Shep, in Shep Pettibone who has since made his name in the States producing and mixing a lot of up and coming Soul artists. All one can say about it i s that he sounds ultra Soulful, and with the Don Gardner Orchestra behind him, belting out a crashing sixties uptown beat which is both raw and powerful... need I say more!!? 3) WOMACK AND WOMACK "LOVE WARS " ELEKTRA 12" From a powerful sixties disc , to a powerful new eighties disc. Cecil and LiDda Wommack have come up with 1;his gem. I read the review in Black Echoes and a week later heard it off a tape from Robbie Vincent's Soul show , and was instantly knocked out with it. Very heavy solid beat, not funky and not your disco dross, very different and very very Soulful, in parts the vocals remind me of those early Philly gems, pj,ty one of the brothers was killed a few years back, I believe they were thinking of reforming the Valentinos, they would have been brilliant. 4) BUDDY LAMP "THE NEXT BEST THING" D. TOWN Now then, we all know our Buddy don't we, you know the bloke who sounds like he has half a dozen crushed brown ale bottles in his throat. The most striking thing about this record is it's incredibly-simple backing. Starting off with a low key , but brilliant trumpet intro followed by a plodding drum beat and Buddy's great baritone '70ice, again just screaming (literally) to be played . For me his best. 5) CLARENCE CARTER "WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?" RONN Like I said , I 'll review anythin1~, taking a break from the up-tempo sounds, hows about this for a lovely little deep number. Now it' s the sort of record you put on when the telly's finii1bed, the lights are low, bottle of plonk, ten Woodbine and the girlfriend by your side. The songs simple enough, it's all about this guy who keeps acting up Clarence' s bird, and like the rest of us, he ge~s a little upset, aJld eventually , loses his cool and causes a scene, not surprisingly really won the following lyrics slip out, "l just couldn ' t stand to see him rub your behind, be disrespected you and he disrespected me." Dead slow, for1~et the fox, this is a stunner, if you see it, buy it. 6) MONTCLAIRS "PRELUDE 1W A HEARTBREAK" PAULA Go on then, seeing as you liked 1(;the one above, I'11 review another deep gem. From the partner label of Clarence Carter's release comes this stunner, you could be mistaken for thinking it's called "A lonely man's appeal" and from the title you've probably guessed what it's all about. Soft spoken intro, again dead slow and I must add that the solitary sax which weaves its way through this record is incredibly!, and it' s the sax that really hits you first . I can't really review records of this class, you've simply got to get to listen to 'em. 7) EMANUEL LASKEY "OUR WORLD" THELMA Back to the sixties , with this splendid little toe tapper, i t's actually the flip side of "Lucky to be loved." But for me, this is the better side, coming a close second to "Peace lovin' man" as the best Emanuel Laskey from this era. It was his fourth rel1~ase for Thelma and was also released on Wild Deuce. The songs great, catchy clip clop beat with clicking fingerpops and handclaps , simple vocal backing and it's almost Mock Mouton great man . MILT GRAYSON "SOMETHING THAT GETS TO ME" M.G.M. I 'm totally in the dark regarding: Milt Grayson. This is his only record I 've had the pleasure of hearing, and what a pleasure. It' s enough to send a sixties freak into a frenzied fit. Milt ' s incredible 'baritone voice (makes Roy Hamitton, sound a whimp) is c:arried along by a 100 m.p.h . fully orchestrated backing, with girly voices screaming behind him (yes it's that that good) . I first heard it off Guy Hennigan about four years ago, and it 'll always remain one of my faves, catch it i f you can. 9) LEW KIRTON "JUST CAN'T GET ·ENOUGH" (BELIEVE IN A DREAM (LP) From the new L . P. the whole album is well as some great cool dancer. Soul how can you argue . playlist. "Talk to me" c:comes this outstanding track, well in truth outstanding including some nice punchy up-tempo tracks as ballads . But this one comes over real Soulful and almost is still being made, with sounds ,of this quality around Almost sounds like it's from Blackpool's late seventies 10) DONNIE BURKS "SATISFACTION GUARANTEED" DECCA Seeing as this is the last one, I've decided to plump for this little odd­ball. It starts off like Tom JoD.es 's "It's not unusual" (honest), then you hear this bloke introducing Donni., like he's about to take the stage at a Vegas nightclub . But the thing i s, it isn ' t live, it's just some bloke introducing him in the studio. But I ipore the beginning and you've a great dancer, which is very, very fast, this record I love, great vocals of Donni, great sax break in the middle and again those great girlies backing him up to the hilt. Now this would do business at any all-nighter Have you ever noticed that when talking to somebody who isn't on the Soul scene or seriously interested i n record collecting, whenever the subject of record prices is mentioned, there's the 1iieyjl table gasps and signs of shock/horror. If I ever mention I've paid £5, £10 or £:rn for a single the most common replies are " You can get records like that for £1,. 35 in town': or "You've paid a fiver for a s i a single, you must be some sort of head case! " After suffering years of abuse, it's time to get your own back by quoting these following facts ­ 1) Did you know that rare original copies of the programme from the first F.A. Cup final to be played at Wembley between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham Utd on April 28th 1923 sell for around £1.00. 2) Did you know that in November 1983, the butts of several cigars smoked by Sir Winston Churchill were sold by Auction. Two of the butts , one 3½ inches long , and the other 2½ inches long fetched £120 . OK people can justifiably say that the programmes and cigar butts are memorabilia, articles of history , examples of a time gone by never to be replaced, well surely these statements are ·also true when directed at the collecting of rare American Soul records from the 60's and 70's. If someone can spend £100+ on a cigar butt, then in comparison someonE~ spending £100+ on a copy of Yvonne Vernee ' s "Just like you did me" (Sonbert) is gE~tting a bargain, in the sense that the cigar butts will probably stay eternally locked away in a showcase for all interested parties to see, whereas with a record one can enjoy both seeing and hearing the record, it has twice as many functions as a static exhibit. My younger brother who collects football programmes informs me that there are also 'shady' dealings going on in the programme world with persons counter­feiting old and rare programmes and sElling them at prices equal to the originals . The Soul scene is not alone in its tre>ubles with counterfeits, pressings etc. , mean who's to know that the Churchill articles aren't "butt legs" . (Ed. -Groan) A FUNCTION AT THE JUNCTION' 19/11/83 On Friday 18th November my girlfriend and I went down to London for a weekend visit -as we hadn't planned specifically to coincide a shopping/sight­seeing visit with any Soul events, we were lucky that 2 days prior to the weekend, we discovered that there was a Record Convention at Kensington Town Hall and a 'Function at the Junction' at the Cornet, Lavender Hill. After arriving at Oxford Street around 10 o ' clock Saturday morning, we departed ways , Gillian went to the shops and I went to Carnaby Street looking for Terence Stokes record shop, as I had been told that his shop may still have back issues of a London based So.ul mag entitled ' Right tracks' , a mag I 'd heard about but had never seen a copy. I wasn't in luck as non of Terence Stokes 2 record shops had any back issues, however, I did buy a mod fanzine called 'Patriotic' mainly because I saw the magical words 'Ric-tic revue' on the front cover. There was little of interest to the serious Soul fans in the mag, but one thing I did notice was the frequent mention of venues playing 6T's/ Soul music that had ceased to operate, due to violence amongst the patrons. I must admit I did wonder if there was going to be any large scale scuffling at the F.A.T.J. A quick journey over on the tube and I was in Kensington Town Hall browsing through masses of records. The hall itself was warm, well lit and roomy, although I didn't buy anything, there were a lot of interesting stalls both· for the Soul/ non-Soul collectors. I always like to look through rare records whether they are Soul, Rock, Rock ' n' Roll, Country etc. etc. as it's always advantageous to know about collectable records from other forms of music, as they sometimes turn up whilst looking for Soul records. I ' ll never forget overlooking a White German Polydor demo of a Beat Bros. record in a Bradford Junk Shop for 25p. I was reliably informed that the Beatles recorded under the name 'Beat Bros.' whilst in Hamburg in the early 60's and that the record I'd missed was worth around £18. Around 9 o'clock in the evening we decided to get a taxi from our hotel in Hammersmith down to Lavender Hill. I was very suspicious of the taxi driver as during the journey he asked~ for directions to the Coronet pub! What appeared to be a relatively short distance (3-4 miles) on the map, seemed to take ages , (l remember thinking at the time ' we ' re going from Hammersmith to Lavender Hill via Southampton'), well when I heard what he wanted for the fare, I'm damn sure we went via Southampton! As the driver couldn't find the pub, we got out somewhere in South London and started to trudge up Lavender Hill Road. I kept asking people if they' d heard of the place and all I got was blank looks until a guy in an off licence told me 'it was about! of a mile up the road!' We stopped off en route to half eat/throwaway the worst fish 'n' chips I've ever had the displeasure of buying. Eventually we arrived at around 10.15 pm, both in a bad mood praying that the event would be worth all the trouble. We each paid out £2 admission entrance and made our way to the 'heaving' bar to buy our coca-cola' s. Then into the main room which was a long rectangular shaped room with a large dance floor, tables and chairs down 3 sides and the decks at ,one end. The first D. J. I hear whose name I cannot remember {sorry) kept the da1nce floor busy with classics such as Franky Beverly "That's what you wanted", Beverly Ann "Mind on other things", Rose Batiste "Hit and run" and Philp Mitchell's "Free for all". Also spun were Mikki Farrows "Heart at ease", Martha Starr's "Part-time love" and the Volcanoes "Laws of love". An excellent sound we:touch I was surprised to hear, as I don't think I ' ve ever heard it before at a ·venue was Joe Simon's goodie, "the girl's alright with me ." The next D.J. on kept · the atmosphere going by playing Frankie and the Classicals ''What shall I do", Marvin :Smith's "Have more time", Fidels "Try a little harder" and Benny Spellman's "Fortune Teller". Also played were Motown dancers such as Four Tops "Shake me, wake me", the Detroit Spinners "I'll always love you", and a couple of slower items, C.O.D.'1s "Michael" and Aaron Neville's "Tell it like it is". On my return to the bar for 1more drinks I had a quick chat with well known U.K. record dealer/collector Pete Widdison and a look through his box of U.K. U.S. goodies. He had a copy of Mike Victor's "On the brink" (Inst . ) on U.K. Columbia for sale at a tidy sum,<:'°Boogaloo investigator} The record was used as a BBC film theme tune, and had been covered up recently~and was filling dance floors throughout the U.K . . Around 12.15,popular D.J. Ian Clark took to the decks and proceeded to spin Jackie Wilson's "Sweetest feeling", Willie Tee's "Walking up a one street", Richard Temple's "Beating" and William Bell's "Happy". We were then treated to a phase of Motown sounds like Barbara Randolph's "I get a feeling", Junior Walker's ''Shake 'n' finger pop", Martha Reaves "Nowhere to run" and Edwin Starr's· "My weak­ness is you, `` a request from me. After hearing Fascinations "Girls are out" (U. K. Stateside demo) two of my favourite top 1000 were heard booming out the speakers. Norman Johnson's "You're my everything" and Jack Montgommery's "Dear beloved" . The night finished promptly at 1 am, and we went back to Paul Temple's house in Chiswick to listen to some of his large impressive collection till 4 am. (Thanks for the coffee Paul!) My conclusion to the night was ·that we both really enjoyed ourselves, it was well worth the hassle getting there. There was a large trouble free turn out at the function, and everybody danced themselves silly. My only gripe was that on the advertising handouts, we were promised "an evening of 6T' s Rhythm and soul plus a dash of Northern floor shakers", well during the time we were there, the large percentage of sounds played were 'northern floor shakers', so instead of having a nice relaxed evening, getting steadily drunk listening to a selection of sounds I didn't know, I ended up getting :rapidly drunk and having a hot sweaty night charging around the dance floor like a Rhino on heat, listening to sounds that I knew. JACK MONTGOMERY Sorry for the lack of info. on this man, all I know is that he's a black American male who was well known in the Detroit area for his prolific writing and production talents, and recorded at least 4 records for 4 different labels during the late 60's. If your into good quality Soul Records, I can recommend all 4 releases they all show off his superb emotional voice perfectly matching with a nice mid­ tempo backing. Buy ,them all!! Baby take a chance on me/Baby take a chance on me(Inst) Revue Rll009 My dear beloved/Do you believe :i.t Scepter SCE 12152 Don't turn your back on me/Never in a million years (Inst) Barracuda WO 28030 Beauty isn't born/Beauty isn't born (Inst) Thanks to Roger Nichols of Willenhall for mentioning his Austons release, one I didn't know of, and I agree totally with his comment that it's a shame that besides his scepter outing, all the 1B sides were all instrumentals, as he has such a good voice. Perhaps the rarest of ·them all is his scepter release currently on sale around £10, the other 3 should cost around £2-3. On the reverse side of the Honey Bees "Let's get together" (Garrison) is the vocal to the "Never in a million year:s" (Inst) . GOLDEN LINES I've always enjoyed listening to the lyrics on Soul records, which tend to be very meaningful,. truthful and one can always relate to them during everyday life. Here's some snatches of my favourite lines from a variety of records, I know they're out of context, but I hope you'll agree that the writer(s) who penned these lines knew what life was about. Do you have any face. lines from records, send them in, Issue 2 will have a readers 'golden lines' column. Eddie Hill "You got the best of me" (Thelma) -I stuck to you like a stamp to a letter Richard Parker "Sugar love" (Right on) -I'm like an empty shell, I'm like a sick man that can't get well Gladys Knight "Heroes" (Vision L.P. Track) -I can fly higher than an eagle, with your wind under my wings Joe L "Worried" (Classic) -If he wants to fire me, that's the way it's gotta be, and I'll get another job you'll see (Not these days I'm afraid Joe!) Exits "You gotta have money" (Gemini) -You gotta have money so true, so very true) Willie Hobbs "Till I get it right" (Sound Sta9ee) I'm like a wounded bird, hungry for the sky Luther Vand rc,ss "Never too much" (Epic) -You must have known that I had feelings deep enough to swim in Sherlock Holmes "Standing at a standstill" -I must be under water, 'cos my eyes are such a blur 60s 70, 80s RECORD REVIEWS It seems as though at last the 'rare-soul only' barrier has all but disappeared; especially at Bradford B:Lerkeller/Bensons all-nighters, £100 records go hand in hand with £2 fairly easily obtainable items. Surely it is in the interests of the punters to play qual:Lty Soul music in preference to rarity alone. (Ed -Here, here!) The following are all doing the business at Bradford/Cleethorpes all-nighters: Four Tops "Let me set you free" Casablanca L.P . Taken from the "Tonight" album which spawned the hits "Used to be my girl" and "Don't walk away"; this up-tempo dancer was an instant success upon first play. With Levi Stubbs on lead vocals, how could it fail? Comparable with any of their Motown dance tracks, a real gem from :L981. Locksmith "Blackjack" Arista 12" Stomping instrumental from 198011 perhaps considered too Jazz/Funkish for the purists, but complete with necessary breaks, this Steaker/Blake composition is currently proving popular. First big 70' s/80's instrumental since Nightline Shadows!? Gwen McCrae "The melody of life" T .K. 12" ­ From the lady more associated w:L th deep Soul ballads, this 1979 mover really shows Gwen's ability to record up-tempo numbers as well. Written, produced and arranged by another Southern heroine Hetty Wright , a floor packer after 2 all­nighters . Another Mick Godfrey bargain! Ronn' Matlock "Backstreet" Cotillion L.P. Stand out dance track from the ~1uperb "Love City" L.P., check out "You got the best of me", eh Robin!! Ronnie signs of a lady who disappears down the back­streets after dark for seemingly rathE!r dubious purposes. Got to be the bargain of the year at 19p from the local cheapo shop, get it now if you can, bound to be in demand in the months to come. Sydney Joe Qualls "I don't do this" 20th Century L.P. Not as instantly memorable as records such as the Four Tops, but this mid­tempo floater is certainly picking up much interest. Taken from his 1979 L. P . "So sexy", under the guidance of Carl Davies, this track may take a while to sink in, but is well worth the inclusion itl any 70's spot. Charles Russel "It ain ' t easy" Psyche A "Cleethorpes classic" from yeB1rs gone by. Re-issued on BIONIC as Image featuring Charles Russel. But this VErsion was also remixed and proved to be not a patch on the original version first issued in 1974. Wailing intro and we're into 3:23 of pure mid-tempo magic and so vastly underrated. Took me a couple of years to get the still very rare PSYCHE version, but definitely well worth the wait . Bands of Gold "It' over" Smash Superb 60's stamper that's been around for quite a few years without ever really gaining the popularity it so richly dEserves. 2:18 minutes of traditional northern Soul at its best makes this a sure-fi1·e winner that is setting many a good dance floor light. Have been offered some decent money for this, well worth it at any price! (Ed . -I 'm also after a copy, anybody got one for sale?) Tommy Bush "I don't like it" Rika Another memory from the original Cleethorpes all-nighters courtesy of Rick Todd. A real 'Kim White' back-dropping classic if I ever heard one. Tommy doesn't like the way his woman walks Bill over him, but he needs her love so badly, he apparently just grins and bears it. A record that has always remained quite rare over the years and usually commai:1ds around a £10 price tag·, Masqueraders "do you love me baby" Wand Now this really is a record in a million. Excellent 'gritty' vocals make this my favourite track from the extensive Scepter/Word Catalogue, even ranks above Jack Montgomery. Sixties mid-tempo, sis Soulful as you like and then some . . . . . ... . Soul Brothers Six "I'll be loving you" U.K. Atlantic One I finally managed to prise away from Sean Hampsey. Put out in this country as the B side of the first issue of "Some kind of wonderful" on Red Atlantic in 1967. The easily recognisable vocals more than make up for a rather sparse backing track, so raw, so good it's almost unbelievable. Oldies D. J. 's forget Barbara McNeir, she's had her day, get behind this one and keep Northern Soulful. Until next time, all the best. Darren. AUSTPALIAN /N.Z. SOUL RELEASES Australia and New Zealand are surrounded by the Tasman Sea, The Pacific and Indian Oceans and together have a combined-population of around 17 million. The capital City of Australia is Canberra, whereas Sydney is the largest port (pop. 5 million) on the island {Ed -Sounds like a Geography lesson, get on with the interesting bits!) A land well known for kangaroos, Fosters lager and Maori tribesmen who go around baring their buttocks and :frightening members of our royal family. As one can imagine, it's an impossible task to list all the Ozzie Soul releases that I know of (around 400), so I've prepared a summary of the most interesting releases. Toni Lamarr -"I'll do anything" Astor Franki Valli -"The night" Mowest Glories -"I stand accused" CBS Metroes -"Since I :found my baby" RCA Balkmore/Ohio Band -"Condition red" Stateside Lynne Randell -"Stranger in my arms" CBS T1tms -"Hey girl don't bother me/Take me away" (July 64) Ampar MK 691 Tom and Jerrio -"Boo-ga-loo Boomerang" A.apar MK 1003 Sapphires -" Gotta have your love/Gee, I'm sorry baby" Ampar MK 1014 Dean Parrish -''Tell her/Fall on me" Ampar MK 1435 Ray Charles -"I don't need no doctor/Please say your fooling" Ampar MK 1580 Troy Keyes -"Love explosions/I ' m crying" Ampar MK 2191 Okaysions -"Girl watcher/Deal me in" Ampiar MK 2417 Impressions -"Woman got Soul/Get up and move" Ampar MK 950 Joe Simon -"Nine pound steel/Girl's alright with me" Monument 950 Marvin Smith -"Time stopped/Have more ti.me" (Jan 67) Coral CK 1550 Artistics -"Hope we have/I'm gonna miss you" Coral CK 1626 Jackie Wilson -"Higher and higher/I'm the one to do it" Coral CK 1945 Jackie Wilson -"Since you showed me how to be happy/Who who song" Coral CK 2097 Gene Chandler -"There was a time/The good old days" (Nov 68) Coral CK 2599 There 's a selection of releases on the Atlantic label of which, I have over 200 listed Drifters -"Vaya con dios/Land of make believe" Atlantic AK 526 (the female vocal quartet backing on this1 way Dionne Warwick, D.D. Warwick, Cissy Houston and Doris Troy) Barbara Lewis -"Someday we're gonna love again/Spend little time" Atlantic AK 628 WUlie Tee -"Teasin' you/Walking up a one-way street" Atlantic AK 913 Wilson Pickett -"In the midnight hour/I 'm not tired" (Aug 65) Atlantic AK 1057 Astors -"Candy/I :found out" Atlantic AK 1058 Sam & Dave -"You don't know like I know/Blame me" Atlantic AK 1219 Mary Wells -"Dear lover/Can't you see ye>u.'re losing me" Atlantic AK 1266 Percy Sledge -"When a man loves a woman/Love me like you mean it" Atlantic AK 1330 Capitols -"Cool jerk/Hello stranger" Atlantic AK 1354 Barbara Lewis -"What do you want me to clo/I remember the feeling" Atlantic AK 1587 Otis and Carla -"Tramp/Tell it like it j_s" Atlantic AK 1801 Sam & Dave -"Soothe me/I can't stand up" Atlantic AK 1874 Soul Bros . Six -"Some kind of wonderful/I ' ll be loving you" Atlantic AK 1936 Otis Redding -"Sitting on the dock of the bay/Sweet Lorene" (Apr 68) Atlantic AK 2184 Wilson Picket -"She's lookin' good/We'vu got to have love" Atlantic AK 2317 Jimmy ' Soul' Clark -"If only I knew then/Do it right now" Atlantic AK 2409 There were also several E. P . 's relEased by major artists on Atlantic ­Aretha Franklin -"Respect 3" (pie. cover) Atlantic Aretha Franklin -"Spanish harlem/Say a little prayer + 2" (p. c.) Arthus Conley -"Sweet soul music 3" (p.c. ) Atlantic Ben E . King -"Spanish harlem" E.P. -"T:itle/First taste of love/Don't play that song/ Misty mountain" AX 10693 Wilson Picket -"Land of 1000 dances" E.P. -"Title/You're so fine/Mustang Sally/ 3 timer loses" AX 11255 Freda Payne -"Deeper ' n • deeper/Unhooked generation" Invictus 3975 Chairmen o , t. Board -"Elmo Jones/Bittersweet" Invictus 4636 Holland-Dozier -"Why can't we be lovers/Don't leave me" Invictus 4872 100 Proof -"Sleeping in my bed/Come to save you" Hot wax HWK 3969 Al Wilson -"Now I know what love is/Do what you gotta do" Liberty LYK 2111 Al Wilson -"The snake/Ready for tomorrow''' Liberty LYK 2407 INu.+ Charlie Foxx -"Mocking bird/Hurt by love" United Artists WAK 2902 Mary Wells -"He's a lover/ I 'm learning" :rnth Century TK 1034 Charts -"Desiree/Fall in love with you" Scepter JK 1307 Roscoe Robinson -"That's enough/One more time" Scepter JK 1432 Dionne Warwick -"Don't know what to do with myself/ In between the heartaches"Scepter JK1535 Shirelles -"Last minute miracle/No doubt about it'' Scepter JK 1887 Bobby Bland -"Call on me/That 's the way love is" (Mar 63) Festival FK 326 Chiffons -"The real thing/Nobody knows what's going on in my mind" Festival FK 990 Wooden Nickels -"Should I give my love the>night/ Take my love" (Jan 66) Festival FK1181 Earl Grant -"Hide 'nor' hair/ I love you" Festi val DK 1685 Patrick Bradley -"Just one more chance (Voc)/Just one more chance (Inst)" Festival FK1854 Candy & the Kisses -"Chains of love/Someone out there" Festival DK 2702 Bobby Patterson -"T.C.B. or T.Y.A. /What s. wonderful night for love" (Jan 69) Festival 2948 Tommy Hunt -"Fine morning/Sign on the dotted line" Interfusion K6652 O'Jays -" I love music pt. 1/ pt. 2" Phil. Int . PS 1001 Barbara Mason -"Keep him/Yes I'm ready" London HL 2231 I also found 2 series of releases on the famed 'Stax' label, one set of releases prefixed by KK, the other 2025 . Carla Thomas -"Where do I go/ ?" Stax KK 2643 Eddie Floyd -"Girl I love you/ Got to have your love" KK 2848 Booker T -"Time is tight/ Johnny I love you" KK 2888 Soul Children -"Hearsay/ Don't take my sunshine" St ax 2025 102 Mel & Tim -"Starting all over again/To want it so bad" (1972) Sta.x 2025 125 Then of course there's a few mind blowing Ozzie releases -Lada Edmund -"La rue/?" Decca. Sheila Ferguson -"Broken hearted memories/?" Stateside Belles -"Don ' t pretend/?" Action (though some claim it's a New Zealand release!) Cheryl Gray -"You don't love me anymore" HMV (femme version of Johnny Caswell's classic -only released in Australia). One of the interesting things about foreign Soul releases that makes them very collectable is that sometimes certain songs a r e released on foreign singles but not on a '45' in the U.K. or U.S . One such record was a Jackie Wilson Coral E.P. which had "Who who song/Showed me how to be happy/Soul ville" and a good version of Darrel Banks "Open the door t o your heart" . I'm reliably told that this version of O.T . D,T.Y.H. bas never been released on a '45' in the U.K. or U.S . A lot of singles are released in p:lecture bags , sometimes with previously unreleased photos on the covers e.g. Jackie Day's E.P. on the 'W & G' label. George Sharp of Bingley (who used to be a good friend, now ex-friend} recently out-bid me for several items on an Australian Auction list. Here's a few items that the 'dirty rat ' got that I wanted. Jackie Day -Without a love/Before .it's too late/Oh what heartaches/ If to lose you W & G WGE 2740 Volumes Gotta give her love/ Can' t live without you Stateside 055 149 81:barbara Acklin Just ain't no love/Please sunrise Coral CK 2704 Sapphires Gonna be a big thing/Yc:>u'll never stop me Ampar MK 1210 Tamla Motown also had its fair share of releases , in fact you try to name a country where there haven't been any records released under the T. Motown logo! Isley Bros. -"Tell me it's only rumours/?" . Kim Weston -"Helpless/?" Supremes -"Up the ladder to the roof kWh,when are you coming home" TMO 9086 Jimmy Ruffin -"I'll say forever my love/Sad and lonesome feeling" TMO 9214 Supremes -"You can't hurry love"E.P."Title/Love is here/No stopping us now/ Keep me hangin~ on" (1967) TMEO 1004 D. Ross & Supremes -"Love child" E, P. -"Title/Reflections/Time changes things/ Forever came today" (1968) TMEO 1010 Note the '45' and 'E.P.' release numbers are prefixed by the letters TMO and TMEO respectively. Supremes -"Baby Love" E. P . Title -"LOV43light starts/ See about me/Where did our love go" (1964) Stateside OSE 1001 New Zealand Bev Bremmers -"Get smart girl/ ?" Scepter. J/B Purify -"Shake a tail feather/ ?" Stateside. I know that T. Mot own had releases in this country on a nice looking pink label , tho ' I haven't got any details of release except -Temptations -"Oh girl/?" T. Motown. I would like to thank Graham Kelly and Ron Pedley (both of York) and Graham Anthony (of Derby) for all their assistance in helping me compile both this article and all future articles on foreign Soul releases. I was fortunate to obtain a copy of George Crotty's listing of the Festival label releases between 1961-69, (3000 rE~leases). Festival was a parent company who released a lot of records of interest to the Soul fan on labels such as Atlantic, St ax, Festival, Ampar, Coral, Scepter, Monument etc. George's very interesting and informative booklet enabled me to add many 'B' sides, release dates and numbers to the already impressive list of records that I had . Foreign Soul collectors seem to be very few in number, this is probably due to several reasons -1) the scarcity of foreign releases actually on sale in the U.K. 2) the time and expense required in hunting records in unfamiliar and uncharted countries, often for little or no reward, 3) the lack of established contracts in these areas, and finally 4) the lack of info. about foreign Soul releases, which handicaps collectors who want to send 'wants lists' over. Most serious collectors/dealers usually know the selling/buying price of both U,K. and U. S. records, whereas with foreign items who's to estimate their true value? I suppose we 're back to that old saying "a record's worth as much as your willing to pay for it, depending on how much you want the record. " Well that about wraps up that article and I've only scraped the tip of the iceberg. Next issue of S .O.S. will contain a review of Dutch Soul releases. I've been unable to gather any in:f'o. on Soul releases in Switzerland, Norway or Russia! ! -I know that Tamla Meitown had releases in Sweden but haven't got any facts -Can you help with any releases f:from these countries? If anybody has any other info. on Foreign Soul releases be it from France, Germany, Holland, Italy or anyway send i t in please, also after info. on Canadian or Irish releases. I've found very lit1:le info. on Austrian, Polish, Rumanian, ~wedish, Norwegian Soul releases , or anything released in Luxembourg All offers of information gratefully acc:the accepted. Thanks to George Sharp for photocopies of above Aussie rarities. During recent all-nighters I've been boring people to death with my incessant quest for information on foreign Soul releases. I've heard it rumoured that people haven't been attending venues when they knew I was going,due to me constantly pestering people for info:r:-mation, on a variety of topics. Then again I'm not one for believing silly reno·urs ! ! ! KIM WESTON LJVE.AT HINCKLEY 26-1-83­ We arrived at Hinckley Leisure Centre at 12.30 am on a rainy Sunday morning and as there wasn't the expected large· queue, we were soon in through the doors after paying £5 for members (£6 for non-members). A quick rwi up the steps and we were into the room where all the record dealers/collectors gather, which conveniently overlooks the large dance floor. The large hall at Hinckley always reminds me of one of those college gymnasiums that one sees on American films with different coloured lines marking out basketball/tennis/netball courts on the floor (which play havoc with dance floor routines) and tiered seating pushed against the walls. The first D.J. played all recognised stuff such as Garnet Mimms "Looking for you" , Sandi Sheldon "Gonna make you love me", Lynne Randell "Stranger in my arms", NF Porter "Keep on", and a few 70's items like Charles Johnson''"Never had a love" and Larry Houston "Let's spend some ti.me". A quick look on the dance floor revealed a surprisingly sparse number of dancers·s, however, by the time the next D.J. ­Mark Bicknell of Reading was on, the attendance had swelled considerably. On previous visits to Hinckley to see live acts such as Edwin Starr/Major Lance/ Ric Tic Revue, there's always been a g:reat abundance of record dealers but this time they were notable by their absence, however, well known faces such as Derek "I've got a Seven Souls okeh W. Demo for sale at £20" Greehoff of Barnsley, Cliff Steele of Northampton, Mick Godf'rey, Rob Smith and Clive Jones were all present . Mark played a more varied set mixing some sounds I didn't know with some goodies like Jimmy McFarland "Lonely L,over" , Seven Souls "I still love you" (which several years ago, one couldn't sell o,ne for £2 ! ) Gloria Jones "Come go with me" and the Steinways "Leading me on" tho\l1gh I prefer the other side "My heart's not in it anymore" . Tony Clayton D. J .'d next and mixed rarities such as Arin Demain "Silent treatment,'' John Drevars "Closer she gets" (Ugh!) and Prophets "Suspicion" with not so rare, but just as good,sounds like Superiors "What would I do", Bill Crosby "Little old man" and another favourite of mine the Showmen "Our love will grow". He also played a sound which I'd heard about, but hadn't heard ­J .J. Barnes version of Frank Wilson's "Do I love you" produced by Chris King in a recording studio in Cleckheaton, a sma.11 town near Bradford. From where I was stood, on first hearing it sounded quite good. Around 3.45 Steve Whittle followed on with Jerry Cook "Hurt on the other side", Laura Lee "To win your heart" and a selection of Motown sounds like Tammi Terrel "Old heart of mine", Velvel~ttes "Lonely girl", Marvin Gaye's "Ain't that peculiar" and "Shake me, wake me", "Something about you" both by the Four Tops. Due to an unexplained hold up Kin Weston was on later than planned, but when she did arrive, she gave us 45 mins. of soulful singing which included cover versions of "My girl", "Dancing in the street" and "I can't help myself'' . Proving that time hasn't dulled her vocals, she sang a trio of up-tempo dancers "Two can have a party", "Helpless" and "Take me in your arms", her voice ably competing with the slightly loud backing group. She finished a competent set with the Supremes song "Reach out and touch" showing us the gospel side to her voice. Up in the record bar Tommo and Eric had arrived from Stafford with Tim Ashibendes box of records, amid rumours that Tim A. had recently returned from the States with 1,500 records. I heard conflicting reports as regards the attendance at Stafford, some said it was quite full, some said it was empty. Pete Finn took to the decks around 5.30 and spun mainly 70's sounds such as moments "9 times", Doug Parkinson "I'11 be around", Alfie Davidson "Love is•·• Atlantic Starr "Circles", Lew Kirton "Heaven in the afternoon" and Johnny Bristols "Love has no longer got a hold on me", as well as 60's sides like the Professionals "That's why",Seven Souls (again) and the Apollos "Mr. Creator" (which he'd bought on the night for £4) . Around 6.30 Dave Evison took over (as well as D.J.'ing, Dave was there to interview Kim Weston, for his spot on Radio Derby) and played an interesting spot with sounds like Gwen Owens "You'd better watch out", Magic Night "If you and l" Jackie Beavers "Trying to get back to you", Tavares "It only takes a minute girl" and Earl Connely "Make your mind up" plus several other sounds that I didn't know, I didn't manage to 'catch' the titles either to include in this article. Brian Rae finished off the night confirming his title as Britain's top oldies D.J. with sounds like Presents "Many's the slip", Billy Butler "Right track", Freddie Chavez "They'll never know" (One of my all-time hates), Holly St. James "That's not love" (memories of baggy pants) , Pookie Hudson "Gets to me" (Great) . Frankie Beverly "What you wanted", Dean Parrish "Determination" and the melodic I la Van outing on P. I. P. records "You made me this way". Soon it was time to go home and a long 2½ hour journey back up the M. 1 awaited us. My opinion on the night was, it was a good night, though not as good as on previous visits to see live acts, the attendance was good though I suspect it was down due to Stafford being on the same night and Morecambe being on the previous Friday night, I felt that the event was slightly spoiled by the sound system, on previous visits the sound system has been crystal clear, but on this occasion I felt it was slightly off and I was unable to hear the D.J. s speaking clearly. I look forward to seeing other live acts from the States at Hinckley which is undoubtedly one of the best venues for live acts in the country. P.S. -Any chance of seeing Oscar Perry on stage? Soul -WHAT IT MEANS TO ME If I had to search for a record, that to me epitomises Soul music at its best, the record I would be after would be Eddie Parlter' s "Crying Clown" written by Detroit's Jack Ashford and Lorraine Chandler, and produced by Lorraine Chandler, released on Triple B (T-B0001B) records. This record was previously accurately described by Graham Anthony in Issue 6 of Rod Dearloves mag "Midnight Express",. As Graham mentioned it's not a dancer, iL t 's just Soul music at its best , the record was also released on the other side of " I'm gone" (Awake) and Billy Sharae mmg on uninspired version on Spectrum/U.K. Action. It's A 60 's record that has evf~everything you could ever want in a ballad -a talented voice, simple but effective lyrics and a beat set at a British Rail working p11ce. I can sincerely say that I'm proud to be part of a music scene that listens t<) and appreciates such quality sounds as this . In fact everybody I've taped this record for, raves over it. Thanks both to Eddie Hubbard of Banbury and Roger Nilchols of Willenhall for informing me of a track entitled "They say I'm afraid of losing you" on a Freddie Butler Kapp L.P. which has the same backing track as "Crying Clown" but uses different lyrics. Having recently heard this track on tape (courtesy of Roger Nichols) . I can say that only Eddie's emotional voice can compliment the plodding backing track to its best advantage. This 2 . 36 minute masterpiece starts off with a femme back-up singing "Crying Clown", a quick roll of drums and in comes Eddie's plaintive voice " Everybody sees me standing here, with a smile on my face, but no one will ever know, I'm the saddest one in the place, fame and fortune belongs to me , but a happy man I ' ll never be, for my heart is broken imd I'm feeling let down, and I call myself the crying clown, (back-up -a crying clown) they all think I'm a carefree guy (back-up -a crying clown) outside I smile, inside I cry I used to be such a happy man , but things don't always go like there planned, when things have all gone wrong, I know, I know I've got to be strong, for my heart is broken and I'm feeling let down, and I call myself the crying clown (back-up -a crying clown) I don't want you to pity me (back-up -don't pity me) I let my life go on as tt stands, though I'm sad and it's plain to see and keep on pushing without a helping hand, for my life has been so blue, little girl since I lost you so I keep on walking with my head held high, no no, no no, just can't, just can't baby, listen to me, don't want you, don't want you to see my face, no no baby , just can't, oh my soul baby, just can't, just can't let you see my face . " Are there any Eddie Parker collectors out there, that would like to produce a discography of his release::1 for publication in a future issue of this mag? George Sharp LOVE WHATCHA DOING TO ME Collectors of original label 'northern' records, often have to pay large sums to obtain their records. However at the other end of the price scale, there are hundreds of records available to the collector, many of which are good value for money. Eugene Jefferson "A Pretty Girl Dressed in Brown" Open 1617 This west coast gem starts with a bouncy guitar and trumpet rift and then Eugene starts to sing the praises of his pretty ~~girl. The very danceable beat is maintained throughout with drums, horns and guitars. It sounds like an up-tempo Darrell Banks "Open the door". An excellent record, vel~Y catchy , should cost about £2, worth every penny. I wonder if Eugene has any relation to the other West Coast veteran 'Jo Jefferson'. Janet and the Jays "Love Whatcha Doing to me" Hi 45-2129 This female group sound starts in a very similar way to the Steinways flip 9' My heart 's not in it anymore", with a burst on the sax, in fact the whole record is in the same vein as the Steinways cut. The delicate wispy vocals are very infectious, backed with sax and pianos. The choruses are especially catchy, well worth watching out for at about £3 or less. Companions "Be Yourself'' General American TH-COM-IX To Philadelphia, for this soulful male group sound. Originally played at Blue~ckpool Mecca years ago but since hasn't seen much of the DJs turntables. The ~ecord starts with really haunting horns setting a mid-tempo pace for the whole record. The lead vocals soulfully plead with his baby to 'be yourself' while the rest of the group ooh, ooh their hearts away, all jour.Long as one at the chorus. Haunting mid-tempo brilliance is possibly the easiest way to describe this one. Up to now I have seen 3 different label designs, one green and silver, one yellow and black,and one black, red and white (D.J. copy), with the latter possibly being the rarest . Lee Rodgers "Sock Some Love Power to me" Premium Stuff 6 One of the better releases on this label, and has the same backing track as Buddy Lamp "Save Your Love" on Wheelsvillei, but only usually costs a 1/3 of the price, around £2 or £3, maybe £4 for a D.J. copy. However, the demo is only single sided. I think this is a better record than Buddy Lamp's because the lyrics fit better to the gutsy horn backing. Lavells "Sheire him" CTB C-700 This girl group sound starts with a pounding bass guitar and organ. Harmonic vocals are maintained throughout this up-tempo dancer. It's only a pity that the organ backing wasn't substituted for a saxophone. As far as I know this has never been played and perhaps could go if someone got behind! it. A really great atmospheric dancer. LATE 70/EARLY 80s SOUL MAGS When I first became interested tn Soul music , I was an avid reader of the more readily available Soul mags such as 'Blues and Soul'" and 'Black Echoes• which could be bought in most large newsagents throughout the U. K. However, I soon became very interested in reading and collecting underground magazines which were only available by post or by purchasing a copy at venues. I admired the people behind these fanzines as these literary works were produced as a labour of love for the music and not for the money, these people were still active on the scene attending venues, they had their finger on the pulse of the northern scene. The first mag I can remember buying was 'Soul Cargo' which produced 12 issues between late'77 to late '79 . Its editor was the respected Chris Savoury of Stoke and his magic included a wide range of material , ~60's, 70's Soul reviews , album reviews and U. S. listings of the Wand, Karen, Carla, G. S.F. , Invictus, Suresbot, Fairmount labels, Discographies of William Bell, Laura Lee and the Detroit Emeralds, and U. K. listings of the Chess, Action, Moj o and Contempo labels. A very valuable mag to have for all that precious info. it contained, I recently managed to obtain several back issues from Chris Savoury to complete my collection. I have memories of leaving the Casino on several occasions with a copy of the latest 'Soul Source' in my sweaty little hands , waiting to read it on the way home. Chris Fletcher of Nottingham was responsible for this and he released 9 1,issues (I think, well Issue 9 is the last mai~ I have), in the period late '78 to late '79. Interesting mag as Chris was well inte> 60's newies at that time such as Magnetics "Lady in Green" , Kenny Gamble "Jokel' e>n you", Don Ray "Born a loser" , Herb Ward "Strange change" (Ed. -Is it really S years ago since these sounds were first played, only seems like yesterday!) irhe mag featured honest venue reports , Rob Smith's record reviews and previewed the big 60 ' s and 70 ' s for Richard Searling, Soul Sam and Pat Brady. I think the n1ag suffered from devoting far too much space space to adverts and record sales. Also in the '78-'79 period, Ian Stewart of Weybridge , Surrey, released his mag 'Soul Symbol'. I only have Issue 8 (dated Sept. '79) of this neatly printed mag which has a Chairmen of the Board discog., plenty of record reviews and a very humorous outlook on the scene. Size of Manchester released his mag 'New Soul Time' during the '77-'78 period, I don ' t know the exact number of releases, but I've got a copy of Issue 6 in which he reviews such 'newies ' as Paul Anka "When we get there", KikiL Dee "Carpet ride" and Teddy Vann "Coloured man". Plenty of venue reports and interesting co~~ts on the input of pop stuff into the northern scene,which was all the rage at that time , e.g. Sue Lynne "Don't pity me", Muriel Day "Nine times" . WEill known DJ . and Black Echoes scribe Pat Brady released his own mag entitled 'Talk of the North' in the '78-'79 period. This mag covered the full spectrum of the Soul music scene (i. e. Northern/Disco funk) and ran to 4 issues; lotsa venuE! reports . As one can see the late 70 ' s were boom years for the output of fanzines . The early 80's were no exception. Sheffield's Glynn Thornhill's ran 7 issues of his mag 'Okeh Northern Soul' (get ready for the get down') during the late ' 81-mid'82 period. This well presented mag contained many interesting articles on 60's and 70's Soul and shed an interesting light on Glynn's love of 80 ' s releases . Good letters page . Richard Radford of Brighton's 'Soulside Rendezvous' mag was released during 1982 and ran to 4 issues. (Does anybody know what happened to Issue 5 11 my cheque was cashed, I sent a couple of letters but no replies were forthcoming), interesting record reviews. The ' Sound of Soul' mag Issues 1 to 5 wero issued by Stokes 'Martin Scragg' during the mid '81-mid '82 period. Wicked humouR~, plenty of record reviews, venue reports, lotsa label repros., well put together, good mag, much missed. Has the v . interesting 'gµide to cover-ups' for people like i~e who can't remember c/u titles after they've been uncovered! e.g. Frank Wilson "Guess who loves you" c/u turned out to be Eddie Day "Guess who loves you" on Shirine. One of the most clearly printed, most informative Soul music mags I've ever read is Steve Bryants of Ilford's 'Souled out' Issue 1 being released in Jan. •78, Issue 6 in Dec. '82. A very factual mag for the Soul fan, not particularly northern based, but full of honest to goodness facts on the Share, Vando, Music Merchant and Sound Stage labels, discogs. of Walter Jackson, Hoagy Lands, Montclairs and Dee Edwards, I've always been envious of all the Info. that this msg has been able to obtain. Solid reading, essential reading. It's a shame it isn't released more often. Hod Dearlove of Hull has released his excellent 60's based mag 'Midnight Express' dur:ing 2 phaseS1Issues 1 to 3 during '81 and Issues 3 to 6 in 1983. Contains interesting record reviews, venue reports and mind boggling photostats of records and artists lik.~ Yvonne Vernee, Mickie Lanay, Inspirations and Co-operett~s. D.J.s take note of Rod's thinking man's oldies chart. Wigan Casino founder and D. J. Russ Winstanley released 4 issues of the 'Northern Line' during 1979-80. Remember buying it at the entrance desk in the Casino? It's the only time I can ever recall Richard Searling putting his articulate views forward in print. Wonder why! Gary Evans of Carlisle has so far released 4 issues of 'The Drifter' in 1983, articles include the U.K. Contempo label listing, U. K. Tamla Motown discography of Martha Reeves and Junior Walker, Major Lance U.K. and U. S. Discog. and photostats. of advertising hand-outs for the U.K. Soul City label. An interesting mag with a bright future·. Last but not least is Steve Guanori of Peterborougbs 'New Backbeat' still in production after its initial release in the winter of 1979. I've spoken ' to both co-editors Steve Guarnori and Kev Griffin and both stories agree that the mag started life under the name 'Northern Life' late '79 with only 15 copies of Issue l being printed. After Issue 3 its name changed to 'Blackbeat ' and publication numbers increased up to 500 copies per issue. After Issue 17 around late '82, Kev and Steve parted ways aIILd both of them issued a copy of Blackbeat No. 18. Kev now writes articles for 'The Drifter' and sells records via mailing lists whereas Steve's 70's/80's based mag 'New Backbeat' continues to flourish. Perhaps the best all round mag on the scene at the moment, so much info. where does he get it all from. I can't ever get replies from U.K. record companies, never mind U.S. record companies. (Psst -how about passing on a few tips Steve). Well, that's it folks a brief guide to late 70's/eArly 80's Soul fanzines from my collection. I'm sorry if I've not mentioned•IIJ ma11:s, I'm bound to have missed a few as I don't know everything, if you do know of any more send me brief details of the mag and I'll include it in the next issue. Whilst collecting Soul mags I 've come across the mention of other Soul based fanzines such as 'Nitelife' published by Dave McAdden of Manchester who released at least 2 issues in the '78/ ' 79 period quote "Worth buying just to see who ' s getting slagged off" (Ed. -Sounds interesting ) also 'It's the Beat' editor and release dates unknown. Then there's a Merseyside based mag edited by Kevin Murray titled 'Deeper and Deeper' which as the titlE! suggests covered deep Soul, and ran to 9 issues. I must shamefully confess that I've never seen or read a copy of Chris Savoury's much respected mag 'Hot Buttered Soul' which ran to well over 50 issues during the early/mid 70's. It contained many label listings and discogs . and was a valuable source of knowledge! for interested Soul fans ; a Soul fan's bible so I'm told . I've just found a LondoDt Soul based mag from 1973, in my collection, this mag entitled 'Black Wax-Magazine~ was edited by Roy Stanton, I've no idea about the number of issues released though. Copies of any of the previously ft1 mentioned mags are highly collectable and very hard to pick up as generally~a few hundred copies of each issue were printed. I have listed below my mag wants list, I need copies of any Soul fanzines from the 60's, 70's and SO's; if you have any for sale please contact~ me . Blackbeat 1 , 2 , 3,4,5,6,7, 8 , 9 Any copies of 'It's the beat', ' Nitelife ' , Soul Symbol 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 'Hot Buttered Soul' Soul Source l,2 , 3, 4 ,Deeper n' Deeper' , 'Soul Time' , Okeh/N. Soul 1,2,3 Talk of the North 2,3,4 New Soul Time 1,3,4,5 Was told that Matt Lucas "You better go-go" on Karen 803K-2524 was boot-legged (300 copies pressed) by Detroit record dealer Bob Maze many y1~ars ago as the B side "My tune" a piano instrumental was popular to collectors in the U. S. A. This Popcorn Wiley/M. Bonney composition is an unusual item as I 'v1~ never seen it listed on any Karen label listing. My copy's original (I think) as it ha:3 a b::,t small stamp mark on the run out groove 1~. The run out groove number states SK4:M-252•l; this is unusual as there are only 2 release,is on the label whose numbers are prefixed by SK4M, the vast majority are prefixed by the letters K or KA or KR or TM. Blue eyed Souls·ter BABY YOU BETTER GO-GO Matt Lucas had one other release on titlis MATT LUCAS label "The Motor City twine pts 1 and 2" on Karen 321. I paid £8 for my copy of this 60's dancer about 1½ years ago and is still hard to find. PRESTON ALLDAYER 1/1/84. The all-dayer was divided into 2 rooms, the smaller one next to the entrance door played oldies, 70's and requests, whereas the much larger room upstairs played 60's newies . Gary Rushbrooke, Guy Hennigan, Kev Darge and Dev Draper all D.J. 'd during the time we were there (6 -11pm) and all played a wide variety of good quality 60's sounds, showing that there's still a lot of mileage left on the 60's newies road, despite what many people say. Also on was Richard Searling who played an uninspired spot combining his 60 's rarities which have been around for several years (Eddie Holman 'hurt' , maurice McAllister "Slipping away", Chris Bartley " Out of my mind") with 70 's items like Doug Parkinson "l 'll be around" and Greg:Perry "It takes heart". Indicating to me that has lost a lot of his interest in discovering new 60's, much preferring instead to launch new 70's and SO's sounds . The attendance was good (tho' I thought it would have been busier), the sounds were good, there were a lot of records to look thro', bar prices were reasonable 40p coke, 43p ½midnight rider (cider), admission price £2 . 50 (inc. 1984 S ,A.S . of G.B. membership card); when you think it costs that to get into the cinema for 2 hours, the entrance fees for dayers/night,ers are excellent value for money. All in all a very satisfactory all-dayer -will there be one at Easter? Whilst listening to the new 60's item:s, most of which I liked, there were several which (how can I put this)'went straight in one ear and out the other' ,in the quest for unknown 60 ' s sides rarity musn't become the prevailing factor when deciding to spin a record, quality must come before rarity! Nicest surprise of the day was to see a mate from yesteryear, Bob Hitchcock of Ormskirk who I haven't seen since the days of the Casino. Had a long chat with him about record labels which I'm interested in and this hopefully will provide quite a list of info. for certain label listings which I'm working on. Mustn't forget other D.J.'s who were on before we arrived. -Keith Minshull, George Sharp and Pete Lawson. With regards label listings, Detroit's always been well covered, obviously because of the large amount of rare Soul releases that have emerged from the motor city. However, Chicago, the 'Windy City' doesn't seem to have had as much coverage, ~o with your help I ' d like to try and put together a listing of the following labels ­ M. Pac, Mar.v.lus, One-der-ful, St. Lawrence and Windy City, also whilst on this , ~~the object, I'd like info. on the Sound Gems, Note, Omen and Karate labels. Get writing!! Speaking of Culture Club, I personally think (and I know of other Soul fans that agree) that Boy George has a good voice, but the real star who stays out of the limelight is the rotund white back-up singer Helen Terry, who has a powerful voice like a black gospel singer. Look out for her and listen to her on the next Culture Club video/record. Recently read in a paper that Geno 'Washington (U.K. Version) has a new band ­the 'Mo-Jo Kings' on the road and is look:ng for a recording contract. Geno who runs a French Cuisine restaurant in West Hampstead was thinking of looking for larger premises where he can display his skills as a singer, mind reader and hypnotist. Tape Sales •------------------------------------­ Send me £2. 50 and I'11 send you a qua,li ty TDK-D60 cassette with the following sounds on, (many of them mentioned in this issue) . Side A -60's 1 . Eddie Parker -"Crying clown'' '2. Companions -"Be yourself" 3 . Eugene Jefferson -"Pretty Girl" 4. Masqueraders -"Do you love me baby'' 5 . Kenny Carter -"I've got to find her" 6i. Mel Williams -"Can it be me" 7 . Mary Love -"Let me know" 8. Jackie Day -"Oh what heartaches" 9. Dynamics -"Yes, I love you baby" 10. E:xits -"Gotta have money" 11. Joe L. "Worried'' Side B -70's 12. Willie Hobbs -"Till I get it right" 1.3. Bobby Taylor -"Roses somewhere" 14 . Con Funk Shun "Spirit of love" 15. Four Tracks -"Charade" 16. Vivilore Jordan -"Put your loving on !Ille" 17. Cissy Houston -"Think it over" 18. Jones girls -"You're the only bargain" 19. Denise La Salle -"I get what I want" • 20 , D. D. Warwick -"She kept on talking" 21. Luther Vandross -"Since you stopped loving me" THE URO CLUB Daft joke time: What have Geoffrey Boycott and the Magnetics 'Lady in Green' got i~l common -they both always go for a hundred or more (Ed -It was the best I could i:think of!) If you've got a spare £100 and are willing to spend it on one record, take your pick from the list of the following U.S. original mega-rarities, that is providing they ever come up for sale! Gwen OWens -"Wanted and needed" Velgo White Demo . Frank Wil.son -"Do I love you" Soul Jimmy Burns -"I really love you" Erica. Yvonne Vernee -...Just like you· did me" Sonbert Larry Clinton -"She's wanted in 3 States" Dynamo . Magnetics -"Lady in green" Bonnie Robbie Lawson -"Burning sensation" Kyser. Del Larks -"Job opening" Queen City Demo William Powell -"Heartache souvenirs" Powerhouse . Norma Jenkins -"The aeroplane song" Maltese. Executive 4--"You got a good thing going"' -John and the Weirdest -"No time/Can't g:et over these memories" Tie Ramona Collins "You've been cheating" (Clarks), Court Davis "Try to think what you're doing" (East Coast) Chessmen c/u -"LikE~ I never did before" All the above records have held theIr selling prices a.t around £100 for several years due to demand and rarity, there may be only a few copies in the U.K. or even i n existence. Besides not having the odd £100 spare, I personally couldn't bring myself to spend that amount on one record, I'd prefer to buy either 5 @ £20, 10 to' £10 or 20 @ £5. Remember, just because a recoTd's r are, dc>doesn ' t mean it's any better than a common sound. Interesting to see that on the T.V . programme ' entertainment USA .A. ' Nov, 31st presenter Jon-a.than King implied during an interview with Jennifer Holliday that the smash Broadway hit 'Dreamgirls' in which she starred was based on the rise and rise of the Supremes . Ms . Holliday who gained praise on both sides of the Atlantic for her powerful Soulful telling you I'm not going" thought that 'Dreamgirls' was based on a story similar to the history of the Supremes and went on to say that Diana Ross wasn't too happy about the show for a variety of reasons. O. K. all you knowledgeable people out there who can solve the answers to the following questions ­ l) Clifford Binns "You gotta help me" was issued twice on Carrie , what colour label was the first issue? 2) Which song does the following set of lyrics come from -· I 'm like a drowning man in a sinking boat, without your love I can ' t float. 3) In the Jerry Williams classic "If you ask me" on Calla, what are the words omitted from the following lines "my ambition, my reason for living each day, your the ... . . . and . .... . , there ' s nothing left to say . Prize -14 nights for two in hotel of your choice, full board, all entries must be in by Jan. 14th 1984 to qualify for competition. Seriously folks if you do know the answers to any of the above questions drop me a line . Does anybody know the real identity of the Rose Baptiste "When he's not around" c/ u? It ' s still covered after all these years! Has anybody seen or does anybody know of somebody that owns a Golden World Issue of Tamiko Jones "Spellbound" G. World? Recent monster c/u Joe Rex and the Gossamers "Use me , lose me" rumoured to be the Slip Ons "Only ones needed" on the ' throwaway' label!? I would like to start a readers in,formation page, where I would try to answer your questions ; if I don't know the answer or anybody I know can' t help, at least I can print the letter which will reach a wide audience, hopefully giving us the answer. I'm a big boy now (I'll be 9 next year), so I won't cry that much if you've any complaints about or suggestions to improve this mag, just so long as it' s constructive criticism. Please don't use bad language in the letters as my mommy reads all my mail! During an October 83 all-nighter, I had a chat with' Tommo' of Leicester about what Soul groups we would like to see if at all humanly possible, I said " l would like to see Chuck Jackson, he would have liked to see the magnetics, the Volumes, the Falcons (of Big Wheel fame) and the Hesitations! ! Being already interested in these. groups, I decided after that conversation I would try and prepare an article discography on them with the help of you readers. Little did I know that plans were underway to bring Chuck Jackson to these shores in early '84. site note - the above rough text was just added as a reference aid (site search) best to use our inbuilt pdf viewer for viewing the issue