Magnificents

There Can Be A Better Way C/w Don't Take Your Love

It is no coincidence that we’re featuring PIED PIPER this month or indeed the Magnificents on Dee Gee, we love the vocal group sound and all it’s mystery.

After PIED PIPER’s demise Jack Ashford spent a brief time in California trying for a break through with his and Lorraine Chandler’s Detroit sessions, in the what must have seemed to be a “Closed-Shop”. Even recordings like Eddie Parker’s subliminal “But If You Must Go” selling nothing after Radio Station rebuffs. Or this his other attempt at opening DJ’s deaf ears with a vocal group masterpiece that became a Cleethorpes Pier anthem and has remained on the Super-Rare radar ever since.

I have always despaired at some of the truly great records that passed through Radio Stations by without so much as a single play. Thank Heavens for Northern Soul, without it, the Eddie Parker’s, this The Magnificents would be lost forever: and the name’s of Jack Ashford & Lorraine Chandler would melt into obscurity. Whilst Northern Soul exists Jack & Lorraine will be held aloft for the geniuses they are: And records of this calibre, for the serious collector will always be considered a trophy of a lifetime to own.

I personally I still regret “But If You Must Go” left these 4 walls… I may regret this one just as much.. especially as the flipside is another aching harmony ballad of the finest kind..

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 565.00

Temptations

Stay

Simply sublime..

Click the sound file and let the Temptations waft you all the way to Soul Heaven!

PS the more I listen to this masterpiece the more I regret listing it.. this tune can only go one way…and that is UP!

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 299.00

Freddie Chavez

They'll Never Know Why C/w Baby I'm Sorry

A gleaming Mint - Northern Soul trophy still in it’s birth sleeve..

Christmas Present from the wife - or is that just too much to hope..

We suggest you drop a hint, as you’ll never see a another in better condition..

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 824.00

Mikki Farrow

Set My Heart At Ease C/w Could It Be

In time for Christmas Dinner, a double helping of - PIED PIPER! In fact two plates full of fine Detroit dining… that will leave you patting your tummy with satisfaction.

Topside carries every single ingredient of simmering Motor City Northern that we just love to lap up, a bubbling stew with an ear-piercing horn intro, a prompting bari-tone sax, choir bolstered chorus holding Mikki’s expressive vocal aloft, for a typically outstanding PIED PIPER creation, seasoned by a saxophone solo that is right up there with the finest I’ve ever heard…

PIED PIPER rarely just offered one side of brilliance for us to feed upon..check out the flipside - and melt. Utterly lush example of what the team of Jack Ashford, Mike Terry and lyricist Mikki Farrow achieve with their meeting of the minds.

I’ve said it before and I will continued to shout it from the rooftops if necessary PIED PIPER production team crafted the finest Detroit Music the last century ever witnessed. I love, no in fact I worship everything this gathering created..

This example being one of the very finest..

PS this is of course the seldom seen GENUINE ORIGINAL First press.

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 615.00

Magnificents

My Heart Is Calling C/w On Main Street

Seekers of the elusive Northern Soul STOCK copies will be ogling at this mouth-watering example.

A beautiful SILVER label stock copy of Frank Wilson & Marc Gordon’s silky-composition intended for Motown release by Temptations but like so many before it - shelved and never issued.

Leaving H. B. Barnum see an opportunity and take to the controls to produce this great song for a Los Angeles based vocal-group of near-equal talent.

Click the sound-file to unleash proper vocal-group Northern Soul of the classic kind - presented here in it’s rarest attire in near perfect condition.

So beautiful it should adorn the top of your Christmas tree…

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 167.00

Rubin

You've Been Away C/w Baby You're My Everything

In a recent survey, it surprisingly suggested that wives who buy their Northern Soul hubby’s Northern Soul classics for Christmas - get more love than than those who don’t…

A black STOCK copy of this anthem under the tree - should ensure 12 more months of cuddles..

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 466.00

Various Artists

A Christmas Gift For You

The ultimate Christmas album - iconic in every way.

Showcasing the legendary skills of Phil Spector and his team of talented black artists including: Darlene Love, The Crystals, The Ronnetes & Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans… Christmas is not Christmas without them..

This example is the highly coveted 1963 original plum London label, flipback cover release.

Can there be a better Christmas gift for the UK vinyl collector and this time of year. In this unblemished condition with near perfect vinyl, labels, cover back & front and snugly wrapped inside it’s original inner sleeve - we think not!

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 127.00

Johnny Dunn

You're Hanging Me Up C/w False Pride

In recent times the high-demand for this Morty Craft project from the Jamaican New York Island scene forced a limited vinyl bootleg press of it to hit the market. Ironically this lifted awareness for the thumping power-house Northern Soul side that has sat under-the-radar in recent times.

Whichever scene you’re attached to “Island” or Northern Soul, this s one tricky disc to track down..

And of course this listing is the so-seldom-seen ORIGINAL press

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 334.00

Servicemen

Are You Angry C/w I Need A Helping Hand

Perhaps the greatest gift you could ever give a Northern Soul collector this Christmas..

and this copy is MINT! still siting in it’s original “birth” sleeve - unplayed - soundfile has been lifted from my collection copy.

A “VIRGIN” NS trophy under the Christmas tree - an awesome gift!

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 713.00

Patty Stokes

Is It True C/w Good Girl (can You Be?)

Demand for this 45 in the last 18 months has jumped from strong to overwhelming!

A quick listen to the soundfile will reveal why;

Top side is an utterly delicious slice of Sister-Crossover-Northern-Soul that will have you shuffling with delight, as Patty’s silky vocal is cradled by a male vocal group, presumably The Ascots, lending their skills for the day.

As the boys also ignite the flipside, as Patty ratchets up the pace to deliver real-deal classic style Northern Soul.

Two killer tunes on one disc …no wonder this rarities reputation is at an all time high..

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 412.00

Ron Jonas

Cross My Heart

A New Jersey & Georgia collaboration crafts a bass driven dance groove with a snarling lead vocal, surfing a fully potent backing track, softened by a shrill vocal group chorus. Great mix of ingredients, set this tune apart from most “soul” dance creations of the era.

A 45 that has had little little club exposure but it’s underground reputation is rapidly swelling on the back of it’s 70s inspired arrangement. Potential for a much bigger ticket is obvious as DJ plays will surely grow…

A stand-out example of it’s genre..

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 75.00

Solomon King

This Beautiful Day C/w Say A Prayer

A Green & White DEMO a thing of beauty!

Original 1970 UK DEMO pre-Levi Jackson re-issue and intotally flawless condition..

Oh Santa this will do nicely thank you…

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 211.00

Twisted Wheel Mail Shot

May / June 1969 - 3 Flyers

a perfect CHRISTMAS PRESENT even finer framed:

Two different lives:

May 1969 had me desperately trying to intercept my King Edward VII School expulsion letter to my parents; whilst a few miles away J. Watson of Burton on Trent was opening his monthly TWISTED WHEEL event mailshot. I was grounded and Mr. Watson was off to the epicenter of MOD culture.

The Twisted Wheel, Manchester was not only at the very core of the burgeoning British Soul Scene - but also the premier club for promoting USA & UK R&B and Soul acts.

Here and ready for framing, pleading for a prominent position in your residence for a constant reminder of what we missed being born too late or being naughty @ school..

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 66.00

Nolan Chance

Just Like The Weather C/w Don't Use Me

Imbedded in the hearts & souls of everyone one who ever attended The Torch, Catacombs, or early days of Wigan Casino. This 45 encapsulates everything the Northern Soul scene stands for.

Genius ignored by the America public to gain a rebirth, like so many standout tunes as a Northern Soul favourites rescued from a life of obscurity.

Today you’re gazing on this coveted-disc’s rarest Constellation clothes - the alluring CURVED logo full-night-sky STAR pattern label.

Condition is IMMACULATE!

Sorry, this item has already been won!

The winning bid was £ 311.00

£300 for temps........incredible

£334 for Johnny Dunn, amazing how does he do it??? £20 record for decades!

£300 for temps........incredible

That's more than double any other sales that show up on Popsike and treble most of them! Great tune, but....

Sorry if I'm going to insult anyone on here - but ... lots of people live their lives like 'sheep' - they follow what other people do, rather than finding their own way ... they need to follow, not lead ... and need to be told what to like, rather than decide for themselves

Those 'sheep' that have money and are into Northern'' hang on the words of other people who know their stuff ... as John surely does ... and he has a truly compelling sales patter too - probably the best on the scene ... the 'sheep' are sucked in and bid high - as a 'sheep' would!

Patty Stokes - about £200 less than his last one, but still an amazing price IMO. Might sell mine ...

'Sheep' also don't put in the hard graft - they want it easy - so need to pay more

Go your own way ... don't be a 'sheep' (sorry to any 'sheep' I may have offended)

Richard

Baaaa...Humbug!

£300 for temps........incredible

not incredible 'fcucking madness :ohmy:

£334 for Johnny Dunn, amazing how does he do it??? £20 record for decades!

he doesn't do it ' its the fcuking idiots out there who do it for him.

Sorry if I'm going to insult anyone on here - but ... lots of people live their lives like 'sheep' - they follow what other people do, rather than finding their own way ... they need to follow, not lead ... and need to be told what to like, rather than decide for themselves

Those 'sheep' that have money and are into Northern'' hang on the words of other people who know their stuff ... as John surely does ... and he has a truly compelling sales patter too - probably the best on the scene ... the 'sheep' are sucked in and bid high - as a 'sheep' would!

Patty Stokes - about £200 less than his last one, but still an amazing price IMO. Might sell mine ...

'Sheep' also don't put in the hard graft - they want it easy - so need to pay more

Go your own way ... don't be a 'sheep' (sorry to any 'sheep' I may have offended)

Richard

very well said ' i agree with you.

£300 for temps........incredible

WTF

£300 for temps........incredible

I simply cannot understand the motivation for people to pay out sums like this where surely a little research and internet trawling would give them the true value.

Absolute madness.

I simply cannot understand the motivation for people to pay out sums like this where surely a little research and internet trawling would give them the true value.

Absolute madness.

Most of them are probably overseas buyers, where the records might be more in demand.

Can't imagine anyone in the UK paying those prices, apart from Servicemen, which was a bargain for someone.

Nolan Chance and Mikki Farrow weren't too far over the top.

Freddie Chavez demo, seem to have been quite a few of those about in the last year or so.

BAAAAAAAAAA.....HUMBUG!!!;-)

Sorry if I'm going to insult anyone on here - but ... lots of people live their lives like 'sheep' - they follow what other people do, rather than finding their own way ... they need to follow, not lead ... and need to be told what to like, rather than decide for themselves

Those 'sheep' that have money and are into Northern'' hang on the words of other people who know their stuff ... as John surely does ... and he has a truly compelling sales patter too - probably the best on the scene ... the 'sheep' are sucked in and bid high - as a 'sheep' would!

Patty Stokes - about £200 less than his last one, but still an amazing price IMO. Might sell mine ...

'Sheep' also don't put in the hard graft - they want it easy - so need to pay more

Go your own way ... don't be a 'sheep' (sorry to any 'sheep' I may have offended)

Richard

Most of them are probably overseas buyers, where the records might be more in demand.

Can't imagine anyone in the UK paying those prices, apart from Servicemen, which was a bargain for someone.

Nolan Chance and Mikki Farrow weren't too far over the top.

Freddie Chavez demo, seem to have been quite a few of those about in the last year or so.

Freddie Chavez promo is well over the top 'stock copy imo is around £650 to £700 which far rarer.

Sorry if I'm going to insult anyone on here - but ... lots of people live their lives like 'sheep' - they follow what other people do, rather than finding their own way ... they need to follow, not lead ... and need to be told what to like, rather than decide for themselves

Those 'sheep' that have money and are into Northern'' hang on the words of other people who know their stuff ... as John surely does ... and he has a truly compelling sales patter too - probably the best on the scene ... the 'sheep' are sucked in and bid high - as a 'sheep' would!

Patty Stokes - about £200 less than his last one, but still an amazing price IMO. Might sell mine ...

'Sheep' also don't put in the hard graft - they want it easy - so need to pay more

Go your own way ... don't be a 'sheep' (sorry to any 'sheep' I may have offended)

Richard

Don't see the problem here. !!

Sheep

Couldn't agree more with Premium Stuff

There have always been the odd "sheep" or two on the scene,

but having recently started to get involved in vinyl again after a break for a few years, we are now talking "flocks" of the damn things - its beyond belief

I can only assume they have more money than taste........

Sad, but very true

Don't give a f*ck if anyone is offended

Jim

The prices that JM gets doesnt seem to have a bearing on the world of records i know, but good luck to him, its not his fault that some people bid to these levels. But as you say, just by looking around, ebay/popsike, most of us know we can can get better deals elsewhere (some of JM's items can be bargains) equaly, this applies to other dealers , Pat Brady comes to mind, seems to be double what most of us would pay, but somebody is buying them, again , good luck to him on this, I would sell a £500 record for £1000 if someone offered it to me, would'nt you. !

No problem with any dealer

It's the mugs with too much cash and no taste

No problem with any dealer

It's the mugs with too much cash and no taste

I suppose it's safe buying from Manship! Maybe to them it's worth paying more for that security.

There are so many bootlegs/reissues knocking about these days. Maybe thats his secret in getting high prices!

No problem with any dealer

It's the mugs with too much cash and no taste

I'm not sure the people with too much cash are the people who overpay. I bet someone with very little cash will buy that margaret little with the chunk taken out of it, as having an expensive record is such a status symbol on the northern scene and the person will see it as their only chance to get a copy.

Good point Boba, but it's probably the same people who deem that having an expensive record is a status symbol

I suppose gone are the days when it was more appreciated when someone someone with balls played a classy £5 record that was readily available

Jim

Collecting is extremely addictive, full stop! Whether it's film memorabilia,antiques,football e.t.c, or our sacred soul+45s, to develop an interest and a passion for something that in turn gives us so much excitement and pleasure(and there's no denying that this music does exactly that),is it really that surprising that folk will pay silly £ for that ellusive 45,whether they can really afford it,or not? The vinyl represents our passion-from the detailed label and the history behind the artist and song,to actually laying the stylus onto the run-in and hearing it loud+proud at one of our fantastic nighters,to actually own the original record of one of our favourites is way too tempting a chance to miss,and John's auction is a prime provider of that rare chance. I, myself, have won on John's auction in the past,and maybe i have paid more than was really warranted, but that was my choice,and i got the superb 45 ive waited forever to get. I was well chuffed,so thankyou John! Appreciated!!!! Carl.

Good point Carl, what Premium Stuff and myself were referring to is the "sheep" who just buy what's big

I agree Jim. Cannot understand that sort of mentality-following the herd+buying just because others rate a song is pretty lame,especially if it's costly. Do they honestly even LIKE the song?? Then again, maybe it's an investment,or they're a dealer e.t.c... I've only ever bought what i like,and don't give a damn if it's 'in demand' 'in vogue 'currently played by so+so' or the Queens all time favourite stomper!!!;-)

Good point Carl, what Premium Stuff and myself were referring to is the "sheep" who just buy what's big

Couldn't agree more Carl, I do question if sometimes they even like it

... or the Queens all time favourite stomper!!!;-)

Don't know that one Carl - what is it mate (humorous answers only please)?

Cheers

Richard

She's quite partial to shaking the talc for some fancy footwork to 'That Was Whisky Talking' so i heard Richard.

Don't know that one Carl - what is it mate (humorous answers only please)?

Cheers

Richard