Barry

I see that I have not been clear enough with my post for some. Hip Hop and D&B and the ilk, I think, drew a different social devotee. In my time, Northern/soul/jazz/funk, all borne of each other, had a following, not so now. The feeling behind the music, our music, drew a certain person, for definate reasons. Likening Hip Hop and D&B to the form of music I believe we love, is like saying that Crass was similar to The Jam, or Jean-Michel Jarre were similar to The Stranglers. Am I to believe that I had to state the above, did you really need my assistance with the question - or were you just being nit-pickers?

I have no doubt that he does, but in the towns (Outside The City), the black music scene (other than pop R& appears to have no bed anymore.

Stevie, I'll let that one pass as you clearly, due to your age or [possibly] your cluelessness, have no idea who you are talking to. ( Bigger WINK than yours)

There has always been an underground black music scene with youngsters, stretching back to whenever. Not so now it seems.

Me favourite Blacksmoke track has to be: "What Goes Around Comes Around" on Chocolate City. Sorry, had to get it off me chest mate.

Is that Arthur Fenn & Brian Rae?

...and they never will Stanley.

I know that was the obvious answer P, but you've just knackered me thread son.

Realistic that is - not what your mate got it for or how much you reckon it's not worth - how much could I realistically ask for a very clean copy?

Fynal Vynal 7" - how much now?

Did your elders and betters ridicule your taste when you were bottom of the pile bitd? Now I know there's the usual ribbing factor, but didn't it sometimes go beyond that? I remember taking some beatings about my 70's and 80's purchases, but I rode them and here I am....but didn't it feel shit at the time? I told you I use this site as a form of therapy. Anyone else?

I see a certain amount of posts on here that meet this product with almost as much derision as Modern seems to get, when it comes to it's insertion on dancefloor playlists. Could I then say that these new 60's statement pieces don't reach the required heights in peoples minds of standard classic Northern Soul (in its Pak A Mac form) plays of yester-year? (I mean, could anything heard 'new' as an adult imprint itself so indelibly in the mind as something heard 'new' as a speeding teenager 30 years ago?) And if so, does this prove that 'Modern' isn't really shit, it was simply an early 'Back To The Future' form of Popcorn/R&B? ie: "Summat that I didn't hear when I grew up, therfore I don't like it"? (Bollox! I've just started another Northern v Modern post....no I've not....yes you have etc zzzzzz)

The wrist band is ironic lads alright!? The second pic doesn't show the lettering at all, sorry.

I don't know about the comment re dj's giving it a big diatribe at the beginning of their sets!? I too like to hear something from the bloke that has spent his hard-earned cash (see 'life') getting to the point whereby he is deemed able enough to give us floor fodder his knowledge by a promoter. The poor bugger travels all the way from wherever (for naff all in monetary terms), waits for his set, gets on (heart in mouth (understanding the 80% of dancers will enjoy his choices, yet secretly frets about the 20% that will gripe about one or two plays he makes), gets over his nerves, as he takes the mic, by rattling on for maybe 20 seconds before his opening salvo - and - before he's even played a record, he's in someones bad books. Lighten up, or get a jukebox.

Just loading it now - the letters etched on the back-side of the wooden slat are.... P CHEE BRAND M MA A4 ...I must say I'm doing this pissed and in a bad light but I think that numbering is right.

I've got a piece of the floor here, if I can find the lead for me phone/pc, I'll post a pic. I'll post a pic of the makers name on the b-side of the slat (a woodmakers ZTT number) which should prove it for the p takers.

Arthur Conley's energy blew it up, Sam & Dave were simply inspirational (a great shot of their feet working in unison goosebumped me up). I thought Otis struggled early doors if I'm honest but worked through it, a fantastic hidden snapshot all the same, loved it.

Anyway, about that cramp Ste!

Can someone normal please re-read this thread and tell me it is not the most bizarre thread in months - I know I have me moments as regards odd postings but the one at the top deserves an award surely - it's a blinder. Yours, A fan.

Genius!! As an add on, our wasted roomfull are still laughing at the original post - class!

Get to work and stop intervening in me working class Northern stance you poor sauce-boy.

You sure about that statement mate!? Most of the 'ones' that are battered on the NS scene? - or just most of the myriad US/UK/European releases over that period? I know that as House beats are able to be mixed it is generally accepted that they should be, but at what point is the separation of thought regarding sequenced beats. There is a certain beauty in the 'to fade' moment in a track, from any era, the last seconds of it's time. Just cause beats are laid down on a pc and are able to be mixed, surely doesn't mean they have to be? Or does it?

I still attend NS events up and down fairly regularly Steve, with the missus but I'm who am I? Nobody would know - unless I go to home turf, Lowton - but I got a bit sick of the wet-fish handshakes I got (Nowt worse than a Soulie gone bad it seems?). I must say though, the thrill of NS events has, in general, gone for me - I still see the love and the need in the people that attend but the urgency isn't there anymore. I still seek the input that youth brings to music. I still buy Northern, alongside my other deviances, but find myself these days comfortable enough not to depend on bouncing myself off the NS scene to make my purchases seem relevant, which I admit that in the past I, like most, did. Not a bad thing, it's what people do I suppose. I am not a bloke who has ever had the luxury of a break from the routine of club-life Ste, it's always been a week in, week out thing since the Wigan days for me really, I ran a record shop for nigh 20 years after all - therefore I see myself as being fully aware of how music has developed around me, what I want from it and where I stand within the structure of things - for myself anyhow. I'm at peace these days in some respects. The reason I haven't been to Cully Ste is due to work, I play music for money Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - I'd love to come but work's work after all. I have the greatest respect for yourself Ste, don't forget that, you are part of my make up and my history. Mike also has done his brothers proud in keeping the Hawkins tradition alive - he's always been solid in his musical views from being a soul baby. Your night was always going to happen and good on you. I'm also pleased for Duncan. As for your questioning of my credentials to pass comment on the scene Ste, please remember that in real-time on the NS scene, I was there as long, if not longer, than yourself. We all have a lifespan on the scene don't we? I may have, some may say, 'deserted' the Northern scene (in presence, yes) but at no point in my life have I been absent from 'a' black music scene - week in, week out. Unlike yourself.

Jolly good.