100 Club 6ts

I missed the last 100 Club nighter due to going on holiday the next day and since then there's been the Cleethorpes and Blackpool weekenders, both very enjoyable.

London was sweltering all day and still very hot as 11 pm approached. Not only would the club be hot due to the weather but the two guest DJs were bringing about 60 people with them from Wales so you knew it would be a packer.

I was one of the first in, Ady serenading us as we walked by the cloakroom into the club itself. It was good to be back after an absence of nearly three months.

About 11.30 Joel Maslin took over from Ady. By this time the club was filling up fast, I imagine there were quite a few 100 Club virgins there, I trust they enjoyed the night.

Joel played mainly oldies, the Adorables' Ooh Boy got me out of my seat and on to the dance floor, possibly my favourite oldie. Towards the end of his set he played I've Only Got Myself To Blame by Bobby Williams and the instrumental version of World Of Happiness.

Steve Thomas from North Wales followed Joel, he'd bought a load of his friends with him and they filled the floor. He played a number of records that I didn't recognise, nothing new there then, but included the well known and popular A Taste Of Honey, Papa Bear & The Cubs' You're So Fine; Daybreak's I Need Love, Rudy Love's Suffering Wrath and Moving On A Groove. Chick Chick by the El Corrols finished his set. Talking to one of my friends who'd travelled from Wales I got the impression there was a lot more going on soulwise in North Wales compared to London.

Butch fresh from his brilliant sets at Blackpool started his first foray with I'm Knocking At Your Heart by Darrell Banks, followed by J Hammond's Kiss Me Goodbye Girl. He kept the pace up with You'll Always Be In Style by the Ad Libs, Derek Martin's Flashback and Where Are You by Ivy Joe Hunter. He ended his set with the Perfections version of Just Can't Leave You.

He's a very hard act to follow but Calvin Lee Hughes showed his mettle with a set that didn't rely on the tried and tested. Among those he played were Curtis Liggins' What It Is, T C Lee's Up And Down The Hill, and You're My Mellow by Edwin Starr. I've seen him DJ before at Quality of Soul and the Manchester Soul Weekend and always like his sets.

Once again Ady stepped up to the decks and including many acetates in his set, some making their debut. But he included some old favourites like Sorry Ain't The Word and Oh Baby Don't You Weep which still fill the floor.

Back came Joel opening with Lord What's Happened To Our People by Kenny Smith.

After him it was time for the second set from Butch. He included some Modern Soul records, e.g. Shardarp by Nobody's Children and Boulevard's I Still Feel The Same. I'd intended to request that one so was most pleased. He also included Sweet Memories and Joe Burrell's There Was A Time, aka as Our Love Is Dying.

In his second set Steve included quite a few classic oldies that went down very well. I hadn't heard Rubin's You've Been Away for several years, I always used to dance to it but decided it was too fast this time, thank goodness it's just under two minutes. Among others he played were Up And Over and It Really Hurts Me Girl, Lay This Burden Down, I've Been Hurt So Many Times, Philly Dog Around The World; all keeping the dance floor very busy.

Calvin followed and again played quite a few I didn't recognise, but did hear him play the Esquires' How Could It Be, Geno Washington's I'll Be Around, Don & Ron's I'm So Sorry, finishing with The Same Thing by the Masquaders, a real classic.

Finally for the last 30 minutes or so it was as usual Ady with a mix of tempos, including the Shirelles' Last Minute Miracle, his Gerri Granger cover up Why Can't It Be Tonight and the lady's actual I Go To Pieces Everytime, one of my favourite records. He kindly played Lonely Girl by Annabelle Fox which I'd requested for my friend Jeff Hollis on his first visit to the club. Ady followed this with I'll Never Stop Loving You and usual finale Baby I Need Your Loving by the Four Tops.

The club was pretty crowded until the end at 6 am, obviously the Welsh party had to wait for their first train home. I think most people there agreed it was a splendid night with fine music from all the DJs, and a great atmosphere. One of my friends did say that there was a disturbance outside but I knew nothing about that.

Thanks to all concerned especially the DJs and club staff.