Mattbolton

Indeed. Horses for courses. That's why no-one will ever be happy with such an idea. Of course I do. I know two off the top of my head. Both two of the biggest DJ's on the scene. You likely know them too. Perhaps it's a male ego thing?

Sid Barnes was working as a door attendant across the road from Oprah Winfrey's building before he came back into the limelight a few years ago. Not sure what the big man's up to now though. M x

Wasn't he the only artist on Brunswick for a few years? Since Decca signed him with Nat but didn't want him on the Major imprint so they re-activated the subsidiary? If I'm right, I'd love to know who the next artist to have a pressing on the label was. If I'm wrong then I apologise. The demos are yellow. Matt x

Hey Godz, I pressed a track with them last year. It sounds great. Though I did mix and master it myself. Since they work with a lot of house/dance DJ's I'd be surprised if they were infused with more mid. Cutting records is an imprecise science as there can be. We had our album come back twice from the pressing plant, too loud, too much bass etc. The loss of sound quality is imperceptible really. The key is to give them a shit hot 'master copy'. For Godz sake(sic), don't give them an MP3 of your track. The quality is awful and it's a shame how my generations ears have become atuned to the sonic vomit that are MP3 and AAC files. Lossless my ass. Make sure it's a .WAV file and there should be no loss at all. Don't quite understand your second bit. All records start life 'carved into' master plates. And a lot of the time are the best material. I can vouch for the Vinyl Carvers guys. And they were road runner fast on delivery even in the run-up to Christmas. I know someone who can do it straight from vinyl and to a cutting lathe if you're interested? Though it's costly and since VC are about £10 there's not really much to lose. Good Luck. Matt. x

Lenny, If it sounds shit cos the entire track is completely bolloxed and overpowered then it's a no-go. A good mastering studio, even a good home mastering studio (or Pete S), can get rid of some pops and crackles (frequencies) and even a sustained frying pan in the background as long as the main crux of the song is strong enough. Mastering's a jedi science. But not even Yoda can polish a turd. Post a bit up and I'll let you know. I know a bunch of mastering studios that'll even cut the remaster to vinyl in front of your very eyes. That's the exciting bit. Alternatively, simply track down the master tapes. That way you can remix as well as remaster. Imagine the knockout mash-ups you could do! Matt. x

Hell Joan if you haven't clapped your ears round Martha Jean Love - Old Time Lover, then I'd book your ticket to London for the next 100 Club niter now!!! And the flip is just as essential listening. The problem a lot of other DJ's find with Butch is that he has records no-one will ever be able to own. Unissued acetates that aren't just rare (obviously), but exude distinct quality too. Same with Ady C. It's an enviable position to be in, but one they've fought tooth and nail to attain. A good DJ needn't have exquisite records (though indeed the best often have), rather good taste. And when one man's 'Wrapped Around Your Finger' is another man's 'Wrong Side Of Town' there's not one DJ that can please everyone in the room. Though I can list a few that can come close.....

Is it just me who thinks this starts like Tell Mama? Good though. x

Hola Folks, Just clearing some records 'trapped in the closet'.... p&p £2 The Vashonettes - A Mighty Good Lover - Checker DEMO - EX- has slight edge warp that doesn't affect play. £120 ONO Ted Taylor - You Give Me Nothing To Go On - Okeh - VG++ - His second best for me - £30 Ted Taylor - Close Your Eyes - Jewel - EX- £10 Joe Turner - Two Loves Have I - French Philips PS - VG++ tatty sleeve hence - £15 Johnny Watson - It's Better To Cry - Valise - EX- great crossover - £25 The Ethics - Look At Me Now - Vent - M- - £15 The Devotions - Same Old Sweet Lovin - Tri-Sound - EX- - £10 Betty Turner - Be Careful Girl - Liberty DEMO - VG+ - 'x' on label - £70 Sonny Til - Hey! Little Woman - CP Parker DEMO - VG++ - £40 Cheers. Matty. x

Hi Eli, I sincerely hope you weren't offended too much by my comments. Since, as I said, it was a great show. In fact the first I've been interested in seeing for months. Having missed you at both Latitude and Lovebox and the RT instore. Though, being in the business myself, I'm sure we're both well hardened by critical comments. I fully realise that some songwriters borrow from other great works. You're right, Brother Ray did it many times, I'm sure The Larks' amazing version of 'Shadrack' gave him more than a little inspiration for 'Hit The Road'. I remember having the same discussion with The Black Keys about a Little Willie John record. Who, like you and I have a very healthy interest in black music. Sometimes it's just the promising sign of a kindred musical mind. Most UK audiences may not have the same soul heritage as you and I and it was actually the first time I'd heard a contemporary act cite such a powerful song, consciously or otherwise. Honestly, I wish I could reinterpret the killer harmonies of Swan Silvertones' 'Oh Mary Don't You Weep' with some kind of proficiency! Regards. Matt.

I saw Eli 'Paperboy' Reed last week after wanting to see him for ages. 'It's Easier' is a beautiful slice of southern soul and sold me instantly. Initially I was knocked out by his voice. Truly one of the most powerful voices I've heard in a while. His band is incredible and his guitarist has talents I'd sell my right arm for. But then I started hearing bits of actual records and my girlfriend and I looked at each other in horror when he professed 'All my faith has come tumbling down'. In exactly the same intonation as another great song I have but couldn't remember. I was irked when I mentioned it to him after the show and he claimed he had 'no idea'. On the tube home I remembered it was The Knight Bros. It kind of put me off a little. And I find there's something disconcerting about his smile. Reminded me of those smiles teen queens display. Though I think this might be more to do with having spent most of his years playing organ in Mitty Collier's gospel choir. Still, he put together a great show and has a voice of enviable control and strength. The album is definitely worth shelling out for. 'Please Please Please' check out Edgar Jones Jones - Soothing Music for Stray Cats. This Scouse wonderkid has possibly the blackest white voice I've ever heard. He recorded the entire album in his bedroom. On a 4 track. And sounds incredible. Was sorry to have missed him with Eli last Tuesday at the James Hunter show. I caught him playing bass in soundcheck for Candi Payne. Very very talented man.

I didn't think Levine went out anymore. A listers?! You mean like Russell Crowe/The Queen/Bryan Harvey? I can't see it catching on amongst the 'A listers' like Scientology. x

And the production! This record has HIT written all over the label never mind the grooves. Carl Davis was/is genius. One of my favourites ever. We joked about using him for our album. I thought he was dead but then found out he'd just put his Chi-Sound label back together! At 73! Out of the blue we emailed him thinking he'd just tell us to get stuffed. Then he responded and said he was interested in the proposition. We got all excited until our management sensibly noted we'd be fucked if we went Stateside and he passed away. And that we might make him deaf. Still wish we'd have at least met him though. M x

Didn't this come out on the mysterious looking US 'Black Magic' LP? Great track.

The other great track on this LP is Peacebreaker. I remember it used to get spun years ago on the mod scene. Perhaps even might have heard it down The Hideaway. Better just saving your money and buying the Luther Ingram version on Kent. The WP version hasn't got a cent on it. Or save up for the Fred Bridges version. A friend on the rockin' scene told me he'd heard a Dale Hawkins version of this, though after a listen it does sound like it might have laid the groundwork for Fred Bridges.

Vinyl Carvers are fantastic. Although they are based in Austria, I had a song pressed as a xmas present (my own composition before you start!) and shipped. Arrived within 4 days. On 17th Dec. In Xmas post! And they do very good dubs indeed. Mastered and everything. Especially the 10". Fit loads of stuff on them. M x

Hey folks. After most of my possessions going up in smoke (flames?) a few weeks back, I'm after a few cheap(er) things again for the club if anybody has these for sale... Eric Lomax - Seven The Loser (Columbia) Linda Lyndell - What A Man (Volt) Ruby Winters - Better (Diamond) James Brown - Think (King) Richard Berry - Have Love Will Travel (Flip) Ben E King - Sings For Soulful Lovers LP There'll be more wants to come when I can remember what's gone, but if anyone can help with any of these please email m@thesugars.co.uk or just post back here... Cheers, Matty.

I realised the other day when I looked at my edge cracked copy of The Spinners that I can cut the LP down to 7" with pair of tin snips and still retain 'I'll Be Around'. Is this acceptable? Same with the Voices Of East Harlem. I reckon I could fashion 'Rare, So Rare' down to a 7". I find this a very feasable and credible answer to the problem of playing LPs when DJing. I tried it with my copy of 'Free Angela', but realised halfway through that Dickie Wonder was too far out in the grooves. If anyone wants a pretty Free Angela spiral window decoration I can send you the ebay link. While we're at it. 5 or 3 inch CD's? Which would you rather hear at your favourite allnighter?

Hi Folks. Just a quickie. Getting rid of my Mighty Lovers - Mighty Lover if anyone wants it. Just want #150 ono for it. It's not mint, few scuffs, but plays fine. What I payed for it from Manship and looked after ever since. Any enquiries, please mail.... m@thesugars.co.uk Cheers. Matty.

Hey folks. 3 for sale. To be sold as a lot. Clara Wood - You're After My Guy (Imperial WD) VG++ Betty Turner - Be Careful Girl (Multicoloured Liberty Demo) VG++ ( a few scuffs, plays perfectly) Beverley & DelCapris - Mama I Think I'm In Love - (Columbia WD) VG+ (Shit loads of writing on label. Few scuffs on vinyl. Plays super) Knock yourself out on these perfect examples of female soul. £300 the lot. Payment prefereably by paypal, cash or something else feasably exchangable for a new guitar... Enquiries to thesugars@hotmail.com Cheers. Matty.

Nope. 'Good News' was the side Ady chose to play out. The flip side is a tamer, more harmonious affair. I can't for the life of me remember it. But it's delicious.

Baby Don't You Weep - Luther Ingram Gamblers Blues - Nancy Wilcox Hytones flip. And best of all... San Fran TKO's - Make Up Your Mind & Martha Jean Love - Old Time Lover. Easy my fave two by a mile. Though I definitely err on the side of the latter...

Hi peeps. can anyone point me in the direction of The Dell's version of Higher and Higher? I know it was definitely recorded prior to Jackie, but whether it ever saw the light of day is another matter. I'd love to hear/have it if anyone has a copy or an MP3. Yours in Anticipation, Matt.

It's fucking dreadful! I love YCMI, but this is pure dross. Those horrid synthetic horns make it sound like 'Big Ian''s had his hands all over it. M x

Still prefer the darker, deeper Brad Lundy version of this on Julmar. M

WOW. Didn't know The Profiles was still an £80 record! I thought selling my demo for £50 was a steal.