Ian Dewhirst

The good Pete Dillon just PM'd me to ask whether any of the mixes on this album are available on vinyl and reminded me that I never mentioned it on here 'cos I was busy with other stuff. So, yes, there are 3 x 12" double-packs still available here or from any good record dealer:- https://aboveboarddist.co.uk/label/harmless Apparently they're selling like hotcakes, so anyone wanting the first press should get in quick! Ian D

LOL, you're right! No one better than Wylie/Hestor. I should have started with Chester Pipkin or Jerry Ross or James Carmichael or Arthur Wright and gradually we could have worked our way up. Maybe a better idea would have been under-rated production teams ay? I was in a Wylie/Hestor kinda mood after a few pints last night LOL.... Ian D

That all makes perfect sense to me. Did Bobby Treetop ever record anything other than the Tuff sides? Ian D

For me it doesn't come much better than Richard 'Popcorn' Wylie and Tony Hestor. All the right credentials and so, so many great Northern Soul productions..... Stanley Mitchell "Get It Baby" Luther Ingram "If It's All The Same To You Babe" [/media] Sam Ward "Sister Lee" [/media] Detroit Executives "Cool Off" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l01__ADd3fI[/media] The Dynamics "Yes I Love You Baby" Who else is up there with the greatest? Ian D

I spoke to Carl in the early 90's when I wanted to licence "I Choose You" by Paris for a Mastercuts comp. I was stunned that such an incredible producer/arranger/writer was working in real estate at the time. I found it hard to believe. Such is the nature of the cut-throat music biz. A true gentlemen and I'm blessed to have known him. RIP Carl. Ian D

Mmm. Interesting. I guess it all boils down to which came first then? Were those Charisma copies pressed for UK demand or was the Charisma pressing before the Tuff deal? Maybe E. Rodney Jones knew he had a killer track so went ahead and pressed a few copies in order to sell it on. He had enough clout to launch a record for sure. Maybe he did that and then Tuff bought the record and destroyed the rest of the Charisma copies? I'm presuming from all this, that "RnB Time" was first and then Bobby Treetop cut a vocal which was probably an obvious move if "RnB Time" was getting hammered on Chicago radio. Whatever, it's always been a major record for me. My biggest 2 wants at the time were Bobby Treetop and Duke Browner and I got 'em both in quick succession. I love 'em both as much now as the day that I bought 'em. You can't say that about many records can you? Ian D

If it was a later pressing I'm pretty sure that more copies would have found their way to the UK where demand for the record was quite high at the time. I do remember Tuff originals being on Soul Bowl lists in the mid 70's for a couple of quid or thereabouts, so presumably there were plenty of originals to soak up demand. Out of curiosity, which came first Bobby Treetop or E. Rodney? And whatever happened to Bobby Treetop? I LOVE his vocals but after the two records on Tuff then what? Anyone know? Ian D

You learn something new everyday........never seen one before....... Ian D

Can't believe Wylie-Hestor stompers are still turning up on tiny Detroit labels......... Ian D

It was around in the early to mid 70's. Usually ran about £3 a copy back then. I think it was played early on @ Wigan but not much - maybe a couple of times possibly by Kev or Russ. Never took off. Probably not enough dynamics at the time and quite a basic production so never cut through......funny that I can remember the song very easily though even though I haven't heard it for 35+ years......... Ian D

If you'd have come around in the mid 80's (or better still in the late 70's) you'd have had a ball LOL. I'm actually going through my stuff at the moment and finding some seriously weird stuff, most of which has been on the shelves for 35 odd years but which everybody quite rightly bypassed. But there's always someone somewhere who wants a record, so I've just sold a couple of really obscure P-Funk type records t'other day for £50 each. I cringe when I think of all the funky type titles I've left behind over the years.... Ian D

I had this on the shelves for years. Way too funky to interest any Soul boys at the time. Mine went to a French guy who didn't mind paying £20 for it in 1989 or thereabouts. I gave a whole bunch of similar stuff to this to a mate a few years ago who was looking for obscure funk so I bet there's a few more like this lurking around...... Copy of the reissue 12" here for £11.00 boys......... https://www.discogs.com/Freedom-Express-Get-Down/release/1456129 Ian D

So I guess it's a kind of "glass is half empty" scenario on Paypal claims against a seller then? Ian D

But I don't see why not Bob. What else can I do? I fulfilled my end of the deal. Also I should mention that the guy did Paypal claims on 2 seperate orders and then accidentally revealed that he had in fact received one of the records. When I pointed this out to him, he had no choice nut to cave on one of the claims, so at least that's in my favour. Also, this would be the first time ever that someone hasn't received a record I've posted but maybe I've just been lucky up to now..... But I'm not caving on this. Why should I? It'll leave me out the record and the £40 which isn't right (although I guess I could put a claim in for a lost package at this end). Ian D

I don't subscribe to this at all. As soon as that record goes over the post office counter I consider that it's out of my hands and the responsibility of the postal services from that point forward. At the moment I'm having a Paypal dispute with a customer in Argentina over a £40 record which he says he hasn't received yet despite me proving I've sent it and sending a scan of the PO receipt. How can we guarantee the world's postal services? Ian D

In which case, this must be one of the rare instances where a first release by a national label got trounced by a cover version on an indie. Interesting stuff. It turned out the exact opposite of what I thought must have happened. I bet Luther was cheesed off...... Ian D

OK, I'm back after a short break in Turkey and predictably it's raining LOL. Not to worry though as the Olympics got under way with a bang and we seem to be doing OK in the medals tally and my "Inspired! Blood, Soul, Sweat & Cheers" album is selling well, so all is good. Great new albums are out from the Sunburst Band and Ferry Ultra & the Homeless Funkers both of which are featured today as well as some tasty new re-edits and remixes and the usual trawl through the eras, so hope you can join me LIVE from 2.00pm today. Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 15th July 2012 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring...... Thelma Houston * Ferry Ultra & The Homeless Funkers * The Sunburst Band * Wipe The Needle feat C.T. Martin * Alex Latimore * The Sunburst Band * The Valentine Brothers * Sly & The Family Stone * Wales Wallace * The Dramatics * Bits & Pieces * Kenny Smith * The Internationals * The Detroit Emeralds * Larry Saunders * Gene Redding * The Topics * Freddie Hughes * Love Unlimited * Ferry Ultra feat Sandra Phillips * Stevie Wonder * Latimore * James Hazlehurst * Leela James See you @ 2.00pm hopefully. Ian D

And let's not forget those rare as hens teeth Jamaican Salsoul pressings..... Chao & The Salsoul Orchestra "Dance A Little Bit Closer" Double Exposure "Ten Percent" Silvetti "Spring Rain" Ian D

My guess is Jamo Thomas. It's a classic Chicago jam and with it being on a Chicago indie my guess is that Smash thought they could score some sales if they got a version out quick enough. It probably explains why I've always found this around New York but hardly anywhere else...... Ian D

Coulda fooled me....... Prices for personal customers - April 2012 Our regulator, Ofcom, has now published its final decision on the future regulation of postal services and we can now confirm our new prices, which will be effective from 30 April 2012. Key price changes Our stamp prices are increasing from 30 April 2012: 1st Class stamps for letters weighing up to 100g will increase from 46p to 60p 2nd Class stamps for letters weighing up to 100g will increase from 36p to 50p. Packets weighing up to 750g will be charged at one flat rate price: 1st Class packets weighing up to 750g will cost £2.70. 2nd Class packets weighing up to 750g will cost £2.20. Since 30/4/12 my personal postage charges have risen by a mimimum of 30%. Ian D

Yeah, it's ironic isn't it? Great vinyl albums and 12"'s are the cheapest they've ever been but the postage costs are taking a lot of the fun out of it! Ian D

Maybe he knows that you're the Asda of Northern Soul sellers and he's trying to clip your wings with your bargain basement postage costs.... Ian D

You should try compiling some albums Sean 'cos that story would make for some great sleeve notes! Ian D

I bet it probably cost him not far off that with a bit of padding for packing. That's what I mean about it becoming uneconomical. Another round of rises could kill the bottom end of the market completely which would be a shame because these are mostly young people who are dipping their toe into buying records...... Ian D

It's not. You should get a break on a multi-item package in line with what it costs. I have a massive amount of international buyers across all formats, many of whom order multiple 12"'s which can cause headaches cos' often it's cheaper to send two seperate packages rather than one heavy one. I had to raise my P&P charges just recently when the UK prices shot up and postage charges are often more than the bloody record's worth, especially if someone from Brazil, Australia, Argentina or Canada orders an old 12" cheapie. I do often 'lose' on P&P on Australia/Canada packages I've noticed, but I don't think people will accept higher P&P charges, so one has to take the hit. It'll soon be uneconomical to post cheap records internationally. No shortage of customers but consistently rising postal charges will put many people off. Bearing in mind that most of my customers are overseas, these are my P&P charges which only the occasional dickhead/tightwad challenges........ UK & NORTHERN IRELAND 12" & LPs £3.50 and £1.00 each thereafter. CDs & 7" £2.00 and £1.00 each thereafter. (Recorded Delivery - please add £1.00) EUROPE 12" & LPs £4.50 and £1.50 thereafter CDs & 7" £3.00 and £1.00 thereafter. UNITED STATES & REST OF WORLD 12" & LPs £6.50 and £2.50 thereafter. CDs & 7" £3.00 and £1.00 thereafter. I know you're the Asda of Northern Soul sellers Pete, but do they look reasonable to you? Ian D