Red Bull Northern Soul Article
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Drawing from the DJ History archives, we present an oral history of the beloved genre from the DJs that soundtracked it
January 14, 2016 By Lauren Martin
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Soul Source music magazine feature.
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added by site:
Drawing from the DJ History archives, we present an oral history of the beloved genre from the DJs that soundtracked it
January 14, 2016 By Lauren Martin
Eddie Foster R.I.P.
May he rest well. No other news apart from that, I'm sure those of you more connected than myself will add details.
R.I.P.
Young Soul Rebels - A Personal History of Northern Soul - Stuart Cosgrove
Details of the follow up to Stuart Cosgrove's much acclaimed 2015 book Detroit 67: The Year That Changed Soul (Detroit 67 Info) are out and about.
Titled 'Young Soul Rebels: A Personal History of Northern Soul' the blurb below sets out in detail just what to expect..
'Nothing will ever compare to the amphetamine rush of my young life and the night I was nearly buggered by my girlfriend s uncle in the Potteries ...' The opening line of Stuart Cosgrove's Young Soul Rebels sets up a compelling and intimate story of northern soul, Britain's most fascinating musical underground scene, and takes the reader on a journey into the iconic clubs that made it famous The Twisted Wheel, The Torch, Wigan Casino, Blackpool Mecca and Cleethorpes Pier the bootleggers that made it infamous, the splits that threatened to divide the scene, the great unknown records that built its global reputation and the crate-digging collectors that travelled to America to unearth unknown sounds. The book sweeps across fifty years of British life and places the northern soul scene in a social context: the rise of amphetamine culture, the policing of youth culture, the north-south divide, the decline of coastal Britain, the Yorkshire Ripper inquiry, the rise of Thatcherism, the miners strike, the rave scene and music in the era of the world wide web. Books have been written about northern soul before but never with the same erudition and passion. Young Soul Rebels nails a scene that is as popular today as it was in its heyday in the 1970s.
Young Soul Rebels: A Personal History of Northern Soul Paperback – 19 May 2016 by Stuart Cosgrove (Author), Cover photograph taken by Brian Cannon (Illustrator)
Stuart Cosgrove, originally from Perth, was a fanzine writer on the northern soul scene before joining the black music paper Echoes, as a staff writer. He became media editor with the NME and a feature writer for a range of newspapers and magazines. A graduate of Hull University, he completed a PhD in modern American theatre history. In 2005 he was named Broadcaster of the Year in the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards and in 2012 he won numerous awards including a BAFTA and Royal Television Society award for Channel 4’s coverage of the London Paralympics 2012.
£14.99 - Not out till 19th May 2016 but is available on pre-order now (see link below)
Betty Boo 'My Man Flint'
An instrumental entitled 'Let's Do The Duck' by the fictitious Motor City Shakers was tucked away on one the the LPs. Fast forward to today and having had exposure via the radio and a select bunch of DJs in the clubs, Betty Boo's the vocal, 'Our Man Flint' finally sees the light of day on general release via Soul Junction's first release of 2016.
Press Release: Betty Boo “My Man Flint” (Vocal & Instrumental) SJ1003
Release Date: Monday January 18th 2016
Betty Boo A.K.A Betty Winston who along with her late sister Jackie, and fellow sisters
Diane and Pat Lewis recorded three 45 singles for the legendary Detroit Golden World label during 1964 and 1965 under the group name of The Adorables. With their final Golden World release “Ooh Boy/Devil In His Eyes” (GW-25) becoming a hugely collectable dance floor favourite in more recent times.
Following the disbandment of The Adorables’ Pat and Diane Lewis both went on to record as solo artists and as part of Isaac Hayes Hot Buttered Soul project.
As for Betty she would go on to record several, at the time unissued songs with Richard ‘Popcorn’ Wylie (the producer on “Ooh Boy”). These unissued masters would remain in the can until their eventual discovery during the mid 1970’s by Soul Bowl’s John Anderson. Therefore, through a subsequent licensing deal followed by extensive airplay via advance acetates given to the influential DJ’s of the time Richard Searling, Ian Clark and Poke amongst others. Two of Betty’s songs would become dance floor favourites within the Northern Soul scene. Firstly the track entitled “Spellbound” which only appeared on the first Grapevine album ‘Talk Of The Grapevine’ amongst a host of other excellent previously unissued Popcorn masters, released during 1978. Followed a year later by the perennial favourite “Say It Isn’t So” which gained a release on a highly collectable Grapevine 45 as well as featuring on the second Grapevine album, ‘The Sound Of The Grapevine’.
So fast forward to 2016, and a third unissued Betty Boo track “My Man Flint” will be gaining a belated release. “My Man Flint” is Betty’s contribution to the media’s 1960’s cold war influenced obsession with espionage. The British had James Bond, The Russians a whole bunch of former 1930’s Cambridge graduates and the Americans one Derek Flint.
Master spy Derek Flint (played by Actor James Coburn) featured in two spoof spy films, “Our Man Flint” (1965) followed by “In Like Flint” (1967) as a suave, undisciplined philandering secret agent (much to the annoyance of his boss Lloyd Cramden, played by Lee J. Cobb) who invariably saved the western world from being held to ransom by some evil clandestine organisation.
One can only assume that Wylie and Hester wrote and produced this track in the hope that it would be used as part of a future film score? But what seems to have turned out to be the big screen’s loss will now become the Northern Soul scenes gain. Soul Junction’s release of “My Man Flint” features both the vocal and instrumental version. With the instrumental version albeit as a shorter cut being previously issued on the aforementioned Sound Of The Grapevine album under the fictitious artist and title of The Motor City Shakers, “Let’s Do The Duck”.
SJ1003 - Betty Boo - My Man Flint - Promo.mp3
For further information please contact Soul Junction at:
Tel: +44 (0) 121 602 8115 of E-mail: sales@souljunctionrecords.co.uk
To purchase go straight to Soul Junction at
http://www.souljunctionrecords.co.uk/SJ1003.html or via the usual stockists.
Otis Clay R.I.P
Dave Godin - Exhibition and Biography News
Preview follows, you can view the full article via the link below
An exhibition celebrating Soul guru Dave Godin, who went on to run Sheffield’s Anvil Cinema, is on display at Henry’s cafe/bar on Cambridge Street. It is curated by Henry’s Soul Club DJ Stevlor as a precursor to a biography he is completing for publication next year. The exhibition features 20 front covers from iconic music magazine Blues & Soul, to which Dave contributed a bi-weekly column, record reviews and articles throughout the 1960s and early... ...been writing and researching this biography for over three years and now it’s nearing completion I’m putting out a call for anybody who knew Dave and who may like to contribute an anecdote about him. “He knew literally hundreds of people and I’m sure there are a few in Sheffield who would like to be involved. I’d also like to hear from those who may not have got on with him because I know he was a chap who could be loathed as much as he was loved,” says Stevlor who can be contacted at stevlor@hotmail.co.uk
more info via
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/what-s-on/arts/a-true-man-of-soul-1-7647526
Torch 50th Anniversary BBC Feature
a nice looking entertaining feature on the Torch 50th anniversary that ties in with the recent BBC Radio stoke show mentioned in other forum posts
full read here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-35174596
It was 1970 when Mr Curtis and fellow kingspinner (or DJ, as they are now known) Keith Minshull approached the owner of the struggling nightclub with the proposition of starting a night based on their newfound love of up-tempo soul music. The distinctive clenched fist emblem has come to represent the Northern Soul genre for many - and it was born in Stoke-on-Trent. Chris Burton commissioned a man in Hartshill to create a logo and there the Keep The Faith emblem was born... After just 18 months, national newspaper headlines about drug-taking at the Torch, coupled with the local reaction, meant its licence was not renewed. In a bizarre twist, Edwin Starr accompanied Mr Burton to the city council's licensing meeting in the hope of a miracle.
listen to the Richard Searling Torch show here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03cc4k1
R.I.P Nicholas Caldwell of The Whispers
http://www.soultracks.com/story-nicholas-caldwell-dies
Today, reports are surfacing that Nicholas Caldwell of The Whispers has died after a long bout with cancer.
Soul Discovery Essential 25 Tracks for 2015
25. Elayne Starr “Night after night” (Kent)
24. Joe Leavy & Derek Allen “Standing in the shadows” (ELM Productions)
23. Roy Shy “Don’t they know” (Soul Junction) 7’
22. Carmen Rodgers feat. Anthony David “Charge” (Niag Records/Ka)
21. Tracy Hamlin “Take me to Paris” (DMH)
20. Ola Onabule “Soul town” (Disco Soul Gold)
19. Angie Stone “Think it over” (Shanachie)
18. Kejam Feat Cleveland Jones My Love” (DM)
17. JB Bingham “All alone by the telephone” (Soul Junction) 7’
16. Gene O “Why would I stay” (Spectra Music Group)
15. Donny Hathaway “Don't turn away” (Go-Head) 7'
14. E.R.I.C. Life’s a mess (full with guilt) (DL)
13. Shirma Rouse “L-O-V-E” (SR)
12. The R&R Soul Orchestra “I gonna tell her” (The American R&B Company)
11. Joyce Elaine Yuille “Running in to my life” (Schema)
10. Elbowed-Out “Believe it” (Soul Junction)
9. Evette Busby“Not here not now” (Cmn)
8. John Fluker “Keeper of my wings” (JF)
7. Goldswagger feat Maya Azucena “I can’t wait” (GW)
6. Gladys Knight “Soon” (Many Roads)
5. LaShawn D Gary feat Roderick Harper Look into your eyes” (LNC Music)
4. Shenita Hunt “Are you ready for us” (Rolls Voice Entertainment, INC)
3. Victor Wills “Follow thought” (Harlem West Music)
2. Leon Timbo “You're my darling” (Expansion)
1. Dee Dee Warwick “You tore my wall down” (Soul Junction) 7’
http://souldiscovery.podomatic.com/entry/2016-01-03T11_56_40-08_00
Completed Northern Soul Auctions Catch Up - Jan 2016
Soul Record Auctions - Recent Completed Auctions [Sorted By Value]
- Jimmy Burns - I Really Love You - Erica - Mp3 - $5641.00 Ended 15 Nov - Appointments - I Saw You There - De-Lite - Mp3 - $4839.53 Ended 20 Dec - Mark Iv - Brite Lite - Take This Love Signed Mega .. $4627.77 Ended 14 Oct Little Willie Johnson Loneliness Vendella S 101 Mint .. $4000.00 Ended 02 Nov Professionals That S Why I Love You Groove City Hear $3605.00 Ended 26 Oct John Harris Soul Sayers Hangin In Original 1967 .. $3173.00 Ended 27 Dec De-Lites 60s Classic Lover Tell Me Why On Cuppy Lab.. $3051.00 Ended 06 Oct The Devastations Funky Get Down Funk Sweet Soul On Reco.. $2937.89 Ended 15 Nov Vicroys Soul Vendors Sugar Spice Reggae Coxsone Mp3 $2900.00 Ended 14 Oct The Poets On J-2 Wrapped Around Your Finger $2850.00 Ended 23 Oct The Saints Wigwam I Ll Let You Slide Super Vg $2830.00 Ended 22 Nov Timmie Williams Competition Mala Vg Plays Well Dj $2806.85 Ended 22 Dec Clay Brown Everybody S Talking Original Label Carolina .. $2701.51 Ended 17 Oct Mega Modern Soul Funk Wanda Mcdaniel Ultimate Choice.. $2675.00 Ended 09 Oct Carleen The Groovers Can We Rap Funk Original $2651.02 Ended 23 Oct Love Warmth Affection Talking Bout Love Week-End .. $2627.00 Ended 27 Dec So Glad That I Found You - By The Classics On Yan-G $2495.00 Ended 18 Nov The 7th Avenue Aviators You Should O Held On Congress.. $2424.00 Ended 10 Nov Frankie Beverly Butlers Because Of My Heart Vg Play.. $2395.88 Ended 29 Nov The Traditions Artco My Heart On Fire Phoenix Az.. $2375.00 Ended 30 Nov Dr Z - Three Parts To My Soul - Vertigo 6360 048 - 1971.. $2210.85 Ended 25 Oct The Phonetics Just A Boy S Dream Trydel Label Rpm $2153.00 Ended 25 Oct Ultra Robby Lawson Burning Sensation Us Kyser Origina.. $2122.42 Ended 01 Nov Hyper Modern Soul Robert Cotter Missing You Tiger Lil.. $2025.00 Ended 26 Oct Music Machine Private The Ultimate Soul Funk Jazz Gr.. $1925.00 Ended 11 Oct Soul Vibrations-Rare-Original Funk Two Sider-1973 Press.. $1911.56 Ended 03 Jan Jackie Mittoo Soul Vendors Happy Organ Soulful Music .. $1826.00 Ended 07 Dec Latin Andy The Riverside Sextet Og Monster Latin S.. $1825.00 Ended 11 Oct J T Parker If You Want To Hold On It S Too Late Acade.. $1825.00 Ended 08 Nov Original Xover - J J Jennings - Ain T That Lovin So.. $1758.00 Ended 15 Nov Eula Cooper Let Our Love Grow Higher Super Sound 7002.. $1725.00 Ended 12 Oct Volumes Ain T Gonna Give You Up Karen Mp3 $1725.00 Ended 02 Nov R B Jock Mitchell Not A Chance In A Million $1724.46 Ended 18 Oct Very Original Private Funk Jr His Soulettes Psychodel.. $1691.00 Ended 21 Dec - The Sweets - Satisfy Me Baby On Soultown - Extremely $1657.67 Ended 16 Dec The Volumes I Ve Never Been So In Love On Garu Tx Soul .. $1654.00 Ended 18 Oct Moses Dillard And The Tex-Town Display Now 1969 Soul F.. $1626.54 Ended 06 Oct T V C Sweet Hot Lips 70s Soul N Y C Street Sounds Mp3 $1525.00 Ended 02 Nov Mega Ohio Funk Ricky Hodges Deep Music Flow Clean .. $1525.00 Ended 09 Dec Ethiopian Hit Parade 3 - Original Amha Records - Afro E.. $1525.00 Ended 26 Dec Crossover Funk Sweet Soul - Young Mods - Who You Going .. $1502.00 Ended 15 Nov Aguabella Hitting Hard Original Lp On Epsilon Still S.. $1500.00 Ended 12 Dec - Clarence Townsend - I Found A New Love - Clara - Us $1473.90 Ended 15 Oct Lou Ragland I Travel Alone Amy Hear $1459.00 Ended 25 Oct Utopias - Girls Are Against Me - - Detroit Rarity -.. $1425.00 Ended 18 Nov Skip Drake Wrapped Around Your Finger Cash Ex Private .. $1424.99 Ended 10 Nov Hank Mobley Soul Station Blue Note Original Lp 4031 S.. $1412.00 Ended 03 Nov Super Melvin Davis Find A Quite Place And Be Lonely .. $1381.78 Ended 10 Nov Del Jones Positive Vibes - Court Is Closed Lp - Hikeah.. $1356.00 Ended 27 Dec Trace Of Smoke U R Treasure Mind Northern Modern Soul.. $1353.90 Ended 13 Dec Martineques If You Want To Call Me Me-O Mp3 $1348.33 Ended 02 Nov The Sequins Try My Love The Detroit Sound 503 Mint- H.. $1346.79 Ended 14 Dec -Stewart Ames On J W 1000-Angelina Oh Angelina King.. $1325.00 Ended 15 Nov Modern Soul- Storm- Rosette Rpm- Can T Nobody Love Me L.. $1324.00 Ended 11 Dec 80s Soul - Rickey Washington Wizzdom After Lovin You.. $1312.89 Ended 20 Oct Ray Pollard This Time No More Like Me Shrine $1302.00 Ended 18 Dec Precisions I Wanna Tell My Baby D-Town Hear $1299.00 Ended 17 Dec 70s Soul Second Re Surrection You Done Let Daylight Cat.. $1293.00 Ended 25 Oct 70 S Soul Purple Mundi Stop Hurting Me Baby Cat Nm Hear $1292.89 Ended 25 Oct Emulations Move A Little Slower Girl Oakland Soul On Em.. $1291.00 Ended 16 Nov Anita Anderson Secretly Little Bit Longer Contact $1285.24 Ended 15 Nov Funk Breaks - Carleen The Groovers - Right On - Music.. $1277.01 Ended 20 Dec Garnet Mimms As Long As I Have You Orig French $1275.00 Ended 05 Oct Lil Major Williams 70 S Soul Girl Don T Leave Me Pallad.. $1275.00 Ended 20 Dec Ray Polard - The Drifter - United Artists Uk Demo Ultra $1255.76 Ended 12 Dec Charles Brandy Rare-Northern Soul Wlp I Cant Get Enough.. $1251.50 Ended 26 Nov Alex Brown In Search Of Love Super 70 Soul Promo Lp $1240.00 Ended 22 Nov Rick Asikpo Afro Fusion Got To Be Me Unknown Insane .. $1225.00 Ended 17 Oct - Oxford Nights - I M Such A Lonely One - Delphi - Mp3 $1225.00 Ended 20 Dec Vern Blair Debate - Super Funk B W Ooh-Ah-Ee - Telephon.. $1224.99 Ended 30 Oct Lou Ragland-I Travel Alone Big Wheel - Original Press-.. $1211.95 Ended 13 Dec Roy Robert I Know What To Do To Satisfy You Tina Hear $1201.00 Ended 20 Dec Svenska L D Ab H Rselmat 1971 Holy Grail Orig Swedish.. $1199.00 Ended 15 Dec Modern Soul Disco Gem Prewitt My Love Box Key Vg Hear $1192.00 Ended 25 Oct Carleen The Groovers $1175.00 Ended 10 Dec Virginia Blakly - Let Nobody Love You Rpm Mojo.. $1162.00 Ended 11 Oct Soul Set - Will You Ever Learn Please Don T Make Me C.. $1158.00 Ended 20 Oct Tony Clarke Landslide On Chess Dj Copy $1158.00 Ended 23 Oct The Masqueraders Do You Love Me Baby Monster Promo Hear $1158.00 Ended 11 Nov Rail Band Tiramakan Holy Grail Afro Funk Psych Man.. $1141.66 Ended 08 Dec 70s Soul - James Knox - Electric City - Pineapple - Mp3 - $1141.00 Ended 11 Oct Crossover Soul Funk Sherrell Bros The Price Currison Vg.. $1136.00 Ended 25 Oct Afro-Latin Soul Vol 2 Ethiopian Quintet Mulatu Astake .. $1136.00 Ended 22 Nov Freddie Terrell S Soul Expedition 72 Lefevre Sound.. $1126.00 Ended 08 Nov Modern Soul Funk Ramsey Company Love Call Ramco Vg Hear $1124.99 Ended 25 Oct 70s Soul - Felix Harris - Walkin In The Night - Coun.. $1121.00 Ended 15 Nov Jesse Johnson Left Out A Hundred Pounds Of Clay Old T.. $1112.00 Ended 21 Oct People S Choice Savin My Lovin For You Palmer 5020 .. $1100.00 Ended 21 Dec Funk Modern Soul Second Ressurrection Let Daylight .. $1098.06 Ended 20 Dec George Arvanitas-Soul Jazz Orig France 1st Pressing O.. $1075.55 Ended 29 Nov Sheepherders If Ever You Need Me Sounds Int Virginia .. $1054.50 Ended 15 Nov King Tutt You Ve Got Me Hung Up Modern Soul Disco 12 .. $1050.67 Ended 14 Dec 45-Timeless Legend-I Was Born To Love You Pts 2-.. $1046.01 Ended 03 Nov Luther Ingram If It S All The Same To You Hib 698 Dj .. $1035.00 Ended 14 Dec Martha Star Love Is The Only Solution I M Lonely .. $1025.00 Ended 05 Nov - Bernard Smith - Gotta Be A Reason - Groove - Nm Mp3.. $1025.00 Ended 20 Dec Laureda Holloway Show Me Crossover Soul Funk Kool Mus.. $1009.99 Ended 02 Nov Earl English The Apaches Trying To Make Ends Meet Fun.. $1009.99 Ended 15 Nov Guitar Ray You Re Gonna Wreck My Life Shagg Hear $1009.01 Ended 20 Nov The Major Three Oh How It Hurts What A Girl Toi 3302 .. $1000.00 Ended 09 Oct
The Post Wigan Years - Northern Soul
Much has been written about the Northern Soul scene up to the demise of The Wigan Casino, but very little has actually been written about what followed. For many, the scene died when Wigan Casino closed its doors for the final time. These same people would perversely discover that the scene was far from dead and that a hard-core crowd had continued to keep the flame burning and in the process, had taken the scene back underground with an aggressive upfront music policy.
There are of course many misconceptions about the scene post Wigan, both from those who had left the scene and from those who were never there in the first place. These misconceptions were particularly rife in the decades following the closure of the Casino. The most common were that these were the ‘lost years’ (only lost to those who weren’t there), lean times and dark days, both musically and venue wise, when in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
It’s possibly true to say that for much of the 20 or 25 years following Wigan Casino, there were no mass-attended central all-nighters like for, instance, the Casino or, over on the East Coast, Cleethorpes, but the all-nighter scene during this period, nonetheless, had a plethora of venues championing the cause.
The demise of the Casino was a slow painful one for many - many were disillusioned with what was happening musically and with the low attendances towards the end. Richard Searling was the saving grace for many but in truth DJs such as Gary Rushbrooke were also offering a taste of things to come.
Flyer for the first Clifton Hall (1980) (Arthur Fenn & Derek Sheldon subsequently “replaced” after this night)
On the other side of the Pennines, in Rotherham of all places, a renaissance was beginning. Tired of what was happening at Wigan and with the opinion that it had run its course, Alan Senior, Steve Croft and Adrian Guite under the guise of Soul Time Promotions began hosting all-nighters at The Clifton Hall in October 1980. With the likes of Richard Searling and Gary Rushbrooke from Wigan, Arthur Fenn, Derek Sheldon (both leaving after the first one I believe) Chris Brady and Brian Rae bolstered by the likes of Cleethorpes’ Blair Hayden better known as “Poke”, Pat Brady, Steve Mannion and Sean Hampsey joining the ranks, the venue promoted an aggressive and upfront music policy which included many 70s recordings and new releases.
Clifton Hall, 1981. Black Echoes All-nighter.
Alongside Clifton Hall, Soul Time Promotions also held events at The Fusion in Chesterfield, The KGB, Sheffield Samantha’s, Lincoln Drill Hall, Bradford Queens Hall and Cleethorpes.
However things didn’t last between the promoters and a split was inevitable with eventually Alan Senior keeping Clifton Hall and Steve Croft and Adrian moving onto Cleethorpes Winter Gardens, Bradford for a short while and Loughborough.
However the music policy at Clifton Hall wasn’t for everyone - too many 70s releases and too much Jazz-Funk, the Preston Street Dancers (complete with boiler suits and whistles and not to be confused by the Preston Cybermen), whilst well received by some were an irritation to others, were just some of the complaints. Other venues were beginning to making a name for themselves and proving more popular with for the more traditional all-nighter goer.
One such venue was Nottingham Oddfellows, not in Nottingham oddly, but in Leicester. Under the Central England Soul Club banner and promoted by Tony “The Vicar” Clayton and Ally Mayer, the all-nighter began at this fantastic venue in 1982 and ended there with the 5th Anniversary in 1987, although the club continued at venues in Market Harborough and Loughborough Town Hall in the future. Again, an upfront and aggressive music policy was in order, with 60’s newies (a term that would become synonymous with the 80’s rare soul scene) from the likes of Gary Rushbrooke and Keb Darge, 70s and Modern Soul supplied by Adam Buchanan and Robin Salter, all alongside quality underplayed oldies and quality classics. The venue quickly made a name for itself seeing a full house eager to lap up what the DJs had to offer. The scene really was in a healthy state and much of the despair that came with the demise of Wigan Casino was now being replaced by a renewed optimism and enthusiasm.
Another all-nighter that was popular during the early to mid 80’s was Morecambe. Promoted under the Soul-Promotions banner by Shaun Gibbons, the club began life in April 1983 and was initially located at the Central Pier. The original line up of DJ’s was Richard Searling, Pat Brady, John Vincent, Russ Winstanley, Brian Rae & Keith Minshull. In The Starlight Room Steve Whittle, Marc Farley, Steve Brackenbridge, Derek Smith And Keith Brady. Sometime after the third anniversary the Pier was closed due to holes in the decking, allegedly caused by Scooterists jumping up and down whilst queuing to enter the Pier. Weeks later the Pier was to burn down. The club relocated initially to another council building called the Dome for a few all-nighters before settling down at the Carlton Club. The Carlton also had a second room known as The Garage, which was essentially the Modern Soul Room. Gary Taylor, Mark Warmsley and Jason Conroy were added to the line up of DJ’s At The Carlton Club. Live acts to appear included Prince Philip Mitchell, Chuck Jackson, Gene Chandler, The Flirtations, Frances Nero and Singing Sam Ward. The venue proved very popular with Modern Soul lovers but the 60’s were too oldies orientated for those eager to progress and seek out new discoveriews. Some 60’s “newies” were pushed though especially by John Vincent who had an exceptional set at the time with many exclusives that would find their way into the collections of future top Dj’s and also by Pat Brady.
April 1982 saw the birth of the one all-nighter above all others that epitomises the scene post Wigan. The Top Of The World club in Stafford would become the focal point for many and it would become the venue most talked about after Wigan Casino, The Twisted Wheel, Cleethorpes and the Torch. The venue had already held all-nighters under the promotion of Keith Minshull (and others) prior to April 1982, but when Dave Thorley teamed up with Keith and the Top Dog Soul Club was formed and a legendary venue was born. The promotion began with a team of DJs featuring the best of the Wigan Casino roster and, from over in the West Country, the Yate DJs. The line-up was Richard Searling, Gary Rushbrooke, Keith Minshull, Ian Clarke, Chris Plant, Ady Pountain, Dave Thorley and, especially with all the unissued Motown that came his way, probably the best 60s “newies” DJ of the early 1980s, Dave Withers. Once again the music was upfront and across the board with a fast turnover of fresh records all played within the main room - a far cry from today. As well as the main room a second room featured the likes of Pete Widdison, Nick Marshall, Esher, Dave Greet, Budgie, the late and much missed Dave Alcock, Mick Smith and Steve Smith. It was billed as the very best in oldies but in truth many future main room plays began life in there.
As mentioned above, Dave Withers, together with Rod Shard, obtained a couple of tapes via U.S. collector and expert Robb Klein who had been working on a ‘From The Vault’s’ series for Motown U.S. and thus had access to the Motown tape library. Robb ended up recording many previously unheard tracks, which eventually ended up in the hands of Rod Shard. Knowing the content was Northern Soul dynamite, Rod made some acetates and the tracks were then unleashed upon an unsuspecting crowd. Marvin Gaye ‘It’s Killing Me’, the Originals ‘Suspicion’, the Temptations ‘Forever In My Heart’, the Velvelettes with ‘Let Love Live’ and ‘Love Is Good’, Gladys Knight & The Pips ‘Never Too Late’ and the Marvelettes with ‘Boy From Crosstown’ to name just some of the gems unleashed on the dance floor. Alongside records such as Soul Brothers Inc ‘Pyramid’, Kell Osborne “Law Against A Heartbreaker”, Johnny Gilliam, Bobby Sheen, Gino Washington, Sam Dees and The Ringleaders acetates, the scene was in a very, very healthy state musically. Many of the tracks still played and highly sought after by todays DJ’s – a testament to the quality of the tunes in question.
(Stafford promoter with 6t’s Mafia Guy Hennigan, Keb Darge & Pat Brady)
However this is just part of the Stafford Story. Come the summer of 1983, there were signs of growing discontent amongst many who thought that the 60’s were being neglected. Dave Withers was disillusioned with his treatment by some promoters who failed to recognise that he was probably top of the tree. This culminated in him being given the graveyard shift - the last hour of a nighter, by one promoter so he decided to call it a day on the DJ’ing front. Likewise Gary Rushbrooke. All was not lost to the lovers of 60’s music, as two upstarts pestered Dave Thorley into giving them slots and as a result the 6t’s Mafia was born and Guy Hennigan and Keb Darge were unleashed onto the unsuspecting Stafford crowd. If the music policy was aggressive before, it was even more so now with a relentless search for new discoveries with the term ‘6t’s newies’ becoming commonplace. If a record didn’t work almost immediately it was dropped in favour of the next in line, similar to the ‘three spins a night’ Mecca plays from the decade before. The pace was relentless and missing a week or two meant sometimes missing something new. In fact, often-brilliant records slipped through because of the sheer pace of the turnaround of new plays, although most would eventually have their day. Robin Salter also came on board replacing Adam and Robin was to further push the boundaries of Modern Soul with some brilliant discoveries alongside some classics and rarities. Dave Thorley was championing music from across the decades, brilliant 60’s alongside new discoveries, whilst Pat Brady had some of the best 60’s discoveries of anyone. Bradford’s George Sharp and Mansfield’s Jimmy Wensiora, both with amazing collections also came on board. All these ingredients added up to make Stafford a legend of the scene, giving Northern Soul a multitude of records, still played today, still highly sought after and many still incredibly rare. The whole period was more about ‘a couldn’t care less attitude’ (to put it politely) and you either got it or you didn’t. Many of the usual characters frequented Stafford, Oddfellows and other venues throughout the 80’s, epitomizing the attitude of the day which was staunchly defiant and there seemed to be these characters one at every turn, often up to no good and more often than not living the life to the max.
(Popcorn Wylie at Stafford courtesy of Neil Salter)
Stafford also featured many live acts. Eddie Parker and Lorraine Chandler ranks as one of the best all-nighters ever for those who were lucky enough to attend. Other acts included Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes, Popcorn Wylie, Eddie Holman, Gene Chandler, Major Lance and Dobie Gray.
(Eddie Holman at Stafford courtesy of Neil Salter)
Alongside Stafford, Chris King was running successful all-nighters under the Weekend Soul Club banner at places such as Hinckley. One such night featured the legendary Ric Tic Revue with artists from Detroit including Edwin Starr, Al Kent, J.J. Barnes, Laura Lee, Pat Lewis and Lou Ragland. Steve Croft with his After Dark Soul Club was having also having success at Warrington’s Parr Hall and Sean Gibbons doing likewise on the North West coast at Morecambe.
Nottingham saw Dave Raistrick’s promotions at The Rock City with some of the midlands finest amongst the DJ line up including Jimmy Wensiora, Gary Rushbrooke, Dave himself, Steve Phillis, Jonathon Woodliffe, Rob Smith and all the great and good of the time appearing as guests.
Mid to late 1985 saw three promoters have a sit down and come together for the good of the scene and agree to work together and not to clash with their respective promotions. The three being Dave Thorley, Chris King and Steve Croft giving rise to the Three Voices Soul Club. It would be nice to see some of that logic applied to todays over crowded calendar on the Northern/Rare Soul scene.
Around 1979 Randy Cozens and Ady Croasdell formed the 6T’s Rhythm & Soul Society. A DJ line up consisting of Randy, Mick Smith, Tony Rounce, Tony Ellis, Terry Davis, Ian Clark and Pete Widdison – Ady maintains that he couldn’t be arsed at the time but nevertheless he was to go on to become a legend of the Northern/Rare Soul scene. After causing havoc (in the nicest possible way of course) at various pubs around London they finally settled at the 100 Club and all-nighters were soon to begin in 1981. The all-nighters continue to this day and, as of 2014, have now reached the milestone of their 35th anniversary and the longest running soul venue in the world - some achievement in the fickle world of Northern Soul. Like other clubs of the 80‘s and to this day, the club was and still is at the cutting edge of rare soul featuring the best of Northern Rarities, unknowns and recent discoveries, R&B and a smattering of quality oldies.
Another important part of the mid 80’s was not a venue but a UK record label and, once again, Ady Croasdell was the driving force (initially under his alias of Harboro Horace) with his work with Ace/Kent. The early Kent LPs beginning with ‘For Dancers Only’ were an important way into the scene for many. With access to the vaults of many US labels, many unissued gems were introduced to the scene by the likes of Keb Darge and Ady Croasdell - Melba Moore with ‘The Magic Touch’, Maxine Brown with ‘Torture’, Peggy Woods ‘Love Is Gonna Get You’, Chuck Jackson ‘What’s With This Loneliness’, Carla Thomas with ‘I’ll Never Stop Loving You’, Tommy Hunt ‘The Pretty Part Of You’ and countless other unissued gems from the vaults of RCA, Dave Hamilton, the Pied Piper production team and many other long-forgotten labels. It has been an incredible source of new material for DJs and dancers that continues to this day and long may it continue to do so.
Come 1986 the scene was to experience some changes. Stafford, Parr Hall, Hinckley, Oddfellows and other venues of the early 80s were to close, but the scene rose to the challenge with a multitude of venues ready to step in and fill the gaps. Gone were the few major venues that had provided focal points for the scene and gone were the central meeting places like The Torch, Wigan & Stafford - something the scene would never experience again. Now it was the turn of monthly all-nighters at various venues up and down the country.
Around this time also saw the emergence of arguably one of the best DJ’s the scene has ever witnessed, or should that be heard? Mark “Butch’ Dobson. He alongside his good friend Tim Ashibende had supplied many DJs throughout the 80’s with top quality records but Mark had his own personal armoury, namely an incredible collection of impossibly rare records. His sets from those days in my opinion have never been bettered. The Mello Souls “We Can Make It’ then known as the Del-Larks, ‘Just You And I’, Diane Lewis ‘You Ain’t Got A Chance’, G. Davis & R. Tyler cover up which turned out to be Walter & The Admirations ‘Man Oh Man’, Jesse James ‘Are You Gonna Leave Me’, Tommy Ridgeley ‘My Love Gets Stronger’, the Just Brothers ‘Go On And Laugh’, the Devotions ‘Do Do De Dap‘ (I actually prefer the cover up name ‘The Magic Tones - A Lovers Plea”), Mac Staten & the Nomads ‘There She Goes’, Mr Lucky ‘I Was Born To Love You’, The Volcano’s ‘Love Is Alright’ which turned out to be a Jesse James Virtue acetate, The Sherry’s ‘World Of Happiness’, again a Virtue acetate and which eventually was discovered to be Shirley Turner. Alongside these, there is a multitude of other tracks like Martha Jean Love, Jean Carter “I Wanna Know’, Tommy & The Derbys ‘Don’t Play The Role’, Johnny Praye ‘Can’t Get Too Much Love’ and a plethora of other discoveries from the 60’s & 70’s throughout the years right up to today. To do this for so long, when pickings were not as plentiful as back in the 70s, is, for me, the one reason why I say he is arguably the scenes greatest DJ!
Rob Marriott and with the Soul Power Promotions at The Swan Hotel in Mansfield featuring Rob himself who was one of the leading DJ’s of the late 80’s to the early 90’s with some incredible 45’s, initially from the collection of Jimmy Wensiora but soon to get together many of his own discoveries and biggies. Alongside Rob would be Butch, Jimmy, Andy Whitmore, Rich Broughton, Keb, Guy & Pete Shirley and again the very best guests. Rob also had a successful soul night in Mansfield at Trotters, popular with people prepared to travel from all over.
Guy Hennigan would have two successful all-nighters at Tony’s Empress Ballroom in both Blackburn and Mexborough. Again featuring the very best cutting edge Rare Soul and Northern Soul DJs, Guy, Keb, Butch, Ion Tsakalis, Pat Brady & Dave Evison with quality oldies alongside the best guests from all over the UK - Kitch, Dean Anderson and Colin Law to name but a few.
1987 saw Bradford Queens Hall would be revived under the Hole In The Wall Soul Club run by Phil Dick with After Dark’s Steve Croft getting on board not too long after. The venue was I believe owned by the Student union and featured a fabulous sprung dance floor. Here saw the likes of Gary Spencer and Carl Fortnum pushing the boundaries with 60’s newies alongside Pat Brady, Steve and Phil, Darren Harden, Roger Banks and Nigel Parker. The club proved very popular and would run into the early 90’s continuing in 1991 under the After Dark banner until its eventual demise around late 1992/early 1993.
1987 also saw the rise of arguably the best and most talked about Soul Club in Scotland, The Ruff Cutt Crew and the Shotts all-nighters at the Allanton Miners Welfare Club. Scotland had given the scene its fair share of great all-nighters, namely Clouds, The Claremont and Glenrothes for example but the Shotts all-nighters seemed to capture the very essence of what the 80s Rare Soul Scene was all about. It had attitude by the bucket loads, open mindedness and enthusiasm. It was originally formed by Jim O’Hara, Barney (Brian Welsh R.I.P) and John Neilson with John leaving after a couple of months and Barney just a few months later, to leave it in the capable hands of Jim. Jim was one of a rare breed, a promoter who just promoted and didn’t DJ himself!
Jim got together the very best Scottish lads to play the records throughout lifespan, Colin Law, Mark Linton, Acky Buchan, Jim Tennant, Alan & Steve Walls, Andy Dennison, Jock O’Connor, Keith Whitson with the Modern Soul supplied by Tom Jackson and Bob Jeffries. Alongside these it featured the best DJ’ from south of the border and Scotland, namely Guy, Keb, Andy Whitmore, Kitch, Dean Anderson, Graeme Ellis, Gilly, Ady Harley, Andy Whitmore, Gaz Kellet, Dave Molloy, Rob Wigley, Rob Marriot and more to feed the ever enthusiastic crowd of some top quality rare soul. Not all the records were exclusive to Allanton, many had been featured at venues from earlier years but with these mixed with the knowledge and taste of the collectors and with the discoveries of the time it had all the right ingredients to make it one special venue. It was a weekend away travelling, often on Guy’s coaches with various stops along the way, or on one of Dean Anderson’s mini buses, but it was all worth it. The atmosphere was like nowhere else really. The club ran successfully for 4 or 5 years before the end in around 1991/2.
Another influential club of the mid to late 80’s was the RSG, promoted by Jon Buck. It ran all-nighters at Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard (The Unicorn) as well as promotions at Peterborough at the Fleet with Danny Everard. RSG would feature again the very best cutting edge DJ’s with quality oldies and a dash of Modern Soul. The venues would prove very popular with live acts such as Popcorn Wylie who came over and did a show in Dunstable and one in Manchester at The Apollo.
Peterborough saw various clubs throughout the 80’s promote events at places like the Wirrina Stadium and The Fleet, Central England Soul Club being one in particular, D&S Promotions, East Anglian Soul Club and the RSG.
Danny Everard would also co-promote the popular but short-lived all-nighter in 1987 alongside Dave Thorley under the Top Dog and Kool Kat Soul Club at Chesterfield’s The Winding Wheel. A fantastic venue, which at the time could have been the central venue the scene needed after Stafford. But the event suffered from some heavy duty oppressive policing by the local drug squad, with coaches stopped en route, travelers stopped and searched in the town’s car park despite little if nothing ever being found. The drug squad would probably have had more success down at the local Adam and Eve night club! Yet when the police began blocking applications for license extensions from the local colliery brass bands, the management (who were all for the all-nighters to continue) had no choice but to put an end to them. Such a shame as it had all the right ingredients to make it a huge success and become the next central venue for the scene.
The Acts for the 1st Northern Soul & Motown Weekender at Yarmouth.
1989 saw the beginnings of the weekenders on the Rare/Northern Soul Scene. They began in Yarmouth at the Vauxhall Holiday Park under the promotion of TAC. It began life as ‘A Motown and Northern Soul Weekender’ with a strong emphasis on live acts and Motown rather than the DJs. Acts to appear at the first were George McCrae, Jimmy Ruffin, Lew Kirton, George Williams of the Tymes, Junior Walker, Clifford Jones, Rockie Robbins, Ray Lewis of the Drifters, Mary Wells, Martha Reeves and Edwin Starr.
However it proved so popular with those from ‘Northern Soul’ scene that by 1990/1991 they were holding two per year with the second being predominately a Northern Soul Weekender with more emphasis on the DJs but also with a stellar list of artists, not just one or two, but four or five artists at each weekender each putting in a full set - Gene Chandler, J.J. Barnes, Eddie Holman, Ray Pollard, Eddie Parker, Lorraine Chandler, Chuck Jackson, H.B. Barnum, Garland Green, Popcorn Wylie and Johnny Bristol to name just a few. However these weekenders despite their success were short lived and by 1993 that man Ady Croasdell was to fill the breach with a new weekender at The Beachcombers Holiday Park in Cleethorpes - a venue where they are still held to this day. An array of acts have graced the stage at Cleethorpes. The first were Mary Love & Tony Middleton and, since then, Doris Troy, Tommy Hunt, Maxine Brown, Al Wilson, Bobby Hutton, Little Ann, Hoagy Lands, Sidney Barnes, The Velvelettes, Dennis Coffey, Willie Tee, Dean Parrish, The Diplomats/Skull Snaps, the Mirwood Revue, Carl Carlton and Darrow Fletcher, Derek Martin & Bettye Swann to name a few. Yarmouth and Cleethorpes paved the way for other weekenders in the future like Prestatyn, Cala Gran, Fleetwood, Blackpool & Dave Raistrick’s Skegness weekenders.
On the more Modern and Soulful dance side of the scene you had Soul Essence in Yarmouth (still running to this day), Southport and Ralph Tee and Richard Searling’s Luxury Soul Weekenders in Blackpool.
One Soul night worthy of a mention in the 80’s early 90’s is The Detroit Academicals in Northampton and the surrounding area. Hosted by Cliff Steele with local talent Neil Smith, Trev and Tony Parker ably assisted by the finest DJ’s and collectors of the time, this was one soul night that was worth the effort of travelling.
Another soul night would be Gary Welsh’s Canal Tavern at Thorne. Whilst heavily featuring the Modern side of the scene, the venue played its fair share of Northern and also featured live acts not just at Thorne with Sam Dees but also in Hull at an all-dayer with Jesse James. Gary, Rod Dearlove and Tim Brown would take the reins and this saw the birth of the term “Crossover” which is having a big influence in today s scene (although, to be fair, “Crossover” had been played for years prior to the term becoming accepted).
This brings us into the 90’s, a time of change for many on the Rare/Northern Soul Scene. The Okeh Soul Club all-nighters at Keele University run by Neil Clowes would become extremely popular. However they were seen as the beginning of the end for the upfront scene as it was in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. The venue was huge and full but the music took a huge step backwards for people like myself with a reliance on oldies and classics from Wigan Casino, The Torch and other such venues. Many other venues would also go down this route. But it was still a good craic and had an excellent record bar, essential for collectors like myself, this would be where I would get my kicks and satisfy my need for something new as the DJ’s were not fulfilling my thirst.
Tony’s Empress Ballroom in Blackburn would also prove a very popular venue when revived by Mick Lyons in the early 90’s with the help of Little Scotty. A blend of DJs featuring the very best oldies with newer discoveries the venue ran throughout the 90s and into the 00s.
Johnny Beggs and Duncan Pollett would run the Northern Cowboy nights at The Bear in Congleton and other venues in the area, totally upfront with the very best cutting edge DJ’s and collectors and hugely popular.
Around the same time Pete Hollander, Mark Bicknell and Dennis Billingham would promote the Concord Suite in Droylsden, again very popular and also featuring live acts, like Barbara Acklin and Ruby Andrews in 1993. When Droylsden finished, Pete & Mark moved to Hyde Town Hall and The Bridgehall Hotel in Bury. About 1995 Pete teamed up with Barry Holland and this saw the birth of Winsford again with similar guests to Droylsden and Hyde, namely Butch Gary Spencer, Soul Sam, Bob Hinsley and Robbo. They also revived all-nighters at The Parr Hall and held others at Sandbach Town Hall.
From 1991 up until 1995 would see another soul night have an influence on the scene at Bretby Country Club. Run by Chris Anderton the venue was nicknamed the Son Of Stafford because of the attitude of the DJs who were the best from across the UK in terms of an upfront playlist and featuring of course many sounds made popular at places like Stafford. The venue would later see successful all-nighters hosted by Dave Thorley and Chris King. A two roomed affair with the best DJ’s from the Rare/Northern and Modern Soul scenes playing the very best music.
The Deepest South was very under represented at times post Wigan but Russ Vickers attempted to keep the torch burning with his Uptown Down South Promotions. Ably assisted by Keith and Maxine Woon they featured the very best in Rare Soul from the 60’s, current biggies of the time with a mix of quality oldies through to brand new releases.
Kicking off in Abshot, with promotions held at the Royal Sailors Home Club before moving to The Colony Club (UDS) in October (11th) of 1997. The last Colony Club taking place on 27th February 1999.
The Resident DJ's at both venues were Simon Preston who kicked off proceedings, Keith Woon, Maxine Woon, Ben Summers, Lloyd Attrill & Russ himself. The main influances at the time for Russ were the 100 Club & Soul Essence. The music policy was 6ts thru to new releases. Abshot was a Soul Night in Fareham, Hampshire, but much to his surprise, it took off & after a year we were struggling to get everyone in. A move to Newbury was made to accomadate the growing numbers and the Colony Club on what was RAF Greenham Common became the new home. Rob & Elaine Savage managed the club, the events were monthly, every second night at Newbury was an All Nighter.
Guest DJ's included Gavin Page, Dave Thorley, Soul Sam, Bob Hinsley, Ian Clark, Dave Greet, Steve Guarnori, Terry Davis (Norfolk Village), Cliff Steele, Eddie Hubbard, Ady Croasdell, Chris Anderton and more. Live PA's from Sam Dees & Jeff Perry were both unforgettable nights.
Maxine's UDS top 5: Melvin Moore - All of a sudden; Wizards of Ooze - Trippin'; Differences - Five Minutes; Promises - This love is real; Jeanie Tracy - Making new friends.
Keith top 5: Sean Oliver - You and Me; True Image - I'm not over you; Bobby Kline - Say something nice to me; Mary Wells - Love letters; Almeta Lattimore - These memories.
At the time Russ was playing Barbara Lynn - Moving on a Groove, which we made into massive record, Emmitt Long - Call Me, was only 3 known copies at the time, Bad Weather Inc, again 3 copies at the time which Dave Thorley bought back from NY, new release wise I was pushing Island Inspirational Allstars - Dont Give Up, amongst others....
Featured oldies included Martha Starr - Love is the Only Solution, Yvonne Carol - Oh Yea, Yea, Yea & Johnny Rogers, again amongst others.
Life and Soul Promotions would promote hugely successful events at Albrighton. The venue really did feature the very best Rare and Modern Soul DJ’s. Promoted by Lynn Taylor, Tait and Martin Bradley, they employed the likes of Butch, Ted Massey, Soul Sam, Gavin Page, Dave Thorley, Roger Williams, Mark Simpson, Paul Sutton, Guy Hennigan, Neil Felton, Ginger Taylor, Chic, Johnny Weston and many more up until the last all-nighter in 2001.
From its humble beginnings at the Carlton Working Men’s Club and The Civic Centre in Wakefield, Mouse, Chris Pelle and the likes of Stephen “Chuddy” Dudley ran very successful soul nights. So successful that in 1993 an all-nighter began at, what would become affectionately known as, The Wilton. Whilst it did feature top DJs, the emphasis was more on the collector and because of this the music was always fresh. Quality underplayed oldies would feature alongside new discoveries. Saus was one of the top DJs of the early 90’s with a varied mainly 60’s set of Northern and R&B, way ahead of his time with the R&B. Roger Banks, John Wilkinson, Bob Hinsley, Keith Money, Les Cockell, Guy Hennigan, John Kingan, George Hunt, Andy Dyson, John Britton, Arthur Fenn and many more would grace the decks over the next 20 years or so. Sadly the all-nighters ran into slow decline, mainly due to the fact it was on a Friday and 24/7 working weeks and family life meant many were unable to make it on a Friday. The Wilton still hosts a Soulful Session once a year with top quality live acts with Darrow Fletcher and Debbie Taylor having appeared recently.
Towards the end of the 90’s, (1997 if my memory serves me correctly), Kev Roberts and Richard Searling would begin hosting all-nighters at the Kings Hall in Stoke. These are still going strong today and are now in their 17th year. The venue features the best the scene has had to offer throughout its history. The event has its knockers and isn’t known for its cutting edge but it has helped many get back into the scene and is packed to the rafters with around 1500 in attendance at every event.
Come the 00s London was calling and making a noise on the scene. The 100 Club was still going strong with Alan “Shifty” Neale & Greg McIllinney, better known as Irish Greg making names for themselves and establishing themselves as residents. Irish Greg and Alan Handscombe would form the Capitol Soul Club in January 1999. This club began life at The Bar in Shoreditch but it was when they moved to the Dome in Tufnell Park that the club really came to the forefront of the London Soul Scene. Carl Fortnum joined the two co-founders along with David Flynn and Matt Jahans came on board as the promoter for the Club - another of the rare breed of promoters who didn’t DJ. The guests for the nights were the great and good of the time, far too many to list but just about every DJ who played something other than the same old same was brought in to guest. The music policy was cutting edge 60’s Rare, Northern and R&B and featured many tracks that were broken in the 80s at venues such as Stafford’s Top Of The World and The 100 Club, biggies of the day and many unissued rarities and acetates. The crowd travelled from all over the UK and the venue was packed, many youngsters were introduced to the music and they naturally lapped it up.
Capitol Soul wasn’t the only club. Nick & Dawn Brown were promoting their Scenesville nights at various venues across the City like The Camden Centre, The Phoenix & Notre Dame. Nick was joined by Chris Dale, Alan “Kitch” Kitchener and Andy Rix and the music was probably as upfront as anywhere at the time with the emphasis on the rare and unreleased. They really were great nights and the flyers became collectable in their own right.
Joe Wallace, Martin Thomson and Paul Peter Thomas were promoting Thursday night events in the cellar at the River Bar on Tower Bridge Road under the banner of “These Old Shoes” - another quality Soul night that set the weekend up perfectly if you could get along on a Thursday. Soul in the City began life in 2001 and co-promoted by Dave Greenhill, Paul McKay and Alistair McDonald. Martin Thomson was invited to join the trio after three nights. The nights, which ran until 2007, proved very popular and, like Capitol Soul and Scenesville, had some fantastic guests playing quality Rare Soul. November 2004 would see the Solid Hit Soul Club begin life as a club. Dave Greenhill, Martin Thomson, Stuart Tyler & Gene Robertson being the promoters. The Club is still going strong today but has since lost Martin and Gene but gained Des Parker and Shane Cox and still features quality Rare Soul from the residents and top guests alike.
By the mid 90’s The Rocket was also causing a stir. The venue hosted all-nighters under the Metropolitan Soul Club banner. Co-promoted by Paul Clarke and Kevin Johansen, Ian Levine was asked to be the main DJ and given the task of booking the other DJs. The nights, whilst initially successful with well over a thousand in attendance at the first couple, the promotion began to suffer for various reasons - frequency, arguments between rival clubs and, not least, the inevitable fickleness of the summer months (which have always traditionally been very slow scene wise). Despite all this London was an exciting place to be in the early to mid 2000s with the clubs involved all playing their part in a vibrant exciting time packed with quality soul music.
Come the mid 2000’s though, the all-nighter scene was suffering. Too many oldies were the norm, mainly as a result of those who returned to the scene in the late 90’s early 2000’s for the first time since the days of the Casino. This was until Andy Dyson & Mick Heffernan (or simply Mick H) felt it was time to do something about it and The Lifeline Soul Club was born. All-nighters were put on at Sheridans in Dewsbury with myself (Karl “Chalky” White) helping with the promotional side of things. A team of residents were assembled who, in the opinion of Andy and Mick, had collections to get away from the same old same old that was the diet of many other promotions of the day. Alongside Andy and Mick was Butch, Soul Sam, Cliff Steele and Nick Stevenson, with myself coming on board after the second or third all-nighter after Nick called it a day. With an upfront cutting edge policy the venues at Sheridan’s was packed to the rafters and only guests who they felt would complement the residents were employed. Since Sheridans, Lifeline has promoted at The Fox at Colsterworth on the A1, The Ye Olde Bell in Barnby Moor near Retford (where it also held hugely successful weekenders), The Stables at Shareshill, Wolverhampton and is now at Bidds in Longton, Stoke on Trent, where it co-promotes a two-roomed affair with the Pow Wow Club. Bidds previously held popular all-nighters hosted by Mace with the help of Johnny Beggs featuring the very best Rare Soul, Latin and R&B. Mace is now co-promoting Pow Wow alongside Mik Parry, Gav Arno and Callum Simpson in the two-roomed event at the venue alongside Lifeline.
Sheridans in Dewsbury at the time in the mid 2000’s provided a central venue for the Scene with several clubs promoting a night there every week. Alongside Lifeline was Andy McCabe with Soultown and Joe Dutton with the Flip Side nights (R&B & Mod orientated nights). For a short time the scene had somewhere everyone could go every week for some special nights. Many didn’t want to leave and some stopped there for days following all-nighters!!
As mentioned earlier Soultown really helped the successful nights at Sheridans, employing the best Rare Soul and Northern Soul DJ’s playing cutting edge and the best Northern Soul around. It later moved to The Middleton Civic Hall where extra rooms were added - an R&B room run by the Backbeat team and a rare and underplayed room hosted by Maria And Carl Willingham. Again a very successful all-nighter whilst it ran.
The New Century Soul Club run by Chris Waterman and Marcelle began promoting in December 2003 at the CIS building in Manchester where it stayed for 2 years. Various other venues were utilized until landing at Radcliffe Civic Suite where it will celebrate its 11th Anniversary this year (2014). Alongside the main room it features a quality Modern Room and an alternative room featuring the best in underplayed Soul music.
Another long running venue is Rugby with initially Sian Rare Soul nights and then all-nighters promoted at The Benn Hall in the centre of Rugby. Again, alongside the main room, a freestyle room is proving hugely popular with spinners playing the best in underplayed Soul Music.
Burnley would see a very popular all-nighter at The Kestrel Suite, promoted initially by Philip Kowalczyk with Sean Haydon later taking over the reins. With an upfront and mainly up-tempo music policy the venue has a hardcore following and features the very best Rare Soul and Funk plus the harder-edged Soul music that seems very popular on today’s scene. Sean also co-promotes alongside Dave Abbott the very popular Soul-Funk-Tion all-nighters where the more hard-edged and funky soul is featured alongside the very best Rare Soul.
This isn’t meant to be a definitive history of the Northern and Rare Soul Scene post Wigan Casino, which would be near-on impossible. It’s simply a reflection that the scene is and always has been very much alive and kicking, despite the misconceptions voiced by some. There are literally hundreds of events and many promotions and promoters I haven’t mentioned but simply couldn’t mention them all given the time and space constraints I was under. My apologies go to all who I haven’t managed to mention in this brief write-up. All have played their part in keeping the Northern Soul scene alive and all have contradicted many of the misconceptions about the scene post Wigan Casino. The scene has always had spells where times were on the quiet side but the scene has also remained extremely popular with a hardcore following for the various all-nighter promotions over the years to the extent that the scene as of today would appear to be every bit as popular as it has ever been, with a healthy influx of the younger generation enjoying the greatest dance scene the world has ever seen.
And long may it continue!
Karl ‘Chalky’ White
November 2014. Amended August 2015.
Kindle- The Story of the Incredible Jades - To Make the Moment Last
In this memoir, a member of the Incredible Jades recalls the rise and experiences of the band over the course of one year in the late sixties-the group's amazing moment in the sun.
Available via a kindle edition at £3.49 and hardback at £7.95 from amazon (link below)
Not of great length and though while not fully reviewed due to lack of time, the preview below should give a good idea of what the actual content is like.
Blurb
The sixties gave rise to a whole new generation of music. Led by Barry Gordy’s Motown Records and Al Bell’s Stax Records, soul music was taking the nation by storm. Any rhythm and blues band worth its salt was playing their sounds.
When the Incredible Jades formed in Arkansas in 1967, this music was the fuel for their inspiration. A group of talented and energetic young black men full of dreams, the Jades played their hearts out to every local and regional venue within their reach, gradually making their mark among night clubs and social groups. What followed was a year of amazing and memorable moments for the members of the band as they made a name for themselves playing soul music in the heart of Arkansas. Now, author William Thrasher Jr., the Jades’ saxophonist, writes of the band’s time together in 1967–68.
Baltic Soul Weekender 10 - April 2016
The fully featured website has all the details (link below), so just a quick heads up for the dates, location and the current planned line up follows
Date
22 - 25 April 2016y
Location
Center Parcs, Bispinger Heide, Germany
Near Heide Park, seems its more Soltau than Baltic this time
Current line ups
(note - this is as at 21 dec 2015 - check the website out for latest )
Live Artists:
Jazzanova feat. Paul Randolph
Tavares
Cece Peniston
Lenny Williams
Byron Stingily
Tortured Soul
Gloria Scott
The Baltic Soul Orchestra DJs
DJs inc
John Morales , Smudo, Mousse T
Eddie Piller, the Reflex, Dj Friction
Keb Darge, Ian Dewhirst, Hans Nieswandt
Miss Kelly Marie, Onur Engin, Michael Reinboth
Henry Storch, Steve Hobbs, Mick Farrer
Lloyd Attril, Oguzhan Celik, Divan Pan
Crout, Bernd N, Kenny B, Supergid, Dan D
website
http://www.baltic-soul.de/
Video from #5 2011
Jackson Five Masters For Sale!
Although many have claimed to have discovered them, it was Gordon and his partner Ben Brown that gave the group there first break and had so success with the 45 'Big Boy', which was a minor hit across the Mid West. Anyway here is his note to me, if you are truely interested let me know and I'll put you in touch. @Dave Thorley
Hello: Please post for me to all.
Please tell the world I'm selling MICHAEL JACKSON'S & THE JACKSON 5's very first recordings and etc.except a few things like my original contract with them. This will be a great CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY PRESENT! GORDON KEITH
Happy Xmas and A Merry New Year!
So to kick things off on behalf of all the people involved with Soul Source would just like to wish all members...
Merry Christmas and a happy full of soul 2016
Have a good one!
Soul Source Team
Staple Singers Box Set - Faith & Grace: A Family Journey 1953-1976
Out now a limited edition 4 Cd Box set ( 80 tracks plus a bonus 7'' single)
The first-ever comprehensive, career-spanning overview of one of the most important American musical acts of the 20th century. The limited-edition 4-CD box set, Faith and Grace: A Family Journey 1953-1976 features all of the band’s best-loved hits, studio and live recordings, plus a handful of never-before-released rarities, including a special bonus: the earliest known recordings of the group, housed on a 7” vinyl record, marking the first time that these two tracks have been available in any format since the Staples’ self-released edition of 500.
Housed in a deluxe, old-school “45-folio” package, the accompanying book boasts new liner notes by Mavis Staples, Opal Louis Nations, James Miller, and compilation producer Joe McEwen, as well as rarely seen photos of the family band taken over the course of their career.
Preview via juno records player
Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. It Rained Children
2. I Just Can't Keep It To Myself
3. Each Day
4. God's Wonderful Love
5. If I Could Hear My Mother Pray
6. I've Got A New Home
7. Uncloudy Day
8. Come On Up In Glory
9. I Know I Got Religion
10. Swing Down Chariot
11. I Had A Dream
12. Help Me Jesus
13. Low Is The Way
14. This May Be The Last Time
15. So Soon
16. I'm So Glad
17. Pray On
18. Good News
19. Downward Road
20. Don't Drive Me Away
Disc: 2
1. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
2. Don't Knock
3. Medley: Too Close / I'm On My Way Home / I'm Coming Home / He's Alright
4. Swing Low
5. Calling Me
6. Stand By Me
7. Hammer And Nails
8. Gloryland
9. Hear My Call, Here
10. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
11. New-Born Soul
12. Dying Man's Plea
13. Great Day
14. There Was A Star
15. Use What You Got
16. Let That Liar Alone
17. I Can't Help From Cryin' Sometime
18. Blowin In The Wind
19. This Land
20. I Know I've Been Changed
Disc: 3
1. A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
2. Masters Of War
3. What Are They Doing (In Heaven Today)
4. I Wish I Had Answered
5. I'll Fly Away
6. Tell Him What You Want
7. Be Careful Of The Stones You Throw
8. Samson And Delilah
9. As An Eagle Stirreth
10. The Freedom Highway
11. Why (Am I Treated So Bad)
12. John Brown
13. Waiting For My Child
14. It's Been A Change
15. For What It's Worth
16. Let's Get Together
17. Crying In The Chapel
18. Long Walk To D.C.
19. Got To Be Some Changes Made
20. Slow Train
Disc: 4
1. I See It
2. The Ghetto
3. When Will We Be Paid
4. God Bless The Children
5. The Challenge
6. Brand New Day [Theme From The Landlord]
7. Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)
8. I Like The Things About You
9. You're Gonna Make Me Cry
10. Respect Yourself
11. I'll Take You There
12. The World
13. I'm Just Another Soldier
14. Are You Sure
15. If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)
16. Touch A Hand (Make A Friend)
17. Back Road Into Town
18. Let's Do It Again
19. The Weight - The Band
20. Respect Yourself - Mack Rice, Luther Ingram
Disc: 5 45 rpm Single
1. Faith And Grace
2. These Are They
Kindle: Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound
There are some quite favorable reviews via amazon and the goodreads site (you can read the amazon reviews via the link below) and a fair few praise the books approach and scope both musical and historical. So at this time of year it could be of interest if looking for gifts but at £14 for the Kindle, the hardback version may provide the better value @ £15
Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound Kindle Edition by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Age Range: 10-14 years Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (September 29, 2015)
Language: English
Here's the blurb...
From award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney comes the story of the music that defined a generation and a movement that changed the world.
Berry Gordy began Motown in 1959 with an $800 loan from his family. He converted the garage of a residential house into a studio and recruited teenagers from the neighborhood-like Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Diana Ross-to sing for his new label. Meanwhile, the country was on the brink of a cultural revolution, and one of the most powerful agents of change in the following decade would be this group of young black performers from urban Detroit. From Berry Gordy and his remarkable vision to the Civil Rights movement, from the behind-the-scenes musicians, choreographers, and song writers to the most famous recording artists of the century, Andrea Davis Pinkney takes readers on a Rhythm Ride through the story of Motown...
Tardam Records - Label dedicated to Soul and R&B dancefloor tunes
We are a collective of djs and musicians, deeply in love with black music since we were kids - our roots are in the Northern Soul, Funk and R&B european scene.
Our, which include great new versions of Com'un Home in The Morn'um by Lou Pride, One More Chance by Margie Joseph, and What I'd Say by Ray Charles:
Please check them out, you'll not be disappointed. Records will be soon on sale via our official distributor, Sugar and Spice Records:
MIGHTY TYPHOONS, THE -FEAT. BEULAH ENSER- - ONE MORE CHANCE/I'M COM'UN HOME - (7") NOUVEAU
TARDAM
a tribute to many sweaty nights spent on dancefloor around Europe dancing to the best grooves on Earth...Northern Soul they call it! Featuring: Beluah Enser.
TRACKLISTING: 01. I'm Com'un Home In The Morn'un (george L. Pride) 02. One More Chance (w. Turbinton)
MIGHTY TYPHOONS, THE - WADDASEI/WHAT I'D SAY - (7") NOUVEAU
TARDAM
this will drop you to a Roman Holiday early 60's club full of American VIP tourists lounging, while on stage a steady R&B band with a crazy and wild Italian singer that messes all up!...file under Dolce Vita meets Ray Charles!!! Featuring: Viky De Santis.
TRACKLISTING: 01. Featuring Viky De Santis- Waddasei (what I'd Say) (ray Charles) 02. What I'd Say (instrumental) - (ray Charles)
http://www.sugarandspice.fr/catalog.php?val=TARDAM&type=ln
Cheers,
Fabrizio - Tardam Records
New Century Soul - Last Radcliffe Allnighter & New Venue Info
Future Dates in 2016 for our new venue the 'Bury Town Hall' will be...
Launch night May 28th 2016
July 30th, Nov 26th and Boxing Day 26th Dec 2016
The Last Radcliffe Boxing Day Allnighter details are as follows
New Century Soul Manchester Allnighter Boxing Day December 26th
Main Hall
DJ's Calvin Lee Hughes, Chris Waterman, Jordan Wilson, Tony Mac, Bob Hinsley, Sean Haydon, Dick Krop, Andy Garside and Maria & Carl Willingham...
Room Two
Time Out: 10pm til 6am with Andrew Dyson, Soul Sam, Hoss Watson, Brian Phillips, Matt Sneath Mick H, Stuart Raith, Trusty and Stu CheethamRoom Three
Modern Room:10pm till 5.30 with Ed Db, David Bell, Sammy Dee, Richi Rich, Gibby Gibby and James Cairns
Further details are on our website
http://www.newcenturysoul.co.uk
Arctic Records - Philly Soul - Honey And The Bees 45
Remixed by Tom Moulton
First in a series of new releases from the Arctic Archives
LIMITED TO 500
First in a series of 45's designed for DJ's with never before heard instrumental tracks on the flip side.
Hand Picked by Brewerytown Beat
Video Trailer
Flyer
Arctic Records Info
Founded by WDAS program director/deejay Jimmy Bishop in conjunction with Jamie/Guyden Records in 1964, Arctic Records was one of Philadelphia’s most important early soul labels, greatly influencing the subsequent rise of Philly soul.
Barbara Mason’s classic “Yes, I’m Ready” was the label’s biggest seller in 1965; she quickly became Arctic’s flagship artist, making a slew of splendid followups as well. Kenny Gamble gained invaluable experience at Arctic, not just as a songwriter and producer but as a smooth-voiced singer. Arctic hosted the Volcanos and the Ambassadors, two of the City of Brotherly Love’s finest male vocal groups, and the sexy, sultry Honey & the Bees. Daryl Hall got his start at Arctic as lead tenor with blueeyed soulsters the Temptones; Della Humphrey’s debut Arctic single hit when she was barely in her teens. Add vocalists Kenny Hamber, Winfield Parker, and Herb Johnson; inspired one-offs by Cindy Gibson, Dee Dee Barnes, and Billy Floyd, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in their pre-Teddy days, and what you end up with is an incredibly consistent Philly soul label, from its inaugural girl group issue by the Tiffanys to the stirring Royal Five 45 that closed out Arctic’s release schedule.
Listen
Music Makes You Want To Dance-mix.mp3
Order
Order Here - Brewerytown Beats
Record Kicks - New Marta Ren & Groovelvets 45 Release
Following on from her smashing tunes "2 Kinds Of Men" and "Summer's Gone" released in 2013 on Record Kicks, "I'm Not Your Regular Woman" - coming out dec 4th 2015 on limited edition 45 vinyl and digital download - is Marta's first single from the much awaited upcoming debut LP "Stop, Look, Listen" that will hit the streets at the beginning of February 2016. Watch the video directed by Marco Oliveira. "I'm Not Your Regular Woman" is a floorshaking cover up version of Lucille Mathis' sister funk classic and serves as a good introduction of what you'll have to expect from the debut full length: 60s pure dynamite sound!
Marta Ren & the Groovelvets' 2013 appearance on Record Kicks has made a great impression on the funk scene, thanks also to the support of DJs such as Craig Charles, Dj Andy Smith and Dj Format and Marta is not a newcomer as she has been around in the Portuguese scene since the mid 90s lending her deep and powerful voice amongst the others to break-beat outfit The Bombazines, recording two albums and establishing her unique talent at clubs and festivals all around Portugal. But Marta's passion has always been for the deepest funk and rawest soul of the sixties and now, brilliantly supported by the super tight 8 pieces rhythm & soul combo The Groovelvets, the time has come for her to show the world her immense talent.
TITLE: "I'm Not Your Regular Woman"
ARTIST: Marta Ren & The Groovelvets
Composer: T. Jarrett
Publisher: Ralston Music BMI
RK45061 Marta Ren & The Groovelvets "I'm Not Your Regular Woman / Be Ma Fela" Out Now at usual suspects both vinyl and digital
Bandcamp says at the time of putting this together
500 edition 40 left- 6 euros
https://martarengroovelvets.bandcamp.com/album/im-not-your-regular-woman-be-ma-fela
Elbowed Out - Everybody Get Up
This left four further unissued tracks by the group, three from the same session as the aforementioned tracks, all recorded in 1971/72 and one sole release from circa 1988. Dancers “All Men Don’t Love The Same” (worthy of a 45 release in my opinion), “Everybody Get Up” and the more sedate “Believe It” conclude the sessions from the early 70’s. The final unreleased track is the solitary release from the late 80’s ,“Girl I Want You” .
Now for the first time all the tracks laid down by Elbowed Out have been brought together for Soul Junction’s latest release “Everybody Get Up”. An added bonus are the previously unreleased full length takes of “Taking a Step” & “Girl You got Magic”. Once again when you hear the tracks on offer it is hard to fathom why the tracks were left unreleased but at least we now get the chance to hear them all together for the very first time.
Elbowed Out……..A brief history & Press release
Elbowed-Out were a mixed race group of musicians out of the west coast city of Seattle in the state of Washington. Initially, a college group that was formed sometime during 1971/72 while studying at the city’s University of Washington.
The founding members were Denis Wilcox the groups lead guitarist who alternated lead vocal duties with trainee music teacher Sam Chambliss. Chambliss interspersed singing lead vocals with playing trumpet and trombone in the group’s horn section. Which also included Nick Ceasar on baritone saxophone (who also occasionally played some keyboard parts), Ray Baldwin on trumpet (and sometime background vocalist) and Herman Smith who later changed his name to Jabril Rashid on tenor and alto-saxophone. Gaylord Young was the group’s main Keyboards player. Clarence Acox was the group’s original drummer together with bass guitarists Billy Jackson and Machouwi.
Machouwi after only six months quit the group to be replaced by the more experienced bassist Manuel Stanton, who was briefly joined by guitarist L.A. Jackson during 1975. Machouwi’s lasting legacy to the group would be their slightly left field performing name which came about after one of the group’s earliest rehearsals, when Nick Caesar , Denis Wilcox and Machouwi were rushing to get into their car during a heavy rain shower. During the ensuing light hearted jostling as all three of them tried to enter the car at the same time, Machouwi was heard to say “Oh man, I done messed around and got elbowed-out!” as he stood there with his bare elbow protruding through a rip in the sleeve of his jacket. When they later relayed this story to the other group members ,following a initial fit of laughter the idea of the group name of ‘Elbowed-Out ‘ was born.
Elbowed-Out became regular performers at local junior and high school gigs. Their repertoire included cover versions of songs made famous by the Blackbyrds, the Crusaders and Herbie Hancock amongst many others. They eventually graduated on to the Seattle club scene, where they featured as the support act for the likes of James Brown, The O’Jays and Tower Of Power. At this time the group had not yet considered writing any of their own material but this was later to change when they met a young Detroiter by the name of Bill Miller. Bill who had honed his production and writing skills as part of the production team on Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music” at CBS Records and at Motown records working alongside Jeffrey Bowen with The Temptations and The Commodores (including Lionel Ritchie). Bill’s liaison with Elbowed-Out began during 1978 but was to last for no more than a year during which time he was to write and produce several songs for and with other Elbowed-Out members. Although recorded and performed as part of the groups repertoire this material was to remain unreleased (for the moment anyway).
Elbowed –Out continued to perform concerts in and around Seattle attempting to secure bookings in the more prominent white clubs but they were only allowed to perform in them during special Sunday afternoon shows, as the club owners wouldn’t hire them for a week as they didn’t want to attract the black audience. So with this in mind Elbowed-Out purchased the necessary equipment and hit the road securing a gig in Juneau, Alaska. This Alaskan adventure was to be short lived when a subsequent fire in the club destroyed all of their newly purchased equipment. The following police investigation raised suspicions about the possibility of arson to collect insurance and a possible murder attempt all of which left the group broke and having to somehow find their way home! But help was soon at hand when the local Juneau fans of Elbowed-Out, after finding out about the group’s plight hastily organized a charity event where Elbowed-Out performed with all the proceeds from the ticket sales being given to the group to help them get home.
Undeterred, the group put enough equipment together and headed off to Canada. Their first gig was in Vancouver B.C. followed by further bookings across the country. It was at this point that after five years in the band that drummer Clarence Acox quit to be replaced by Freddie Hall.
While touring Canada a connection was made which led to the band being invited to perform in Japan at the famous Mugen club in Tokyo. Prior to this Far East adventure Bobby Mabalay who after converting to the Islamic faith changing his name to Shafiq, joined the group as their sound man, a talented guy who occasionally played percussion while mixing at the same time!
After the Mugen gig which ran from December of 1981 to the end of March 1982, Sam Chambliss quit the band deciding to return to Seattle to teach music following the birth of his son. A further change in group personel saw Freddie Hall leaving the group to be replaced by a new drummer Daryl Taplin. Further gigs followed in the Pacific islands of Singapore, Indonesia and Japan before returning home to Seattle.
During 1988 original group members Denis Wilcox, Nick Ceasar and Jabril Rashid along with Vincent Bembry, Doug Lewis, Butch Harrison and Billy Bradford made the recently discovered and final known Elbowed-Out recording “Girl I Want You” recorded at Denis Wilcox’s home studio. A further drummer J.J. Sutton then joined Elbowed-Out remaining with them until their final gig in the Japanese city of Nagoya in 1991. Following the final gig the guys returned home to Seattle and finally disbanded. Although circa twelve months later Denis Wilcox did return to Nagoya where he married Jazz vocalist Emi Higashikawa with whom he still performs as a duo to this day.
During 2012 we at Soul Junction Records were fortunate to discover two excellent unissued Oliver Cheatham tracks “Don’t Pop The Question/Good Guys Don’t Make Good Lovers” (SJ518) and it was during the brokering of a subsequent licensing deal that we were introduced to the songs producer Bill Miller (who just happened to be Oliver’s cousin). During a later conversation Bill mentioned that he had some other unissued material on a group he worked with out of Seattle would we be interested? If it was anything near as good as the Cheatham tracks then you bet we would! Well it was, and following the previous release of two well received Elbowed-Out 45 singles. Firstly “Taking A Step” b/w “Girl You Got Magic” SJ523 (of which the previously unissued full length versions are included in this compilation) in 2013 and followed by “Things Are Changing b/w Just To Be With You” SJ527 in 2014. You now have the entire unissued works of Elbowed-Out from 1978 to 1988 for your delectation.
Elbowed-Out’s mission in life was “to get you up and out of your seat, and then to begin to move your feet” something I think you’ll agreed they most certainly have achieved.
Words By David Welding
Acknowledgments: Sam Chambliss, Bill Miller, and Denis Wilcox
Photographs courtesy of: Jabril Rashid & Denis Wilcox
Press Release: Elbowed-Out “Everybody Get Up” SJCD 5010
Release Date: Monday December 7th 2015
During 2012 we at Soul Junction Records were fortunate to discover two excellent unissued Oliver Cheatham tracks “Don’t Pop The Question/Good Guys Don’t Make Good Lovers” (SJ518) and it was during the brokering of a subsequent licensing deal that we were introduced to the songs producer Mr. Bill Miller (who just happened to be Oliver’s cousin). During a later conversation Bill mentioned that he had some other unissued material on a group by the name of Elbowed-Out that he worked with while living in Seattle, Washington and would we be interested in hearing it ? Well, if it was anything near as good as the Cheatham tracks then you bet we would! Well it was and two well received 45 singles from Elbowed-Out would eventually be released, firstly the double sided dance 45 “Taking A Step” b/w “Girl You Got Magic” (SJ523) in 2013. Followed by a further dance track backed with a mid tempo ballad “Things Are Changing b/w Just To Be With You” SJ527 in 2014.
A fifth Elbowed-Out track the sweet sounding “In The book Of Guinness” (probably the only song ever to reference the world famous record breakers annual in its lyric’s) also gained a release on the Soul Junction various artists compilation “We Got A Sweet Thing Going On” (SJCD5009) during 2014.
So twelve months on we at last bring you the entire Elbowed-Out recordings from the group’s 1978/79 sessions with Bill Miller. Which include the aforementioned issued tracks, but on this occasion both “Taking A Step” and “Girl You Got Magic” appear for the very first time as their previously unissued full-length versions (with both being over five minutes in duration).
Together with the remaining unissued tracks “All Men Don’t Love The Same”, “Believe It” and the album’s title track “Everybody Get Up” added to those is the recently discovered track “Girl I Want You” a solitary release recorded sometime during 1988 by Denis Wilcox with one of the groups later line ups.
Elbowed-Out’s mission in life was “to get you up and out of your seat, and then to begin to move your feet” something I think you’ll agree they most certainly have achieved. So without further ado, just indulge yourself in the sound that is ‘Elbowed-out’.
Elbowed Out-Everybody Get Up Promo.mp3
For further information please contact Soul Junction at:
Tel: +44 (0)121 602 8115 or E-mail: sales@souljunctionrecords.co.uk
or to buy go to http://www.souljunctionrecords.co.uk/SJCD5010.html or the usual stockists.
Louisville's Unhooked Generation - New 45 and Band Info
They were an eight piece group formed out of Jerry Green’s group The Sonic Sounds. Along with Jerry the band included several other members that would progress to make a mark in the business. Louisville has never been thought of as having a large black music output, mainly because it never had a record label of note like many other citys. But from early on many from this city would go on to have great careers. Mary Ann Fisher would join Ray Charles to become his bands singer and his muse. Harvey Fuqua and his Moonglows would leave from here for national fame and later he would return to get musicians for his New Birth/Nite-Liters set up. In the early day the group rehearsed hard and played any and all the gigs they could around their home town. The band’s members waxed and waned over the years but included, Ron Lewis, Linda Blakely, Ervin Garr, Angelo Lovely, David Pepper, Donna Mason, Crystal Hals, Barry Johnson, Fred Thomas, Marion Hester, Larry Smith, John Clay & Izzy Sutton. They built up a cool reputation as a great show band, playing a great funk sound in the Earth Wind & Fire vein. In time they cut a number of tracks but none made it to vinyl until they saw posthumous release as a CD LP ‘Thanks for the memories’ in 2001.
The group reputation grew to a point where they were invited to an audition with Mercury records in Chicago. All went well and by the second day the group were all excited that their big break had arrived. But then the whole thing took a dark turn, which was recited to me by several members of the group. There had been a fair amount of drugs evident on the first day, on the second someone, whose name has never been stated told them that they would be expected to do an introduction tour for the label and that they would be expected to deliver to local radio DJ’s packages that would contain money or drugs as a form of ‘payola’. The group met to discuss this and collectively decided to return to Louisville instead.
Jerry Green The Aristocrats
On their return different members of the band started to develop other avenues, Linda Blakely joined the legendary sister funk act The Aristocrats Organisation and then joining The Fatback Band. Many years later she would return to Louisville, by which time she was strung out on heroin. Old band members remember seeing her on street corners in a bad way, she eventually died from aids. Ron Lewis would form his Mr Wonderful record label releasing many of his old friend’s projects on the label. Jerry Green would develop of successful solo career releasing several 45’s on Ron’s label and open a night club in the city which he still has to this day. The group appeared a few more times on recordings out of the city, most notably on the now sort after 45 by Faces Of Truth , which has the Low-rider classic ballad ‘I need ya’ and was backed by a track that had echoes of the bands hard edged funk past ‘ Black is’.
Bringing us right up to date Ron Lewis has now decided to release two of the Lo-Fi deep funk sides from their catalogue that he has been asked for many years for. So 2016 see the revival of his Mr Wonderful label and a new 45 release The Unhooked Generation – Love in motion / Fruits of evil – Wonderful MR W#2001-116
Wally Roker - Sad News RIP
The Heartbeats
Brought up on the mean street of Queens, N.Y. Wally started his musical career with The Heartbeats, along with James 'Shep' Sheppard, the group had a fair amount of local success around the city, but eventually broke up in 1958. Shep went on to form the highly successful Shep & The Limelights, whilst Wally entered the commercial side of the business. But he never lost his ear for that sweet group sound and went on to produce many, like Love, Four Monitors, Whispers and The Determinations to name a few. Whilst in Chicago his skills were much in demand and he work with many of the key artists of the day amongst them, Tyrone Davis, Irma Thomas, Mamie P. Galore and Chuck Bernard.
In the 1970' s upon arriving in Los Angeles, He developed his Roker record label and production company, as well as working with the Canyon label. Not long after he help form the Doo Wop Hal Of Fame, which he was still involved in until recently. Wally became good friends with many of Latino fans of the 'Lowrider' sound in East L.A. and could be regularly found at swap meets promoting and talking about the music he loved.
This is a personal favourite of mine and is a perfect example of Wally's group sound, below is both sides of the 45 by Love which came out on RRG and Law-Ton, 'That's the way' / 'The only way'
Completed Northern Soul Auctions Catch Up
Hopkins Bros Original Magnetik Shake Cheri Kiss Of Fire.. $6000.00 Ended 12 Sep Ray Agee - Hard Loving Woman I M Losing Again 7 Blue.. $5999.00 Ended 13 Sep - Jimmy Burns - I Really Love You - Erica - Mp3 - $5641.00 Ended 15 Nov Monster Damon Fox Fairmount Lbl Packing Up Original $4673.00 Ended 27 Sep - Mark Iv - Brite Lite - Take This Love Signed Mega .. $4627.77 Ended 14 Oct - Grey Imprint - Do You Get The Message - Clear Hill .. $4371.00 Ended 06 Sep Buddy Smith When You Lose The One You Love Brute Nm $4303.00 Ended 24 Sep Rita The Tiaras - Gone With The Wind Is My Love - Ori.. $4050.00 Ended 17 Sep Little Willie Johnson Loneliness Vendella S 101 Mint .. $4000.00 Ended 02 Nov Magnetics I Have A Girl On Ra-Sal $3916.35 Ended 26 Sep Professionals That S Why I Love You Groove City Hear $3605.00 Ended 26 Oct De-Lites 60s Classic Lover Tell Me Why On Cuppy Lab.. $3051.00 Ended 06 Oct The Devastations Funky Get Down Funk Sweet Soul On Reco.. $2937.89 Ended 15 Nov Vicroys Soul Vendors Sugar Spice Reggae Coxsone Mp3 $2900.00 Ended 14 Oct Bob Gene I Really Really Love You Mega Funk Sweet.. $2850.00 Ended 23 Sep The Poets On J-2 Wrapped Around Your Finger $2850.00 Ended 23 Oct The Saints Wigwam I Ll Let You Slide Super Vg $2830.00 Ended 22 Nov Telma Laverne Baby Don T You Leave Me Norther Del-La .. $2827.00 Ended 20 Sep The Five Keys - Red Sails In The Sunset Be Anything A.. $2790.00 Ended 10 Sep Soul Brothers Inc Rpm- Tear Drops Don T Wait Too Long.. $2778.88 Ended 24 Sep Clay Brown Everybody S Talking Original Label Carolina .. $2701.51 Ended 17 Oct Uk Studio One So 2044 - - Soulful Music Invaders Ha.. $2700.87 Ended 13 Sep Mega Modern Soul Funk Wanda Mcdaniel Ultimate Choice.. $2675.00 Ended 09 Oct Carleen The Groovers Can We Rap Funk Original $2651.02 Ended 23 Oct A 45-We Belong Together-Sonic Explosion $2500.00 Ended 04 Sep So Glad That I Found You - By The Classics On Yan-G $2495.00 Ended 18 Nov The 7th Avenue Aviators You Should O Held On Congress.. $2424.00 Ended 10 Nov Frankie Beverly Butlers Because Of My Heart Vg Play.. $2395.88 Ended 29 Nov Kings Of Soul Is Your Love For Me Down To Earth Hear $2392.24 Ended 13 Sep The Traditions Artco My Heart On Fire Phoenix Az.. $2375.00 Ended 30 Nov Dr Z - Three Parts To My Soul - Vertigo 6360 048 - 1971.. $2258.25 Ended 25 Oct Ultra Robby Lawson Burning Sensation Us Kyser Origina.. $2167.92 Ended 01 Nov The Phonetics Just A Boy S Dream Trydel Label Rpm $2153.00 Ended 25 Oct Original Mulatu Astatke Fekade Amde Maskal Amha 90 Eth.. $2125.00 Ended 06 Sep George Jackson Talking About The Love I Have For You.. $2025.00 Ended 05 Sep Bobby Burn Wilburn I M A Dreamer Chant 522 Promo M- .. $2025.00 Ended 14 Sep Rickey Washington After Loving You Modern Soul Disco Ra.. $2025.00 Ended 23 Sep Hyper Modern Soul Robert Cotter Missing You Tiger Lil.. $2025.00 Ended 26 Oct Music Machine Private The Ultimate Soul Funk Jazz Gr.. $1925.00 Ended 11 Oct 70s Soul Funk - Cosmos Universal Band - Third Eye - Att.. $1924.00 Ended 06 Sep Latin Andy The Riverside Sextet Og Monster Latin S.. $1825.00 Ended 11 Oct J T Parker If You Want To Hold On It S Too Late Acade.. $1825.00 Ended 08 Nov R B Jock Mitchell Not A Chance In A Million $1761.44 Ended 18 Oct Original Xover - J J Jennings - Ain T That Lovin So.. $1758.00 Ended 15 Nov Jimmie Bo Horn I Can T Speak Dade Hear $1750.00 Ended 20 Sep Eula Cooper Let Our Love Grow Higher Super Sound 7002.. $1725.00 Ended 12 Oct Volumes Ain T Gonna Give You Up Karen Mp3 $1725.00 Ended 02 Nov The Volumes I Ve Never Been So In Love On Garu Tx Soul .. $1654.00 Ended 18 Oct Moses Dillard And The Tex-Town Display Now 1969 Soul F.. $1626.54 Ended 06 Oct T V C Sweet Hot Lips 70s Soul N Y C Street Sounds Mp3 $1525.00 Ended 02 Nov - Clarence Townsend - I Found A New Love - Clara - Us $1505.50 Ended 15 Oct Crossover Funk Sweet Soul - Young Mods - Who You Going .. $1502.00 Ended 15 Nov Extremely 1970 Reggae Hurt My Soul Nights Are Lo.. $1481.41 Ended 06 Sep Five Chances I Ll Miss You Stranger I Love You Finch .. $1463.00 Ended 22 Sep Lou Ragland I Travel Alone Amy Hear $1459.00 Ended 25 Oct Utopias - Girls Are Against Me - - Detroit Rarity -.. $1425.00 Ended 18 Nov Skip Drake Wrapped Around Your Finger Cash Ex Private .. $1424.99 Ended 10 Nov Hank Mobley Soul Station Blue Note Original Lp 4031 S.. $1412.00 Ended 03 Nov The Notations-Trying My Best To Find Her Gonna Get Rea.. $1410.99 Ended 06 Sep Arin Demain Silent Treatment Blue Star Ultra Monster $1391.66 Ended 08 Sep Super Melvin Davis Find A Quite Place And Be Lonely .. $1381.78 Ended 10 Nov Salah Ragab Cairo Jazz Band- Egypt Strut Lp-Exotic-Funk.. $1375.00 Ended 25 Sep Vanguards Good Times Bad Times Lamp Records Original .. $1369.00 Ended 06 Sep Martineques If You Want To Call Me Me-O Mp3 $1348.33 Ended 02 Nov Reginald Milton Clap Your Hands Deep Funk Original $1332.77 Ended 09 Sep -Stewart Ames On J W 1000-Angelina Oh Angelina King.. $1325.00 Ended 15 Nov 80s Soul - Rickey Washington Wizzdom After Lovin You.. $1312.89 Ended 20 Oct Anita Anderson Secretly Little Bit Longer Contact $1312.80 Ended 15 Nov 70s Soul Second Re Surrection You Done Let Daylight Cat.. $1293.00 Ended 25 Oct 70 S Soul Purple Mundi Stop Hurting Me Baby Cat Nm Hear $1292.89 Ended 25 Oct Emulations Move A Little Slower Girl Oakland Soul On Em.. $1291.00 Ended 16 Nov Garnet Mimms As Long As I Have You Orig French $1275.00 Ended 05 Oct T M S Get The Feelin Mega Modern Soul Disco Boogie Funk $1265.00 Ended 16 Sep Charles Brandy Rare-Northern Soul Wlp I Cant Get Enough.. $1251.50 Ended 26 Nov Alex Brown In Search Of Love Super 70 Soul Promo Lp $1240.00 Ended 22 Nov - Appreciations - I Can T Hide It - Aware - Mp3 $1225.00 Ended 06 Sep Rick Asikpo Afro Fusion Got To Be Me Unknown Insane .. $1225.00 Ended 17 Oct Vern Blair Debate - Super Funk B W Ooh-Ah-Ee - Telephon.. $1224.99 Ended 30 Oct Henry Roe-If It S Loving You Want-Texas -1968 On Tomi .. $1220.00 Ended 24 Sep Modern Soul Disco Gem Prewitt My Love Box Key Vg Hear $1192.00 Ended 25 Oct Virginia Blakly - Let Nobody Love You Rpm Mojo.. $1162.00 Ended 11 Oct Soul Set - Will You Ever Learn Please Don T Make Me C.. $1158.00 Ended 20 Oct Tony Clarke Landslide On Chess Dj Copy $1158.00 Ended 23 Oct The Masqueraders Do You Love Me Baby Monster Promo Hear $1158.00 Ended 11 Nov 70s Soul - James Knox - Electric City - Pineapple - Mp3 - $1141.00 Ended 11 Oct Modern Sweet Soul - Rhythm Machine - Put A Smile On Tim.. $1136.00 Ended 06 Sep Crossover Soul Funk Sherrell Bros The Price Currison Vg.. $1136.00 Ended 25 Oct Afro-Latin Soul Vol 2 Ethiopian Quintet Mulatu Astake .. $1136.00 Ended 22 Nov Freddie Terrell S Soul Expedition 72 Lefevre Sound.. $1126.00 Ended 08 Nov Tobi Legend Time Will Pass You By Mala 591 Promo M- N.. $1125.00 Ended 28 Sep San Antonio Soul Justifiers On Kim $1125.00 Ended 02 Oct Modern Soul Funk Ramsey Company Love Call Ramco Vg Hear $1124.99 Ended 25 Oct 70s Soul - Felix Harris - Walkin In The Night - Coun.. $1121.00 Ended 15 Nov Jesse Johnson Left Out A Hundred Pounds Of Clay Old T.. $1112.00 Ended 21 Oct Sweet Soul Funk - Mellow Fellows Super Heavy Funk - A.. $1100.00 Ended 06 Sep Sealed Mega Funk Soul Messengers Incorporated Soulful .. $1083.00 Ended 12 Sep George Arvanitas-Soul Jazz Orig France 1st Pressing O.. $1075.55 Ended 29 Nov - The Delreys Incorporated- Destination Unknown - Ta.. $1075.00 Ended 10 Sep Sheepherders If Ever You Need Me Sounds Int Virginia .. $1054.50 Ended 15 Nov 45-Timeless Legend-I Was Born To Love You Pts 2-.. $1046.01 Ended 03 Nov
Can keep up with ebay sales daily by viewing the current 24 hours ebay dynamic listing via the link below
https://www.soul-source.co.uk/ebay-listing-24hrs
