Go Ahead.....Richard Searling's New Label

i wish richard well in his new venture, however, i cant see the point of releasing stuff thats already been re released / bootleged over the past few years, a quick search on ebay or gemm throws up dozens of copys of these titles that just sit there unsold month after month

I think he wants to release all the classics in high quality. And they do look fantastic.

He has good distributor and don't forget most of the bedroom sellers on EBay would not be able to reach many retail outlets, wholesale wise.

I wish him all the very best.

Yeah but does Mel Britt and Ruby Andrews etc get their royalties etc from Mr Searlings company!

fair point kev, but, i would have thought that anyone who wanted these titles on vinyl would have already got them with the amount of copies on the market, however, having said that, i suppose a good distributor can get these into shops where bootlegs wouldn't / shouldn't get

Yeah but does Mel Britt and Ruby Andrews etc get their royalties etc from Mr Searlings company!

Depends if they own the rights to the songs. I understand Richards stuff is all correctly published and who ever is getting paid.

Yeah but does Mel Britt and Ruby Andrews etc get their royalties etc from Mr Searlings company!

i think royalties from the other single will be paid......mr roberts owns the tapes.

fair point kev, but, i would have thought that anyone who wanted these titles on vinyl would have already got them with the amount of copies on the market, however, having said that, i suppose a good distributor can get these into shops where bootlegs wouldn't / shouldn't get

I quite fancy a copy of Epitome of Sound, but i'm not prepared to pay £100 for it on Sandbag so this a good, cheap, and legal alternative in my opinion. For those of us who want rare titles but aren't prepared to buy and play boots I think this can only be a good thing.

Here's a link to Richard's page here

Depends if they own the rights to the songs. I understand Richards stuff is all correctly published and who ever is getting paid.

from Richards blog/site...

GO AHEAD RECORDS is committed to only top quality releases, legally sourced to ensure that artists/ songwriters benefit. All the 7" series will be limited edition, high quality vinyl pressings with solid centres. Each will have a specially designed house bag to add to the collectability. In addition, all the releases will be back-to-back in demand recordings and dancefloor winners.

from Richards blog/site...

Cheers for that Chalky, I know Richards stuff is legal. I was replying to the other post about the artists, if they don't own the rights to the songs, it is unlikely they would be paid, but the publishing company or writers will be.

Dave

PLEASED CHALKY PRINTED THAT SEEMS RIDICULOUS TO QUESTION HIS INTEGRITY BY QUESTIONING WHERE THE ROYALTIES ARE GOING? HE is a decent man who has giving alot to soul music in general not just the northern soul scene and its narrow minded view of the world Matts right also !!

BAZ A

PLEASED CHALKY PRINTED THAT SEEMS RIDICULOUS TO QUESTION HIS INTEGRITY BY QUESTIONING WHERE THE ROYALTIES ARE GOING? HE is a decent man who has giving alot to soul music in general not just the northern soul scene and its narrow minded view of the world Matts right also !!

BAZ A

richard is a man of integrity.........all his recording deals over the years have been legal and kosher. along with ady and tony rounce, the work and love put into the scene via re releases is astronomical.

Cheers for that Chalky, I know Richards stuff is legal. I was replying to the other post about the artists, if they don't own the rights to the songs, it is unlikely they would be paid, but the publishing company or writers will be.

Dave

Hi Dave, I knew you know it's all above board, I simply used your post to post what Richard said on his site. As Baz says I can't understand why anyone would think otherwise, especially someone so prominent and with the public profile Richard has.

I quite fancy a copy of Epitome of Sound, but i'm not prepared to pay £100 for it on Sandbag so this a good, cheap, and legal alternative in my opinion. For those of us who want rare titles but aren't prepared to buy and play boots I think this can only be a good thing.

Here's a link to Richard's page here

agreed, i'm not having a pop, just questioning the choice of titles, epitome of sound was legally released on goldmine sevens only a few years ago, so i was thinking maybe the market might already be saturated, but thats just my thoughts

agreed, i'm not having a pop, just questioning the choice of titles, epitome of sound was legally released on goldmine sevens only a few years ago, so i was thinking maybe the market might already be saturated, but thats just my thoughts

i agree with that sentiment, but by the same token, these releases will, in time, become collectables primarily due to their limited edition along with the sleeves and their respective historical/chronological notes. of course weve heard and danced to the tunes a million times and we cherish them equally as much, they are part of our lives....richard, knowing the man as you,i, and everybody else does, has enormous integrity and a genuine belief that the artists/writers we have raved about for so long, are given their due...remembering that many are no longer with us, but those who still are gain some monetary payback for the invaluable contribution to a scene that would probably not have evolved in the way it did, a scene they would have equally been unaware of and to this day many still are.

if a person dosnt possess an original american copy of a record, possibly because of expense, there's no better alternative than a genuine, legal re-issue...british as well...its another weapon in the fight against bootlegging and the right people are getting the right money and there really isnt anything wrong/embarrasing with playing a legit issue out.

i agree with that sentiment, but by the same token, these releases will, in time, become collectables primarily due to their limited edition along with the sleeves and their respective historical/chronological notes. of course weve heard and danced to the tunes a million times and we cherish them equally as much, they are part of our lives....richard, knowing the man as you,i, and everybody else does, has enormous integrity and a genuine belief that the artists/writers we have raved about for so long, are given their due...remembering that many are no longer with us, but those who still are gain some monetary payback for the invaluable contribution to a scene that would probably not have evolved in the way it did, a scene they would have equally been unaware of and to this day many still are.

if a person dosnt possess an original american copy of a record, possibly because of expense, there's no better alternative than a genuine, legal re-issue...british as well...its another weapon in the fight against bootlegging and the right people are getting the right money and there really isnt anything wrong/embarrasing with playing a legit issue out.

Nail firmly hit on head

Flogging a dying horse springs to mind...

Flogging a dying horse springs to mind...

AGREE JOE, WISH RICHARD WELL IN THIS, BUT AS SAID ABOVE... STRANGE CHOICE IN TITLES

BRI PINCH

Richard's last label was fab, The releases here though, well why would I bother? have half a dozen re issues on these titles already?? if you don't have the dosh for an orig Mel Britt you buy the 7ts boot with the white ring right??

Mal.C.

Would be great if these were from the master tapes, stereo mix or just a mono mix, ETOS always has sounded a bit rough from the Virtue press I can't see it getting any better.

Never ceases to amaze how it all depends on who is doing it ,as to how peoples views/comments are conveyed.

Richard as we all know as been a fully paid up member of the "northern soul "scene for as long as i can remember ..has been a major influence on the soul scene in general ...but i honestly do think the people on this thread who have dared to question his reasons fo doing this are so right.

Back to back ,big club dancefloor anthems, each with thier own personal highly collectable bag ....where's the market ??

Break it down ......an ageing scene ,already with original copies .....already re-issues.....already boot's .......and dare i say it ....Cd after cd compilation with all the well known anthem sounds .

I'm not gonna go down the well worn o'v.o floorshow but seriously why would you rush out and buy a re-issue of something that most people already have on one format or another??

I would love to see anyone walk out in front of the Dragons den with a box full of classy looking re-issue 45's in 2010 .

The question is nothing to do with the integrity of Richard ,a true legend imho ,but simply "why bother" ??

Why not do what JAZZMAN does? ,release things that are rare and expensive on original but currently indemand , thus providing a service that's needed ..

as i was made aware of recently by fryer ...not every scene requires O.V.O

The question is nothing to do with the integrity of Richard ,a true legend imho ,but simply "why bother" ??

My initial reaction was great, but now I find myself agreeing with you Nev. These must be aimed at the wider market who want to own vinyl to play at home but maybe don't DJ and feel uncomfortable about owning boots, or who DJ at oldies dos exclusively. But like Soulman said earlier, some of these have already been released legally and are widely owned. The reasons for doing this are unclear, unless it's just to make money by sticking to the big anthems. A shame, but fair enough I suppose, we all have to eat. It just would have been nice if one of the most groundbreaking DJs in northern soul history had given us something a bit different.

Why not do what JAZZMAN does? ,release things that are rare and expensive on original but currently indemand , thus providing a service that's needed ..

I can't help but remembering that when John Anderson and I had Grapevine 2000 and we did that on some of our releases, we got slagged to fook

I can't help but remembering that when John Anderson and I had Grapevine 2000 and we did that on some of our releases, we got slagged to fook

Nice bit of editing....shame you missed the bit about other scenes not being into O.V.O.

It strikes me that it would be pointless re-issuing something that is cheap and readily available on original so,is the whole point of putting rare records to re-issue,for the benefit of exposing the song to the masses or to allow people who don't care to spend their hard earned on original ,but need one to be able to play to the ever demanding crowd.

Again i must remind you, the need to get into a debate about the authenticity of the medium is not of interest today.It's about what is the point of re-issuing records that have already been re-issued ,booted ,are available on every other medium known to man.

Nice bit of editing....shame you missed the bit about other scenes not being into O.V.O.

It strikes me that it would be pointless re-issuing something that is cheap and readily available on original so,is the whole point of putting rare records to re-issue,for the benefit of exposing the song to the masses or to allow people who don't care to spend their hard earned on original ,but need one to be able to play to the ever demanding crowd.

Again i must remind you, the need to get into a debate about the authenticity of the medium is not of interest today.It's about what is the point of re-issuing records that have already been re-issued ,booted ,are available on every other medium known to man.

My editing was done to make the point Nev - the sentiments were not aimed directly at you - more at the point of what the scene tolerates..... someone else made the point that it is often a case of who does the reissuing as to whether it is met favourably or not - and there's something in that too.

My own 'raison d'etre' is mainly to release previously unissued material - but then that's been bitched at too as there is no built-up demand, so I take the view now that I'll release what my own taste tells me is good. Whether people decline to buy them for whatever reason is their choice.

Nice bit of editing....shame you missed the bit about other scenes not being into O.V.O.

It strikes me that it would be pointless re-issuing something that is cheap and readily available on original so,is the whole point of putting rare records to re-issue,for the benefit of exposing the song to the masses or to allow people who don't care to spend their hard earned on original ,but need one to be able to play to the ever demanding crowd.

Again i must remind you, the need to get into a debate about the authenticity of the medium is not of interest today.It's about what is the point of re-issuing records that have already been re-issued ,booted ,are available on every other medium known to man.

Perhaps Richard will come on here and explain why he decided on the titles !. He has no doubt done his homework as it can't have been cheap to set the whole thing up. So c'mon Richard let's have it from the horses mouth. I wish him all the best with his venture.

Perhaps Richard will come on here and explain why he decided on the titles !. He has no doubt done his homework as it can't have been cheap to set the whole thing up. So c'mon Richard let's have it from the horses mouth. I wish him all the best with his venture.

Hi Tony /Sue

....strange how OZ is to my recollection 8-9 hrs ahead of Uk time ...but if you guys are ahead of us ,how come your the last to read this

Back on track......tis a nice thought but to be honest ...this post was put up by Kev on behalf of Richard as a plug, which in hindsight would have been better in sales and locked

Infact it did'nt even need to go past the 2nd post by soulman Trev....but this is soulsource forum where us mere mortals ,bored with nothing better to do ,feel obliged to join in and have a good old debate ......won't affect the outcome of sales in any way ,shape or form,so pointless really.

Your of course totally right ...Richard will have done his homework ,will know who his market is ,would'nt be putting em out otherwise.

On the other hand ....i don't think he'll come on here and explain any of his reasons to us ...or he'd already be a member and would have posted up the plug himself.

Garry (dewsburyborn) ...nothing but praise for the things you've done ,keep doing what you believe is right ,don't ever stop releasing previously unreleased stuff, because whoever has a gripe with that does'nt really matter.

And lastly ,your right.......it does seem to be a case of who is doing the re-issuing as to what is tolerated

P.s Good luck to Richard with his latest venture and thanks for all you've given to the soul scene thus far

Not all 45s are aimed at hard-core fans so it doesn't always matter if they've been out before via bootlegs etc. In fact these kind of things can do quite well if they are marketed right.

I think Richard's things will be aimed at a bigger and wider market and no doubt the series will become collectable.

As for legality, I'm sure it's all above board.

And I agree with Garry about putting out things that you like and letting people make their own minds up. That's always been my attitude and it works for me ...and it's more fun than following the crowd.

Each to his own.

Paul

its all bums in beds these days, and biscuits come to my mind every time i hear the lable!!

P

moved to current affairs/news

if you do have any news or wanna pass on word or details of new releases etc,

ask can you post in the current affairs/news forum

as aim is for that to be a one stop for all latest news and the site can also feature posts on the front page news section

(see guidelines post ref front page)

thanks

mike

Richard has written a thorough and exciting response on his blog, seems like there are a number of compilations planned for 2011, northern and modern. Check www.richardsearling.co.uk

He explains the releases with his usual modesty and integrity. Roll on the new label in the New Year.

Richard has written a thorough and exciting response on his blog, seems like there are a number of compilations planned for 2011, northern and modern. Check www.richardsearling.co.uk

He explains the releases with his usual modesty and integrity. Roll on the new label in the New Year.

Why not put a response on here instead of guiding users away from the site?

Maybe he wants the hit on his website...

its all bums in beds these days, and biscuits come to my mind every time i hear the lable!!

P

I hope I dont offend any of you guys by posting my own feelings based on personal experience, as I am not a regular contributor to this forum.

Many years ago I was at a weekender (Cala Gran Fleetwood promoted by Alex Lowes - a long time before the Togetherness events) and I bought a compilation on the basis it contained Voices of East Harlem (ironic).

I was pretty young in 86/7 - but it was great to meet and chat to Richard for the first time as I was a massive fan of his Soul Source radio show, and he asked me what I had bought.

I excitedly gave him the double album, explaining how I had heard a number of tracks on his show thinking he would be pleased.

Realising that I was a complete novice he took the time to explain the difference between a genuine (artist hopefully paid) release and a bootleg in a completly non-patronising way - the dealers and Djs mainly treated yougsters as scum - sorry but its true.

Later on, when funds allowed I became a collector (again apologies - Im not a big league guy, but i've got most of what I want) - mainly 70s - and I always rememberd that kindness - Bob Hinsley and Keith Minshell were also gents.

Now Im sure you have all switched off by now, but the point I am making is that legitamcy has always been an issue to Richard Searling, and I for one will be collecting this new imprint.

Its 25 years later for me (I know that still makes me a newcomer to many of you) and everythings changed - if you collect new soul (yes there is great new records available - the scene didnt finish with the Casino - it just evolved) it does mean downloading - but again there is a right way to do it (legally) or not.

All the best for 2011

from Richards blog/site...

Ruby Andrews currently drives a bus for a living down Western Ave on the South Side of Chicago, she deffinately needs the $$$.

Next time I see her I will check she getting something out of this and report back.

Boxy

Flogging a dying horse springs to mind...

Have to agree - where's my whip...

Ahead???

Sorry but IMO reissuing already reissued 40+ year old records like this is far from ahead.

Thought someone like Richard would have come up with something a bit more original when you consider some of the cutting edge new release stuff put out by Expansion.

Just have a listen to the Soul Togetherness 2010 album to see & hear what I mean. Top quality new Soul music.

Now thats going ahead IMO.

God here we go again, the bubble of soul-source

Why do you think Motown re-issue tracks over and over again, or Elvis or the Beatles, Abba the list goes on and on, it's because they sell, not everyone is a collector they buy them, hammer them for a period of time then forget about them add lost, binned, and sold to that list and then when presented with them again a few years down the line, buy them again, especially if presented in a nice bight attractive format at the right price.

Also Pop collectors/customers I know buy every version of a track they can get there hands on, another reason why re-issues SELL.

God here we go again, the bubble of soul-source

Why do you think Motown re-issue tracks over and over again, or Elvis or the Beatles, Abba the list goes on and on, it's because they sell, not everyone is a collector they buy them, hammer them for a period of time then forget about them add lost, binned, and sold to that list and then when presented with them again a few years down the line, buy them again, especially if presented in a nice bight attractive format at the right price.

Also Pop collectors/customers I know buy every version of a track they can get there hands on, another reason why re-issues SELL.

Bubble of Soul Source???

Guessing this is some sort of dig at me as a Moderator voicing an opinion?

If not please do explain.

Just don't think re-issuing old tracks that are already re-issued & still readily available is the way 'ahead' & if you read further into my post you will see that I am praising Richard Searling & Ralph Tee's new release Expantion products & have even had one of them drop on my doorstep today (the Luxury Soul 2011 triple album).

Now IMO this is the way ahead for Soul music (not pop music like you have quoted).

In simple terms, the new stuff will continue to be issued by Richard and Ralph under whtever guise Expansion decide. The GO AHEAD lable is Richards own project now that he has "retired" from his day job. He is passionate about the music he grew up with, brought to us as a DJ and now wants to bring to the soul faternity LEGALLY. All of his projects will see artists being compensated in one form or another and with their or the licensees agreement. He was, is and always will be passionate about the music and do everything above board. Yes he has many unreleased gems that most havent heard, but without the relevent "go ahead" from the artist, lincesee or publisher, they will never surface into the mainstream. THE most passionate man on the soul scene will do what he has to do.... legally. Please let's put this to bed and await a wealth of material from a man who undoubtedly features in the top 3 of people instrumental in the development of the Northern (and indeed Modern) soul scene

Steve

In simple terms, the new stuff will continue to be issued by Richard and Ralph under whtever guise Expansion decide. The GO AHEAD lable is Richards own project now that he has "retired" from his day job. He is passionate about the music he grew up with, brought to us as a DJ and now wants to bring to the soul faternity LEGALLY. All of his projects will see artists being compensated in one form or another and with their or the licensees agreement. He was, is and always will be passionate about the music and do everything above board. Yes he has many unreleased gems that most havent heard, but without the relevent "go ahead" from the artist, lincesee or publisher, they will never surface into the mainstream. THE most passionate man on the soul scene will do what he has to do.... legally. Please let's put this to bed and await a wealth of material from a man who undoubtedly features in the top 3 of people instrumental in the development of the Northern (and indeed Modern) soul scene

Steve

Hi Steve,

Firstly thanks for the very well worded reply.

Don't think anyone on here or anywhere else for that matter is doubting Richards integrity in any way whatsoever. End of the day the mans a legend in my eyes (& I'm sure most if not all on here).

You mention that he has many 'unreleased gems' in your post. Now I'm sure there are quite a few folks who would be more interested in hearing these for the first time than already currently available items that are planned for release. Now that would be a way 'Ahead' IMO.

Naturally I wish Richard well with these releases especially with his current employment status & he would be more than welcome on Soul Source to promote any future releases & I'm sure he could share some interesting stories with site members at the same time (have a word in his lughole Steve ).

Also wondered why you mentioned that these were getting released 'LEGALLY' as they already heve been by the thread starter on the Goldmine Sevens label https://uknorthern.users.btopenworld.com/sevens.htm

Mart...

PS, Grab yourself a copy of the Luxury Soul 2011 triple cd thats just released.

Right up your street fella & at a budget price too.

Bubble of Soul Source???

Guessing this is some sort of dig at me as a Moderator voicing an opinion?

If not please do explain.

Just don't think re-issuing old tracks that are already re-issued & still readily available is the way 'ahead' & if you read further into my post you will see that I am praising Richard Searling & Ralph Tee's new release Expantion products & have even had one of them drop on my doorstep today (the Luxury Soul 2011 triple album).

Now IMO this is the way ahead for Soul music (not pop music like you have quoted).

Hi Mart

Dont think it was aimed at you in particular ...."The Bubble" imo seems to refer to those of us who live in the insular world that is soulsource..thus meaning there is a whole world outside of here ,where there are lots of soul fans who don't care what we think and will rush out and buy these regardless of what we think!

Other than that i am clueless as to what "netspeaker " is talking about

Using "motown" constantly re-issuing mainstream music ,or the beatles etc as a reference to why predominantly "northern soul" records are being re....re..re-issued is absolutely ridiculous imho!

Motown ,beatles ,Michael Jackson,Elvis etc etc,do it for one reason .......to make money ,to try and squeeze as much money as possible out of joe public and will keep doing so until it is no longer viable .....on the other hand i imagine Richard does it for the love of a scene that he's been invloved in most of his life ,and feels passionate enough to give something back to the people who have appreciated him for all those yrs.....something that he's proud of and hopes people will treasure .

But im sure if it was'nt financially viable ,he would think twice??

And that is the only thing people on here have questioned not the legality of what he is doing or if anyone is getting any royalties ,thats nothing to do with anyone other than Richard and anyone connected to the project.

Good luck is all i can say ,im not a business man ,just cannot understand why re-issue things that have been re-issued to death ??.

Hi Steve,

Firstly thanks for the very well worded reply.

Don't think anyone on here or anywhere else for that matter is doubting Richards integrity in any way whatsoever. End of the day the mans a legend in my eyes (& I'm sure most if not all on here).

You mention that he has many 'unreleased gems' in your post. Now I'm sure there are quite a few folks who would be more interested in hearing these for the first time than already currently available items that are planned for release. Now that would be a way 'Ahead' IMO.

Naturally I wish Richard well with these releases especially with his current employment status & he would be more than welcome on Soul Source to promote any future releases & I'm sure he could share some interesting stories with site members at the same time (have a word in his lughole Steve ).

Also wondered why you mentioned that these were getting released 'LEGALLY' as they already heve been by the thread starter on the Goldmine Sevens label https://uknorthern.us....com/sevens.htm

Mart...

PS, Grab yourself a copy of the Luxury Soul 2011 triple cd thats just released.

Right up your street fella & at a budget price too.

here, here....clearly in agreeance with you both and HE IS in my TOP 3 DJS OF ALL TIME...this truely is a case of BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE. richard is the instigator of putting right, years of wrong and injustice....even if by his standards its just a small modicom, a scratch on the surface....ITS A START!. the benefactors will be the artists/writers/producers/musicians and, in relevant cases, immediate surviving family members. richard hoists the flag yet again to let everyone know that he's still in there, punching his weight on behalf of the scene that gave him so much, and that he wants to give back to. northern soul gave him his big break and he in turn, aspired to new heights taking a grateful scene and adoring soul clan with him. the epitome of sound has proved so popular as to warrant issue before....before that it was a case of buy a boot or fork out for an original. as in most cases these days and with vinyl production been in the doldrums, ney almost extinct, anything of an independant nature, quickly sells out and/or deletes or the lease expires....its certainly been a number of years since tim/kev issued it on goldmine 7s so now the opportunity presents itself but in a manner and a reason that befits. a descriptive picturesleeve and the revenue being distributed to the right people....ISNT THAT IMPORTANT?

NOW QUOTE ME IF IM WRONG, but the original goldmine issue first came out in 96/97 and i dont recall a second press due to demand, so....if im correct this is infact long overdue for a re-issue.

WHEN i spoke to richard at the tower, i asked him......"you didnt honestly sell all your tunes, did you?" the reply: "of course not, theyre all still at home" THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES OF THE MAN, a man still very much in love and engrossed with the scene and,....with all those forgotten,MYSTICAL, LEGENDARY COVER-UPS AND ONE-OFFS S, still in his posession, he could switch back on......JUST LIKE THAT and no-one would hold a candle to him.

RICHARD IS A TRUE GENIUS AND GO-AHEAD IS A MASTERSTROKE, so put aside the fanatical-anorakish mud slinging and show solidarity for what could turn out to be the best record collecting outlet for decades.