Al Williams I Am Nothing C/w Brand New Love

RESERVE NOT MET

“Without You - I Am Nothing, Nothing At All…”

That is most probably what the Northern Soul collector is thinking right now - if this Top-Drawer Detroit-dominator is not in your collection today, it is a chasm that must be filled before you leave…

Both sides give up Fred Bridges & Richard Knight creations - both like most of the pairings endeavors are the very pinnacle of the true Northern Soul sound. “I Am Nothing” has been perched at the summit of NS collecting for decades, it’s impressive rarity, holding up every year since the 70s.

The flipside for those of you digging below the surface, will consider every note as good as the iconic top-side. Both sides shimmer and strut, with the Sound Of Detroit sparking off every note. Al’s despondent vocal emits despair whilst riding a rich dance arrangements, girls & guys choruses cultivate two of the greatest Northern Soul conceptions ever released…

THIS IS NORTHERN SOUL - twice over.

vinyl is beautiful both sides - labels do not suffer from the dreaded “La Beat” flood.. but the A-side label has a pen “swirling” see scan - flipside label is PERFECT!

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Joe Douglas Something To Brag About C/w Crazy Things

The AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL press.

Beware of vinyl pressed New York counterfeits from the same source as Me Williams, Sandy Wynns, Carstairs, Fred Hughes, Dalton Boys, Casanova Two and countless others.

This is the ORIGINAL legitimate matrix stamped 60s made real-deal.

Both sides provide you with potent Northern Soul. The A-side features sax-god Mike Terry on one of his many Philly sessions with Bobby Martin pulling the strings on this relentless dancer, prompted throughout by an insistently burping baritone sax. BRILLIANT NORTHERN SOUL is not going over-the-top.

Flip it over, and just like Yvonne Baker’s Junior recording. Philly studios are offered the loan of a Jack Ashford & Mike Terry collaboration for the flipside. “Crazy Things” is drenched in Detroit luster from start to finish. A mid-tempo giving up it’s original identity with every stroke of the piano and the subtly supporting horns..

TWO STAND-OUT SIDES - do not settle for that fake bendy repro…

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Ascots Anytime C/w Sometimes I Wonder

Washington, D.C. vocal group Northern Soul you can never tire of. Like all this group’s recording this is scintillating vocal group Northern Soul from the top-level of the genre, as Donald Walden & Rosco Bowie once again convey the aspects of his style so perfectly.

Stabbing horns, soaring trumpets carry male vocals through a Northern Soul groove of pure-quality as tghe Ascot not for the first time flex their superior blending of voices to the max..

I’m addicted to this style and just adore the horns breaks and the soaring vocals that build to crescendo as the session draws to a close - you can physically feel their enjoyment in their work.

Flip it over, the boys again display precise timing, tight-harmonies and soulful delivery with a consistency that makes this offering a double-delight with the B-side fully deserving of same amount of attention as the “A”..

Vocal group NS at its very best!!

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Various Artists Switched On Blues

Serious MOTOWN collectors here is something rather special!

Motown 10 track testament to Detroit R&B

Perfect vinyl on both sides…

Both PROMO labels also perfect

Original full colour LP-advert inner-sleeve “as new”

Cover is free of any writing, stains, seam splits, ring-wear or any other detracting flaw. Cover spine, top and bottom seams reveal the light wear of shelve life (see scan).

This album is a beauty, a rarity and so different musically to the “Motown norm” it is an essential acquisition - do not snooze on this listing - finding another comparable copy would be a foolish-vinyl-dream.

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The winning bid was £ 38.00

 

Tony Cummings The Sound Of Philadelphia

One very hard book to find - the highly regarded 1975 chronicling of The Philadelphia sound by Tony Cummings.

An early in-depth burrowing into behind the scenes; the birth, growth and world domination of 70s Soul. The unstoppable Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff machine that became the second USA City to be honoured with those three coveted words “THE SOUND OF..” before it’s name.

This is a 1975 publication written by a seasoned Soul journalist who had already edited the early 60s fanzine “Soul” which grew to become “Soul Monthly” which eventually morphed into the now iconic “Shout” magazine. Later he took the reigns at “Black Music” magazine, which rivaled “Blues & Soul” during the early part of the 70’s.

Tony Cummings could not have been better informed or experienced in the Sound Of Soul, to write such an engaging book - which unfortunately didn’t sell well at the time, but is now rightly considered a major-collectors item of its genre.

This copy could hardly be finer, a minuscule light fray top back cover is the only defect i can find…

If you’ve not read it - it is a must - plus it is full of fabulous archive black & white pics.

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The winning bid was £ 30.00

 

Johnnie Taylor Blues In The Night C/w Watermelon Man

Taken from JT’s 1967 LP “Wanted One Soul Singer”

But as a 45 both sides unissued as 45s, in both the USA & England; but French Atlantic/Stax recognized two winning tunes when they heard them - or did they? As compelling a dance-track as this is - it too, like so many other masterpiece dance-tracks before them - sold absolutely zilch upon release.

Oddly the French LP series “Formidable Rhythm & Blues” Volume 7 the sleeve states it came from actually does not have this track on it. Leaving Johnnie Taylor’s finest Northern Soul 3 minutes one damn tough recording to secure.

If you want potent full-volume to DJ with, forget the EP or LP route - hunt down this high fidelity French 45 with the picture sleeve.. it is loud, clear and utterly irresistible..

Like a snake charmer, the guitar rhythm pulls you in like a cobra out of the basket and into the light - the sax breaks through, the horns flood the air and Johnnie nicotine coated, whiskey worn vocal does the rest!!!

MESMERIZING!!!! 

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The winning bid was £ 363.00

 

Christine Cooper Heartaches Away My Boy

A listing especially aimed especially at those of you in pursuit of the legendary Northern Soul classics in their seriously rare and least seen clothes.

Here is a gorgeous Promo - with the jumbled-up P A R K W A Y logo adorned with the two shields; pressed in Los Angeles the spring of 1966. How thrilling is it for the old-school collector to encounter this pinnacle of Sister-Northern-Soul in this head-turning form.

A Jewel in any Northern Soul assemblage - just stunning.

Radio Station notes and date received on label - the playing surface has light surface marks but as you can hear from the full soundfile provided it plays loud, clean and true.

RARE in the extreme and every time I hear it - my fave Northern Soul girl-tune!

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The winning bid was £ 421.00

 

Drake & The En-solids Please Leave Me C/q I'll Always Be There

The extremely elusive PROMO copy in “as new” condition.

Chicago vocal-group Northern Soul you scarcely see as the DEMO copy - in “as new” condition? May we suggest hardly ever…

A sparkling horn propelled stomping foot-to-the-floor acrobatic Northern Soul; with real class injected by highly-honed harmony vocals cradling the pleading leading man. But those horns.. WOW they go long, hard, thrusting their way to the front of the production. In-Your-Face or what?

PROPER NORTHERN SOUL!!

Flip it over, the boys calm down a little but lose none of their razor sharp harmony delivery. This has got to be a firm-candidate for Just Soul or Soul Essence wet Saturday afternoons or certainly Guinness drenched snug evening spent at Seriously Soulful in Bristol.

Too awesome not to have its turn at all this deluxe venues..

If you wanna own this double-delectation of Soul - do it the hard way

A MINT PROMO is the way… your mate ain’t gonna own one…  

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The winning bid was £ 136.00

 

Coasters Love Potion Number Nine

A gleaming 1971 UK Demo!

Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller revamp their 1959 “Clovers” recording with their long standing association with the Coasters and the result is staggering..

Check out what 12 years on has done for this memorable recording - fabulous Northern Soul filled with the Latin influences of New York. Idea for today’s Northern Soul sets that are embracing the Latin flavoured recordings.

This one particularly benefiting from a sensational Herbie Mann styled “Flute instrumental” break, tight vocals and relentless “Spanish Harlem” horns..surely this is a sleeper waiting to cause a stir.. especially if it’s spinning the turntable in full Green & White Glory!

Condition is flawless throughout…

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Ray Pollard It's A Sad Thing C/w All The Things You Are

I’ve just read on the internet that Ray Pollard was a well regarded voice , who was most famous for being a member of “The Wanderers”…I’d like to adjust that rather insipid statement slightly..

Ray Pollard has THE voice that is worshiped by many 100’s of thousands of Northern Soul devotees spread across the globe.. with his recording “The Drifter” weighed-in as one of the most-precious NS recordings of all time…drivel “well regarded” indeed.. this man is “The Baron Of The Beat Ballad”

To add credence to that statement here is another United Artists recording with the power to change your day…

Only a full orchestra could ever embellish Ray’s dominating vocal and when it carries all those “Spanish Harlem” production cliches, New York screams right at you…with another spectacular performance by a Northern Soul Demigod .. with one of the most emotive vocals ever pressed to vinyl…

You see, I personally consider Ray Pollard so highly - I’ve not even mentioned that this stupidly rare 1966 UK press is the intensely-desired RED & WHITE DEMO in so near pristine condition…

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The winning bid was £ 193.00

 

Marvelettes I'll Keep On Holding C/w No Time For Tears

The sun is streaming through my office window and I’m sitting here thinking how long is it now? .. that I’ve been in love with the British Tamla Motown label. For literally decades I have trawled the 45 RPM boxes (like we all have) the sight of the “Orange Wavy-Top” sleeve, sets my pulse racing. The eyes instantly focus, not on the artist or the title but the TMG number to the middle right of the label.

Does it start with a 5 or a 6, even a 7 could be OK ..is it a hit or one that slipped past the radio jocks and failed to sell…a rarity?

A 5!! wow!! a non-hit Wow again…! The Marvelettes.. Wow! - I’ll Keep Holding On WOW WOW!! the slow-motion slide out of the sleeve … flick it around in the July sunlight and it only reveals the lightest of blemishes.. Mint minus…WOW!

Oh My God ..I’ve hit the TMG Jackpot !!! 30p off a Melton Mowbray Market Stall at 8.45 on a Saturday morning…

Then that all too often heard scream sails up the stairs from the kitchen … it’s my Mum …”Get Out Of Bloody Bed…!!! you’ll be late for work..”

Past vinyl-dreams of an apprentice Gas Fitter…flooded my head today when this disc landed on my desk..

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The winning bid was £ 156.00

 

Drapels Wondering (when My Love Is Coming Home) C/w Please Don't Leave Me

RARE, PERFECT, DEMO!

In honor of one of Soul’s most distinctive Sister-Voices, the under-recorded and sadly recently passed Wendy Rene’s vocal assistance on this Memphis rarity, offering up two ends of the Soul collectors spectrum, in their very best light.

We lead with a deliciously constructed Northern Soul mid-tempo from this mixed vocal group, in which Wendy Rene and relatives plead their way through an imploring mid-tempo dancer, with Wendy’s answering within the chorus, enriching and deepening a solemn plea with the NS dance-arrangement.

This 45 is RARE, and in this perfect condition - almost impossible - that is maybe why, most of you have never heard this lady within a group before.

Flip it over and we encounter seriously sorrowful Deep Soul decorated again by an on-your-knees lead male vocal and Wendy Rene’s highly pitched vocal cutting through the session.

Mary Frierson aka Wendy Rene found fame late in life as her best known Stax recording “Bar-B-Que” went USA wide as a TV advert, but finished her recording career at Stax mid-60s to concentrate on her commitment to a Gospel Choir.

This is easily her obscurest Rare Soul contribution, bequeathing so much for the serious Soul and Northern Soul addict. Click again and enjoy the voice of an Angel supporting a fully armed vocal-group.

LOVE IT - both sides.

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The winning bid was £ 86.00

 

R 'n' B Scene Vol. 1 # 4 1964 Edition 4 Of The R&b Scene

Chorlton-Cum-Hardy was not the birth place of chronicling Lancashire-Soft-Porn but it was certainly the editorial-centre for the very beginnings of Northern Soul, captured within this extremely rare 1964 edition 4 of Roger Eagle’s “R&B SCENE”

The Godfather of Northern Soul Roger Eagle’s enthusiasm seeps from the pages of this “Black Music” saturated fanzine. The iconic DJ of the “Twisted Wheel” one year old series covers in this edition:

Little Walter Story - with artist pic Lavern Baker - with artist pic Freddie King - with artist pic full page black & white of Little Junior Parker full page black & white of Slim Harpo full page black & white of Rufus Thomas Tommy Tucker - interview Little Richard - discography

Full review of the 1964 BLUES FESTIVAL as viewed by Roger Eagle, John White, Dave Waggett & Brian Smith - Manchester’s R&B Young Guns discuss meeting the likes of Sugar Pie DeSanto, Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Sleepy John Estes, Sunnyland Slim, etc.

Back page is a full advert for the “TWISTED WHEEL” Winter Program includes the clubs resident every Monday Night - ALEXIS KORNER

A unique portal into Northern Soul’s fascinating embryonic period of the early 60s, driven by the Godfather, of what was to mushroom into the worldwide music phenomena ..Northern Soul… 

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The winning bid was £ 56.00

 

Marisa Gatti Love's What You Want

VERY RARE DETROIT - Sister Northern Soul ! Collecting Detroit Northern Soul doesn’t get much obscurer than this press from Sound Inc.

A Mike Valvano project on a most-imaginative label logo that always makes you smile, but the smokin’ moody production hidden in the grooves jolts your mind straight back into serious collecting mode as the sight of the labels, equally impresses.

Three of Detroit’s prolific providers of Northern Soul come together to craft this unusual session - Mike Valvano, Cholly Bassoline & Jeannine Greer team up; With Jeannine Greer writing solo on this sulking Motown City mover.

A tune that has been talked about for decades, appreciated by the few that own a copy.. like so many Northern Soul heirs to turntable action, this 45 has suffered a little from it’s own weight of rarity. In the right hands at the right venue this would cause more than a casual jog to the turntables for more info…

A serious cult item - do not pass by…

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The winning bid was £ 389.00

 

Ogletree Brothers Gonna Keep A Check On You C/w Falling In Your Love

Crazy About Crossover?

I 100% am!! especially when it’s as obscure and as fluid as this offering.

A very seldom seen early 70s Georgia recording, featuring sleek male-harmonies driven by funky-spiced horns that delivery an impressive break halfway through. But it’s the seamlessly-soulful vocals that steal the show.. on this classy dance flip side..

The Brothers themselves lead this D.I.Y. 45 with the Deep Soul ballad as the a-side. Oh so soulful as the gently delivered lead vocal, gets caressed by calming horns and a seamlessly rich male harmony chorus. Fabulous blend of Sweet Soul sinking into the Deeper depths of Southern Soul.

Two great sides, private press, D.I.Y. Georgia Soul at it’s most captivating..

Condition is near perfect in every way..

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The winning bid was £ 213.00

Fully get what you're saying Chalky,but there's only a few who can pull out the true unknowns.Now if you're talking forgotten/lesser played,there's still some trying to plough a furrow.These tend to be dj's down the pecking order,who with nothing to lose,try to put their own stamp on proceedings.All is not lost yet.!!

 

I said imagination.  Dunno why people assume it to mean unknowns?

I said imagination.  Dunno why people assume it to mean unknowns?

 

You said does anyone play unknowns.Just throwing my bit in.Not arguing ya grumpy git.

It's all part of the joke circus that has taken over as commercialism has killed the scene.

 

Overpriced records, bootlegs galore, coffee mugs, tourists, plays about the Wizard of Oz, dance lessons, DVDs full of self import ant talking heads, flash mobs, retro wear, unimaginative playlists, weekender anthems, soul nights everywhere, more DJs than punters, people that don't know anything craving their five minutes of fame, emperors new clothes the list goes on. All so very far away from where the scene that should be. 

 

But there's no guarantee that the overpriced Al Williams didn't go to a collector that none of us know, we're all assuming it was going to a DJ, it might not be.

 

For the record my Al Williams is a LaBeat WD. Mint. 

Edited February 27, 201510 yr by Steve G

Does anyone play unknowns?  The lack of imagination goes right through the scene and extends to the so called rare or upfront side of the scene, its full of hotboxers chasing the what others are playing rather than seek out something for themselves.

 

As I said I am not slagging anyone off.  I am bemoaning the fact that imagination is frowned upon, by promoters especially but by DJ's afraid of any negative criticism and the though of losing bookings because of it.  It is detrimental to any music scene as it ends up completely retro, forever looking back rather than forward.  It really should be the best of times musically nowadays but it really is stale and backwards looking.  This is evident in the records that are indemand and the pices they achieve at times.

 

What are people supposed to do, not say anything that would appear critical, are people not allowed to voice their opinion just because one or two don't like to hear it?  Far more appear to agree with what I have said than not.

I cant disagree with you.

At the big events imagination is not always recognised or appreciated in the main room but often the second room the DJ's get some latitude. A few months ago at New Century Soul I went into the second room when 70's tunes were being played in main room and there you was spinning Sharpees - take me to your leader.  Stayed there until the end of your set.

Its sometimes the forgotten tunes that I like to hear and they dont have to be expensive; cant remember the last time I heard Olympics played out = baby do the philly dog or secret agents, in contrast every Friday and Saturday a DJ's insists on playing 'Stanky'  AND THEY FILL THE BLOODY DANCEFLOOR; I might have to have a labotomy and so I can join in.

I don't hear the Del Larks = Job Opening at many events period - I wonder why?

You said does anyone play unknowns.Just throwing my bit in.Not arguing ya grumpy git.

 

That was question in response to one of Nev's comments not a suggestion from me.     see ya tomorrow

Edited February 27, 201510 yr by chalky

 

If you were a promoter and I came up to you with a box which contained Gwen Owens, Eddie Parker, Al Williams and Mello Souls, I bet you'd give me a spot..because with those records, I MUST know what I'm doing 

 

BUT...and this is something worth pondering over - if I walked in with the same box but it contained PRESSINGS of those four records, I'd be accused  of being a div 

 

I don't hear the Del Larks = Job Opening at many events period - I wonder why?

 

Just maybe, there ain't that many DJ's have it to play!! (a proper one that is!!)

Edited February 27, 201510 yr by mrtag

if you attend allniters you will hear job opening most weeks

Just to throw a spanner in the works. Getting Dj spots has nothing to do with the quality of records a person owns, it's whether your face fits and how much you are prepared to tell everyone how good you are on social media.

 

I know lot's of people who own fantastic records that never Dj, and I know many more who have bugger all to offer yet are lauded by their mates as being something special.

 

There are a select few who are everywhere, like s**t in a field. They promote themselves endlessly on Facebook.

if you attend allniters you will hear job opening most weeks

I do attend allnighters, once the 70's and crossover start to get played I lose interest and spend time in the second room (if available), 30 minutes of 70's and no second room I'm thinking of looking for the exit. If I have exited main room and following a bout of 70's and the dj drops in Del Larks then I would probably miss it and could explain why I only hear every couple of months. 

My next allnighter will be Carls Birthday bash so will possibly hear it then, will anyone be spinning it at Prestatyn in the main room?

Just to throw a spanner in the works. Getting Dj spots has nothing to do with the quality of records a person owns, it's whether your face fits and how much you are prepared to tell everyone how good you are on social media.

 

I know lot's of people who own fantastic records that never Dj, and I know many more who have bugger all to offer yet are lauded by their mates as being something special.

 

There are a select few who are everywhere, like s**t in a field. They promote themselves endlessly on Facebook.

You have a lovely way of describing the undescribable.

Until this week I wasn't on face-ache so any self promotion would be lost on me; then this week I broke my quill, ran out of ink and parchment so joined FB but still dont know how to use it. I'm easy to find on FB - Billy no mates

I will might need to be careful on FB to avoid stepping into the afore mentioned 'S**t in the field', how do you identify steaming smelly areas and avoid it in the dark when the winds behind you?

Atb

Stu

 will anyone be spinning it at Prestatyn in the main room?

 

We usually keep count of how many times it gets played.

We usually keep count of how many times it gets played.

What was last years tally?

So I can do a little planning which DJ's in main room are likely to spin it?

8 times - I wasn't there last year but was reliably informed…

8 times - I wasn't there last year but was reliably informed…

 

Ha Ha you can always play that game Steve with whatever sounds are in vogue. A few years back when you couldn't move for Dottie & fucking Millie i heard it in 3 consecutive sets, think it was the afternoon club feature. I'm sure throughout the weekend it easily exceeded 8 plays. 

Which record are we on with now?

Why does anyone get ready and go out to listen to records they used to listen to 30-40 years ago. About the only place i will make an effort to is Empty Bottles at Leeds. Uptempo 60,s which have been bypassed over the years. This is how it should be, fresh exciting and new again. Pat Brady did a spot last year and just didnt understand the place, he played the usual big ticket records and we were bored to tears. This place has ripped up the rule book, it doesnt need big name djs, it doesnt need big ticket records , its just a sweaty shit hole-like it used to be when we first started. Fresh and exciting again. 

It's all part of the joke circus that has taken over as commercialism has killed the scene.

 

Overpriced records, bootlegs galore, coffee mugs, tourists, plays about the Wizard of Oz, dance lessons, DVDs full of self import ant talking heads, flash mobs, retro wear, unimaginative playlists, weekender anthems, soul nights everywhere, more DJs than punters, people that don't know anything craving their five minutes of fame, emperors new clothes the list goes on. All so very far away from where the scene that should be. 

 

 

I could not agree more with this, it's so true!

 

We can not put the genie back in the bottle, but really the rot started in the late 90's early 2000 when loads of people got computers.

 Most of them, up till then, didn't know there was a Northern Soul scene going on.

They all came back on the scene and diluted it down.

They could not dj before because the hardly knew anything, but the internet has told them everything they need to know. 

History of the scene, which records to play, how to buy originals, etc!  It's not the same scene as it was before the internet!  You don't need to have the same level of commitment, to be part of it these days!

I could not agree more with this, it's so true!

 

We caI not put the genie back in the bottle, but really the rot started in the late 90's early 2000 when loads of people got computers.

 Most of them, up till then, didn't know there was a Northern Soul scene going on.

They all came back on the scene and diluted it down.

They could not dj before because the hardly knew anything, but the internet has told them everything they need to know. 

History of the scene, which records to play, how to buy originals, etc!  It's not the same scene as it was before the internet!  You don't need to have the same level of commitment, to be part of it these days!

He forgot to mention the "young people " with their desire to want to be part of the " dinosaur " orientated circus !

Haven forbid ,why on earth would anyone who still lives at home ,can stay up till 5am without drugs ,wanna be Mixing it up with a bunch of old farts ,moving to music like a bunch of characters from the" walking dead " ...beats me

If you are serious about your Soul music then you can choose where you want to go, venue wise. The commercial side of the scene can be largely ignored if you so wish, there will always be an underground scene and long may it last!

Just to throw a spanner in the works. Getting Dj spots has nothing to do with the quality of records a person owns, it's whether your face fits and how much you are prepared to tell everyone how good you are on social media.

 

I know lot's of people who own fantastic records that never Dj, and I know many more who have bugger all to offer yet are lauded by their mates as being something special.

 

There are a select few who are everywhere, like s**t in a field. They promote themselves endlessly on Facebook.

Agree'd put it perfectly.