Ian Dewhirst

Blimey, you're right Pete! I dunno what's happened but Mel isn't on the box set. Mind you, by all accounts it was such a logistical nightmare to put together that nothing surprises me anymore. It's a real pisser because this was done especially for the box set, 4 days of work was spent on it and Levine's almost in tears and getting to the bottom of why it's not there! For the benefit of anyone who hasn't seen the updated Mel Britt video here it is in it's full stupendous glory....... Mel Britt "She'll Come Running Back" Just awesome. Ian D

Well I can guarantee that James won't be burnt on a stake and I'll even buy him a drink. Are you coming Mark? We didn't have a chance to natter at the Ealing do....... Ian D

Well that was never my intention Ady which is why I qualified my statement by saying "I think it's fair to say that Ian Levine was never a natural fit" which he wasn't. Let's not forget we're talking about a time when 'paki-bashing' was in fashion, the NF were running rampant, the black clubs were almost always segregated and confined to their own areas and most gay clubs were tucked away in discreet parts of town. There simply wasn't the same degree of integration that there is today. If anything the Northern scene helped to break down many of these barriers (as anyone who went to 'Taurus' in Huddersfield @ The Reggae Club in 1973 will no doubt testify). As I said before, the Northern scene was much more tolerant than most which is why we have such a unique blend of people on the scene these days. No offence was meant - I was merely trying to point out that Levine didn't have an easy ride back then and still doesn't here and now by the looks of it. No doubt that's down to a number of different factors! Ian D

I said 'almost cursed' James. I deliberately didn't go the full hog because such a thing would clearly be ridiculous. Ian D

I think I'd agree with that Mikey. IL doesn't do himself any favours at times - I've had countless fall-outs with him over the years but I do see a lot of criticism from people who don't even know him and haven't achieved 1/100th of what he's done for the scene at various times. But, hey, healthy debate is what a forum is for isn't it? Ian D

LOL, no chance of that! Ian D

I never once alluded to the "Northern Soul scene being a hostile environment" - those were Rod's words, not mine, as were terms like "neo Nazi skinheads". I wasn't sensationalist at all, just saying it like it was and I quote verbatim:- "However it wasn't always an easy ride. Levine has always attracted a large degree of controversy throughout his life. He was almost cursed for being the offspring of rich parents, being Jewish and, eventually, being gay - all three things being the diametric opposite of what was essentially a working class scene in the North of the UK. I think it's fair to say that Ian Levine was never a natural fit. Add to the above, the fact that he often came across as arrogant, stubborn, outspoken, selfish and totally committed to his own views and you have a perfect recipe for an easy target and an object of derision over the years. However it's these very attributes that are actually his strength. He's had to develop a thick skin throughout his whole life, so any criticism or bigotry has always tended to roll off his back over time. It's his own defence mechanism because, frankly, most people in his shoes would have given up a long time ago". As recently as a few weeks ago, I had a well-known figure on the scene state to me that anyone could have found the records that Levine found had they had rich parents! Plus I've lost count of the amount of times Levine has been slurred for his beliefs, his sexual orientation and his physique - you only have to read this very thread for some examples - the worst ones have quite rightly been removed by the mods. The 70's were a vastly different landscape to today James. I got death threats from the NF for playing playing black music in the 70's plus I saw first hand the upset that bigotry and racism caused some of my friends of mine at the time and there are people on here who will concurr with that. Having said that, the Northern scene was much better than most in these aspects, but don't make the mistake of thinking that everything was squeaky clean and politically correct back then because it wasn't. For a guy who's just spent the best part of a couple of years putting such a huge project together I think Levine's come in for a lot of unwarranted personal abuse as this thread clearly shows. As I stated at the beginning of the review, I was merely trying to put some historical context in there for the benefit of younger readers who can't understand the amount of bile which pours forth whenever Ian Levine's name gets mentioned. Are you coming to the launch on Monday? Ian D

Mmmmm. Maybe it's time to start flogging some of those records back to where they came from! I've got a few thousand £5 records which I'll flog back to the USA @ anytime LOL..... In fact, any U.S. buyers can contact me right now for a £3.00 list which makes a lot of sense at current exchange rates.......... Ian D

Funny you should say that as I was pretty disappointed with the Sly Stone version of "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" off one of Sly's early albums........ Ian D

I think so. I remember him telling me about notorious New York gay clubs like The Anvil circa '75/'76, so I think the penny dropped for me around then......... Ian D

LOL, try "War & Peace" by Leo Tolstoy........... Ian D

You could be right Steve, but on the other hand I don't remember too many banners @ other venues demanding that certain DJ's should go when they were playing really bad pop music......... For someone to take the time to make up a banner demanding that someone should go from a venue indicates to me that it may have been a bit more personal......... Ian D

Well I was there too and I can only report on numerous things which I both witnessed and heard with my own ears. Do you not remember the "Levine Must Go" campaign complete with banner or was that just a product of my over-active imagination too? How many people do you know who have solicited such a reaction? "Neo-Nazi skinheads" and "hostile environment being portrayed by Ian D"? C'mon please Rod, that's really over-egging things a tad isn't it? You only have to read both parts of this very thread from beginning to end to see plenty of evidence of the hostility towards Levine right here, prior to some of the more obnoxious posts being removed so they don't cause even more offence........... Ian D

This was to put a bit of background context behind the project for the benefit of people who may be new to the scene. Plus it's true. I was there and witnessed a lot of bigotry and tittle-tattle against Levine first hand so I thought it was relevent to the story behind the release as I can't think of anyone else who has assembled a project like this against such a welter of sustained criticism. There could potentially be some people who could get influenced by some of the unfair criticism which gets levelled at Levine and who may avoid the project for ridiculous reasons, so I thought it was only fair to put some context in there. I'll do likewise for the next guy who comes along with a 5 x DVD set of 200 performances, OK? Been going to Soho for the last 36 years mate - it's where I used to buy many of my records back in the 70's! Ian D

Damn. Just got back from Fuerto Ventura (the next island to Lanzarote and 20 minutes by ferry) so a classic case of bad-timing! Was pretty sunny most of the time and winds are pretty strong in that neck of the woods so take a cardi LOL.... Also I switched on the radio in the car the other day and heard "If It's All The Same To You Babe" - Luther Ingram pumping out which was a nice surprise plus caught a Northern Soul show which is on one of the local stations every Tuesday night (6.30-8.30pm every Tuesday night I think) by a guy called Dave Cummings which put me in the mood. Also worth looking around for a Spanish copy of "Get On Your Knees" by Los Canarios. If you can't find one in Lanzarote then forget it LOL.... Have fun all! Ian D

Well here's the latest Manifesto review from one "DJ Frank" who's not known for mincing his words LOL..... Northern Soul's 200 Greatest Floorfillers - DVD Review - Manifesto - November 2008 Before I launch into this review, I'd like to put everything in context for the benefit of any youngsters out there who may not know the history behind this fascinating project. Ian Levine was a Northern Soul DJ in the early 1970's at one of Soul music's most influential and important venues, the legendary Blackpool Mecca. There is no doubt that Levine (along with his Mecca co-DJ Colin Curtis) was responsible for finding and playing literally hundreds of the records we now know as classics, both in Northern Soul and Modern Soul. His contribution to both scenes is beyond question. However it wasn't always an easy ride. Levine has always attracted a large degree of controversy throughout his life. He was almost cursed for being the offspring of rich parents, being Jewish and, eventually, being gay - all three things being the diametric opposite of what was essentially a working class scene in the North of the UK. I think it's fair to say that Ian Levine was never a natural fit. Add to the above, the fact that he often came across as arrogant, stubborn, outspoken, selfish and totally committed to his own views and you have a perfect recipe for an easy target and an object of derision over the years. However it's these very attributes that are actually his strength. He's had to develop a thick skin throughout his whole life, so any criticism or bigotry has always tended to roll off his back over time. It's his own defence mechanism because, frankly, most people in his shoes would have given up a long time ago. I made my own mind up about Ian Levine a long time ago - virtually within the first few weeks of meeting him sometime in the early 1970's. I realised very early on that he had the sort of single-minded dedication and focus on what he wanted to do in life that should be applauded rather then rejected. The connoisseurs always knew the score. Levine had the best ears in the business at a crucial time in Northern Soul history and he and Curtis virtually invented what would become the Modern Soul scene. So, fast forward some 35 years and here we have Ian Levine's latest production - a phenomenal 5 DVD box set which contains 200 performances from some of the greatest Northern Soul and Soul artists who have graced our ears throughout our lives. "Northern Soul's 200 Greatest Floorfillers" is the result of lifetime of passion for Soul music and it shows. After all, who else would have had the single-minded determination to track down all these artists and record and film their performances for posterity? Yep. That same arrogant, stubborn, outspoken, selfish twat that we all love to hate! Well, it's time to bury whatever residual hate which may be lurking in peoples hearts, for this is truly a phenomenal project which thoroughly deserves the attention it's now getting - it's been in the Amazon top 10 pre-order DVD's for the last 8 weeks and it's not difficult to see why. Nothing like this has ever been assembled before. It's something really special folks. The recent passing of so many of our heroes merely underlines the importance of this project. "Northern Soul's 200 Greatest Floorfillers" catches so many of our forgotten heroes, that there won't be a dry eye in the house for anyone who has worshipped these artists throughout their lives. The sheer mind-boggling SCALE of the project should nullify any criticism of any individual performances. Shit, we're lucky that someone had the determination to take on such a huge project! Add to the above the fact that since the completion of this masterpiece, sadly the following artists have passed away: Erma Franklin, Willie Hutch, Tommy Ridgley, Johnny Moore, Joe Stubbs, all of The Lovetones (apart from the lead singer), Sam Ward, two of The Carstairs, Saundra Edwards, Doris Troy, Edwin Starr, Earl Van Dyke, Bobby Sheen, one of The Dramatics, Richard Popcorn Wylie, C.P. Spencer, some of The Royal Jokers, Walter lead singer of The Olympics, James Fountain, Freddy Butler, Bob Relf, George Williams lead singer of The Tymes, Ray Pollard, Jackie Day, all three of The Tempos, Little Ann and Emanuel Lasky. To me this pretty much puts things in perspective. I could wax lyrical about many of the performances but frankly what's the point? The fact of the matter is that thanks to Ian Levine, we at least have the chance to savour the performances which the maestro did get on film and, for that alone, we should be extremely thankful. Naturally "Northern Soul's 200 Greatest Floorfillers" will be a magnificent stocking-filler for anyone who takes the history of Northern Soul seriously. At last we have a time-capsule which will resonate with audiences for decades to come. Every home should have one! Ian D

Hence where the nickname DJ Frank came from........ Ian D

Cheers Simon! That's one file I've been looking for for a long time. It sounds like the original to me, although the last time I heard it was when I found two copies in East L.A. in '76! Great rekid! Ian D

Spiller's "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" was better than Carol William's "Love Is You" IMO (and I'm a Salsoul freak)........ Ian D

OK, here's another then..... Vermeytta Royster "The Comfort Of Your Arms" Soul Intention Ian Dewhirst London

Missed everyone last week due to being in Prestatyn, but I'm happy to say that the audience figures were great to say it was a repeat show, so thanks everyone! I'm away next week as well, so keep the faith! Happily I'm back LIVE this week with a truly exceptional line-up of great music and a special tribute to Levi Stubbs which I only just managed to get through without blubbering! Well, it obviously moved me anyway! As per usual the show covers the whole spectrum, so kick back for a couple of hours and enjoy! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show with Ian Dewhirst, on Sunday 19th October 2008 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 alone! Plus, loads of new fully downloadable KILLER mixes in a variety of styles! So let's go with this week's show:- 1st Hour Rufus & Chaka Khan - Any Love - Dimitri Re-Edit Fat Larry's Band - Straight From The Heart Sonja Grier - Right Here, Right Now Lil' Louie - New Dance Beat Denitria Champ - I've Had Enough Ten City - One Kiss Will Make It Better Halo - Let Me Do It Skool Boyz - Superfine (She Looks Good From Behind) Ruth Dawes - I Love Only You Wanda Walden - Don't You Want My Loving Paul Laurence - There Ain't Nothing Like Your Lovin' 2nd Hour The Funk Brothers & Dr Martin Luther King Vs Six Million Steps - Bernadette's Dream The Four Tops - Bernadette The Four Tops - Walk Away Renee The Four Tops - I Just Cant You Out Of My Mind Bobby Hutton - It's All Been Said Before Garland Green - Just Loving You Turn Of The Century - Money Can't Vermeytta Royster - The Shelter Of Your Arms Gladys Knight & The Pips - The Look Of Love Tina Broussard - Why Do I Feel So Sad Private Eye - No One Can Love You Like Me Bobby Caldwell - I'll Be Around Earth, Wind & Fire & Kenny G - I Like The Way You Move Johnny Hudson - Better Love Alexander O'Neal & Cherrelle - Never Knew Love Like This https://www.sixmillionsteps.com/6MS-...9-Starpoint.mp3 Best, Ian D

LOL, never thought of that! Ian D

A major problem with the galvanisation process which this particular pressing plant just couldn't seem to get right! Should have a fourth set of TP's from another plan by Tuesday morning touch wood......... Ian D

Yep, yer right, complete and utter b*%locks Pete! It's cos it's filed next to "The Spy" - The Guys From Uncle and I made an error cos it's a B&W label quite similar to Swan which is next to it. I've just realised it's a UK boot! On a label called "North". Anyone know where these came from? Ian D

Coming up in just over an hour folks - 2 hours worth of ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS LIVE with Ian Dewhirst from 2.00-4.00pm on www.starpointradio.com. Naturally I have some KILLERS up my sleeves! Plus a Levi Stubbs tribute @ 3.00pm. See you at 2.00 sharp! Ian D