OK, to kick us into the season of goodwill, Harmless is proud to announce the next 10 volumes of the Backbeats series which will be released on Boxing Day 26/12/11.

As per usual, we've used great compilers and raided the vaults of labels like G.S.F., Sound Stage 7, Hi, Paula, Curtom, Brunswick, Bearsville, Chi-Sound, Dynamite, Sound Plus, Metromedia, Sansu, Instant, Philadelphia International, Douglas, Invictus, Strata East, Hot Wax, House Of The Fox, Toddlin' Town, T.S.O.P., Soul Power, Ronn, Jet Stream, Gemigo, Cream, Alaska, Mayfield, SSS International, Seventy 7, Canyon, Dakar, Deesu, Share, Philly Groove, Soulville, Nola, Pameline, Vee-Jay, Tollie, One-Derful!, Thomas, Audio Arts, Jewel, Mar-V-Lus, Constellation, Blue Cat and numerous others.

However, the most significant thing is the price! You can buy all of these for less than £4.00 each from both HMV and Amazon including postage! Links below. Don't say we don't look after you!

Merry Xmas All!

BACKB021 Backbeats - Soul A La Mode - 1970's Modern Soul

Compiled by Ian Dewhirst

1 Bobby Womack I Don't Know

2 Lloyd Price Love Music

3 Gavin Christopher This Side of Heaven

4 Don Thomas Come On Train

5 Willie Hobbs 'Till I Get It Right

6 The Anderson Brothers I Can See Him Loving You

7 Africano Satisfactorise Your Mind

8 The Montclairs Hung Up On Your Love

9 Gene Chandler Don't Have To Be Lying Babe

10 Wales Wallace Somebody I Know

11 Skull Snaps I'm Your Pimp

12 Barbara Lynn Movin' On A Groove

13 Sidney Joe Qualls I Don't Do This (To Every Girl I Meet)

14 Jackie Wilson Because Of You

15 Brief Encounter Human

16 Bobby Walls & Co Just You and Me

17 Danny Hunt What's Happening To Our Love Affair

18 Tony Drake Suddenly

19 Ben Monroe Broken Home

20 Ann Peebles If This Is Heaven

21 The Impressions Love Love Love

22 Leroy Hutson Ella Weez

23 The Winstons Color Him Father

HMV Link: https://hmv.com/hmvwe...primaryID=music

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co...22298685&sr=1-1

BACKB022 Backbeats - What's The Word? - Socially Conscious Soul Music

Compiled by Dean Rudland

1 The Impressions Mighty Mighty (Spade & Whitey)

2 Lee Dorsey Who's Gonna Help A Brother Get Further

3 Larry Darnell Son of A Son Of A Slave

4 Moody Scott Bust Out Of the Ghetto

5 Philadelphia All Stars Let's Clean Up the Ghetto

6 The Last Poets Blessed Are Those Who Struggle

7 Parliament Oh Lord Why Lord

8 Gil Scott-Heron Peace Go With You Brother

9 Curtis Mayfield We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue

10 Harrison Kennedy Sunday Morning People

11 Freda Payne Bring the Boys Back Home

12 Laura Lee Woman's Love Rights

13 Billy Paul False Faces

14 Chairman Of The Board I'm A Sign of Changing Times

15 The Identities Hey Brother

16 Brothers & Sisters I Am Somebody

HMV Link: https://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=-1408033602884004513&pGroupID=0&adultFlag=false&simpleSearchString=what%27s+the+word&primaryID=0

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Backbeats-Whats--Socially-Conscious-Music/dp/B0062Y9CD4/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322298799&sr=1-1

BACKB023 Backbeats - Smooth Grooves - Sophisticated 80's Philly Soul

Compiled by Ralph Tee

1 Lou Rawls Lady Love

2 Patti LaBelle I'm In Love Again

3 Teddy Pendergrass Easy, Easy, Got To Take It Easy

4 M.F.S.B. Tell Me Why

5 McFadden & Whitehead I've Been Pushed Aside

6 The Jones Girls When I'm Gone

7 The Stylistics Mine All Mine

8 Dee Dee Sharp Gamble I Believe In Love

9 Billy Paul You're My Sweetness

10 Jean Carn Start the Fire

11 The Intruders Everyone's a Star

12 Silk (I Can't Stop) Turning You On

13 Phyllis Hyman Set a Little Trap

14 The O'Jays Lovin' You

15 Bunny Sigler Your Love Is Good

16 Instant Funk So Glad You're The One

17 Anthony White Yes You Need Love

HMV Link: https://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=7595028002107881919&pGroupID=0&adultFlag=false&simpleSearchString=smooth+grooves&primaryID=0

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Backbeats-Smooth-Grooves-Sophisticated-Philly-Soul/dp/B0062Y9CFW/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322298852&sr=1-5

BACKB024 Backbeats - Philly Busters - Underground Philly Dance Floor Gems

Compiled by Kev Roberts & Ian Dewhirst

1 The O'Jay's Darling Darling Baby

2 Archie Bell & the Drells Old People

3 McFadden & Whitehead I Heard It in a Love Song

4 Jean Carn (with Glenn Jones)Sweet & Wonderful

5 The Futures Sunshine & You

6 Anthony White Hey Baby

7 Teddy Pendergrass When Somebody Loves You Back

8 Jean Carn (No No) You Can't Come Back Now

9 Jerry Butler (I'm Just Thinking About) Cooling Out

10 Lou Rawls Groovy People

11 Don Covay Travellin' In Heavy Traffic

12 Dee Dee Sharp Gamble Happy 'Bout the Whole Thing

13 Billy Paul Let the Dollar Circulate

14 Harold Melvin & The Blue-Notes Tell The World How I Feel About 'Cha Baby

15 The Trammps Stop & Think

16 The Stylistics Found a Love You Couldn't Handle

17 Billy Paul I Trust You

HMV Link: https://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=7726700183841150706&pGroupID=0&adultFlag=false&simpleSearchString=philly+busters&primaryID=0

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Backbeats-Phillybusters-Underground-Philly-Dance-Floor/dp/B0062Y9D74/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322298898&sr=1-1-spell

BACKB025 Backbeats - Bustin' Out - Ghetto Grooves from Dusty Cellars

Compiled by Dean Rudland

1 Jackie Beavers Somebody Help the Beggar Man

2 Alvin Cash Keep On Dancing

3 Toddlin' Town Sounds It's My Thing

4 African Music Machine Mr Brown

5 The Genies Know What to Do When You Get It

6 Barbara Lynn You'd Better Quit It

7 Laura Lee If You Can Beat Me Rockin'....

8 Harolyn Montgomery Gotta Get Away

9 Ann Peebles Somebody's On Your Case

10 Bobby Patterson Right On Jody

11 Cyril Neville Gossip

12 Sir Joe Quarterman The Way They Do My Life

13 Al Green Love Ritual

14 Lightnin' Rod Sport

15 Bobby Womack Across 110th Street

16 Aaron Neville Hercules

17 8th Day Good Book

18 The Politicians Close Your Big Mouth

19 African Music Machine The Dapp

20 Scott Brothers Orchestra A Hunk of Funk

21 Hone Cone Ace in the Hole

22 Parliament Funky Woman

23 Exit 9 Miss Funky Fox

HMV Link: https://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=-2214123747628532487&pGroupID=-1&adultFlag=false&simpleSearchString=busting+out+ghetto+grooves+from+dusty+cellars&primaryID=0

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Backbeats-Bustin-Out-Ghetto-Grooves-Cellars/dp/B0062Y9CI4/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322298940&sr=1-5

BACKB026 Backbeats -2 Steps To Soul Heaven - More 70's & 80's Steppers

Compiled by Ian Dewhirst

1 Arnold Blair Trying To Get Next To You

2 Leroy Hutson Lovers Holiday

3 The Dells Ain't It A Shame

4 The Jones Girls This Feeling's Killing Me

5 Ken Williams Sweet Music, Soft Lights & You

6 The Notations Take It Slow

7 Leroy Hutson Lucky Fellow

8 Curtis Mayfield Just Want To Be With You

9 Archie Bell & the Drells It's Hard Not To Like You

10 Intimate Strangers Love Sounds

11 The Staple Singers Let's Do It Again

12 The Dells I Touched a Dream

13 Natural Four Try Love Again

14 Al Green Loving You

15 Joyce Cobb How Glad I Am

16 Jean Carn We Got Some Catching Up To Do

17 Patti LaBelle Love, Need and Want You

18 Strutt Said You Didn't Love Him

HMV Link: https://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=-4970401147272060080&pGroupID=0&adultFlag=false&simpleSearchString=2+steps+to+soul+heaven&primaryID=0

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Backbeats-Steps-Soul-Heaven-More-Steppers/dp/B0062Y9CFC/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322298993&sr=1-1

BACKB027 Backbeats - They Call It Crossover - More Mid-Tempo Soul

Compiled by Sean Hampsey

1 The O'Jays Just Another Guy

2 The Five Stairsteps I'm The One Who Loves You

3 Marvin Smith Who Will Do Your Running Now

4 Erma Franklin It Could've Been Me

5 Bobby Womack Tried & Convicted

6 Otis Clay Holding on To A Dying love

7 Johnny Adams You're A Bad Habit Baby

8 Holland-Dozier ft Lamont Dozier If You Don't Want To Be In My Life

9 Eddie Billups Shake Off That Dream

10 Gene Chandler Without You Here

11 Linda Jones If Only We Had Met Sooner

12 Doris Duke The Feeling is Right

13 Tyrone Davis You Keep Me Holding On

14 Channel 3 The Sweetest Thing

15 Eldridge Holmes Lovely Woman

16 Gloria Edwards I Don't Need Nobody (To Help Me Keep Up With My Man)

17 Ella Washington Stop Giving Your Man Away

18 Tony Love Crying Time Is Over

19 The Eliminators Lovin' Explosion

20 Mary Holmes I Need Your Lovin'

21 Ann Sexton I Had A Fight With love

22 100 Proof Aged In Soul Don't You Wake Me

23 Jackie Wilson What A Lovely Way

24 Kenny Young Aint It Funny

25 Na Allen Lay It on Me Right Now

26 Chuck Armstrong How Sweet It Is

HMV Link: https://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=-2883511376376131371&pGroupID=0&adultFlag=false&simpleSearchString=they+call+it+crossover&primaryID=0&btnSubmitSearch.x=46&btnSubmitSearch.y=18

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/They-Call-Crossover-More-Mid-Tempo-Soul/dp/B0062Y9CNE/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322299040&sr=1-1

BACKB028 Backbeats - Mod Life Crisis - 60's Mod Anthems

Compiled by Dean Rudland

1 Sugar Pie Desanto Do the Whoopie

2 Robert Parker Barefootin'

3 Young Holt Trio Wack Wack

4 Johnny Jones & the King Casuals Soul Poppin'

5 Jackie Wilson & Count Basie Uptight

6 Willie Mitchell Everything's Gonna Be Alright

7 Tommy Neal Going To A Happening

8 Little Richard Baby Just Tear Off My Clothes

9 Billy Preston I Am Coming Through

10 Betty Everett Getting Mighty Crowded

11 Barrett Strong Make Up Your Mind

12 Wade Flemmons That Other Place

13 The Sharpees Tired Of Being Lonely

14 Jamo Thomas & his Party Bros Orch I Spy (For the FBI)

15 The Incredibles There's Nothing Else To Say

16 Barbara Acklin Just Ain't No Love

17 Shades of Blue Oh How Happy

18 The Rubaiyats Omar Khayyam

19 Little Hank Mr Bang Bang Man

20 Robert Parker Let's Go Baby (Where the Action Is)

21 Kim Melvin Doing the Popcorn

22 Toussaint McCall Shimmy

23 Banny Price Monkey See - Monkey Do

24 Bill Black's Combo Turn On Your Lovelight

25 Frank Frost My Back Scratcher

26 Gene & Al's Spacemen Mercy

27 The Du-Ettes Every Beat of My Heart

HMV Link: https://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=7616371595229694103&pGroupID=-1&adultFlag=false&simpleSearchString=mod+life+crisis&primaryID=0

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Backbeats-Mod-Life-Crisis-60s-Anthems/dp/B0062Y9D1K/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322299081&sr=1-1

BACKB029 Backbeats - Lost In Time -More Northern Soul Treasures

Compiled by Kev Roberts & Ian Dewhirst

1 Sam Fletcher I'd Think It Over

2 Barbara Lynn I Don't Want A Playboy

3 The Ad-Libs Nothing Worse Than Being Alone

4 The Inspirations Touch Me Hold Me Kiss Me

5 Didi Noel Let the Music Play

6 Linda Jones You Hit Me Like TNT

7 Sydney Barnes I Hurt On the Other Side

8 Jimmy & the Entertainers New Girl

9 The Ringleaders Baby What Has Happened To Our Love

10 Fred Hughes I Keep Trying

11 Gene Chandler I Can Take Care Of Myself

12 Nolan Chance Just Like the Weather

13 Mill Evans I've Got To Have All Of Your Love

14 Saxie Russell Psychedelic Soul Pt 1

15 Richard 'Popcorn' Wylie Rosemary What Happened

16 Detroit Executives Cool Off

17 Stanley Mitchell Get It Baby

18 Jimmy 'Soul' Clark (Come On and Be My) Sweet Darling

19 Don Varner Tear Stained Face

20 Maurice Williams Being Without You

21 Little Richie Just Another Heartache

22 Little Johnny Blair Momma's Gone

23 Sam Dees Lonely For You Baby

24 Ohio Players You Don't Mean It

25 The Skull Snaps My Hang Up Is You

26 The Valentines Breakaway

27 The Artistics I'll Always Love You

28 The Impressions Stay Close To Me

HMV Link: https://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=-6162827073892002067&pGroupID=-1&adultFlag=false&simpleSearchString=lost+in+time+northern+soul&primaryID=0

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Backbeats-Lost-Time-More-Northern-Treasures/dp/B0062Y9CP2/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322299125&sr=1-1

BACKB030 Backbeats - The Pain Goes Deep - More Deep Soul Gems

Compiled by Sean Hampsey

1 Otis Clay That's How It Is

2 Linda Jones Fugitive from Love

3 Little Archie I Need You

4 100 Proof Aged In Soul I Don't Care If I Never Get Over You

5 Annette Snell You Ought To Be Here With Me

6 George Jackson Aretha, Sing One for Me

7 Jean Plum Loneliness

8 Melvin Davis I'm Worried

9 Doris Duke He's Gone

10 Big John Hamilton Take This Hurt Off Me

11 Tyrone Davis I Keep Coming Back

12 Charles Smith I'm Useless

13 Leon Byrd I Catch Myself Crying

14 The Whispers Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong

15 Bettye Lavette Let Me Down Easy

16 Aaron Neville Been So Wrong

17 Laura Lee I'll Catch You When You Fall

18 Sydney Joe Qualls I'm Being Held Hostage

19 Quiet Elegance You've Got My Mind Messed Up

20 Tommie Young She Don't Have To See You

21 Ann Sexton I'm His Wife (You're Just a Friend)

22 Jackie Wilson Just As Soon As the Feeling Is Over

23 Joe Valentine I Can't Stand To See You Go

24 Wilson Pickett I'm Down To My Last Heartbreak

HMV Link: https://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=-892792513033443401&pGroupID=-1&adultFlag=false&simpleSearchString=pain+goes+deep+more+soul+gems&primaryID=0

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Backbeats-Pain-Goes-Deep-More-Deep/dp/B0062Y9CRU/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322299163&sr=1-1

Could be worse ways to close off the year!

Ian D

Edited November 26, 201113 yr by Ian Dewhirst

OK, finished copies just arrived and they all look and sound great!

Phew, I only just hit the deadlines and it half killed me but it looks like it was worth it so thanks for everyone's support! All 10 are now in the Amazon Top 10K rankings which might not sound like much but at this time of year is quite a feat for 10 'lil budget albums. I might just have a drink to celebrate now LOL.....

Ian D

OK, finished copies just arrived and they all look and sound great!

Phew, I only just hit the deadlines and it half killed me but it looks like it was worth it so thanks for everyone's support! All 10 are now in the Amazon Top 10K rankings which might not sound like much but at this time of year is quite a feat for 10 'lil budget albums. I might just have a drink to celebrate now LOL.....

Ian D

Will be buying some of these and the Philly ones. I notice Anthony White was not on the shortlist of future projects. Is there any chance of his PIR/ Salsoul stuff coming out?. I notice Hey Baby on one of the Philly CD's, but if I am right this is not on his PIR album.

Best regards and thanks for the great albums put out this year.

Steve

Will be buying some of these and the Philly ones. I notice Anthony White was not on the shortlist of future projects. Is there any chance of his PIR/ Salsoul stuff coming out?. I notice Hey Baby on one of the Philly CD's, but if I am right this is not on his PIR album.

Best regards and thanks for the great albums put out this year.

Steve

The Anthony White P.I.R. album is one of those licensing anomalies. It kinda fell between the cracks when P.I.R. divorced from Columbia/Epic (now Sony) in 1976 and it's never been successfully reconciled. It would appear that some of the tracks fell into the pre 1976 Columbia/Epic controlled P.I.R. controlled repertoire and the rest of the tracks are directly owned by P.I.R. We're actually using 2 or 3 more Anthony White tracks on the forthcoming Philadelphia International 40th Anniversary 10 x CD Box Set, but re-issuing the original album is a bit of licensing headache because, frankly, no one really understands what the full story actually is. When Richard Searling showed Kenny Gamble the original Anthony White album, Kenny studied it for ages but couldn't recall it. However that album came out at a period of transition for P.I.R. and Kenny and Leon were busy trying to extricate themselves from Columbia/Epic whilst trying to maintain the momentum of the company.

Something had to give and I guess that's why the Anthony White album got lost in the shuffle, so I feel a bit sorry for Anthony White. Despite releasing a brilliant album he got caught up in wider politics and never really recovered his career

I found that album in 1976 and couldn't believe that such a great record could somehow slip through the net. And we're still talking about it some 35 years later, so maybe all is not lost!

We're slowly making progress into unlocking the Philly International vaults. A major boost in that quest was Kenny Gamble's recent visit to the UK where he finally experienced first-hand the level of passion that we have for his work. He was absolutely stunned by the degree of passion we have over here and he made that absolutely clear following his visit. We're one step closer. Watch this space!

Ian D

Interesting read Ian.

Do you know why the SAM DEES - The Show Must Go On (Atlantic) has never come out on CD ?

Regards, John.

The Anthony White P.I.R. album is one of those licensing anomalies. It kinda fell between the cracks when P.I.R. divorced from Columbia/Epic (now Sony) in 1976 and it's never been successfully reconciled. It would appear that some of the tracks fell into the pre 1976 Columbia/Epic controlled P.I.R. controlled repertoire and the rest of the tracks are directly owned by P.I.R. We're actually using 2 or 3 more Anthony White tracks on the forthcoming Philadelphia International 40th Anniversary 10 x CD Box Set, but re-issuing the original album is a bit of licensing headache because, frankly, no one really understands what the full story actually is. When Richard Searling showed Kenny Gamble the original Anthony White album, Kenny studied it for ages but couldn't recall it. However that album came out at a period of transition for P.I.R. and Kenny and Leon were busy trying to extricate themselves from Columbia/Epic whilst trying to maintain the momentum of the company.

Something had to give and I guess that's why the Anthony White album got lost in the shuffle, so I feel a bit sorry for Anthony White. Despite releasing a brilliant album he got caught up in wider politics and never really recovered his career

I found that album in 1976 and couldn't believe that such a great record could somehow slip through the net. And we're still talking about it some 35 years later, so maybe all is not lost!

We're slowly making progress into unlocking the Philly International vaults. A major boost in that quest was Kenny Gamble's recent visit to the UK where he finally experienced first-hand the level of passion that we have for his work. He was absolutely stunned by the degree of passion we have over here and he made that absolutely clear following his visit. We're one step closer. Watch this space!

Ian D

Thanks for the excellent and informative reply Ian. I dare say the box set will be a must buy.

Steve

Interesting read Ian. Do you know why the SAM DEES - The Show Must Go On (Atlantic) has never come out on CD ? Regards, John.

Apparently Sam himself vetoed it according to what I've heard. A lot depends on what was in the original contract. My theory on this is that in the 60's and 70's especially, Warners, Elektra and Atlantic (WEA) were positioning themselves as an alternative to the more corporate Columbia/Epic, Capital, RCA label groups and because of their stance of being an 'artist-friendly' company, their contracts at the time built in a higher level of control to the artists. Quite often, the artist was given to right to approve all releases which meant that before Warners, Elektra or Atlantic could release anything, the artist or their management would have to sign-off the release. This worked beautifully at the time and the WEA labels quickly gained the reputation of being the most artist-friendly label group on the block and their phenomenal growth over the 70's especially was pretty much as a direct result of that image. However, things get more complicated further down the line, i.e. decades AFTER the original contract was signed. What seemed a great idea at the time, lost it's shine 20 or 30 years later when the company had to stick to the original terms of it's contract.

So when Atlantic decided that "The Show Must Go On" was due a CD release, their business affairs people would have contacted Sam or his management and requested permission to re-release the album. Sam would have probably said, "OK. Well give me some money then" and Atlantic would probably say, "Well, you're still unrecouped from the advance we paid you in 1973 but if we re-release on CD then there's a chance we may finally recoup" and then Sam would have laughed and said "Show me the money or no release". Etc, etc, etc. Effectively stalemate.

I've been licensing tracks from Warners for the last 20+ years and I've been amazed at some of the tracks which they turned down, many of which had never sold anything in the first place. So I didn't get it at all. Then I worked for Warners in the late 90's and spent lots of time studying up on their contracts and, sure enough, many of the contracts did in fact require an artist's sign-off before the release could be licensed or re-issued. Obviously, 90% of the artists that were signed were unrecouped, but they'd almost invariably want money to sign off on something, so it always made for a tense renogiation.

By all accounts, Sam is not a pushover. Some say he's from the Chuck Berry school of negotiation - Chuck famously demanded his money in cash in a suitcase from every gig he ever played before he went on stage. So it's my guess that Sam played hardball with Atlantic and they just figured it would be easier to ditch the release and risk the fallout from the global Soul fraternity.

There's really no other logical reason for the album to not be available to today's audiences. It's a masterpiece.

If it had have ever been available, Kent would have got it by now surely.

So it's obviously in legal limbo. If anyone's in touch with Sam please let him know that I'd be delighted to put it out (and I'm probably at the end of a 30 year queue LOL). I could cut a deal with both Sam and Atlantic and keep 'em both happy. This really is like the holy grail for the expanded CD format and it's kinda criminal that it's not available to today's audiences.

OK, that's one of my new years resolutions sorted then!

Ian D

Edited December 9, 201113 yr by Ian Dewhirst

Thanks for the excellent and informative reply Ian. I dare say the box set will be a must buy.

Steve

Absolutely. We just expanded the booklet to 60 pages and we have some BRILLIANT interviews with Kenny Gamble coming up with Richard Searling, Ralph Tee, Robbie Vincent, Andy Peebles and Trevor Nelson which we feel will cover most angles so we'll have some transcripts of those interviews in the booklet for sure.

I think it's fair to say that Kenny had a ball in the UK and probably, for the first time in his life, had the opportunity to examine his career from a fan's perspective instead of his own work-driven perspective. It sounds crazy to us, but Kenny had absolutely no idea how much he is revered in our circles and it genuinly touched him deeply. As he said, he spent the best part of 30 years in recording studios and running a hugely successful business, so he never had time to smell the roses. He might have received a call telling him that "Backstabbers" was a hit in Europe but 30 seconds later he was back to producing another million-seller completely unaware that Philadelphia International was supplying the soundtrack to new global generation that would endure for the next 40 years. Watching Kenny Gamble finally getting to meet his core audience some 40 years later has been the highpoint of this millenium for me. And probably for Kenny too LOL.

So things are rolling along beautifully with P.I.R. right now. The box set will obviously be a 'must own' and will sit beautifully on anyone's shelves. And then....who knows?

Things are beginning to roll. Moulton just unearthed a hitherto unknown 70's recording of The Trammps "Trammp's Disco Theme" with an unheard alternative vocal to "Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart" which is awe-inspiring. However he also says the reality of remixing these tunes is emotionally draining and I completely understand what he means. Proper records!

All good Scunnyjack.

Emotionally draining but a good way to end the year!

Ian D

Ian,

Thanks for the reply regarding Sam Dees + the PIR releases look essential !!

Ian,

Thanks for the reply regarding Sam Dees + the PIR releases look essential !!

You're welcome John. Busy time ay?

Ian D

Ian

Fascinating info on the non release of the Sam Dees Atlantic album, and cleared up a question I've been thinking of posting for ages.

Whilst the disgruntled/exploited artist always gets the sympathy it was Atlantic who put the money up, and lost it, so it seems reasonable to expect them to want to get a belated return. Anyway Warners probably couldn't care too much about one album but I'd love to have the album on CD.

One question though, as Sam Dees is the main songwriter on the album would he get money from publishing if the CD came out? Warners couldn't deduct that from past costs, could they?

Nice Backbeats CDs by the way, orders placed .

Rick

Ian

Fascinating info on the non release of the Sam Dees Atlantic album, and cleared up a question I've been thinking of posting for ages.

Whilst the disgruntled/exploited artist always gets the sympathy it was Atlantic who put the money up, and lost it, so it seems reasonable to expect them to want to get a belated return. Anyway Warners probably couldn't care too much about one album but I'd love to have the album on CD.

One question though, as Sam Dees is the main songwriter on the album would he get money from publishing if the CD came out? Warners couldn't deduct that from past costs, could they?

Nice Backbeats CDs by the way, orders placed .

Rick

Hi Rick,

Like I said, according to legend Sam plays hardball. My guess is that Atlantic business affairs probably quickly hit a brick wall and simply concluded that this would be a problematic deal to conclude, so probably lost interest pretty quickly.

I'm pretty sure Paul Mooney on here could give a more detailed explanation as I'm sure he has publishing connections with Sam. In fact Paul has something of mini bonanza coming up as he has loads of publishing on this set of Backbeats!

Ian D

Wow, pre-orders on series 3 have way outflanked series 1 & 2, so it'll be a great Xmas this year touch wood! Amazon just doubled their order! Yippee!

Ian D

Bada Boom! All 10 Backbeats and "Philadelphia International:The Re-Edits" are now are in the Amazon Soul/RnB Top 20!

No.3 HURTXCD111 Philadelphia International: The Re-Edits

No.5 BACKB026 Backbeats -2 Steps To Soul Heaven - More 70s & 80s Steppers

No.6 BACKB024 Backbeats - Phillybusters - Underground Philly Dance Floor Gems

No.7 BACKB027 Backbeats - They Call It Crossover - More Mid-Tempo Soul

No.8 BACKB023 Backbeats - Smooth Grooves - Sophisticated 80s Philly Soul

No.9 BACKB021 Backbeats - Soul A La Mode - 1970s Modern Soul

No.11 BACKB029 Backbeats - Lost In Time -More Northern Soul Treasures

No.12 BACKB030 Backbeats - The Pain Goes Deep - More Deep Soul Gems

No.16 BACKB025 Backbeats - Busting Out - Ghetto Grooves from Dusty Cellars

No.17 BACKB028 Backbeats - Mod Life Crisis - 60s Mod Anthems

No.19 BACKB022 Backbeats - What's The Word? - Socially Conscious Soul Music

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=amb_link_19349665_33?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A754576%2Cp_69%3A0x-90y&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=left-1&pf_rd_r=0SWT9EMJH9CMMRE84R02&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=205283627&pf_rd_i=297457#/ref=sr_pg_1?rh=n%3A229816%2Cn%3A%21520920%2Cn%3A754576%2Cp_69%3A0x-90y&ie=UTF8&qid=1323942283

Happy Xmas to all!

Ian D

Ian, check your PMs/messages.

Ian, check your PMs/messages.

Gotcha! Nice idea Sebastian! Let's talk.....

Ian D

Ian, sent you a PM about these.

Ian, sent you a PM about these.

Yep. PM'd ya back. Tell Laurence he needs to let me know what he thinks his initial order is likely to be and then I can hopefully up the level of stock @ Proper. It's been doubled already but I'm gonna double it again......

Ian D

Ian did ya get that CD? Iv'e pm'd ya mate but not heard back

steve

Edited December 17, 201113 yr by Soul-Integrity

Ian did ya get that CD? Iv'e pm'd ya mate but not heard back

steve

Hi Steve,

Yep got the CD mate. I'm going to listen to it today in fact. I would have called you last week but for the fact that I'm kinda overwhelmed with stuff at the moment what with 14 albums all due to come out over the next 8 weeks! I actually finished work @ 1.30am this morning after I got off the phone with Tom Moulton who's finishing off the Philadelphia International remixes album, which frankly, is the greatest album I've heard in my life! An absolute mind-blower. So will deffo call next week mate!

Ian D

Hi Steve,

Yep got the CD mate. I'm going to listen to it today in fact. I would have called you last week but for the fact that I'm kinda overwhelmed with stuff at the moment what with 14 albums all due to come out over the next 8 weeks! I actually finished work @ 1.30am this morning after I got off the phone with Tom Moulton who's finishing off the Philadelphia International remixes album, which frankly, is the greatest album I've heard in my life! An absolute mind-blower. So will deffo call next week mate!

Ian D

no probs Ian, really pleased for ya mate, sounds like your hard work is really gonna pay off with the Philly stuff, really hope you finally get access to the vaults, know what it would mean to ya!

steve

One week to go before release! Available in HMV from Boxing Day and Amazon delivered to your door!

Merrry Xmas!

Ian D

Instock at Soul Brother now. Can't fall off at 5 for £30.

Click the image above or here to check out the feature page on Soul Brother site. All releases have clips. Get that last minute Xmas want sorted

Instock at Soul Brother now. Can't fall off at 5 for £30.

Click the image above or here to check out the feature page on Soul Brother site. All releases have clips. Get that last minute Xmas want sorted

Brilliant stuff Jason. They look fantastic mate. I wish I could get 'em racked like that everywhere! They should sell well @ Blackpool too!

Compliments of the season to Laurence, Malcolm, Alex and Johnny too! Hope you sell a shedload LOL!

Ian D

Out today! Available from your local HMV's but in the 2 for £10 racks at the front of stores or from all good record stores!

Ian D

very dissapointed only 2 of them in cov hmv ! And the soul section is the smallest genre.

some are on play.com from only 3-99 inc postage

will be ordering after the new year

Had email from Amazon saying Cds are in the post....well chuffed.

very dissapointed only 2 of them in cov hmv ! And the soul section is the smallest genre.

Ah, this why I'm saying look in the 2 for £10 Sale racks at the front of the store Toad. For some reason HMV don't always rack 'em in the specialist sections (and that's if they even have 'em anymore). I drove myself mad trying to find the first 10 Backbeats in HMV when they came out 'cos HMV were racking 'em in the areas that no Soul fan would look, namely the 2 for £10 sections at the front of store! The only way I could get these into HMV was via the regular HMV sales campaigns (this is due to the low Dealer Price on Backbeats).

So they'll be in there but probably not where you'd expect to see 'em ho hum......

Just a small part of a bigger set of problems for CD retailing at the moment so it's not like I can necessarily make an issue about it I'm afraid. I'm kinda happy that they're supporting the series at all to be honest!

So next time you're in there, can you check the sales racks mate? All 10 were scaled out to every store, so they should be in there somewhere hopefully.

Ian D

ian there wasnt a sale section? The same with the tom moulton cds took ages to have them in stock. Oh well it serves me right that i live in a soulless area (lol) will look again tomorrow or travel miles to a local record shop

ian there wasnt a sale section? The same with the tom moulton cds took ages to have them in stock. Oh well it serves me right that i live in a soulless area (lol) will look again tomorrow or travel miles to a local record shop

I mean the racks at the front that usually have lots of crap in @ 2 for £10. Their sale was meant to kick off today in all stores. Damn. That means I'll have to submerge from my pit tomorrow and venture out LOL.....

If anyone else has been near an HMV today, then please gimme a shout!

Ian D

Edited December 26, 201113 yr by Ian Dewhirst

ian same as toad in stoke could,nt find em anywhere in the store and staff did,nt seem to know what i was talking about well the i spoke to did,nt

but i,ll keep looking

regards

dave lucas

ian same as toad in stoke could,nt find em anywhere in the store and staff did,nt seem to know what i was talking about well the i spoke to did,nt

but i,ll keep looking

regards

dave lucas

Thanks Dave. I'll check how many stores they scaled 'em to. Bloody typical but it is Boxing Day so maybe some stores need a bit of time to impliment stuff. Who knows? But looks like I'll be on the phone tomorrow LOL....

Ian D

Nor in Scunthorpe or Grimsby HMVs Ian, went out looking especially for the ones I mentioned to you... No sign

A whole load of crap punk reworkings I'd not seen before (John Cooper Clarke doing "Should I Stay Or Should I Go"? Please Lord, say it's not so....) but no new soul.

Edited December 27, 201113 yr by ScooterNik

Nor in Scunthorpe or Grimsby HMVs Ian, went out looking especially for the ones I mentioned to you... No sign

Can't make it out Nik. All of the albums are in HMV's best-sellers so go figure!

https://hmv.com/hmvweb/navigate.do?ctx=-1;1;59;-1;5&pGroupID=1&pSubGroupID=5&pGenreID=59&pTertiaryID=17

How these guys work these days is kinda beyond me though......plus there's lots of strange stuff going on so who knows what the score is?

Thanks for the detective work though Nik.

Ian D

hi ian, i sent you a message the other day. if you get a chance to read it could you reply by message. cheers.

Mine arrived this morning great stuff.

Mine arrived this morning great stuff.

Another case of postcode lottery. Mine are still awaiting dispatch according to Amazon.

Not coming on Friday ( at the Scunny allnighter ) so happy new year to yourself, family and all at Hull Soul Club.

Same to Ian and look forward to more great releases in the new year.

Steve

Another case of postcode lottery. Mine are still awaiting dispatch according to Amazon.

Not coming on Friday ( at the Scunny allnighter ) so happy new year to yourself, family and all at Hull Soul Club.

Same to Ian and look forward to more great releases in the new year.

Steve

Hi Steve ordered mine trough Amazon end of November & cheaper than first quoted.

Have a good allnighter & will catch up in the new year.

Happy New Year to you all

Daryl

Mine arrived this morning great stuff.

Phew. Thank f*ck for that Darryl. I was beginning to think I'd just imagined the bloody things!

Enjoy mate! I haven't had time to listen to 'em for a couple of months LOL....

Ian D

Can't make it out Nik. All of the albums are in HMV's best-sellers so go figure!

https://hmv.com/hmvwe...&pTertiaryID=17

How these guys work these days is kinda beyond me though......plus there's lots of strange stuff going on so who knows what the score is?

Thanks for the detective work though Nik.

Ian D

No thanks needed, thinking of my pay packet too LOL

Just bought 4 from HMV Maidstone Ian, in what seems an ever diminishing music section there. They had 8 of them in stock.

And, while I'm here, I'm just listening to Dee Dee Sharp Gamble's "I Believe In Love" and had no idea that's where Kindred The Family Soul got the riff from for "As Of Yet"!

Just bought 4 from HMV Maidstone Ian, in what seems an ever diminishing music section there. They had 8 of them in stock.

Hi Dave,

Good. I think they're slowly coming into the racks now. I did investigate yesterday and was told that they should be racked everywhere 'in the next couple of days or so' whatever that means LOL. Never easy at this time of year but hopefully the message is getting through now.....

Amazon sales are pretty spectacular so they're looking good now!

Hope ya like 'em after all that LOL...

Ian D

hi ian, i sent you a message the other day. if you get a chance to read it could you reply by message. cheers.

Gotcha. Will do! Nice idea.

Ian D

Just ordered all 10 on my Wife's Amazon account, and a few more besides that I missed first time around. I'll maybe tell her tonight after a few drinks

All the best and Happy New Year,

Steve.

OK, the moment of truth with the first week of sales and I'm delighted to see all 10 Backbeats albums hit the Top 1000 on the Amazon rankings which is a great achievement considering that these are all budget 'specialist' CD's. Plus at this time of year all the big-hitters are selling, all the TV/Supermarket comps and virtually everything else is discounted or in sales campaigns, so for these to get in the Top 1000 sellers in the internet's biggest account is brilliant to see!

Also all 10 are in the Top 75 Amazon Main Soul/RnB chart against all the Soul/RnB (and a lot of Pop) big hitters.

Amazon Soul/RnB Chart & Overall Amazon Rankings

BACKB027 Backbeats - They Call It Crossover - More Mid-Tempo Soul No.19 No. 281

BACKB021 Backbeats - Soul A La Mode - 1970s Modern Soul No.30 No. 487

BACKB030 Backbeats - The Pain Goes Deep - More Deep Soul Gems No.34 No. 541

BACKB026 Backbeats - 2 Steps To Soul Heaven - More 70s & 80s Steppers No.35 No. 547

BACKB024 Backbeats - Phillybusters - Underground Philly Dance Floor Gems No.37 No. 553

BACKB029 Backbeats - Lost In Time -More Northern Soul Treasures No.41 No. 594

BACKB023 Backbeats - Smooth Grooves - Sophisticated 80s Philly Soul No.47 No. 633

BACKB028 Backbeats - Mod Life Crisis - 60s Mod Anthems No.50 No. 722

BACKB025 Backbeats - Busting Out - Ghetto Grooves from Dusty Cellars No.58 No. 831

BACKB022 Backbeats - What's The Word? - Socially Conscious Soul Music No.65 No. 938

I think we can confidently expect the Backbeats Artists series to launch in early Summer now! Thanks to everyone for great support!

Happy New Year to all!

Ian D

Edited January 2, 201213 yr by Ian Dewhirst

Great value compilations Ian. Have been enjoying "They Call It Crossover" in the car since it arrived last week. Will be buying some more soon. Nice work!

Great value compilations Ian. Have been enjoying "They Call It Crossover" in the car since it arrived last week. Will be buying some more soon. Nice work!

Thanks Ollie! As per usual, Sean's "They Call It Crossover" is leading the pack, selling incredibly and is top of all the key charts for Series 3 so far. However my 'Soul A La Mode' is tracking very closely followed by 6 others from Series 3 which are sniping at our heels LOL. It'll be interesting to see whether any of these get near to "Soul Steppin'" from Series 1 which is the No.1 all-time Backbeats best-seller. However the Dean Rudland compiled "Crate Diggin' Fever" is still selling at such an incredible rate some 16 months down the line and unfortunately looks to dethrone my crown in the next couple of weeks. (Note to self: remember to ask Dean why is this selling at such an incredible rate so far down the line?). 500 copies sold in the 8 weeks up to the end of 2011 alone.......can "Soul Steppin' hold it off.....?

Fascinating stuff watching how these titles move......

Ian D