Ady Croasdell

Hi Dave, if you mean the Kent singles, yes usually three or four white label test pressings, no promos though that system was abused long ago! It's Croasdell by the way!

I have one of those I actually need the UK copy, perhaps Val Chunky will oblige, he put it on Refo Soul but it's not easy to compare accurately from there. Ta again Ady

Yes I think the UK tape editors did everyone a favour, I like it but not for too long.

Thanks Imogen, I had no idea it was big in the US, they did used to pick up on odd UK records like Camberwick Green. That would explain the US 45 release but I'm sure Northern DJs also broke it here, whether after the US lead or before I'm not certain. Ady

'Appen Mr Manship or Andy Rix'll remember the sequence of events then; ie what format it was first spun from (and made big from) Ta to y'all Ady

Apart from being nearly two minutes longer, the US appears to be a different vocal take to the UK one. I'd even heard a theory that there were two different female singers with the group and there's an outside possibilty they may be different on these. Does anyone remember who played it first and more importantly from what, US or UK single or LP track? I think the UK single was released due to Northern demand, can anyone concur? Ady

I'd be interested to know how a US person ended up with such a nice stash. Are they a collector or had a Shrine connection?

That Blues Busters is nice, I want one!

Christy Allen on Diamond defo was what about Verdelle Smith on Capitol Two Of Clubs on Fraternity? Ady

Hi Bob, I've got it somewhere on 702, I believe the 2031 has 702 in the matrix number so 702 would be the first pressing. Ady

You could possibly take it as a complement

It's odd that there's a kerfuffle about this one when nobody made a fuss about say Goldmine's "For Millionaire's Only" which were 20 super-rare, hard to find tracks many of which weren't licensed from the correct owner. Kent has just done a similar re-issue of the Antellects and the Ravins and I considered what damage it might do to the scene. They have both been around ten to twenty years now, there are enough copies of the Antellects to make it a very well known record to anyone on the scene over the past few years. A vinyl reissue makes it available to collectors who can't spend £thousands and will only get played at non-OVO venues and won't affect the price much at all. The Ravins took more pondering as I know Andy Dyson's been playing it over the last couple of years, and it's been so rare that nobody else has been able to copy him. In this case I doubt if the record would be able to get much bigger on its current schedule so collectors can buy it and play it at home or local soul nights (or in Europe, where the scene's not quite so fastidious), thereby spreading the music; and if Andy does play it out elsewhere most people will know it's the real Mccoy and pop up for a peek. In both cases the direct families of the label owners will receive royalties. It's doubtful that those will filter down to members of the groups as they are so obscure and people have been tracking them unsuccessfully for years. If you come across a stray Ravin or Antellect please let me know. Ady

That's sad. He had a very tender voice which shows up particularly well on the previously unreleased Kent tracks we featured on the CD he shared with Z Z Hill

Anybody help?

Does anyone have a pressing that isn't one of the 100s of flood damaged cheapo ones that were around in the early 70s? If so I could do with a loan, hopefully the sound would be better than the common one too. Ady

500 for Kents usually Ady

Yes it was a favour or attempt to confuse the authorities. So a certain Arthur Wright indicated to me. Ady

They were shipped yesterday so should be in the shops by today or tomorrow. If anyone is desperate and needs to grab a copy or two at the 100 Club nighter, email me. Ady

Those are the now deleted ones you can kick yourselves for missing! Jesse Davis was the last until the three out today. Spencer Wiggins Willie Walker and Willie Bollinger Larry Banks/Bobby Penn Get 'em while you can Ady

CITY 001 Tobi Lark/Little Ann True True Love/Sweep It Out In The Shed CITY 002 The Pretenders/John Edwards A Broken Heart Cries/How Can I Go On Without You CITY 003 The Other Brothers/Bettye Swann Nobody But Me/The Dance Is Over CITY 004 Charlie Rich/Jeanette Jones Don't Tear Me Down/Cut Loose CITY 006 The Tandels/The Fashionettes Is It Love Baby?/Losin' Control

Those moneys will have gone to the US publishers and it isn't always easy to get the money to the right people. I'll look into it and try and get the family up to scratch but it can take a very long time for people in the know, let alone a 90 year old widow

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Sounds the same to me, thanks Benji. What's the difference with the Kent LP before i try to dig them out?

I thoroughly enjoyed their show at the Jazz cafe. I'm not so keen on their funkier (to the exclusion of soul) numbers but could appreciate the sound and the skill of them and when they added the extra soul quotient they were stunning. It was great to see such a big healthy line up in a group and they were splendid company when they came down to see the crowd post gig. My only criticism was them doing their big Northern number 2nd in the set and that was before they were really into their stride. The 4th track was particularly good but I can't remember the title! They threw in a great version of Stay Close To Me a la 5 stairsteps.