Gene-r

I wish to echo Jo's sentiments to Mike and all the moderators here - as Dee Clark says, "just keep it up"!!

At a guess Steve, I'd say it was probably £800 for a Darrell Banks demo on London. As far as I'm aware, no UK Soul 45 has made it to the four-figures yet (unless one of the Ray Pollard 45s have sold recently!). By the way, does anyone know if UK test pressings/stock copies exist for "Can't Turn Around" by Fork In The Road (Ember), or "Who Can I Run To" by Gerri Hall (Sue)?

1973

Hi Pete, Been a long time since the Sunday nite soul events in West London - 1983 I believe. Those were the ones you, Keb and Colin Roughley did for a while. I used to hang around there with Mick Webb (Cockney Mick), Karl Simmonds and Darrel Simmonds (no relation). Wonder what they're all doing now? Glad to see you're still around and that you're keeping well! All the best, Gene Robertson (hope you remember me; it's been about 20 years!).

Maurice Williams started out as lead vocalist for the Gladiolas in 1957. Their biggest US hit, written by Maurice Williams, was "Little Darlin'", on the Excello label. As was common practice at the time, to make black American records appeal to a white market (typical pre-Civil Rights bigotry), it was covered by the Diamonds, and was a Top 10 hit for them that year on both sides of the Atlantic. I should imagine that the bulk of his royalties would be made up from both "Stay" and "Little Darlin'", as the Diamonds' version has been re-issued to death in various forms all over the world.

Shane, do you mean posts like "Sex and Soul"?? Well, maybe that's 50% of the way there!!

Jo.......it's the old "Now that we have your undivided attention......." trick!

I think "Sweet Memories" by Robert Tanner should certainly be amongst the Top 10 crossover rarities.

Excellent single! Also be sure to check out their stomper "Your Love" on GMC (GM 10003).

I meant what I said - HIS VERSION! The original and best!! Certainly better than Elvis Presley's version!

Have to say that I have always had a soft spot for his version of "Polk Salad Annie" - probably his best-known cut.

From billboard.com: Legendary percussionist and bandleader Ray Barretto, one of the leading figures of the Latin jazz movement that exploded in New York in the late 1940s, died Feb. 17 in Hackensack, N.J. He was 76. Born in Brooklyn to Puerto Rican parents, Barretto was a virtuoso conguero and a fixture in New York's fertile Latin jazz scene, equally at ease as a sideman, frontman and session player. He recorded and played with greats like Red Garland (he received guest billing on the cover of "Manteca"), Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Stitt. Barretto also had a prolific solo career, which spanned more than 50 albums. His profile rose following the release of his 1962 album "Charanga Moderna," whose single "El Watusi" spent several weeks on the Billboard charts. He also released several albums on Fania in the label's glory days, and became a key member of the Fania All Stars. He would later record extensively with his New World Spirit sextet on Concord, issuing albums that explored jazz, soul and Latin music. His albums "Taboo" (1994) and "My Summertime" (1998) received Grammy nominations for best Latin jazz performance. Barretto's career continued unabated up until the time of his death. Just last year, Barretto released "Time Was-Time Is" on O+ Music. Barretto's health had been fragile since the beginning of the year, when he underwent a quintuple bypass operation in New Jersey. He was hospitalized Jan. 30 with post-surgical complications and pneumonia, according to a statement

"Here's the thing; first time I heard You Better Go, I was well confused. I mean here's this song with a strange construction, full-on emotion drenched vocal, gorgeous jazzy chords and sublime lyrics". A great ballad, in my opinion, which he released on Roulette. Also gained a British release in 1965 on Columbia.

Also: It's A Sin To Tell A Lie - Hayward Lee As Long As She Needs Me - Carl Hall Till The End OF Time - The Metros (or that other bloke on Sepia) Last, but by no means least..... To The Ends Of The Earth - Tony Middleton

When I went to the Winter Gardens, Cleethorpes, in 1983, there were a lot of black West Indians in atendance mainly, I think, because it was a modern soul night. It was also the only niter I went to where you could see dancers trying out their back-spinning!! Would I lie to you..........? But I digress. To answer the original question, I think it's more a case of very few West Indians having an interest in 60s soul, particulatly fast and stomping soul. Interest seems to lie in the two-stepper soul/funk records more than anything else. I can't answer for the modern soul scene though; things may be different there.

Was that when he was arrested for possession of explosives and criminal damage to a London theatre, Colin?

Looking at his other sales, they're all reissues/boots apart from the Temprees on Stax. But he hasn't said so!

UK soul collectors may be keen on a Reprise EP; "Don't Shut Me Out", which is a nice piece, albeit for just two tracks. As well as the lead track, which is decent midtempo, it also has "Not for Me" on it. Additionally, let's not forget his "You Can Count On Me", which made a pleasant change to the Ventures' instrumental "Hawaii-5-0" theme!!

Cheers Godz!

Wasn't "Time Won't Let Me", by J C Messina covered up as Bob Seeger & The Silver Bullet Band as well?

Between 1980 and 1985, I worked right above City Sounds in Procter Street (just around the corner from High Holborn). They were great for current soul imports, but the only thing I ever bought from them was a Will Powers 12" (think it was "Kissing With Confidence") and you can't get more far removed from soul than that!! Just round the corner in High Holborn was a record/book shop called Templars. Nothing much to be had apart from the current Top 30 singles and LPs, but I did get a copy of the "Capitol Soul Casino" LP from there in 1982 for £1.99! And yes - having family in Gillingham (mostly now pushing up flowers in that great Garden of England), I remember Barnaby Records in Gillingham during the early to mid-70s! I'd completely forgotten about it until you mentioned it here Jo! However, as a spotty kid back then, I only remember them as a chart record retailer. What have I missed out on? BTW Jo, I bumped into Steve Noble (remember him?) a few months ago in Brighton. He's looking really well these days - has quite a large family as far as I'm aware! On the record store subject, does anyone remember Groove records in Greek Street, Soho? Folded in the mid-80s, but I do believe that they had abundant stock of "It Takes Heart" by Greg Perry as a new release in 1982. Also had their own label (called "Groove Records" of course!), their biggest seller being "Wikka Wrap" by The Evasions. Perish the thought of them having multiple copies of Herby Brown, Charles Johnson or Tavasco!!!

My copy is the red label styrene pressing, complete with Delta matrix. It's exactly the same as the first label shown here. The UK Pye International issues credit "THE UNIQUES featuring Joe Stampley", but the demos credit only The Uniques. As Pete says, the UK issues and demos miss out on that solitary bass note at the intro. I believe that the released credited just to Joe Stampley was a late release in the UK (1973) on Dot. I've also heard of a cover version by folk singer Alex Campbell. Can anyone confirm?

Now there's a name from the dark past! Was that the branch in Old Compton Street with the blue film cinema club upstairs?

Cue "...It's in the front room..............and they're watching Columbo..."!!