Ian Dewhirst

Has he retired and moved abroad by any chance? Ian D

Cracking indeed..... Also by the Chi-Lites This section's pretty handy as I'm in the midst of another 10 Backbeats releases and I'm deliberating on a Windy City Soul Vol 2 as well as another Northern volume so this'll go into the mix for sure..... Ian D

Wow. Nice record though. I'm not sure if I've ever actually seen one. I dimly remember one of Soussan's lists having it on and most people being sceptical about it's existance but it makes sense to me. I can imagine Bunky knocking off a few Bunky copies to pass around fellow DJ's in Chicago to give the record a boost but how many copies I wonder? Ian D

Join the club Peter. I've got multiples of everything in numerous vinyl formats (including Jamaican 7" presses on Double Exposure's "Ten Percent" and Silvetti's "Spring Rain"), so I know exactly what you mean. These days I prefer to make it from the sofa to the fully alphabetised CD shelves and simply pull out the one package rather than climbing the stairs to the record room and spending several hours pulling out vinyl and then several more hours re-filing the bastards! Ian D

Highly unlikely Malc, since Salsoul was purchased by the Verse Music Group earlier this year and they evidently have their own plans for the future (they also bought West End Records last year). Even though I did this deal with the old Salsoul last year, it still made sense to co-operate with the new owners in terms of being able to use the logo etc, etc and it was quite a struggle to even get this album out, so I really don't know what the future plans are. I did actually more or less reissue most of the catalogue back in 2004 via my own Suss'd Records and I now note that most of those releases are now creeping up in value which makes sense as much of the material will probably never be available again on a physical format, so it's probably worth bargain-hunting to see what can be picked up. I note that the "Crossover Flavas" album will now cost £23.29 if you snag the only copy available! Here's the Suss'd listing:- Suss'd Records Discogs Listing That's one of the main reasons I wanted a last bite of the cherry really. The key mixes have never been assembled on one package before so it seemed like the right time to do it and I'm glad I did, painful though it was. At least anyone who's into this brilliant label now has 3 years to pick up many of the key goodies on one package at probably a tenth of the cost of getting them via different releases. Probably the best tenner anyone could spend IMO. Ian D

Yep, absolutely. Bundled clearances seem to be OK these days. "Philly Re-Grooved 1" did 15% on digital so it seems to be creeping up......... Ian D

Also handily coming out the Monday before the Ritz revival all-dayer where much of the early stuff was played for the first time! Ian D

Yippee. That's the idea. You won't be disappointed. A beautiful slice of 70's/80's Soul Music history for under a tenner? Loleatta Holloway, Eddie Holman, Skip Mahoney, Double Exposure, Inner Life (featuring Jocelyn Brown), Moment Of Truth, First Choice, Ripple, Love Committee.......do the maths LOL..... Also I'm hoping that younger people will get into this and discover this music for the first time - there's a healthy appetite out there, expecially internationally, so hopefully there'll be something for everyone in the three and half hours of tunes. Could be the last time on physical too, so handy to have on the shelves for sure methinks! Good choice David! Ian D

Phew. I'm glad my viewpoint has changed over the years because the intense collecting thing is every bit as addictive as any other drug. I still require a physical format on the vast majority of my collection but I'm less bothered about 'trophy' items these days. Over the years I've flogged multiple collections and sold records that I thought I'd keep forever simply because, in many cases, they'd be going to a better home - a home that would lovingly caress and admire the sheer beauty of an original copy of an iconic record and spread the word to fellow enthusiasts. In other words, they'd worship the record much more than me, 'cos I've always had 1000's of records on my shelf but seldom the time to appreciate 'em the same way I did in the early 70's. So it's BETTER that key records get passed on to the right people rather than stay buried on the shelves of someone like me. Plus my collecting these days goes in sporadic bursts depending on my circumstances at any given time. My collection is pretty fluid and works organically and surprisingly it never seems to diminish in size much. Also I'm seeing that there's a natural progression in people's tastes which is now quite happily accepting wider styles from different eras, which is par for the course 'cos records from the 70's that were dormant and available for 20 years eventually found an audience 20 or 30 years later and now it's increasing happening with 80's recordings. But I digress. I'll keep my 3rd original Red Coach copy of the Carstairs (the other two got worn out) and my Inferno 12" of the Tom Moulton remix 'cos it's just such a key record for me in a multitude of ways. Ian D

Recently one of the last remaining truly independent record labels from the Disco and Boogie years, Salsoul Records, was sold to a music rights company at the beginning of this year. Since all previous Salsoul comps which I'd done have now all been deleted, I decided it would be nice to try and do a definitive package of all the key original mixes and have them all in one package and sequenced in chronological order from the dates the originals came out. Also there was a part of me that thought that this could be the last time that these brilliant tracks could get a physical release, so when I heard that the company could potentially be sold last year I swooped in a did a deal for this package. Many will already have many of 'em but probably on several different comps, so if you want 'em all on one comp, now's your chance and all for less than a tenner from Amazon!...... HURTCDX110 Mixology: The Definitive Salsoul Mixes 3 x CD Digi Pac Released 25/8/11 Amazon Link Track Listing CD 1 1. "The Bottle (La Botella)" - Bataan 3.29 Original Album Mix January 1975 2. "You're Just The Right Size" - The Salsoul Orchestra 4.40 Original Album Mix October 1975 3. "Helplessly" - Moment Of Truth 6.24 Original Tom Moulton 12" Mix June 1976 4. "Everyman" - Double Exposure 7.19 Original Album Mix June 1976 5. "Nice N' Nasty" - The Salsoul Orchestra 5.21 Original Walter Gibbons 12" Mix July 1976 6. "Ten Percent" - Double Exposure 9.41 Original Walter Gibbons 12" Mix November 1976 7. "Spring Rain" - Silvetti 5.52 Original Tom Moulton 12" Mix November 1976 8. "My Love Is Free" - Double Exposure 9.40 Original Tom Moulton 12" Mix November 1976 9. "Dreamin'" - Loleatta Holloway 6.18 Original Album Mix November 1976 10."This Will Be A Night To Remember" - Eddie Holman 5.47 Original Tom Moulton 12" Mix March 1977 11."Love Is You" - Carol Williams 5.06 Original 12" Mix March 1977 CD 2 1. "Doctor Love" - First Choice 7.35 Original Tom Moulton 12" Mix April 1977 2. "Getaway" - The Salsoul Orchestra 4.17 Original 12" Mix April 1977 3. "Hit And Run" - Loleatta Holloway 10.59 Original 12" Walter Gibbons Mix April 1977 4. "Runaway" - Salsoul Orchestra ft Loleatta Holloway 4.44 Original Album Mix June 1977 5. "The Beat Goes On & On" - Ripple 6.55 Original Jim Burgess 12" Mix December 1977 6. "Just As Long As I Got You" - Love Committee 8.35 Original Walter Gibbons 12" Mix July 1978 7. "Sing Sing" - Gaz 7.16 Original Richie Rivera 12" Mix November 1978 8. "I Got My Mind Made Up" - Instant Funk 9.46 Original Larry Levan 12" Mix December 1978 9. "First Time Around" - Skyy 6.40 Original Randy Muller/Solomon Roberts Jr 12" Mix April 1979 10. "Crying" - Instant Funk 8.58 Original Larry Levan 12" Mix May 1979 CD 3 1. "Jingo" - Candido 9.51 Original David Rodriguez 12" Mix July 1979 2. "Dancin' & Prancin'" - Candido 6.53 Original David Rodriguez 12" Mix July 1979 3. "All About The Paper" - Loleatta Holloway 6.13 Original Bobby DJ Guttadero Album Mix August 1979 4. "Janice (Don't Be So Blind To Love)"- Skip Mahoney 6.59 Original Bobby DJ Guttadero 12" Mix April 1980 5. "Love Sensation" - Loleatta Holloway 6.34 Original Tom Moulton 12" Mix July 1980 6. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Inner Life 10.26 Original Larry Levan 12" Mix May 1981 7. "I Know You Will" - Logg 6.44 Original Larry Levan 12" Mix June 1981 8. "Take Some Time Out For Love" - The Salsoul Orchestra 6.22 Original 12" Mix June 1982 9. "Let No Man Put Asunder - First Choice 7.35 Original Frankie Knuckles 12" Mix May 1983 10. "Heartbreaker" - Leroy Burgess 6.12 Original Shep Pettibone12" Mix August 1983 Ian D

How can someone I've never met get it so right LOL....... Ian D

Second that Lorraine. One of the greatest records ever made. When you have a song that good and a singer like Etta that's when you get pure gold! Ian D

Actually I've had a bit of an idea that's been brewing over the last few years which I fancy discussing in a bit more depth, if you're up for it Carl and Paul. It'll basically be all about creating a whole new genre of music with it's roots in the Northern scene. I've got the game-plan but it needs shoring up from both the studio/musicians end and the publishing split/clearances end which sounds like it's right up both of your streets. It's a long-term plan though and as per usual would need finance and backing to make it work so if you know of any rich investors........... We should have a natter........ Ian D

Which I actually love by the way! We couldn't have played it 'cos it's a bit too twee but I can remember the vocals clear as daylight. and the lyrics were...."Ram ram, here I am, ohhhhh sugar daddy" or something along those lines weren't they? Great pop record. Wonder if there were ever vocals to "Hold On Help Is On The Way" or "Elijah Rockin' With Soul"........? As an aside I remember paying a lot of money at the time for The Subway Rider's "After The Session" long after Frankie & The Classicals and Laura Green were huge. The instrumental became a big record in it's own right.......... Ian D

A big shout out to everyone who was @ The Luxury Soul Weekender in Birmingham last week. A great show from Eric Benet and an all-round great vibe made for a brilliant weekend. Busy day again today. We've got the show going out LIVE from 2.00-4.00 today and then I'll be hot-footing it down to East Village in Hoxton for a Six Million Steps gig with special guest Jeff Young. If you're in town then come down and join us. It's FREE! Anyway down to business and this week we'll be doing the usual trawl through the era covering as many bases as we can over the 2 hours plus some perennial favourites. I think I'm being joined in the studio this week by fellow Starpoint DJ Carl Mason so it should be fun and games before we boogie on down to Hoxton. These weekends are killing me LOL..... Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 5th June 2011 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring...... The Trammps * The Collective Vs Peyton * Frankie Knuckles feat Jamie Principle * T-Empo * Orlando Johnson * One Way * Baiser * Aaron Neville * The Luther Ingram Orchestra * Luther Ingram * Saxie Russell * E. Rodney Jones * Bobby Treetop * Sydney Joe Qualls * Tearra * Master Plan * Jean Shy * Holland & Dozier * Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes feat Sharon Paige * The Isley Brothers * Archie Bell & The Drells See you @ 2.00pm LIVE! Ian D

Probably the best buy you'll ever make for the rest of your life. One of the true greats and vintage Northern Soul at it's best. Result. Well done. Wish I'd seen it......... Ian D

Nice one Carl. This thread got me thinking just before I started putting this Sunday's radio show together. As a direct result, I've decided to programme the following tracks in this order this Sunday @ 3.00pm LIVE:- Exus Trek - The Luther Ingram Orchestra If It's All The Same To You Babe - Luther Ingram Psychedelic Soul Pt 2 - Saxie Russell Psychedelic Soul Pt 1 - Saxie Russell RnB Time - E. Rodney Jones Wait 'Til I Get To Know You - Bobby Treetop Essentially 3 incredible instrumentals followed by 3 incredible vocal versions of the same song. These are all boss records in their own right and each of 'em formed their popularity based on BOTH versions. However, I've been thinking about this and I've come to the conclusion that people hear music in different ways, which is one of the things that makes it so hard to predict. I've got a sneaking feeling that the majority of the population really want well produced and quick to digest great songs and probably aren't too bothered in analysing too far beyond that. So you, as an entrepreneural producer/financiar/musician/record company guy etc, etc, will be digging deeper than most. I'm exactly the same. I'm fascinated by great records. I tend to dissect great records and figure out how they came up with 'em. It's fascinating stuff. Richard Wylie & Tony Hestor (the best Northern Soul producers bar none in my opinion) always got serious instrumental jams going and then dropped the vocals once they'd got the basics right. Whether it was "Exus Trek", "Get It Baby", "Going To A Happening"", "Sister Lee", "Cool Off" or "Yes, I Love You Baby", they consistantly hit the nail in the head which is why they've always been my favorites. I likewise rate Miles Grayson in L.A. and Charlie Callello in New York for similar reasons.Charlie Callello is actually my favorite Produder/Arranger of all time. Anyone who can boast "Ski-ing In The Snow" - The Invitations, "I'm Gonna Change" - The Four Seasons, "I Can't Help Loving You" - Paul Anka and "Native New Yorker" - Oddysey on their resume is gonna be pretty hard to beat ay? Phew. Maybe I analyse too much LOL.... Great thread Carl. It's kinda weird that a scene that was very much built on instrumentals for some reason seems to be fading them out. I can remember the biggest record in the country being "Scrub Board" by the Trammps in the early 70's. An anthem and pure instrumental. Several years later, the vocal version got released and "Hold Back The Night" has since become a perennial classic. It was even a UK pop hit LOL. That happened 100% because the Northern Soul scene already knew the instrumental, so when the BRILLIANT vocal eventually got released it was an instant hit. Instrumentals have always been a key part of the scene - "Cigarette Ashes", "6 By 6" or "Thumb A Ride" anyone? Miss them at your peril. Ian D

I think listening to the instrumental provides a completely different listening experience to listening to the vocal. When you listen to a vocal you have an obvious tendency to concentrate on the attractiveness and delivery of the vocalist and study the lyrics of the song, which, by and large, is the most popular appeal to most listeners. However, the instrumental allows you to focus more on the structure, arrangement and general foundation of the song without the distraction of a vocalist singing lyrics. It's a completely different listening experience. It's one of the things that really attracted me to the scene in the first place. One of the first records I ever bought was "Nothing But Love" by the Kadoo Strings because I loved the idea that a local Detroit record would even CONSIDER using a full string section and they were proud enough to release it as an instrumental. Good on them. It's a record of supreme beauty and no vocal yet has surpassed the instrumental. "Let's Have A Love-In" by the Wingate Love-In Strings, "Festival Time" by the San Remo Golden Strings and "The Gallop" by Milton Wright & The Terra Shirma Strings are all great examples of instrumentals that were just way beyond any attempts to sing over. Instrumentals have always been a major part of the scene and have always supplied another angle. Both the vocal and instrumental sides on records like "Psychedlic Soul" by Saxie Russell and "Exus Trek" by Luther Ingram are equally compelling. Why would you want to short-change yourself? Ian D

I LOVE instrumentals! I have no idea why they died out to be honest. If you got a great vocal/inst record back in the day it represented great value 'cos you could often play both sides over the course of a night if the record was good enough. Some sterling examples being The Steve Karmen Big Band/Jimmy Radcliffe, Duke Browner, Luther Ingram, Connie Clark, Ann Perry and much of the vintage Detroit stuff. You're right. We were definitely spoilt back in the day! Ian D

I'd probably report the lecherous old bastard! Ian D

Mmm. That's the impression I got. Ian D

Actually this is a bit weird 'cos a few weeks ago I got on the tube on a Friday evening and saw an incredibly beautiful 20 year old girl impeccably dressed in what looked to be almost authentic 60's mod attire carrying a holdall that said 'Northern Soul' on it. She looked spectacular, like she was on her way to a model shoot or something. Being the charmer (or lecherous old twat) that I am, I asked her if she liked Northern Soul and she smiled and said "Oh Yahssss" so I told her I was one of the original DJ's from Wigan Casino but after that she looked blank...... So either there's a fabulously hip and extremely stylish young scene which likes wearing Northern Soul and Mod clobber which I haven't stumbled into yet or this girl was on her way to a Fred Perry shoot.................. Is this stuff coming back with the kids then? Ian D

I've seen it all now. Bootleg MP3's on Amazon. Amazing....... Ian D

:thumbup: ian D

I've gotta say that you're a real livewire Lorraine. It's fantastic that you're engaging with your fans in such a down-to-earth one-on-one fashion. I can't think of many acts that would engage the way you do babes. Also, the way you write and your overall eloquence tells me that you should seriously think about telling your story in your owns words. It'd be very theraputic getting it all down in your style plus any historical dates, sessions, songs, releases etc, etc could all be supplied right here on Soul Source for FREE 'cos we're the living experts LOL! Think about it OK? Also have you tried the black (licquorice) jelly-belly beans in a combo with the green apple jelly-belly ones? That's a sensational combo. F*ck any other flavours, just put those two on the rider and watch how you belt out "I Can't Change" after a mouthful of those. Ian D X