The good folks and the poor folks may not identify with it's sound, many deny it's related and others journeyed onwards through it's exposure via northern soul.

 

Others already own it's acceptance - still today, having cherished it at root level.

 

Whatever - what was your gateway or early introduction into the infectious modern soul vibe.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Edited March 9, 201312 yr by Nick Harrison

An easy and boring reply Nick - Searling.

 

Morecambe Pier 3rd Anniversary for me when I properly heard big venues playing to a dance floor going nuts for the " Modern Soul " sound 

Living in the south in a way I was always exposed to it, and knew of the Mecca 70s stuff. But I guess what kick started the modern scene into life was the late 70s W.C playlists of Top Cat, Lee Moore & resourceful Ones, Brainstormers, James Mack & Chicago Gangsters, Love Committee and the like. I needed to get these records....

 

John Anderson was the man who first got those records and sold them to the then top DJs. 

Edited March 9, 201312 yr by Steve G

Upstairs room at Stoke late nineties early 2000's, Curtis, Maleady,Hinsley to name a few, Pretwich as well

 

Only time I enjoyed Stoke, couldn't stand that drivel they play downstairs

As a youngster listening to Soul Sam playing Dee Edwards Loving You Is All I want To Do to empty dance floors at EASC nighters in the late 70s....I thought to myself what's going on here then? Sold off any 60s I had and planted my flag firmly in the Modern camp....

Regards

Ric

An easy and boring reply Nick - Searling.

 

for me searling and farley were playing some quality modern soul at the morecambe pier but for me when it move to the carleton and had a modern room with dj like mark evans was a great time for modern soul for me also down stairs at bradford had some of my best night there to.

Mecca.

Before I got into the "scene" I was buying albums by the likes of the Stylistics - probably aged about 13 or 14. Then got into the scene at 15 - and really struggled to get my head round some of the stuff which was "big" - although as young new kid on the block you kept yer gob shut. I knew then that I liked mid tempo soul music.

 

Someone has already said that they liked some of the stuff Sam was playing - and I did too. Went to Wigan in 80/81 and was absolutely blown away by Richard Searling - and others, Sam and Gary R. It was a long time ago, but things like Daybreak, Alfie Davison, Mind and Matter etc - equally championed by Sam and others too changed my whole outlook. Loved those sets - never been bettered in my view and it went from there. Other people over the years such as Poke, Pat, Arthur, Dave Thorley, Sean Hampsey etc have all played a part.

 

Niter wise Wigan, Clifton Hall, Cleethorpes, Bradford etc. These days my favourite stuff is mid tempo seventies - doesn't have to be danceable as long as it's soul. I still appreciate 60's soul music and newer stuff too. Will have a think about some of my favourite and most memorable records.

 

Could be a good thread this!

 

Peter

 

Edited March 9, 201312 yr by Peter99

I echo, experienced and share those sentiments Peter...I never really made a difference in the age of records more the quality, as time passed by the quality of recordings improved often leaving 60's recording techniques inferior to progress made in studios.

 

First time i heard King Tutt, Roy Dawson, Eddie Parker, Detroit sounds i knew that was where music was going and i was along for the journey...quality vocals, funky riffs, groovin' productions !

Larry Houston, Will Colllins and Will Power, Curtis, Skip Mahoney, The Pretenders, Charles Johnson etc - the best music time for me by a long shot. Most of em have stood the test of time. I was living the dream back then - fantastic times with some of the best people I've ever met.

 

Peter

 

For me I think it was always there before I knew of a scene for it. I used to love hearing tunes in various nightclubs that I used to go to in Bridlington and scarborough in the late 70's, stuff like Jackie Moore-this time baby, Philly Int All stars - Lets clean up the Ghetto, Instant Funk - Crying, Phylis Hymen, a load of the soulful disco stuff championed by Robbie Vincent on the radio. All this kind of went hand in hand with the stuff I was hearing on the northern scene such as Innersection, Creative source, Bobby Taylor 'Roses somewhere' etc, etc and stuff at wigan such as Kenny Burke 'Let somebody love you'. It always made so much sense to me to be played in the same room as Johnny Sayles and Lorraine chandler and I've never had a problem listening to any good music of any era.

The good folks and the poor folks may not identify with it's sound, many deny it's related and others journeyed onwards through it's exposure via northern soul.

 

Others already own it's acceptance - still today, having cherished it at root level.

 

Whatever - what was your gateway or early introduction into the infectious modern soul vibe.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

So what was your first exposure to the dark side Nick?

 

Peter

 

Upstairs third room at Birmingham Locarno all dayers with Sam and Arthur circa 1980-81 ? Janice and omni mike jemison and co were being played downstairs but here was something very new and different, didn't recognise hardly anything except 'like taking candy from a baby', can't even remember who it was by! Brown label?

It always made so much sense to me to be played in the same room as Johnny Sayles and Lorraine chandler and I've never had a problem listening to any good music of any era.

That's an interesting and very valid point buddy. Having to pick and choose between the main room and the modern room was a pain - I always felt like I was missing out and used to run back and forth dependant upon who was jocking. My preference back then and today, is/was modern - but I liked good soul music, and there was some dynamite new 60's discoveries being played.

 

Peter

 

Edited March 9, 201312 yr by Peter99

Upstairs third room at Birmingham Locarno all dayers with Sam and Arthur circa 1980-81 ? Janice and omni mike jemison and co were being played downstairs but here was something very new and different, didn't recognise hardly anything except 'like taking candy from a baby', can't even remember who it was by! Brown label?

J T Brown !!!!!!

jt brown like takin candy

That's an interesting and very valid point buddy. Having to pick and choose between the main room and the modern room was a pain - I always felt like I was missing out and used to run back and forth dependant upon who was jocking. My preference back then was modern - but I liked good soul music, and there was some dynamite new 60's discoveries being played.

 

Peter

 

 

Yeah, and it also freed you up from the shackles of scene loyalty, y'know, you're either modern or 60's. I could never get my head round that ridiculous self imposed restriction on what I should or should not listen to. Curtis, Janice, keys to the City, velvet hammer, King tutt, Montclairs, Carstairs, flippin' heck, they all sound just as good now.

jt brown like takin candy

Produced by Horace Ott ! Legend.

modern soul may be good or bad...........but vibe!! no there is no vibe

J T Brown !!!!!!

Almost forgot about this buddy! Nice record.

 

Peter

Produced by Horace Ott ! Legend.

didnt know that must find my copy

modern soul may be good or bad...........but vibe!! no there is no vibe

 

?

Yeah, and it also freed you up from the shackles of scene loyalty, y'know, you're either modern or 60's. I could never get my head round that ridiculous self imposed restriction on what I should or should not listen to. Curtis, Janice, keys to the City, velvet hammer, King tutt, Montclairs, Carstairs, flippin' heck, they all sound just as good now.

Fcuk it. I'm gonna power up my amp and dig some of these babies out. Volume!

 

Peter

 

modern soul may be good or bad...........but vibe!! no there is no vibe

Ears and wax?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT5Q559J990

didnt know that must find my copy

 

Best release on the Mahogany label, first played by Richard Searling and years later activated by one Martin Barnfather !

modern soul may be good or bad...........but vibe!! no there is no vibe

 

No vibe?

 

Let's be aving yer!

 

 

 

Peter

Edited March 9, 201312 yr by Peter99

Nice picture of Scarborough south beach on that video clip.

Just heating up in the modern room here - might check out of the SS room. For now....................

 

No vibe, yeah right.

 

Like other's flitting between The Winter Gardens, Wigan and Yate, back then, being mecca musically inspired, refreshing tunes like Willie Collins & Will Power - covered as Love Committee.

Carol Anderson - Sad Girl.

Flame King & The Bold Ones - Oh Happy Day.

ZZ & Co covered as Oscar Perry.

Larry Houston covered as Top Cat.

Daybreak - as Peter 99 has posted - covered as Tyrone Edwards.

Bobby Thurston - covered as Al Johnson and the Hit Men.

 

Sandy Linzer and as Steve G flagged Lee Moore and The Resourceful ones & Roy Dawson. 

 

All broke the mould.

would have to be at yate john kojack harvey was always championing new releases

 

this along with Nicky Newharkers and Larry houston amongst others, which in the 8ts seemed to be well intergrated with a range of stafford stuff and top 500 oldies.

Like other's flitting between The Winter Gardens, Wigan and Yate, back then, being mecca musically inspired, refreshing tunes like Willie Collins & Will Power - covered as Love Committee.

Carol Anderson - Sad Girl.

Flame King & The Bold Ones - Oh Happy Day.

ZZ & Co covered as Oscar Perry.

Larry Houston covered as Top Cat.

Daybreak - as Peter 99 has posted - covered as Tyrone Edwards.

Bobby Thurston - covered as Al Johnson and the Hit Men.

 

Sandy Linzer and as Steve G flagged Lee Moore and The Resourceful ones & Roy Dawson. 

 

All broke the mould.

Had to think about the Lee Moore cover for a while - Ike Strong of course. I remember coming back from Wigan and singing bits of Daybreak and Alfie Davison over and over again. My dear old mam says "Don't you know any more of them records"? Me - "no mam".  Sheeat I miss me mam.

 

Peter

 

Let's be aving yer!

 

 

 

Peter

cant believe I've never heard this before, ace, love it

cant believe I've never heard this before, ace, love it

Brilliant dance record buddy. Not easy to find by any means.

 

 

Peter

would have to be at yate john kojack harvey was always championing new releases

 

Yes JH was at the cutting edge and rarely covered nothing up !!

 

Which aloud us to travel back north with names and titles - with an air of up fronted detective knowledge. Not just Al Williams covered as The Masqueraders or Paris covered as Gene Mcdaniels. Jackie Beavers covered as Mel Britt. Stomp on.     

Plenty of contoversy around back then too obviously the huge Sam/Arthur split which most people will be aware of - we've done some good threads on here previously. Sam getting the sack at Wigan etc.

 

Certain records appeared to be individually controversial too - the Cassanova record for Sam being one example.

 

Peter

Edited March 10, 201312 yr by Peter99

So what was your first exposure to the dark side Nick?

 

Peter

Moved out into the brighter side of things - Pete.

 

Northern is too regressive it's like owning a soulless over weight wife. Seen em out and about - hitch that ass - we may make the play off's !!

Nice record Dave. Wasn't this Pokes cover up - something and the three (two)? way split?

 

Peter

Remember Poke playing this at Cleethorpes....all I could remember was the line "they don't make lady's like you no more" so when a few weeks later Soul Bowl listed something similarly titled I bought it blind....for me that was the ultimate needle dropping moment! For once the right record! lol

Nice record Dave. Wasn't this Pokes cover up - something and the three (two)? way split?

 

Peter

 

Yes mate, Eddie Richards & the Three Way Split. As I posted in another thread a few months back Poke used to send me cassettes. Here's the tracklist of one of them ..

 

 

Horizon - Don't Make 'em Like You

Cindie Harris - Dance me, Swing Me

Al McCall - Hard Times

Four Tops - Let Me Set You Free

Bill Harris - Am I Cold, Am I Hot

Earl White Jr - Very Special Girl

Sidney Joe Qualls - I Don't Do This

Geater - Breath Taking Girl

Vernon Burch - Never Can Find A Way

Young Devines - Ain't That Sharp (inst)

Greg Diamond - Bring Back Your Love

Chosen Few Band - What It Takes To Live

Winston Hewitt - I'm Feeling Good

Paul Thompson - Special Kind Of Woman  

Brothers Gilmore - I Feel A Song

Raj - Something Inside

Mark IV - If You Can't Tell Me Something Good

King Moses - I've Got This Feeling

Split Decision - Watching Out

Hugh Boynton - We're Gonna Make It

Mind & matter - I'm Under Your Spell

Flight - Playing Your Games

Maurice Jackson - True Love Is You 

Colors - Am I Gonna Be The One

Marvin Ruffin - This Thing Called Love

Yes mate, Eddie Richards & the Three Way Split. As I posted in another thread a few months back Poke used to send me cassettes. Here's the tracklist of one of them ..

 

 

Horizon - Don't Make 'em Like You

Cindie Harris - Dance me, Swing Me

Al McCall - Hard Times

Four Tops - Let Me Set You Free

Bill Harris - Am I Cold, Am I Hot

Earl White Jr - Very Special Girl

Sidney Joe Qualls - I Don't Do This

Geater - Breath Taking Girl

Vernon Burch - Never Can Find A Way

Young Devines - Ain't That Sharp (inst)

Greg Diamond - Bring Back Your Love

Chosen Few Band - What It Takes To Live

Winston Hewitt - I'm Feeling Good

Paul Thompson - Special Kind Of Woman  

Brothers Gilmore - I Feel A Song

Raj - Something Inside

Mark IV - If You Can't Tell Me Something Good

King Moses - I've Got This Feeling

Split Decision - Watching Out

Hugh Boynton - We're Gonna Make It

Mind & matter - I'm Under Your Spell

Flight - Playing Your Games

Maurice Jackson - True Love Is You 

Colors - Am I Gonna Be The One

Marvin Ruffin - This Thing Called Love

Some awesome records on there Dave. Used to love his sets early 80's - second time round for him. Forgot about a few on that list - nice one buddy.

 

Peter

 

Edited March 10, 201312 yr by Peter99

Blackpool Mecca in the 70ts when they started the move away from 60's stuff. By mid seventies all venues were playing new releases along with 60's stuff.

it hurt my ears and still does

Edited March 10, 201312 yr by barney

Certain records appeared to be individually controversial too - the Cassanova record for Sam being one example.

 

Peter

Seized on by the anti-bodies too. The fact is that Sam played it before it got into the charts, when it was a red hot import.....

_{Flight and Horizon are probably two of the worst records to have been played on the modern scene.}

 

_{I know someone who found a copy of flight in states,he put it inside an lp sleeve and later went on to sell lp with 45 still inside.}

I don't understand the question, so here's my attempt at an answer:

 

Do I love 70s and early 80s northern soul like Charles Johnson, Jeffrey Osbourne, Atlantic Starr, Jan Jones, Willpower, Alfie Davison, The Montclairs, etc... - YES

 

Do I like modern soul - NO

All depends on your definition of "modern soul"

 

How "old" were the records that were played at The Twisted Wheel ? They were mainly newish releases - ie "modern"

 

The Torch was playing records that were mainly 5-7 years old yet some people describe a record from 1975 now as still being "modern"