Many years ago when I first heard this record I didn't like it much. Sounded like a fast funk record. But these days I am coming round to it after watching the dancefloor reaction and how well it works in a venue. I wouldn't pay lot's of money for it, but it's ok in a venue!

My question is when did it first get popular at a Northern Soul venue?

I can not remember it played at places like Wigan back in the day. I first heard it played out at the excellent, now long gone, Lowton Civic Hall.

So when did you first hear it in a venue?

Edited May 19, 20223 yr by SolidSoul

I've always like the uptempo stuff like this and Angela Davis for example.

You can go a little mad on the dancefloor!

I first heard it around 2005 to be honest at soul in the sun.

Guessing it's a mid 80s find, when I was out of the game, so to speak.

Ed

Copies of this were around in 1970/71, maybe earlier? - pretty sure it was played at places around that time as I knew of it and had a copy about then. Perhaps someone else can confirm where it was played out for you - hope that helps, cheers Dave

Found it for a Quid

Sean Chapman played it at Lee Hall Rugley

Keith Minshull had my copy for a £100 worth of trades 

Edited May 19, 20223 yr by Kev John

I bought the record for the other side about 24 years ago. I must have sampled the Stanky side and ruled it out as I didn’t bother writing this title on the cardboard sleeve. I would hazard a guess that Stanky started getting spins at some point in the last decade but I don’t know precisely when.

It's been around years but it is only in recent times when the quality control department closed that it became a popular play.  

Same as SolidSoul I remember Stanky as a Lowton spin then everywhere else soon after. I'd agree that it got a big dance floor reaction but not one I'd want to own or play at home.

I first came across it around 72-73. It was talked about as a record to look out for and Cobblestone was trending with The Vonnettes and Sounds of Lane at the time. I think Richard Searling had it in his DJ box, I can vaguely recall seeing his copy in one of his distinctive felt pen calligraphy white card sleeves. I don't remember hearing him , or anyone , play it in a club at the time.

I found four or five copies when I worked at Global so put it on the Specials list (or kids list as owner Ed Balbier called it) If I played it I can't remember, never bought a copy and it never took off so I was surprised when it went big . Many years ago Dave K (DtheDrug) sent me scans of some old Global lists and it was listed at £5 on one then reduced to £3 or less on another as it didn't sell at all.

Prestwich one of the places I remember it taking off.....

16 hours ago, Rick Cooper said:

Same as SolidSoul I remember Stanky as a Lowton spin then everywhere else soon after. I'd agree that it got a big dance floor reaction but not one I'd want to own or play at home.

I first came across it around 72-73. It was talked about as a record to look out for and Cobblestone was trending with The Vonnettes and Sounds of Lane at the time. I think Richard Searling had it in his DJ box, I can vaguely recall seeing his copy in one of his distinctive felt pen calligraphy white card sleeves. I don't remember hearing him , or anyone , play it in a club at the time.

I found four or five copies when I worked at Global so put it on the Specials list (or kids list as owner Ed Balbier called it) If I played it I can't remember, never bought a copy and it never took off so I was surprised when it went big . Many years ago Dave K (DtheDrug) sent me scans of some old Global lists and it was listed at £5 on one then reduced to £3 or less on another as it didn't sell at all.

Bet you wish there had been 4 or 5 copies of Tommy Dent as well

4 minutes ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

Bet you wish there had been 4 or 5 copies of Tommy Dent as well

Jeez, Soul Thing, that's just as bad if not worse.  If it wasn't so rare it wouldn't have been given a second play

1 minute ago, Chalky said:

Jeez, Soul Thing, that's just as bad if not worse.  If it wasn't so rare it wouldn't have been given a second play

Completely agree but Rick could have bought a new electric car with 5 copies

So was "Stanky" the name he gave his guitar?

Ed

At last a topic i can join in.. Clears her throat yes i have a demo of it. Had it for many many years play it out regular The B side.. I've Tried is very playable also.. Disappears back into oblivion marveling at tunes people have i want

Thankfully past its peak. 

I followed rick cooper at global. Don't recall it listed then. Did unearth a surviving copy. I remember it for I've tried

I got behind it at Prestwich early 2000s, it worked well, very well, as it did at many places at the time.

Although not generally played at Northern venues until quite recently, this and his A&M release You Put Me In a Groove, have been played at more funk oriented venues for many years. I first came across this in the late 80s when trawling for James Brown related releases as he was in the Midnighters, with Hank Ballard and has a few writer credits, so I did further digging. Funny enough, its these releases where I first saw the name of Bunny Jones which then led me to the Millionaires and the Dealers on Bunny/Big Bunny.

Edited yesterday at 14:271 day by John Reed

I remember seeing it on paper lists all through the 70’s. Very cheap.

I’d never heard the record, until one night at my all-nighter, Fred Krol dropped the needle on it.

The reaction was amazing. Many people rushed up to the decks to see what it was.

After packing up, and finally getting home. I went on the internet thinking, I need to get a couple of copies of that record, before the price rockets. It was always around for £10.

I couldn’t find a single copy. Obviously, half the people who were there that night had beaten me to it.

Price shot up over night, and it started to get plays everywhere.

This would have been early 2000’s.

It’s definitely a marmite record, but it is a great dance tune.

Sean Chapman played it when I first heard it, Nuneaton? Not my cup of tea but filled the floor!!!! Thank you....Rob

Had one out of a Tim Brown Soul pack 2001 sold it on ebay when it started for about £13

sorted it was crap then and still is better stuff out there but each to his own

On 12/08/2025 at 07:48, Brunswick58 said:

I followed rick cooper at global. Don't recall it listed then. Did unearth a surviving copy. I remember it for I've tried

Wow, a "follower" in the 1970s!

I'm not surprised you don't recall it as it wasn't a record that caused much excitement.

I managed to find the lists that Dave K sent me many years ago and found Stanky listed for 75p , not £3 as I thought.

Billy Davis is number 73.

If the prices seem ridiculously cheap now at the time they were about right. Nobody had much money then and most people bought pressings and re-issues from Selectadisc, originals from Soul Bowl or new US releases from Record Corner. Others spent money on having a good time.

Never saw that list while I was there. Only the list starting at 19p to 57p.