Ian Dewhirst

Good for you mate! I've often suspected that that Northern Soul might need to leap a couple of generations to make it sexy to kids again. This kinda happened with both Rockabilly and the Mod scenes in the late 70's and 80's and I can see it happening with Northern Soul at some point. There are isolated examples. My mate Tony Coote used to play a lot of Northern Soul to a huge young student type crowd in Cambridge a few years back. I know this because he was always round my place picking up whatever spares I had and then he'd report back on how they'd gone down. He said the highpoints of the night were when he dropped some Northern Soul killers and then the energy level would go through the roof. The Hi-Fi Club and especially the 'Move On Up' nights in Leeds are another good example of a student type crowd getting off on Northern Soul. Admittedly the music is a mish-mash of different styles and eras but there's a healthy attitude and a great energy and buzz when some Northern gets played and no-sign of any 7" box-holding obsessives lurking around. On the tube in London last year, there was an imaculately presented and stunning looking young teenage girl wearing a proper Fred Perry top and some very striking original Mod gear whilst toting a Northern Soul holdall. I started talking to her but I think she thought I was just some lecherous old guy. I have no idea what would give her that impression.......... I pretty much agree with some of the earlier statements on this thread. I think Northern Soul will continue to find it's audiences but on their own terms. When Nstomp97 describes hearing "You Don't Want Me No More" for the first time, it almost precisely describes the exact same effect that the record had on me some 40 years ago. The music's that good that it will pretty much never be ignored. When the future teenagers of the day get fed-up with hearing their parent's Drum & Bass/Dubstep/Techno/House compilations, they'll rebel and look for real music, real tunes, real musicians and real records. And they'll find Northern Soul. Ian D

You got a beer too....? There was obviously some other kind of dynamic going on on your visit..... It must be pure sexual attraction David.......... Ian D

I bet that's the first time General Crook's musical output has been compared to viagra....... Ian D

Got it in one. The optical illusion is part of the marketing process..... Ian D

Are you taking the 2" lid into account I wonder....? It's a very snug package! I went through about 10 different prototypes before I settled on that one. The design protects the contents when the lid's on which prevents the contents from falling out! Ian D

As I said above, good things come to those who wait! Ian D

Hi Mike, As Ralph says, he'd have to compile 20 CD's to please everyone. He missed out some faves of mine too - "Time To Get Down" - The O'Jays, "I Don't Want To Cry" - Dick Jensen, "Unity" - The O'Jays etc, etc but I guess everyone has a different compilation. He could probably have included 3 seperate albums by the O'Jays alone if you think about it. However, there is another Richard Searling Philly project coming up soon and we are trying to avoid too much track replication on all these releases. Unlike the Moulton package Ralph deliberately didn't compile this in chronological order because he preferred the sequencing the way he's done it, which is every compilers prerogative. For instance, CD 7 is the more Jazzy side of the labels which wouldn't have been possible if he'd gone for the chronological approach...... I honestly believe whoever compiled this would leave out some peoples favorite tracks. That's the problem with such a huge catalogue - can't please everyone. Patience is a virtue MIke. I'm pretty sure those tracks will end up on another project! Ian D

Yep. Got a minter over here. PM me with an offer as I have no idea what it's worth but it's a great record. Ian D

There used to be a fair in Chicago every Summer where all the local distributors and regional record companies would dump their stock into a couple of huge marquees and every record was 10 cents or thereabouts. I started thinking about this and remembered a funny story..... I remember heading to this in the late 80's when I was driving across the U.S. I decided to hit a record fair in Louisville on the way and who should I bump into but Gary Rushbrooke, who was looking through a stall, glanced up and said "Allright Frank" (my name in those days) and went right back to going through the stall LOL. After the fair had ended we were both chewing the fat and both being defensive about where we were heading next. I think Gary said he was heading West and I said I was heading South and we shook hands and went our merry ways. Two days later we bumped into each other at the Chicago Summer Fair and both laughed. It was a goldfield. 2 marquees with dozens and dozens of trestle tables overflowing with 45's, many of which were just dumped on the ground or sacks of them on blankets. It would have taken a couple of days solid to go through them all. I think Gary and I both did OK from that one event. I remember beginning the second conversation with Gary in 48 hours with, "OK, which way are you REALLY heading this time Gary"? Ian D

It'll be a lifelong investment Martin. You could spend years just pouring through Phillydave's 22 page comprehensive PIR discography alone LOL... Who were the Knights And Arthur on Gamble 202.....? What's Donnie Vann's "Hold Back The Night" on Gamble 241 like? It's not the Trammps song is it.....? Who has the full collection of the special edits of Lou Rawl's REGIONAL vocals on "Let's Clean Up The Ghetto" - mentioning Boston, Washington, Miami, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Detroit, St Louis, Houston, Chicago, Cincinatti, Cleveland, Dallas, San Francisco and Los Angeles.....? Fascinating stuff mate. 60 page booklet should get you through a weekend LOL.... Ian D

Hot on the heels of Philadelphia International Classics: The Tom Moulton Remixes we're proud to announce the forthcoming release of....... Philadelphia International: The 40th Anniversary Box Set Harmless HURTBOX001 Release Date: 21st May 2012 Following on from the recent Top 40 album 'Philadelphia International: The Re-Edits" and the Current No.21 album 'Philadelphia International Classics: The Tom Moulton Remixes', it gives us great pleasure to introduce Philadelphia International: The 40th Anniversary Box Set - the most complete and comprehensive study of the Philadelphia International catalogue to date. We invited world acknowledged Philadelphia International expert Ralph Tee to return to compile his second Box Set for the label following his previous ground-breaking 14 x vinyl LP box set in 1986 (over 25 years ago) which still regularly sells for £100+ on e-bay and throughout collectors circles. This time Ralph has the added benefit of a further 25 years of experience studying the Philadelphia International operation and a lot more time to play with over twelve and a half hours of pure quality music from one of the greatest labels of all time. Also included within the package will be a 60 page full-size booklet containing full sleeve notes and track details from Ralph Tee (Ralph is also author of the definitive "Who's Who In Soul Music") which will also include a number of archive photos and key album scans. We are also proud to include within the booklet for the first time ever, a fully comprehensive complete discography of all U.S. Philadelphia International and related labels compiled by Philadelphia International expert David Grimes (aka 'Phillydave'). An absolute must for all Philly collectors and especially Philadelphia International archivists as there has never been an officially printed full discography before. All recordings will be fully re-mastered to the highest quality. We will be doing a series of specially commissioned film clips of both Ralph Tee and Richard Searling interviewing Philadelphia International co-founder Kenny Gamble. This will be distributed via various social network forums, blogs and You Tube in the weeks leading up to release. Track Listing CD 1 1. Zach's Fanfare # 2 Original Album Version 1.03 M.F.S.B. 2. K-Jee Original Album Version 4.12 M.F.S.B. 3. T.S.O.P. (The Sound Of Philadelphia) Original Single Version 3.17 M.F.S.B. feat The Three Degrees 4. Message In The Music Original Single Version 3.21 The O'Jays 5. Sexy Original Single Version 3:10 M.F.S.B. 6. Let's Groove Original Single Version 3.03 Archie Bell & The Drells 7. Backstabbers Original Single Version 3:03 The O'Jays 8. The Love I Lost Original Single Version 3.32 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 9. When Will I See You Again Original Single Version 2.57 The Three Degrees 10. I Love Music Original Album Version 6.51 The O'Jays 11. I'll Always Love My Mama Original Single Version 2.41 The Intruders 12. Year Of Decision Original Single Version 2:38 The Three Degrees 13. The Soul City Walk Original Single Version 3.08 Archie Bell & The Drells 14. Bad Luck Original Album Version 6.24 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 15. Do It Any Way You Wanna Original Single Version 3:14 People's Choice 16. Philly Jump Original Album Version 5.06 Instant Funk 17. Take Good Care Of Yourself Original Single Version 3.03 The Three Degrees 18. Love Is The Message Original Album Version 6.36 M.F.S.B. 19. Show You The Way To Go Original Single Version 3.28 The Jacksons 20. Darlin' Darlin' Baby Original Album Version 4:17 The O'Jays Running Time CD1: 75.45 CD 2 1. Win Place or Show (She's A Winner) Original Single Version 2.27 The Intruders 2. 992 Arguments Original Single Version 2.21 The O'Jays 3. Dirty Ol' Man Original Single Version 3.12 The Three Degrees 4. Satisfaction Guaranteed Or Take Your Love Back Original Single Version 3.26 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 5. Love Train Original Album Version 6.15 The O'Jays 6. Get Down With The Philly Sound Original Album Version 4.29 M.F.S.B. 7. Jam Jam Jam (All Night Long) Original Album Version 3.37 People's Choice 8. A Nice Girl Like You Original Album Version 3.20 The Intruders 9. If You Don't Know Me By Now Original Single Version 3.23 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 10. Me & Mrs Jones Original Album Version 4.47 Billy Paul 11. Wake Up Everybody Original Album Version 7.31 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 12. For The Love Of Money Original Single Version 3.32 The O'Jays 13. Don't Leave Me This Way Original Album Version 6.05 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 14. Livin' For The Weekend Original Single Version 2.52 The O'Jays 15. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine Original Album Version 4:27 Lou Rawls 16. Free Love Original Album Version 4:02 Jean Carn 17. People Power Original Album Version 4:17 Billy Paul 18. Nobody Could Take Your Place Original Album Version 5:01 Dee Dee Sharp Gamble Running Time CD 2: 75.34 CD 3 1. You're The Reason Why Original Single Version 3.03 The Ebonys 2. Days Go By Original Single Version 2.36 Bobby Bennett 3. New York City's A Lonely Town Original Album Version 3.07 Dick Jensen 4. Stop And Think Original Single Version 3.07 The Trammps 5. One Day Of Peace Original Single Version 2.48 Love Committee 6. The Devil Made Me Do It Original Single Version 4.30 Robert Upchurch 7. Who In The World Original Single Version 3.59 The Ethics 8. Do You Like The Way I Love Original Single Version 3.04 The Ebonys 9. Never Let You Get Away From Me Extended Single Version 4.33 Anthony White 10. I'm A Changed Person Original Single Version 3.13 Kaleidoscope 11. If You Move, You Lose Original Single Version 2.57 Carolyn Crawford 12. I'm So Glad I'm Me 3:03 Original Album Version 3.01 The Ebonys 13. Can't Believe That You Love Me Original Album Version 3.53 Bunny Sigler 14. You Bring Out The Best In Me Original Single Version 3.15 Derek & Cyndi 15. Hey Baby Original Single Version 2.52 Anthony White 16. Where Do We Go From Here Original Album Version 4.27 The Trammps 17. Good & Plenty Original Album Version 2.41 Carolyn Crawford 18. Yellow Sunshine Original Album Version 4.07 Yellow Sunshine 19. To Be Happy Is The Real Thing Original Album Version 3.22 The Intruders 20. It's Forever Original Single Version 4.32 The Ebonys Running Time CD 3: 69.41 CD 4 1. Where Are All My Friends Original Single Version 3:20 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 2. Summertime And I'm Feeling Mellow Original Album Version 4.04 M.F.S.B. 3. Let Life Flow Original Album Version 4:29 The O'Jays 4. If You Wanna Go Back Original Album Version 3:20 Jean Carn 5. It's Hard Not To Like You Original Album Version 3:59 Archie Bell & The Drells 6. Party Time Man Original Album Version 5:13 The Futures 7. Everyone's A Star Original Album Version 5:41 The Intruders 8. Your Love Is Good Original Album Version 2:52 Bunny Sigler 9. The Whole Town's Talking Original Album Version 4:44 Billy Paul 10. So Glad I'm The One Original Album Version 3:15 Instant Funk 11. Keep On Lovin' You Original Album Version 3:40 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 12. Yes You Need Love Original Album Version 3:32 Anthony White 13. It Ain't Reggae (But It's Funky) Original Album Version 3:44 Instant Funk 14. (You're The One) Someone Special Original Album Version 4.16 The Futures 15. Keep Smilin' Original Album Version 5:55 Bunny Sigler 16. I'm In Love Once Again Original Album Version 5.53 Jean Carn 17. The Whole Town's Laughing At Me Original Album Version 4:27 Teddy Pendergrass 18. Sooner Or Later Original Album Version 5.35 Billy Paul Running Time CD4: 78.33 CD 5 1. Let's Make A Baby Original Album Version 3:48 Billy Paul 2. Now That We Found Love Original Single Version 3.07 The O'Jays 3. Blues Away Original Album Version 3.12 The Jacksons 4. I Believe In Love Original Album Version 3.56 Dee Dee Sharp Gamble 5. Easy, Easy, Got To Take It Easy Original Album Version 4.53 Teddy Pendergrass 6. I Bet She Won't Love You Like I Do Original Album Version 3.16 Jean Carn 7. Use To Be My Girl Original Single Version 3.21 The O'Jays 8. Strength Of One Man Original Album Version 3.54 The Jacksons 9. See You When I Git There Original Single Version 3.07 Lou Rawls 10. Only You Original Album Version 5.05 Teddy Pendergrass 11. Intro/My Love Don't Come Easy Original Album Version 5.07 Jean Carn 12. Come On And Dance Dance Dance Original Album Version 5.28 Bunny Sigler 13. This Feeling Is Killing Me Original Album Version 3.30 The Jones Girls 14. Let 'Em In Original Single Version 3.32 Billy Paul 15. Picture Us Original Album Version 2.34 Bunny Sigler 16. Life Goes On Original Album Version 4.29 The Jones Girls 17. Lady Love Original Album Version 4.00 Lou Rawls 18. Where Will You Go When The Party's Over? Original Album Version 4.07 Archie Bell & The Drells Running Time CD5: 71.02 CD 6 1. The More I Get, The More I Want Original Album Version 4.27 Teddy Pendergrass 2. Stop And Think It Over Original Album Version 4.24 Anthony White 3. Living Together Original Album Version 4.26 The Jacksons 4. (No, No) You Can't Come Back Now Original Album Version 2.28 Jean Carn 5. You Can't Hide From Yourself Original Album Version 4.06 Teddy Pendergrass 6. (I'm Just Thinking About) Cooling Out Original Single Version 3.35 Jerry Butler 7. Only The Strong Survive Original Single Version 3:25 Billy Paul 8. Use Ta Be My Guy Original Album Version 5.13 M.F.S.B. 9. I Don't Love You Anymore Original Album Version 3.59 Teddy Pendergrass 10. To Prove I Love You Original Album Version 4.11 The O'Jays 11. Things Are Gonna Get Better Original Album Version 2.55 Bunny Sigler 12. Not The Staying Kind Original Album Version 3.52 Lou Rawls 13. Holdin' On Original Album Version 4.52 Dexter Wansel 14. Don't Let Love Get You Down Original Album Version 4.20 Archie Bell & The Drells 15. Let's Clean Up The Ghetto Original Album Version 4.51 The Philadelphia All Stars 16. You're Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else Original Album Version 4.30 The Jones Girls 17. What's The Matter With The World? Original Album Version 5.56 Lou Rawls 18. When Somebody Loves You Back Original Album Version 4.58 Teddy Pendergrass Running Time CD6: 78.57 CD 7 1. Life On Mars Original Album Version 5.51 Dexter Wansel 2. Soncer (The Infinite Hour Glass) Original Album Version 6.20 Michael Pedicin Jr. 3. Tight Money Original Album Version 4.48 Leon Huff 4. Compared To What Original Album Version 5.20 Billy Paul 5. For The Love of Money Original Album Version 4.12 Thad Jones & Mel Lewis 6. Something For Nothing Original Album Version 2.58 M.F.S.B. 7. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be) Original Album Version 4.06 Patti LaBelle 8. Manhattan Skyline Original Album Version 4.47 M.F.S.B. 9. In Good Faith Original Album Version 5.12 Norman Harris 10. Reality Original Album Version 5.36 Monk Montgomery 11. Forever With You Original Album Version 4.18 Phyllis Hyman 12. My Favourite Person Original Album Version 4.14 The Rojas 13. I Ain't Jivin', I'm Jammin' Original Album Version 5.55 Leon Huff 14. Mysteries of the World Original Album Version 5.28 M.F.S.B. 15. Theme from The Planets Original Album Version 4.52 Dexter Wansel 16. Malorie Original Album Version 3.46 Billy Paul Running Time CD7: 78.16 CD 8 1. Come Go With Me Original Album Version 5.48 Teddy Pendergrass 2. Don't Let It Go To Your Head Original Album Version 4.51 Jean Carn 3. Mine All Mine Original Album Version 4.31 The Stylistics 4. I'm In Love Again Original Album Version 5.52 Patti LaBelle 5. Brandy Original Album Version 4.13 The O'Jays 6. The Sweetest Pain Original Album Version 5.42 Dexter Wansel 7. Ain't No Time Fa Nothing Original Album Version 5.29 The Futures 8. When I'm Gone Original Album Version 4.48 The Jones Girls 9. Turn Off The Lights Original Album Version 5.54 Teddy Pendergrass 10. I Can't Stop (Turning You On) Original Album Version 3.56 Silk 11. I've Been Pushed Aside Original Album Version 5.11 McFadden & Whitehead 12. We Got Some Catchin' Up To Do Original Album Version 5.02 Jean Carn 13. Maybe It's Love This Time Original Album Version 4.09 The Stylistics 14. Who Can I Run To Original 12" Extended Mix 4.43 The Jones Girls 15. Close The Door Original Album Version 3.33 Teddy Pendergrass 16. Children Of The Night Original Album Version 5.12 The Jones Girls Running Time CD8: 79.22 CD 9 1. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now Original Album Version 7.01 McFadden & Whitehead 2. Was That All It Was Original 12" Mix 6.28 Jean Carn 3. Bring The Family Back Original Album Version 5.00 Billy Paul 4. Nights Over Egypt Original Album Version 4.40 The Jones Girls 5. Put Our Heads Together Original Album Version 5.41 The O'Jays 6. Keep It Comin' Original Album Version 4.48 The Jones Girls 7. I Heard It In A Love Song Original Album Version 5.11 McFadden & Whitehead 8. The Spirit's In It Original Album Version 5.49 Patti LaBelle 9. Strut Your Funky Stuff Original Single Version 3.37 Frantique 10. What's Your Name Original Album Version 4.53 The Stylistics 11. Dance Turned Into Romance Original Album Version 4.28 The Jones Girls 12. Strategy Original Album Version 6.55 Archie Bell & The Drells 13. I Love You Anyway Original Album Version 4.30 Dee Dee Sharp Gamble 14. Betcha Lucky Star Original Album Version 4.51 Jean Carn 15. Let Me Be Good To You Original Album Version 5.28 Lou Rawls Running Time CD9: 79.48 CD 10 1. Love You Direct Original Album Version 3.51 The O'Jays 2. Ain't You Had Enough Love Original Album Version 4.13 Phyllis Hyman 3. Somebody's Gotta Move Original Album Version 5.12 The Dells 4. Do You Get Enough Love Original Album Version 4.36 Shirley Jones 5. First Time Together Original Album Version 4.03 Phyllis Hyman 6. I Can't Forget You Original Album Version 4.30 Patti LaBelle 7. Hurry Up This Way Again Original Album Version 5.53 The Stylistics 8. Easy Money Original Album Version 4.03 Dee Dee Sharp Gamble 9. Summer Fling Original Album Version 4.49 The O'Jays 10. This Too Shall Pass Original Album Version 5.27 Phyllis Hyman 11. Baby Don't Go Away Mad Original Album Version 4.38 The Dells 12. She Knew About Me Original Album Version 4.35 Shirley Jones 13. If Only You Knew Original Album Version 4.44 Patti LaBelle 14. Extraordinary Girl Original Single Version 5.19 The O'Jays 15. Heaven Only Knows Original Album Version 4.07 Teddy Pendergrass 16. Baby Don't Go, Yet Original Single Version 5.23 The Jones Girls Running Time CD10: 75.54 Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co...&pf_rd_i=229816 HMV Link: https://hmv.com/hmvwe...ubmitSearch.y=0 Not a bad year for Philly ay? Ian D

Yes please Steve. If you could mate. It's really handy to have options at this stage. If you can get a decent couple of WAV files over that'd be great. Ian D

Hi All, Does anyone by any chance have either decent digital files (unlikely) or the capability of turning mint vinyl into WAV files on any of the following tracks:- The Ethics 'Who In the World' Kaleidoscope -'I'm A Changed Person' Carolyn Crawford - 'If You Move You Lose' Carolyn Crawford - Good & Plenty If you can help in the next 24 hours then please drop me a PM. It'll be worth a nice credit on the forthcoming box-set! Thanks in advance. Ian D

Well, we entered the UK charts @ no.21 with over 1500 over-the-counter sales in week 1. Harmless's highest ever entry in the UK Charts:- NEW 21 PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL CLASSICS VARIOUS ARTISTS 1532 We managed to beat the Belle & Sebatian "Late Night Tales" and "It's All Gone Pete Tong Groove Armada Miami" new releases which is pretty incredible considering the age of the repertoire, so I'm a happy bunny today.... Ian D

Did you do that from an i-phone Steve? Ian D

And the Lee Fields and Wendy Rene album too. There's a Soul fan @ the Metro obviously..... Ian D

Yep, that's the beauty of real musicians Carl. The other ace up the sleeve was Tom knowing exactly what was on the original tapes and now being allowed to use the parts which were edited out when they cut the 7" or album versions. I'm not sure if we'll ever hear such all-round perfection again in our lifetimes. I honestly can't see the same thing happening in 2052 with the majority of the music that's being made these days can you? And to think those guys were working virtually 24/7 throughout the whole of the 70's. And using proper arrangers too! We're all truly blessed..... Ian D

No.17 today! Still selling fantastically strongly and looking pretty good for a Top 20 on Monday touch wood! Ian D

I've always got time for a beer. In fact, I think I'm fairly well-known for it.......... Ian D

Hiya Greg. We meet at last LOL. I'm getting some artwork ideas on this as soon as I've put the Philly Box set to bed. The 2 CD's that Dave sent over are knockout. Even the whole office likes 'em which is rare. It shows you how much gold is in this area! I'm really looking forward to getting this out! Ian D

Sure is Carole. Waiting on today's midweek as we speak. Not good for the nerves this job..... Ian D

Blimey. There could be TWO double CD packages then? I dunno to be honest Roburt. I haven't had the time to peruse the track listing in earnest yet. But it sounds f*cking GREAT! I'll post up the track listing in the next couple of weeks. It's still being fine-tuned as we speak...... Ian D

It's really interesting what's happening with this package. Somehow, we've managed to hit a mainstream audience with what would normally be perceived as a 'specialist' release. In other words, the gospel has spread way beyond the normal benchmark for a release like this. The UK sales thus far have been nothing short of phenomenal and with the current momentum it looks like we'll hold a position within the national Top 20 Compilation chart come Monday. Normally this is next to impossible because there's always 100 albums that are either TV advertised or in specific supermarket promotions, so 'specialist' releases don't normally don't get a look in to the higher reaches of the national chart. But this release is an exception to the rule. Maybe people are coming back to great songs and beautiful productions and arrangements again. Or maybe there's an audience that grew up in the 70's and remembers how great the songs were. Or maybe the release was delayed so much that anticipation built to a peak. Or maybe our Social Media, PR and Radio promotion worked. Who knows? Whatever the explanation, this package 100% proves that there's a huge UK Soul audience out there that will buy a quality album and chart it nationally if all the stars align. Every time I read a thread on Soul Source which questions the future of the scene, I sometimes think that the only thing which will defeat the scene is it's inability to evolve and attract fresh audiences because of the scene's inherent caution to newcomers. We all know it's true, because we all went through the same induction process. But the success of this release really gives me a lot of hope for the future. Nothing gives me a bigger boost then to see young people getting off on this music. The scene should embrace the qualities that makes the music great and welcome more people into the fold. Marketing the music properly doesn't cheapen it at all. In fact, it makes it far more desireable. Ian D

Everybody who's interested in this genre would do well to check out a forthcoming Harmless release: 'Holy Spirit: Spiritual Soul & Funky Gospel' which should be out in late May/June. Compiled by Dave Hill, it'll be a 2 CD tour de force of the beauties within the Jewel catalogue. Ian D

No.16 on todays midweek chart which is incredible as we seem to holding in the Top 20 quite nicely! Fingers crossed for Monday! Also a lovely review in Music Week today.......... Ian D