Got a few buddies around at ours at the min. Weve been having an instrumental session. Like you do....... Weve all got our faves.....some you cant stand. Ive always banged on about Bari Track......its the best. BUT weve just listened to Bubblegum Breakthrough again after a period of years and decided its awesome when you take it apart, instrument wise. I would have like to have danced to this first time around on the scene. I started at Wigan and Blackpool early 1974. I certainly cant remember it. When was it aired? None of us can remember. One guy just said "post the question up on soul source and I bet you get an answer in minutes" So I have....lets see how fast we get an answer. The time starts now and its 14.52

Edited December 19, 200816 yr by Koolkat

Cheers. 20 mins and we have an answer. We know that none of us can remember it being played at a venue were we attended. Awsome tune. Probably got underplayed cos of all the other great sounds around at that time.

Cheers. 20 mins and we have an answer. We know that none of us can remember it being played at a venue were we attended. Awsome tune. Probably got underplayed cos of all the other great sounds around at that time.

" Fused " - on which " BGB " featured , was released in 1975 ........

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHPHtl_6NsA refosoul

Malc Burton

Edited December 19, 200816 yr by Malc Burton

" Fused " - on which " BGB " featured , was released in 1975 : so the playing of it will be around the same time ........

I seem to recall it received its' first play / plays at The Mecca ..........

Malc Burton

1975??? did BGM come out before and he added it to his album...this rings big bells pre 1975

1975??? did BGM come out before and he added it to his album...this rings big bells pre 1975

Apologies - bollock dropped .......

WS 1809 - Fused - Mike Post Coalition ................... 1969

why the ferk I put 1975 , I do not know - old tw*t moment .......

Malc Burton

Edited December 19, 200816 yr by Malc Burton

Apologies - bollock dropped .......

WS 1809 - Fused - Mike Post Coalition ................... 1969

Malc Burton

this COULD have been a late Torch 'newie' was deffo Trogs and nost deffo VaVas

this COULD have been a late Torch 'newie' was deffo Trogs and nost deffo VaVas

Dickie did indeed play it at Va Va ........

The reason for my putting 1975 , was a senior moment in respect of the " second coming " of / for " BGB " , when it was coupled with " AOTR " for single release ........

I am now standing in the corner

Malc Burton

Edited December 19, 200816 yr by Malc Burton

Dickie did indeed play it at Va Va ........

The reason for my putting 1975 , was a senior moment in respect of the " second coming " of / for " BGB " , when it was coupled with " AOTR " for single release ........

I am now standing in the corner

Malc Burton

I have it on a 74 Blackpool Mecca Tape.

Hows it going Steve. Are you happy with Big Sam?

Brian

1975??? did BGM come out before and he added it to his album...this rings big bells pre 1975

FACT: "Bubblegum Breakthrough" was being played at the Catacombs, and the '2001 Club' (Wolverhampton) C.October 1973, though possibly also prior to that date. (What does Max say?)

"Afternoon Of The Rhino" (album only track) was played at The Mecca a couple of months later I believe, though I personally first heard it at Wigan where it was of course a monster hit. Both tracks were issued here in the UK back to back due to demand.

Edited December 19, 200816 yr by mel brat

How on God's earth anyone can slag off House music saying it's not Northern soul and yet records like this are i'll never know.. House music is this after 30years of progression and technology.

How on God's earth anyone can slag off House music saying it's not Northern soul and yet records like this are i'll never know.. House music is this after 30years of progression and technology.

I agree............was of the time I spose, but sounds pretty nasty now..............bears no relevance what so ever to todays NS scene.

Russ

So what are the other great Instrumentals??

I'm throwing the following into the hat:

Let me be your Man - Tyrone Ashley

Expressions Outro - The Expressions

If it's all the same (Exus Trek) - Luther Ingram

As well as the U.S.A Copy of the Album I also have a U.K. Fused Album.

Possibly U.K. Album released same time as the U.K. Single Afternoon On The Rhino / Bubble Gum Breakthrough.

That is why 1975 was crashing through my head - the UK release was in the same year as the 45 ......

Thanks Roger : I knew I was not going doolally ........

Malc Burton

That is why 1975 was crashing through my head - the UK release was in the same year as the 45 ......

Thanks Roger : I knew I was not going doolally ........

Malc Burton

Just a quickie, a cryptic one though, the final off-beat horn crescendo to AOTR has strangely been utilised on a Granada Xmas advert of late.

I agree............was of the time I spose, but sounds pretty nasty now..............bears no relevance what so ever to todays NS scene.

Russ

hi Russ. Could you elucidate on this statement for me please. The reason I ask is that I struggle sometimes to understand how we determine what has 'relevance to todays scene' and how we make these decisions.

I suppose the reason I struggle to understand is, records that were played years ago that are considered 'crap' by some today only have to be spun by certain DJ's and dubbed a 'forgotten oldie' and loads of people go mental for it - and then very much relevant to todays scene. For example, it wasn't that long ago that Jr Walkers Tune Up was getting lots of plays; and in my opinion it is no better than Bubblegum

Edited December 20, 200816 yr by mikecook

hi Russ. Could you elucidate on this statement for me please. The reason I ask is that I struggle sometimes to understand how we determine what has 'relevance to todays scene' and how we make these decisions.

I suppose the reason I struggle to understand is, records that were played years ago that are considered 'crap' by some today only have to be spun by certain DJ's and dubbed a 'forgotten oldie' and loads of people go mental for it - and then very much relevant to todays scene. For example, it wasn't that long ago that Jr Walkers Tune Up was getting lots of plays; and in my opinion it is no better than Bubblegum

I think the word we're looking at here is atmospheric I was at the Casino one night when this was hammered by at least 3 DJs went home with those out of tune horns buzzing round my brain (still in there actually)

Instrumentals were a big part of the scene I loved it then and still do now

Merry Christmas

John

I wasn't over keen on "Bubblegum Breakthrough" when it was first played but I absolutely love it now! I remember hearing it virtually everywhere circa '73 so a big record without a doubt. Everything but the kitchen sink is on there and the record is a masterpiece of instrumentation. Sounds much better these days!

Instrumentals used to be massively popular and would break up the nights brilliantly - especially if the vocal side was also big at the time. There was nothing like hearing a huge instrumental version LOUD. My faves were:-

"Crying Over You" - Duke Browner/The Kaddo Strings

"Nothing But Love" - John Rhys/the Tartans

"Let's Have A Love-In" - Wingate Love-In Strings

"The Way You've Been Acting Lately" - Al Kent

"Psychedelic Soul" Pt 2 - Saxie Russell

"R'n'B Time" - Rodney Jones

Instrumentals were one of the things which inspired me when I got on the scene. I couldn't believe the quality of the string sections on these little records. The fact that small Detroit labels like Ric-Tic, Golden World, Impact and Inferno had full string sections on 'em blew my mind at the time. Startling musicianship........

Ian D

I wasn't over keen on "Bubblegum Breakthrough" when it was first played but I absolutely love it now! I remember hearing it virtually everywhere circa '73 so a big record without a doubt. Everything but the kitchen sink is on there and the record is a masterpiece of instrumentation. Sounds much better these days!

Instrumentals used to be massively popular and would break up the nights brilliantly - especially if the vocal side was also big at the time. There was nothing like hearing a huge instrumental version LOUD. My faves were:-

"Crying Over You" - Duke Browner/The Kaddo Strings

"Nothing But Love" - John Rhys/the Tartans

"Let's Have A Love-In" - Wingate Love-In Strings

"The Way You've Been Acting Lately" - Al Kent

"Psychedelic Soul" Pt 2 - Saxie Russell

"R'n'B Time" - Rodney Jones

Instrumentals were one of the things which inspired me when I got on the scene. I couldn't believe the quality of the string sections on these little records. The fact that small Detroit labels like Ric-Tic, Golden World, Impact and Inferno had full string sections on 'em blew my mind at the time. Startling musicianship........

Ian D

Yes they certainly were----but there seems a distinct lack of them played out nowadays. We should start a campaign to bring back the instrumental

Surely there are enough 'quality' ones to slip a couple in at an evenings soul do. The aforementioned ones would not be out of place imo along with many others.

It would be a shame if the instrumental was not part of a NS dj's repertoire any more.

They were the bedrock of the scene in the late 60's ealy 70's and were considered very atmospheric. The Bill Black offerings through to yer San Remo sides were ever present.

Bring back the quality instrumentals Mr DJ

I have it on a 74 Blackpool Mecca Tape.

Hows it going Steve. Are you happy with Big Sam?

Brian

Hi Brian. Yeah I,m very well thanks.Thats more than can be said of fookin BRFC. Honest they are doing my head in. Especially with you lot doing well. Nightmare.

I think the word we're looking at here is atmospheric I was at the Casino one night when this was hammered by at least 3 DJs went home with those out of tune horns buzzing round my brain (still in there actually)

Instrumentals were a big part of the scene I loved it then and still do now

Merry Christmas

John

Well said that man.

Instrumentals appear to have been unofficially "blacklisted" in favour of, (in some cases), second rate (even if genuine Soul!) rarities at some stage around the early 80s (Stafford?) Personally though I'd rather have a "non-Soul-band" instrumental like "Bubblegum Breakthrough" than an uptempo record with a lousy pop vocalist anyday!

I guess this was an inevitable backlash against the over excesses of rubbish like "Theme From Joe 90" and the like, in which case it's understandable! However it's possible the baby was thrown out with the bathwater (as it were), and there may be room for more instrumentals occasionally - always assuming any decent new discoveries exist! (over to y'all)

Incidently, have any instrumentals ever been big on the Rare 70s scene? I think it may be even more anti-instrumental than the mainstream Northern scene in this respect (The Brothers "revival" notwithstanding!) In my view, the Northern Scene would have been poorer without the many great instrumentals we all remember with such affection. Ditto the Mecca mid-70s period (I still love "Rona's Theme", "Strange", Third Time Around etc. - and it's not all misty-eyed nostalgia!)

However, it's all a matter of choice I suppose.

While we're on the subject of Northern instrumentals, did anyone see 'Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe' on TV the other week? They were playing the San Remo Golden Strings "Hungry For Love" all the way through the show! Who would have imagined that back in 1971??

Edited December 20, 200816 yr by mel brat

Dare you not to enjoy

Jr Walker

"Sweet Soul"

UK B side and on a number of Jr albums

iconic soul music

IMHO

if you ever want to perk up a gool old fashioned oldies night

RAT RACE -- THE RIGHTOUS BROS....brilliant.

if you ever want to perk up a gool old fashioned oldies night

RAT RACE -- THE RIGHTOUS BROS....brilliant.

The Righteous Brothers' album gives the actual line-up of the musicians involved in that classic by the way.

Methinks there are a few instrumental fans on SS tonite. Do you know what I do. When listening to a vocal record sometimes I try to blank the vocals out and listen to the backing track. Motown is the the best to do it with.......so many very fantastics drums and strings.

The Righteous Brothers' album gives the actual line-up of the musicians involved in that classic by the way.

Hi Mel,

Anyone we know on it?

Brian

Dammit, it's Xmas, let's hear a stormer from the Motown vaults! Doesn't get any better than this.........

The Funk Brothers "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" Inst (Mixed With Strings Waaaay Upfront)

https://www.zshare.net/audio/53042779889363ee/

Many thanks to Steve Edgar for putting me on to this version. Pure brilliance......

Ian D

hi Russ. Could you elucidate on this statement for me please. The reason I ask is that I struggle sometimes to understand how we determine what has 'relevance to todays scene' and how we make these decisions.

I suppose the reason I struggle to understand is, records that were played years ago that are considered 'crap' by some today only have to be spun by certain DJ's and dubbed a 'forgotten oldie' and loads of people go mental for it - and then very much relevant to todays scene. For example, it wasn't that long ago that Jr Walkers Tune Up was getting lots of plays; and in my opinion it is no better than Bubblegum

I think there are 100's of records that have been played over the years, that we have forgotten or are at the back of our subconscious minds, many of which have or will be played again in the future & deservedly so, but there are certain records & certain kinds of records that were very specific to a particular moment in time. At that time they were huge & very popular records & have a place in NS history, how ever they probabaly wouldnt work today........thats not saying they arnt any good or whatever, just saying, they had there moment of glory on the dance floors of the North, but probably wont ever surface again as 'big' records cos they're just not right.............IMHO Bubble Gum & Rhino are two examples of these kinda sounds, but there are many of them out there, a lot of the white pop stompers wouldnt work today, again this is only my opinion, however you only have to look at things like Florence Trapp, Walter & Sister, Mixed Feelings, Mixed Emotions etc, etc etc to name just a few, amongst many from the last couple of years to further realise there are some wonderful tunes out there just waiting to be rediscovered, these are the kinda oldies I love & more power to the enterprising DJ's who unearth em for thier second coming, sometimes to be even bigger sounds than they were the first time around with many out there never having heard em in the first place any way.

Hope I have explained myself properly, do think this can be personal taste aswell tho'.............altho' I really couldnt see myself spinning or dancing to

Joe 90, Hawaii Five O, Condition Red, Coloured Man, Theme from Police Story,...........ever, ever, ever............

Best Russ

Instrumentals appear to have been unofficially "blacklisted" in favour of, (in some cases), second rate (even if genuine Soul!) rarities at some stage around the early 80s

If I'd been in charge in early 80s they would have been officially black listed

And quite rightly so

An instrumental is a wasted attempt at making a soul record.

Edited December 21, 200816 yr by Soulsmith

An instrumental is a wasted attempt at making a soul record.

Try telling that to Young Holt Unlimited when they made "California Montage"!

Ian D

I think this has a whole lotta soul.......in fact, a vocal would probably spoil it.......

Young Holt Unlimited "California Montage"

https://www.zshare.net/audio/530628510aecf3ae/

Ian D

If I'd been in charge in early 80s they would have been officially black listed

And quite rightly so

An instrumental is a wasted attempt at making a soul record.

Some people say they can't see the soul in them, but for me they are ofter the chance for the un-sung hero's, the musicians to show off their skills

Some people say they can't see the soul in them, but for me they are ofter the chance for the un-sung hero's, the musicians to show off their skills

Receptionist - Hey boss I've gat that Darrell Banks on the phone.

Studio Manager - What of it?

Receptionist - He is running late. Are we OK to hold the session for him?

Studio Manager - Tell him not to bother.

Receptionist - Eh?

Studio Manager - Todays the day musicians will shine.

I think this has a whole lotta soul.......in fact, a vocal would probably spoil it.......

Young Holt Unlimited "California Montage"

https://www.zshare.net/audio/530628510aecf3ae/

Ian D

Agreed : " CM " is definately one recording that would have been spoilt by having a vocal laid over it .

Malc Burton

Agreed : " CM " is definately one recording that would have been spoilt by having a vocal laid over it .

Malc Burton

Thats an overly confident statement.

Still I'm sure that "BB" would have been improved if it had delete at the end of it.

Hi Mel,

Anyone we know on it?

Brian

I'll have to dig it out and have a look! (I've barely played it in the last 20-odd years!) Not sure there's anyone I know/knew then, but perhaps someone will know better...

Incidently, the record company responsible used the cover photo from this album when they re-issued old Righteous Brothers material following the success of "Unchained Melody" in the film "Ghost" - it was somewhat startling when I kept seeing it in Woollies etc!

If I'd been in charge in early 80s they would have been officially black listed

And quite rightly so

An instrumental is a wasted attempt at making a soul record.

Nice to know that Booker T. & the MGs et.al. wasted their entire careers in your opinion.... They must be absolutely gutted...

Edited December 22, 200816 yr by mel brat

Receptionist - Hey boss I've gat that Darrell Banks on the phone.

Studio Manager - What of it?

Receptionist - He is running late. Are we OK to hold the session for him?

Studio Manager - Tell him not to bother.

Receptionist - Eh?

Studio Manager - Todays the day musicians will shine.

LOL, trust you to choose my favourite vocalist.

It works the other way too:-

Receptionist - Hey boss I've got that Paul Anka on the phone.

Studio Manager - What of it?

Receptionist - He is running late. Are we OK to hold the session for him?

Studio Manager - Tell him not to bother.

Receptionist - Eh?

Studio Manager - Todays the day musicians will shine.

40 years later someone bumps into a Mediasound acetate that has the instrumental version of " Can't Help Loving You"................

Ian D