As soul packs are now consigned to the history of our scene, It struck me that a lot of younger collectors will never have the pleasure of getting a box of records in the post and playing through them and finding records they might never have bought. I remember at a Leeds record fair (Astoria) packs of ten 45s for £2 wrapped in cellophane the record showing on every pack...W/D of Bessie Banks on Quality!!!! My best soul pack was a "Florida Pack" from Soul Bowl ie 100 florida labels for £25 loads of great stuff oh and Purple Mundi. What was your best soul pack? BH

As soul packs are now consigned to the history of our scene, It struck me that a lot of younger collectors will never have the pleasure of getting a box of records in the post and playing through them and finding records they might never have bought. I remember at a Leeds record fair (Astoria) packs of ten 45s for £2 wrapped in cellophane the record showing on every pack...W/D of Bessie Banks on Quality!!!! My best soul pack was a "Florida Pack" from Soul Bowl ie 100 florida labels for £25 loads of great stuff oh and Purple Mundi. What was your best soul pack? BH

I remember Anderson's Soul Packs for £25. Was always some great stuff in them - must've bought loads as I used to split them up and sell them individually!

There was a London based shop owner (early '80s) called Terry Stokes who used to import thousands of records from the US and also sold packs. Not many people in London, at the time, were interested in anything except Out On The Floor and Do I Love You so they were dirt cheap (100 records for about £20) remember buying one that had The Sinceres - Girl I Love you and Garland Green (40 Days & Nights) on Revue and shed loads of other rare stuff all of whichI've long forgotten.

Keb was a regular visitor to his shop and his home (I remember going round his house once too and wading through stuff) and I wonder how many of Keb's early Stafford tunes were originally found there! Can remember picking things like Monroe Taylor, Sonny Childe (the one Guy had covered as The Jaywalkers I think), Stratoliners on Federal and oh loads of stuff ...

They were great fun and sometimes great value. What did you do with the crap stuff? I offloaded about a 1000 at a record fair in Doncaster where a general dealer was covinced he could shift em all to curious soul fans who liked the labels.

Best stuff, Sheila Anthony - Livin in love - Buttercup, and one Ive still got, Lou Ragland - What should I do - SMH (Never heard it played at a venue, but seen listed at +£100).

Ed

They were great fun and sometimes great value. What did you do with the crap stuff? I offloaded about a 1000 at a record fair in Doncaster where a general dealer was covinced he could shift em all to curious soul fans who liked the labels.

Actually can't remember what I did with the crap. The Soul Bowl ones didn't seem to have anything that you couldn't sell off anyway. There was quite a bit '70s in the ones I bought and very common stoff like Micheal by the C.O.D.s - I used sell these through the aforementioned Terry Sokes' record shop (10% commision) and write stuff like 'Wigan Classic' on used to do the trick more than not

I can remember buying a batch from Colin Bee records in the late '70s, amongst it was Chubby Checker, 'You Just Don't Know/Everything's Wrong', 'He's A Flirt'-sequins,about four copies of 'Just Say Your'e Wanted- Gwen Owens, and 'Freedom Train' by James Carr, goood ol days. Del x

Did anybody have one from Clarkie's last list ? Had to be a couple of bits tucked away there

Don't think I'm being cynical, Gavin, but surely no dealer is going to put anything halfway decent in a soul pack these days.

Don't think I'm being cynical, Gavin, but surely no dealer is going to put anything halfway decent in a soul pack these days.

I'm ever the optimist and think they do ... that way they keep their customers happy and their bank balances rolling along

Don't think I'm being cynical, Gavin, but surely no dealer is going to put anything halfway decent in a soul pack these days.

No not at all my friend. The thing is with Ian, he never fails to amaze me with some of the bargains he has. In saying that, he also can be toataly over the top.

I thought that 50 quid for 100 70s and 80s 45s was good value, and surely at least 10 good choons?

Then the anticipation when the box arrives 5 years old on Christmas morning

never bought a soul pack but my brother bought a few in the 70's of soul bowl 4 copies of betty lou and bobby adams anong them 3 issues of herb ward honest to goodness and god knows what else.

mark