Ian Dewhirst

A perfect example of a record being bootlegged before there was any demand. Nobody I knew had even heard it when it appeared on the bootleg. A huge waste of a great record. Reminds me of Jimmy Raye's "Philly Dog" a bit... Ian D

Yep. One of the greatest records of all-time, although I never thought I'd see it posted on this forum lol... Ian D

And thanks to Steve Edgar for reminding me of the awesome acappella that exists on this track..... Tears - Frankie Knuckles Presents Satoshi Tomiie feat Robert Owens - Acappella Version Ian D

Haunting is a good description. It's one of the most interesting arrangements I've ever heard. The structure of the record is totally unique. It could never be Marmite 'cos it's not played out enough and not universally loved either for the same reason. Anyone who can't see the brilliance of this is probably on the wrong scene. It's one of the few records that have never left my collection and never will. Ian D

Well, the vocalist is Robert Owens, the greatest vocalist of the House era in my opinion and easily on a par with my other favorites from over the eras. Because it's Robert Owens and because he also made the greatest House record of all-time, I'd hazard a guess that this could be what it reminds you of:- Tears - Frankie Knuckles Presents Satoshi Tomiie feat Robert Owens Ian D

How bizarre. That was the master supplied by Concord (owners of Stax). I haven't had time to check it yet but it'll be on full-blast tomorrow. Bit of a mystery though, Why on earth would it be a re-record? It was an album track and not even popular till 40 years after it was recorded. Still nothing like a mystery ay? Glad you approve of the rest of it! Ian D

How bizarre. That was the master supplied by Concord (owners of Stax). I haven't had time to check it yet but it'll be on full-blast tomorrow. Bit of a mystery though, Why on earth would it be a re-record? It was an album track and not even popular till 40 years after it was recorded. Still nothing like a mystery ay? Glad you approve of the rest of it! Ian D

See, we're already arguing about the proposed sequencing....... Ian D

You reckon you can get several thousand contributors to agree on a track-listing....? Ian D

Whaaaaat? We didn't license anything from Mr Levine. I'll need to check that master again but I'm pretty sure that was a kosher master from the copyright owners - Concord, the owners of Fantasy/Stax in this case. We went to insane lengths to get the correct masters on this and, up to now, everyone has complimented us on the quality of the mastering. This is just plain weird. I'll check it tomorrow. I have to say that a handful of the masters supplied by the owners were slightly different mixes to the known recordings and, in most cases, superior. The weirdest master we received was the first track on the box set - Darrell Banks "Open The Door To Your Heart" which turned out to be a previously unknown instrumental version (which is spectacular in it's simplicity and impact). So there are bonuses too! Will come back to the Barbara Lewis master tomorrow when I sober up OK? Ian D

Whaaaaat? We didn't license anything from Mr Levine. I'll need to check that master again but I'm pretty sure that was a kosher master from the copyright owners - Concord, the owners of Fantasy/Stax in this case. We went to insane lengths to get the correct masters on this and, up to now, everyone has complimented us on the quality of the mastering. This is just plain weird. I'll check it tomorrow. I have to say that a handful of the masters supplied by the owners were slightly different mixes to the known recordings and, in most cases, superior. The weirdest master we received was the first track on the box set - Darrell Banks "Open The Door To Your Heart" which turned out to be a previously unknown instrumental version (which is spectacular in it's simplicity and impact). So there are bonuses too! Will come back to the Barbara Lewis master tomorrow when I sober up OK? Ian D

Just a progress report but also I just noticed that the Amazon price has dropped to £71.68 which probably explains it's boost up the rankings after 3 weeks out there! Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 719 in Music (See Top 100 in Music) #10 in Music > R&B and Soul > Motown #21 in Music > R&B and Soul > Soul #23 in Music > Pop > Pop R&B Ian D

Just a progress report but also I just noticed that the Amazon price has dropped to £71.68 which probably explains it's boost up the rankings after 3 weeks out there! Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 719 in Music (See Top 100 in Music) #10 in Music > R&B and Soul > Motown #21 in Music > R&B and Soul > Soul #23 in Music > Pop > Pop R&B Ian D

My over-the-topness as per usual Dean. But Top 5 UK album is still pretty impressive ay? Ian D

There ya go. Take ya pick...... https://rateyourmusic.com/list/goldwax317/1971__the_top_100_soul_randb_singles/ Ian D

45 years ago for sure. I can't think of any other music that has demonstrated such resilience over that kind of time span though which is interesting in itself. Amazing really. Ian D

The No.1 album in the U.K. and biggest-selling album in the country. Shows you what a national TV spend and the delights of Levanna can do for the general public. Lw Posn Posn DUS Title 2 1 4982 MOVE ON UP - VERY BEST OF NORTHERN SOUL As of today Northern Soul is the most popular music in the UK. Ian D

It's Gracenote then. They have fields which you're forced to fill-in or they adapt from the massively complicated spreadsheets which we have to fill-in for every release. Either way the system has grabbed that from the 'version' column by the looks of it..... Ian D

Looks like a legitimate custom-repress to me. If it was a bootleg they'd more than likely do a straight copy of the original label whereas the far superior sound quality, superior mastering and extra information on the second label indicate that this was indeed a legitimate re-press. This is one of those rare cases where I'd go for a re-press rather than an original. I had one of the first originals and the horrible quality always put me off playing it back then. Different kettle of fish on the re-press. Helluva record but ONLY on the re-press! It's what's in the grooves that counts! Ian D

That's the Amazon listing process for ya........ Ian D

"I Belong To You" always felt like a tailor-made to me. "Like A Rolling Stone" is pretty great though. Wish I'd known it when the cheapies were available......... Ian D

It's a helluva lot better than the other side which is one of the worst vocals I've ever heard! Ian D

Milton Wright? Ian D

Unacceptable on this forum. Member should go to the back of the class immediately. Thank you for your co-operation. Ian D

Funny you should mention this. We have a couple of fanatical Jam fans in the office and when I was playing the World Column from Disc 6 of "The Odyssey: A Northern Soul Time-Capsule" they both came over and asked what it was! Nothing is sacred anymore..... Ian D