It always amuses me reading threads on here which are always predominantly male orientated. What about the girls on the soul scene who are top of the game with knowledge and incredible collections? I'm not referring to the ladies who have graced the decks over the last decade but the ladies who were always one step ahead of many lads years ago.. There is always a topic of respect for the male dj/collectors amongst us so it's time to praise the girlies - don't you think?

I do think we should praise the girls , JumpinJoan, shes knowledgeable shes covered most of the top venues over the years she has good collections of records and she knows every bugger on the scene    

Edited February 14, 201510 yr by Aaron Darcy

When it comes to female connoisseurs, Linda Couldstone (Nashee) has to be one of the most knowledgable people out there, whether it be soul,R&B or popcorn she really knows her stuff. She's DJ'd internationally, has an excellent collection and is one of the nicest, most unassuming people out there.

Maxine Woon.  She's forgotten more than i will ever know & was around dancing to & collecting records when i was an embryo. 

 

Mucho respect to the Ladies of Soul....  

 

Russ

I'm sure there are loads of "members of the fairer sex" out there with far more knowledge and much better collections than mine, I can think of half a dozen that I know with great records. They certainly do deserve equal respect to the men. However , I must admit that when I need to source a 45 or need to find something out about one I tend to use the services of John Manship, Tim Brown, Mark Dobson & Andy Dyson. All men, i'm afraid, and pretty much know everything between them. I'm pretty sure everyone else does too tbh, and this is probably the reason women don't appear to be on an equal footing. This is only MY humble opinion and unintended to cause any offence whatsoever.

Edited February 14, 201510 yr by greenlight

Sam Goldie is a definite for for. Put me on to a lot of stuff.

What about Krossover Kirsty she knows her stuff  

One step ahead of the lads? I'd go for Jo Law who has put me on to so many great tunes over the years and her taste in music is  wonderful.

Tracey Shaw, Kirsty Connelly, Joan Livesy, Sue Stutting and Mo all know their tunes and have good taste

 

Kev

Edited February 14, 201510 yr by kev cane

For me, its Malayaka. 

Every opportunity to have her play/hear her play I try. 
There is a great vid on Youtube of her double-checking with Soul Sam and she's ahead of the game, in my opinion. 

 

Little link to a pretty old article now RE the Manchester euro soul weekender and the rationale there was to book woman first. Often the best sets of the weekender because they're not trying to out-do anyone, they just have their own very intuitive groove.
https://www.soul-source.co.uk/articles/news-soul/manchester-european-weekender-look-forward-26-27-may-2013-r2688

Edited February 14, 201510 yr by TailorMade Gaz B

Let's not forget Diane 'Djdivadi' Crosby who is married to Harry 

 

   

Dolly..

A brilliant DJ and collecter

Leona Murphy. Not afraid to mix it up and impeccable taste with it. 

Have to agree with all the pre mentioned ladies my first would have to be MO she knows a good % of stuff

One of my favourite ladies behind the decks has gotta be Jo Wallace - "Come on you lot!"

 

 

Mark C

Back to my initial first post where I failed to mention the ladies who are to me are two of the most knowledgeable female collector/DJ's we have are Joan Livesey and Ali Nightingale. Knowledge right across the board with impeccable taste. Being a lifelong collector myself these two ladies will always command my respect as Premiere League leaders ahead of the game. xx

Ok for me it's "little Joan" all the way, my mate forever, but always so full of soul i will always remember the good times, i was oblivious, but Joan was always buyng records;-)

Louise xxx

not Dave for a change!

xxx

Edited February 15, 201510 yr by Louise

Jo Law

Pat Bleasdale - always plays stunning sets from her magnificent collection

naoko and not forgetting Val Palmer

Maria O who runs my favourite soul night Boomerang, a lady with great taste and a collection to match. And Carol Vare, don't hear her DJ much except on our soul holidays but she's got very good taste too.

Maxine Woon.  She's forgotten more than i will ever know & was around dancing to & collecting records when i was an embryo. 

 

Mucho respect to the Ladies of Soul....  

 

Russ

 

 I agree Russ Maxine Woon plays some fantastic records and is very knowledgeable. Also heard Pat Bleasdale play a fantastic set at Soul Kitchen recently , really top stuff. Nicki and Tracey Shaw are two folks that I love to see doing a set and I remember Jumpin Joan doing a fantastic set up near Darlington a few years back. Sue Brick and Amanda are always really entertaining and always the lift the place when they do a set too. Soulful Cris did a great spot at Soul Kitchen too and Julie Lambert from Portsmouth plays some great tunes and also Rachelle Piper is very knowledgeable on the R and B front . I think we are way past the time when women DJs were a rarity , there's some very knowledgeable women on the scene

Edited February 24, 201510 yr by manus

Pat Bleasdale - always plays stunning sets from her magnificent collection

Also Little Av ...

I've never seen her play because she lives on the other side of the world but seen her incredible playlists and listened to some fantastic podcasts ! How could I have forgot the incredible MISS GOLDIE !!

One of my favourite ladies behind the decks has gotta be Jo Wallace - "Come on you lot!"

 

 

Mark C

 

Jo was certainly a big influence on my musical tastes as a young lad. I used to frequent her record shop regularly and she introduced me to many great sounds. An excellent DJ too, with a great mike technique and bags of personality.

I've never seen her play because she lives on the other side of the world but seen her incredible playlists and listened to some fantastic podcasts ! How could I have forgot the incredible MISS GOLDIE !!

Got a CD from her a couple of years ago, as good as anything I can think of

 

Kev

Got a CD from her a couple of years ago, as good as anything I can think of

 

Kev

 

Praise indeed !

Val Palmer/Jo Wallace...Val because she understands "old skool stomper" exactly the way I do and Jo because she goes across the board to ska/rocksteady as well as great soul taste...of course both of 'em are top girls too!

Was Val the first resident at all nighters? We've got Pat Bleasdale in March and Matt's been on about me having an all girls line-up but I can't get into my dresses any more. I also go for Soulful Cris and Maria Willingham there are some great Spanish girls too but I can't remember their names

Was Val the first resident at all nighters? We've got Pat Bleasdale in March and Matt's been on about me having an all girls line-up but I can't get into my dresses any more. I also go for Soulful Cris and Maria Willingham there are some great Spanish girls too but I can't remember their names

Cristina Alonso is one, from the boiler club.

The thread reflects the male dominance of the scene and sound, but those ladies who are in the game are pretty good, eh!

Was Val the first resident at all nighters? We've got Pat Bleasdale in March and Matt's been on about me having an all girls line-up but I can't get into my dresses any more. I also go for Soulful Cris and Maria Willingham there are some great Spanish girls too but I can't remember their names

Well said Ady

Glad you pointed out Maria Willingham contribution, she plays awesome sets at Stateside soul club and introduces me to new tunes every time I attend.

I understand Maria Willingham's collection is second to none, brilliant behind the decks as well.

Atb

Stu

I would say about 30% of all 45s I sell on EBay go to addresses listed with a female at the head of the postal address? About 90% go North of Watford.

Got to say Karen Crane from Norfolk has a mean play list when shes on the decks.

Did quite a few spots at the Backstreet over the years.

Best of all she won't sell her records , always a good sign.

I would say about 30% of all 45s I sell on EBay go to addresses listed with a female at the head of the postal address? About 90% go North of Watford.

 

As for me, on 70% of my purchases I have to use the girls credit card cause I'm skint, maybe this applies here ?

I really enjoyed Lou Wood on the decks at Bradford rarer underplayed night, also Maria Willingham, great sets. 

 

We've also had good spots from Pat & Joan, I'm always pestering Shirley Wood to get on the decks and spin some tunes!

I would say 40% of all the records I send out on Ebay go to women at head of the postal address now... I would say 80% stay in the UK and end up back North of Watford. So maybe collecting vinyl wise there are more women than one would think buying it..unless they are just paying for it!