Ian Dewhirst

Anoraks today come armed with PDA's and I-Pods LOL........... Ian D

I seem to remember multiple copies of "5 Minutes" - The Differences there as well Tony. I wish I'd have scooped up a few more of those back in the day........ Ian D

The last time I saw someone refer to a handwritten notebook was when I saw a striking-looking and rather eccentric elderly lady in Reckless records in Islington around 2004 frantically digging through the 7" box. I asked her what kind of stuff she was looking for and she went in her handbook and pulled out a thick notebook that had a few pages of her wants listed. The list was incredible - I didn't even know 50% of the titles. Then she showed me the pages with her collection listed and she had a phenomenal collection. Her favorite artist was Ty Karim and she had 'em all plus 100's of other obscurities. I checked with Jeremy behind the counter @ Reckless and everything she had was 100% for real. She'd often ring me @ Salsoul to ask if I knew something she was after and most of the time I didn't. Someone on here must know her...I've forgotten her name but there can't be that many 60+ eccentric old dears who collect obscure Soul but she was right up there with her knowledge. Anyone else bumped into her.........? Ian D

Glenn @ 2 Entertain (aka Demon) claims that they have the rights to Gamble/Neptune/North Bay etc but the reality is that it'll be the usual pain in the ass to get any realistic communication flowing. I've personally given up on Gamble & Huff because I've never had any replies to any communications I've sent over the years. I don't think it's smooth sailing dealing with 'em either from what I've heard........... Ian D

I just learned that Cheapo Cheapo in Berwick Street, London finally shuttered it's doors last week. Cheapo Cheapo was for many years in the late 60's/early 70's THE place where record hounds would congregate whenever they visited London. It was probably the main place in town where any collectors from the North would tend to head for, as there'd always be a few friendly faces and plenty of strippers hurrying between one strip club to another LOL. On any given visit in the 70's there'd generally be Rouncy, Ady, Ian Clark, Dave Rivers and other assorted Northern fans shooting the breeze and it almost felt like home from home in the middle of Soho, so definitely sad to see it go even though it had radically changed since the 70's. I can also remember with uncanny accuracy most of the records I picked up there for 25p apiece back in the day which included The Ideals, The Differences, The Vontastics, The Heartbreakers and loads of others. I can only imagine what Ady and Rouncy must have picked up there over the years.......... Shame to see yet another iconic place go. I always used to get a real buzz whenever I got to Kings Cross and hit the tube for Piccadilly Circus 'cos I always I knew I'd find something there.......... Ian D

All in a days work Gary! Ian D

And talking of Geoff - myself and Alan Champ will have the pleasure of interviewing him on Alan Champ's show on www.starpointradio.com on Saturday 12th April between 3.00-5.00pm. I'm absolutely fascinated with the early to mid 60's London Mod scene and I sometimes curse myself for being, 1) too young and 2) from up North at the time. Having met Geoff a couple of times, I'm really looking forward to grilling him on the show, especially about the Scene, the Bag O Nails, the Flamingo etc, etc. Any SS'ers who have any questions for Geoff should PM me and I'll make sure I ask him. I think it's important to get as much verifiable info as possible about the birth of Mod culture and the early R'n'B scene in the U.K. and Geoff will be a font of knowledge about this era. The show will be downloadable and will be posted on S.S. as soon as we've done it, so once again, anyone who has any questions for Geoff should let me know soonish...... How's that for service LOL? Best, Ian D

LOL, strangely enough Owosso hasn't been top of my priorities - it's been murder just trying to organise the BBC but hopefully things are beginning to accelerate now........ John did a live piece on BBC Radio Leicester last week as well plus a nice article in Record Collector coming up this week. Trying for Paul O'Grady as well....... Ian D

Also let's not forget that when it was discovered was during a period when some real drek was being played so it was like a throwback to the golden era and a classic Northern Motown tune in every sense of the word. In '78 that would have seemed like manna from heaven amongst amidst some of pop stuff that was masquerading as Northern Soul at the time......... Ian D

And that Sebastian chap from Sweden knows his onions too! Ian D

Haha LOL...... Finally we get national coverage on the BBC with interviews with John Manship, Andy Rix, myself and Kenny Burrell. You can hear it here @ around 4 minutes and 30 seconds in......... https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/musicweek/ Auction kicks off this Thursday folks........... Whoops.....gotta go......CNN is on the blower! Ian D

Well I was still in recovery mode from the previous evening's high jinks @ Monumental with Nicky, Nelly, Gareth, Mole and the rest of the gang so no surprise that the whole show went by in a complete blur LOL....... ......so it was another glorious Sunday afternoon party @ Starpoint Towers as ex Original Mastercuts show co-host Alan Champ joined me for another two hours of glorious music as we see the first glimpses of what will be a brilliant Summer this year........ ........and this, of course, is reflected in the music! As per usual the time just zipped by so time to kick back and listen again at leisure so heeeeere's the download folks........ Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show with Ian Dewhirst and special guest Alan Champ on Sunday 29th March 2009 on www.starpointradio.com. To download the show simply hit the link below! Or for this and all archived shows please pay a visit to www.sixmillionsteps.com where you can download the last 4 weeks worth of all Six Million Steps produced shows. That's 16 hours of free music over the last 4 weeks plus loads of new fully downloadable KILLER mixes in a variety of styles! So let's go with this week's show:- 1st Hour Deborah Cox/Bah Samba - It's Over Now/Let The Drums Speak - Slumdog Remix David Bendeth - Feel The Real - Jazz N' Groove Remix 83 West feat Kenny Bobien - When Rodeo Jones - Natural World The Love Unlimited Orchestra/Kanye West - Welcome Aboard/Love Lockdown Atomix Mix Michael Wycoff - Looking Up To You Jermaine Jackson - You Like Me Don't You Rick James - Make Love To Me Teddy Pendergrass - Joy 2nd Hour Jr Walker & The All-Stars - What Does It Take (To Win Your Love For Me) David Ruffin - What You Gave Me Chairmen Of The Board - Bless Your Heart Betty Swanne - When The Game Is Played On You Tutu Jones - Just Can't Leave Your Love Alone Walter Jackson - Let Me Come Back Zulema - I Want To Be Where You Are Ronnie Dyson - When You Get Right Down To It Rufus - Stop On You Maxwell - Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder) R. Kelly - Happy People Faith Evans - Love Like This Alicia Keys - Karmastition https://www.sixmillionsteps.com/6MS-2009-03-29-Starpoint.mp3 Many thanks to Alan for keeping me suitably lubricated throughout the show. Don't forget next week we have the illustrious Simon M guesting and selecting for the whole show. Not to be missed! See y'all next week! Best, Ian D

Coming up @ 2.00 sharp! Ian D

Interviews with Kenny Burrell, John Manship and Moi. It'll be tucked away within the show somewhere between some awful Rock stuff no doubt but they're tracking the auction and will interview Frank Wilson himself in the next couple of weeks so worth it for that alone........ Ian D

Darrell Banks! Ian D

Don't forget the clocks go forward this week, so don't sleep in LOL! Posting early this week 'cos I'm anticipating a late one on Saturday night down at Monumental, so I'm prepped for this week's show nice and early for a change! This week I'm joined by my ex partner in crime Alan Champ and boy do we have a HELLUVA SHOW this week with 2 first-play exclusives....... Bah Samba/Deborah Cox, David Bendeth, 83 West feat Kenny Bobien, Rodeo Jones, The Love Unlimited Orchestra/Kanye West, Michael Wycoff, The Manhattans, Glen Goldsmith, Jermaine Jackson, Rick James, Jr Walker & The All-Stars, David Ruffin, Chairmen Of The Board, The Funky Sisters, Mel Britt, Betty Swanne, Tutu Jones, Jodi Mathis, Walter Jackson, Zulema, Ronnie Dyson, Rufus, Maxwell, R. Kelly, Faith Evans and Alicia Keys So looking forward to another Soulful Sunday afternoon session! See you @ 2.00pm Sunday! Ian D

If we carry on at this rate we could do a full compilation of covers of "All I Do" LOL! All credit for putting me onto the Randy Crawford version mate! I must have had about 20 calls on that this week. Phenomenal version! Ian D

Yer welcome Mike. Always a pleasure to know you've caught the show mate! This Sunday will be a blast too as my old sparring partner Alan Champ is joining me, plus next week Simon M will be guesting so busy, busy, busy! Ian D

I've never got it either. And I found hundreds of the buggers at one time........ Ian D

But make sure you press the artists link! I very nearly bought an Alien Sex Fiend bundle............... Ian D

OK James, here's one for ya. I doubt that you'll hear this out anywhere nowadays but it was huge at one time.........plus with a name like Wombat and a title like "I'm Gettin' On Life" it's surely got to be a contender (apologies for direct link but can't find a Refosoul clip)............... https://www.zshare.net/download/5772477550ceeae2/ Ian D

S.O.U.L. was around back then - "This Time Around" got a few spins and was common as muck in the early 70's but "Burning Spear" would have been a tad too extreme for the scene back then. Strangely enough another version of "Burning Spear" was a huge record on the Jazz-Funk scene aound '77 - try and check the Richard Evans version out (on A&M), I think that version would probably qualify as twisted these days as the sax on it is phenomenal......... Ian D

OK, a bit more info perculating through now. Joe will be flying in on the 9th June, rehearsing on the 10th, doing two Red Bull Music Academy private engagements in London on the 11th and 12th June and is finalising two potential gigs in Leeds on the 13th June and Birmingham on the 14th June. He is looking for more gigs from the 15th June onwards and will hopefully be staying in the UK for a further 2 weeks from that date. He is absolutely up for anything including meet and greet sessions, lectures and preferably more gigs. Please note that the two Red Bull dates in London will be invite-only and so if anyone wants to put on some public gigs then now is the time! 100 Club anyone? The person to speak to regarding anything is Karen @ Red Bull who is looking after Joe during his stay. So anyone interested in setting up something should e-mail to: Karen@Redbullmusicacademy.com or telephone her on: 020-7253-6449. So come on you Latino Soul fans. Let's get Joe doing a couple of 60's Latino Soul gigs! Best, Ian D

That would be Danny Hunt Richard. And yes, a fantastically twisted record which is almost impossible to dance to but which you can't get out of your head. Brilliant! Ian D