Mark Bicknell

Thought it might be a nice idea to start a Christmas message thread here on Soulsource. Ill start the ball rolling in wishing everyone out there a very happy Christmas and soulful new year, just like to thank a few people on a more personal level for DJ bookings etc. over the past year special thanks to Chris Waterman, Ady Croasdell,Neil Jones and Jayne Malone, all at the Bridgewater Soul Nights,Mace and many more. Big shout to Brett Franklin, Rich Buckley, Jamie, Mike Hughes, Jumping Joan, Shane and Kate, Trevski, Andy McCabe, Chalky, Janine, Dave Abbott,Tony Smith, Mick Smith, Andy Dyson, Mick H,Steve Cato,Derek Pearson, Kolla and all here on soulsourceeven Bexter.....lol Happy Christmas Kev. Thanks also for your dedicated and loyal support on my Solar Radio gig Sunday nights,will be on air Boxing Day night from 8pm - 10pm www.solarradio.com CHANNEL 879 SKY DIGITAL. Saved a fortune on Christmas cards and stamps here...lol all the best. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Regards - Mark Bicknell

Soulmasters - Rare Authentic Footage Found!!! Set To Preview At The New Century Soul Club Third Allnighter On The Big Screen! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually see what some of the artists must have looked like at the original time of recording some of this wonderful music of ours?????? well Ive always been interested in seeing any promotional photographs and the very rare odd bit of footage that has surfaced over the years as its beautiful to put a face to the voice which just adds a different dimension to the whole thing, so imagine firstly my shock and then total joy recently to find out that material is out there of some very obscure and rare artists.......... this coming Saturday February 28th THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB is proud to preview some of the most wonderful exclusive rare soul footage ever to hit the Northern Soul scene in its four decade history. Did you ever dream you would see the likes of Joe Matthews performing Shes My Beauty Queen, CODs in the flesh doing Michael, OJays - Lipstick Traces, Eddie Hill - Baby I Cried the wonderful flip side to You Got The Best Of Me Jackie Wilson in colour performing the classic Higher And Higher Tony Clarke proves on film that he was The Entertainer Major Lance Monkey Time see the Major dance and entertain.... simply awesome stuff and this is just a taster of mind blowing material which made me cry in places, it has to be seen otherwise you wont believe me. This stuff is so important and without question is going to be a major talking point and reverlation on the scene once people see it they will have to have it trust me......its possibly one of the most important finds in years. For further details on this contact bicknellmark@aol.com

NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB / NEW UNTOUCHABLES JOIN FORCES FOR A HUGE EASTER SUNDAY TWO ROOMER..... IN BIRMINGHAM. NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB - Present Easter Alldayer - Music Policy Across The Board On Sunday 11th April - 2PM - 2AM. AT CLUB AIR - Heathmill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AL. Main Room DJs Mark Bicknell ( NCSC ) Carl Willingham ( NCSC ) Karl Rhodes ( NCSC ) Kiddo ( NCSC ) Steve Thomas ( North Wales ) Phil Blacknell ( North Wales ) Gary Belcher ( West Midlands ) Dave Welding ( West Midlands ) Rob Kay ( East Midlands ) John Poole ( East Midlands ) Jo Wallace ( London ) Sean Chapman ( Luton ) PLUS THE NEW UNTOUCHABLES ROOM. With DJs Pid, Gavin N Vic, Roger Banks, Rob Bailey, Mark Raison ( Shake ) Mark Thomas ( Heavenley Blocked ) Neil Henderson ( The Hideaway ) Tickets £10.00 Advance/ £12.00 Pay On The Door/ Available from Beatin Rhythm 0161 834 7783 - info@newcenturysoul.co.uk or by credit card rob@newuntouchables.com For further information contact Chris 07989 425991/ Lee 07973 864256 - www.newcenturysoul.co.uk This is a state of the art venue in the heart of Birmingham with two fantastic rooms, as with our Manchester Allnighter we can promise first class sound systems in the two rooms and top class facilities throughout the venue. Some superb DJs booked from both camps so we look forward to a very busy session on Easter Sunday in Birmingham, the main venue flyers will be out there soon with full details etc, as above. Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell.

NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB ALLNIGHTER SATURDAY JULY 31ST - MAIN ROOM DJ TIMES. Just a quick posting with the main room DJ Times for the NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB ALLNIGHTER this coming Saturday night AT THE NEW CENTURY HOUSE, CORPERATION STREET, MANCHESTER. DJ TIMES. 9PM - 10PM STEVE THOMAS. 10PM - 11PM COLIN KIDSON. 11PM - 12 M/N - STEVE CSORDAZS. 12M/N - 1AM - ROGER BANKS. 1AM - 2AM - CARL WILLINGHAM. 2AM - 3AM - MARK BICKNELL. 3AM - 4AM - MICK H. 4AM - 5AM - KITCH. 5AM - 6AM - SEAN CHAPMAN. 6AM - 7AM - KARL RHODES. All DJs please note as we are a 10 hour/10 DJ event please stick to time and running order, and arrive on stage in good time for your set, thank you. Also Dont forget we welcome the FLIPSIDE R&B CLUB to the venue downstairs in the second room wit DJs TEDDY COULDSTONE, HORSE, JOE DUTTON, MARK STEWART, MACE PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS CARL WILLINGHAM AND ROGER BANKS. If you are hitting Manchester early please check out THE DUCIE BRIDGE WARM UP SESSION opp the venue with STEVE CATO and friends from 7pm through to 10pm - admission free, chill out and warm up over a few beers before the allnighter starts. Looking forward to seeing you all there, for further details check out www.newcenturysoul.co.uk Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Hi All Sorry not been in touch with you all recently but ive been such a busy DJ chapie over the past few weeks nationwide from Edinburgh through to The Plintston 1st Anniversary with stops off in Hinckley, The Ritz Manchester, Kempston Rovers in Bedford and local events at Bury Town Hall and The Limestreet Club with more bookings to follow for the rest of the year plus i have to fit day job in, Solar Radio Show, family life etc. etc. so again sorry for the gaps but i will try to do more regular features here on Soul Source as and when i can find the time........ oh then theres all the work going into Tim Browns Rare Soul Review Magazine issue four which should hit the streets towards the end of the year, so ill keep you posted on that one. Please note that my Solar radio Show has now been moved from the 2am time slot to 8am through 10am every sunday morning which is going really well......Breakfast time on sundays will never be the same again, the show format is still the same with two hours of action packed radio covering some four decades of quality Northern Soul based club culture and music.....Solar can be found on channel 879 on SKY DIGITAL or www.solarradio.com for any requests, mentions or dedictions please email studio@solarradio.com ok now for some really fantastic news which should go down well with everyone currently connected with the rare soul scene today.......... A MAJOR AND I MEAN MAJOR NEW NORTHERN SOUL ALLNIGHTER HAS BEEN SECURED IN MANCHESTER WHICH WILL RUN ON A REGULAR MONTHLY BASIS SOMETHING WHICH IS MUCH NEEDED ON TODAYS SCENE. THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB IS BORN AND THE FIRST NIGHT IS BOOKED AND CONFIRMED FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 6TH 2003 AT NEW CENTURY HOUSE, CORPERATION STREET MANCHESTER M60 4ES - OPP MANCHESTER VICTORIA TRAIN STATION. MUSIC POLICY WILL BE TOTALLY ACROSS THE BOARD WITH DJS BOOKED FOR THE FIRST ALLNIGHTER BEING CARL WILLINGHAM, STEVE THOMAS, KEVIN MURPHY,DAVE EVISON, BRIAN RAE, KARL RHODES, GARY COPE, PAUL KIDD, KIDDO AND MARK BICKNELL( RESIDENT ) had to get that one in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OTHER TOP NAMES WILL APPEAR AT FUTURE MONTHLY ALLNIGHTERS AT THIS SUPERB STATE OF THE ART VENUE, WHICH WILL HOST A TOP CLASS SOUND SYSTEM, LARGE DANCE FLOOR, BAR INFACT THE ROOM HAS IT ALL.......................... THE NIGHT WILL RUN FROM 9PM THROUGH TO 7AM AND ADMISSION WILL BE £10.00 FOR ADVANCE TICKETS AND £12.00 ON THE DOOR - TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM - BEATIN RHYTHM 0161 834 7783 - KINGBEE RECORDS 0161 860 4762 - EARWAVES RECORDS 0161 236 4022 AND FROM ALL OF THE DJS PLAYING AT THE ALLNIGHTER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT CHRIS 07989 415991 - LEE 07973 864256 OR info@goodtimes.co NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB - FIRST ALLNIGHTER SATURDAY DECEMBER 6TH 2003 - THEN THE LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH FROM JANUARY 2004 - ITS GONNA BE HUGE.............................. See you soon - regards - Mark Bicknell

New Century Soul Club - New Allnighter For Manchester Update. Well we are a little over a month away from a real big event for the Northern Soul scene with the superb New Century Soul Club Allnighter which happens on Saturday December 6th 2003 from 9pm through to 7am at the wonderful NEW CENTURY HOUSE (CIS) BUILDING ON CORPORATION STREET MANCHESTER, OPP VICTORIA TRAIN STATION. So far the pre buzz and support for this event has been simply awesome and the word is very much out there for this outstanding new promotion. Every effort is being made to make this event work with all hands, DJs and promoters spreading the word nationwide. DJs for the first night are all booked and confirmed and include - CARL WILLINGHAM, STEVE THOMAS, KEV MURPHY, BRIAN RAE, DAVE EVISON, KARL RHODES, GARY COPE, PAUL KIDD, KIDDO AND LITTLE OLD ME MARK BICKNELL. THE MUSIC POLICY WILL SIMPLY BE TOTALLY ACROSS THE BOARD PLAYED THROUGH A STATE OF THE ART SOUND SYSTEM IN JUST ABOUT ONE OF THE BEST VENUES IN THE COUNTRY. This event will run on the last Saturday of the month from January 31st DJs booked and confirmed for this one include - TIM BROWN, ROBO, DAVE RIMMER, MICK H, GARY COPE, KIDDO AND MYSELF. February 28th DJs include GUY HENNIGAN T.B.C, KEVIN MURRY, NEIL JONES, SOUL SAM, ALAN POLLARD, GARY COPE, KIDDO AND MYSELF. Also its possible that there will also a feature upfront Modern Soul room at the venue from January yet to be confirmed but should happen, again TOP DJs will be booked for this room which will make the event even bigger and better! It is the intention of the New Century Soul Club to book as many top line DJs as we can throughout the year but also wish to showcase New DJs fresh to the scene so watch this space. Tickets are now on sale from all the DJs or directly from Chris on 07989 415991 or Lee on 07973 864256, you can also email info@goodtymes.co.uk and also check out the new website which should be on line this week which is www.newcenturysoul.co.uk where you will find all the information you need, DJ profiles, news views and lots more. Tickets are £10.00 advance or £12.00 pay on the door and can be obtained from Beatin Rhythm Records on 0161 860 7783 and King Bee Records on 0161 236 4022. or you can contact me directly on 0161 330 6267 email bicknellmark@aol.com and I can put you in touch with the hottest ticket in town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This event is basically going to be a venue of quality from the flyers through to the sound system, presentation, music policy, and national promotion via radio, magazines, word of mouth etc. Chris and Lee the promoters have without question gone about this in a professional expert manner, their passion and leg work on this has so far been awesome plus with a little help from Mr Gary Cope and myself we all hope you support this much needed venue for we hope a new era in the Northern Soul scenes long and rich history, all focus is on presenting an outstanding night out with a touch of class and real passion for the music we all love so every effort has and will be made to bring Northern Soul very much into the 21st Century on December 6th in Manchester and we hope this time next year tickets for the first Anniversary will be like gold dust! Other News In Brief. Seems like the new bootleg issue and my recent comments have been well supported, I feel so strongly about this issue and thank you all for your kind and detailed fedback on this bastard of all subjects. See Bettye Lavette is filling in for a sick Ko Ko Taylor this coming Saturday at The London Jazz Cafe, shame this as Im DJing that night so wont be able to see the show, trust me if you are in town that night check out still possibly one of the finest Soul singers of all time. The Jazz Cafe is situated at 5 Parkway, Camden, London NWI - Telephone 08701 500 044 / 020 7916 6060. Thats all from me this time out - Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell.

New Manchester Allnighter - New Century House Saturday December 6th - Update.............Simply wow!!!! what a venue. So far the promotion of The New Century Soul Club first Northern Soul Allnighter on December 6th at The New Century House - CIS building is really going well, the pre buzz for this event is awesome and of course Im gonna big it up and support the efforts of Co promoters Mr Chris Waterman and Lee Crank because so far the whole operation has been conducted with passion, commitment and style from the flyers, posters and nationwide advertising everything is now in place to build the venue as a major regular monthly event which will run on the last Saturday every month throughout 2004. So what of the venue, well Ive been on the scene for some twenty seven years and I can honestly say that I have never seen a better venue for a Northern gig to be hosted in, this place has it all in a word its an AWESOME room which took my breath away when I finally got to see it a few days ago, first class in every avenue with a superb bar area taylor made for a nice drink, a bite to eat and the selling of records. The main room is just outstanding and when the room is dressed and sound system which will be state of the art is in place on December the 6th this will be without question the place to be. The venue very much confirms the club name New Century as it will present a quality Allnighter which the scene warrents in this day and age. There will also be a pre bar venue hosted by Steve Cato at Atlas Bar on Deansgate, Manchester from about 8pm where several DJs will be in place to offer a relaxed warm up to the big one just down the road and you will be able to secure an advanced ticket to save any messing about later- admission to Atlas will be free of charge and a nice way to start the night off. For further information and tickets for the New Century Allnighter you can contact Chris on 07989 415991 or Lee on 07973 864256 or info@goodtymes.co.uk Admission is £10.00 advance or £12.00 on the door, being that this is going to be a very busy event it may be an idea to secure tickets asap. The wow factor is going to come in with everyone who attends Im sure, we want to build a quality event for Soul fans run by Soul fans its that simple and trust me this is without question one of the best venues Ive ever seen and I hope that people will enjoy and treasure the opening night on December 6th and soon enough the word and reputation will spread nationwide. There are plans to add a second room from January 31st in which direction, music policy has yet to be finalised but we will be inviting many of the scenes top spinners to play the venue and may well invite other clubs to host a session in the second room, one such idea is to get all the London Clubs up, i.e Dome Capitol Soul, These Old Shoes, 100 Club, Scenesville etc. So there are many good things and ideas we can put into practice which can only be good for the scene. So New Century is very much based on a people thing and making it work for the people who pay their money so any ideas for future events will very much be taken on board. Im very proud and honoured to have been asked to become resident DJ being as this is very possibly one of the biggest events to happen in Manchester for many years and will sport the corner for this event as I do for all venues I work at be it through my radio show on Solar, word of mouth via the pages of Soul source or whatever its so important for the future of our scene that all venues are supported be it the small basement club or major venue such as this. What we have to remember is that NO ONE is bigger than this scene of ours and the most important single thing is the music and keeping it fresh and alive. What I do know is this venue will certainly try to move forward and keep it real,alive and fresh so we can all enjoy the future. Finally there a several people to thank so far for all their wonderful support in the promotion of this event so far which include - Debbie Troops at BBC on line, Mike Ritson and Stuart Russell at Manifestio, Tim Brown at Anglo American, Carl Webster Lewis and Tony Monson at Solar Radio, All at Soul Source, Blues and Soul, Echoes for their superb coverage, the likes of Steve Cato, Garry Cope, Carl Rhodes, Steve Thomas, Carl Willingham, Kev Murphy, Kiddo, Dave Evison, Brian Rae, Paul Kidd - The DJs for spreading the word, Ian Obeng at Night Owl radio 96.9 FM, On The Scene gig guide, Russ Winstanley at BBC GMR, Jazz FM 100.4, local and national press, all the venues who allowed flyers to be displayed at their gigs and you the people I hope for your support on the first night and in the future. See you all on December 6th, even if you turn up late perhaps after attending another gig in the area you will all be more than welcome. Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell. Thank You Straight Back At Ya! Mark, I am taking this opportunity to thank you too. THANK YOU. There you go , done it. May I also just say that Chris and Myself cannot tell you how much we appreciate the hard graft that everone involved has put in?, from the bottom of our hearts we truely appreciate how much you guys have worked your knackers off in helping us to make this a night to remember( i know a song about that!). We kick of our regular allnighter in 2004 at the end of January which is also going to be somethiong special, i cant go in to too much detail as to why but you will all have to listen to Mark on sundays Big Daddys Soul Shack as to find out why! ?, we will announce the DJ line ups and something that will simply make Januarys night as succesful as our Decembers night looks it going to be. May I thank all the people that Chris and I have spoke to at the events around the country showing us fantastic support for the night,and all the fellow Nortern promoters that have allowed us in the clubs to help promote our own. You are all welcome to do exactly the same at our events, this goes without saying. We have already sold hundreds of tickets which is fantastic and thankyou to everyone that has bought, Chris and I will endeavour to make this a fantastic night for you all and this goes to every one that will come down. it gunna be fantastic for the love of the scene. sorry for any spelling mistakes and poor grammar,this is what Ashton-Under-Lyne has done for me! only jokin I love Ashton. See you all on 6th December. ps. keep hold of your tickets after the events because you will need them throughout the year of 2004 to get special discounts and offers for later events. THANK YOU. Lee.

Just a quick reply to the person I seem to have offended with my recent top twenty listed on Soul source, I respect your comments and in no way wash I being flash with my brief comment after each record it was basically to inform, spread and share a little background for people interested in collecting and is a similar thing to what I often do in other publications when reviewing records as often the first question any collector asks is how much does a record sell for......... Im proud to to mentioned in the same breath as Mr Ian Levine as despite what some people think of him his contribution and discovery of records over the years has been awesome and has to be respected. I have no axe to grind with anyone on this scene but I will shoot from the hip and pass comment if I feel strongly about a particular subject or topic but will always put my name to it so this mystrey person has or thinks he has the upper hand but the truth is any comment unsigned has no credability at all. Thanks to Mike H. Ian Cunliffe and The Big O for their kind comments and support, and at the end of the day it was only a top twenty from a guy who likes to play a few records....... and a couple of price tags were mentioned like I say as a guide nothing more. Perhaps it would be better for us all to share information rather than have a pop every five minutes and like Ive said before those who often shout the loudest basically have fuck all to say. And NO the new Manchester Allnighter will not be used as a plattform to brag about record prices or big egos it will simply be about a good night and nothing more......see you on December 6th. Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell.

New Manchester Allnighter Final Update...................... DJ Times and more. Well its almost upon us with only a few days to go everything is now in place to what looks like being a fantastic first allnighter this coming Saturday DECEMBER 6TH at THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUBS EVENT AT NEW CENTURY HOUSE, CIS BUILDING CORPORATION STREET, MANCHESTER OPPOSITE VICTORIA TRAIN STATION. DJs on the first night include Kiddo, Paul Kidd, Gary Cope, Karl Rhodes, Brian Rae, Dave Evison, Kev Murphy, Steve Thomas, Carl Willingham, Mark Bicknell. A total across the board music policy is promised in a fantastic venue perfect for a Northern Soul Allnighter, every effort has been made to make this huge event work and we would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard in promoting this event nationwide, there are so many to thank but they know who they are. DJ Times as follows. 9 - 10 Kiddo. 10 - 11 Gary Cope. 11 - 12 Paul Kidd. 12 - 1 Dave Evison. 1 - 2 Karl Rhodes. 2 - 3 Kev Murphy. 3 - 4 Steve Thomas. 4 - 5 Mark Bicknell. 5 - 6 Carl Willingham. 6 - 7 Brian Rae. Also there will be an Allnighter pre - bar warm up session at ATLAS BAR, on Deansgate from 7pm through to 10pm with DJs Paul Sadot, Steve Cato and guests, admission to this is free and will be the perfect place to get in the mood for the big one just down the road and also you will be able to secure last minute advance tickets at £10.00 for the Allnighter. Advance tickets can also be obtained from Beatin Rhythm Records on 0161 834 7783. King Bee Records on 0161 860 4762, Jumbo Records Leeds on 0113 2455570. For further information and ticket reservations please feel free to call Chris on 07989 415991, Lee 07973 864256 or info@goodtymes.co.uk. Remember this is the start of a major new Northern Soul Allnighter run by Soul Fans for Soul Fans and is booked and confirmed to run on the last Saturday of the month with Allnighter two set to happen on Saturday January 31st and will host the after show party for Paul Sadots Once Upon A Time In Wigan play which starts a national run in January, a second room will be open downstairs in The New Century House venue and will be a themed Casino night with original DJs Dave Evison, Steve Whittle, Brian Rae and Russ Winstanley, there will also be the launch of the Kent Records CD Once upon A Time In Wigan which features all the tunes used in the play. So a very special big night is on the cards in January and future nights will include special one offs in room two such as all the London Clubs coming up to Manchester, Stafford Special, Wheel night with all original DJs etc. so its very much intended to include as many people, DJs and themes at future nights, any ideas you may have will be taken on board so please get in touch. Finally from a personal level I would like to thank Chris Waterman and Lee Crank for having the faith in me as their resident DJ and basically trusting my judgement and contacts in suggesting and booking all the future DJs from January onwards, these guys have put a lot on the line here, the event has been promoted with dedication, passion and commitment, the leg work alone has seen both of them at numerous events nationwide over the past several weeks, thousands of flyers, national advertising, every effort has been made to make this superb event work, all the DJs including myself will give it 110% and more on the night to make it an enjoyable, entertaining night of quality Northern Soul. The foundations are there, everything is in place to take the scene to another level and with your help THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB will take us all there!!!!!!! Keep It Real - Chris Waterman, Lee Crank, Mark Bicknell, Gary Cope - All the DJs of The New Century Soul Club...................

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a brilliant first night at The New Century House in Manchester on Saturday, still not done the final count but we had well over 600/700 people ther which made for a fantastic night, all the DJs did a fantastic job and we thank them for that from the bottom of our hearts...... Lee and Chris were perfect hosts and they are so pleased with the already superb feedback from many of you , it was simply wonderful. This has the makings of a legendary venue in all the traditions that are so important, everything was bang on from sound system through to just a wonderul electric vibe that made the night for me, so many people have pulled together to make this event work, respect to everyone for the loyal and dedicted support and we look forward to making your night bigger and better in the future with the next date being Satuday January 31st 2004. The Soul scene is about giving and sharing the passion so we hope that all future NCSC events develop into something really special, our scene is about the people and this wonderful music of ours and to enjoy it in the best possible way, its with this in mind that Chris, Lee, Gary and myself believe that if we listen to what the people want then we can share and work the venue together, Many top name DJs have been booked for future events and some have declined due to other commitments but in time we hope to play all the top guys and girls so the across the board music policy will continue to grow. There will be a second room from January 31st which will give us more scope to develop and bring in other DJs. Lastly, I am so proud of Lee and Chris for their friendship and trust in me to look after the DJ side of things, and I was so proud to be a part of this wonderful new event which was a huge success basically down to the dedicated support of so many people, we hope the night was enjoyed by you all and look forward to future events in Manchester at very possibly one of the best venues in the country. Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell.

2004 Here We Go......Its Gonna Be A Soulful Blast. Here we are only a few days into the new year and it already promises to be another fantastic year for the UK Rare/Northern Soul scene with some mouthwatering events to look forward to. DJ bookings are coming my way thick and fast which is still a major passion of mine to play a few tunes at the gigs. Looking forward to playing THE BURY SOUL NIGHTS for Neil Jones and Jayne Malone on a more regular basis this year infact the first session there happens on Friday January 16th 2004 infact this event always runs on the third Friday of the month in two fantastic rooms. The pre buzz for the second NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB ALLNIGHTER IN MANCHESTER on Saturday 31st January is all so very strong, with well over 700 people attending the first Allnighter back on December 6th last year this venue is without question going to be one of the major venues in the country this year. Great news that Ady Croasdell will be playing a set in the main room as hes in town to promote the new Kent cd Once Upon A Time In Wigan due for release in time for the national tour of Paul Sadots wonderful play of the same name. Other DJs set to appear include, TIM BROWN, ROBBO, DAVE RIMMER, MICK H, GARY COPE, JO WALLACE, KIDDO, MARK BICKNELL in room one, plus an extra special Wigan room featuring DAVE EVISON, STEVE WHITTLE, BRIAN RAE AND RUSS WINSTANLEY. Which is to celebrate the final night of the Manchester run of the play. The venue has had some wonderful feedback from everyone who attended the first night and we all feel things can only get bigger and better this year. Full details can be found on the flyer section of Soulsource with further updates here leading up to January 31st. Im really looking forward to the huge Midnight Hour weekender in March as this promises to be one of the leading venues anywhere in the UK this year, well over 2,000 people booked already and its still a couple of months off so I suggest you book now as Im sure this one is going to sell out prior to the event, again you can find full details here on Soulsource....see you in North Wales! My Solar Radio Show has now been moved to a new time slot which goes out on Friday nights between midnight and 2am instead of the 8am Sunday morning slot, same quality madness from me playing all the very best in Northern Soul and more, its on Channel 879 On SKY DIGITAL and www.solarradio.com For any requests, mentions, dedications you can send an email to studio@solarradio.com A big thank you to everyone who has supported the show over the past three years and for the hundreds of emails recieved, it really makes the whole deal worth it when you know there are a few people out there tuning in. RECORD WANTED - HELP! Mick H recently guested at THE LIME STREET CLUB in Manchester back on December 27th and basically blew everyone away, the mans taste in music is simply first class and Mick is going to be yet again one of the top men on the scene this year. Hes playing a record by STORMY WINTERS - LIFE SAVER ON MERCURY which totally floored me let me tell you, I think Ive heard it way back a couple of times possibly played by Butch but this has to be located and included in my DJ box at whatever cost, already got a couple of contacts onto this one but if anyone can ease the pain please get in touch with me......cash waiting! Please note the the LIME STREET SOUL NIGHTS HAVE NOW MOVED FROM THE LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH TO THE LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH with the next one being there on FRIDAY JANUARY 30TH with all the regular DJs plus special guest Chris Churm. The scene has it all right now, loads of top quality events to attend, a real dedicated bunch of hard working DJs out there playing all the top tunes, sure venues are going to clash from time to time but the scene is in such good shape with possibly more people attending venues than ever before even with the odd clash Im sure all venues will do well throughout 2004. Nationwide it could not be better, long may it continue,grow bigger and last for many years to come. Keep It Real - Happy New Year - Mark Bicknell. My Mistake - I Take It All A Bit Too Serious Sometimes. Totally cool now and glad the bootleg feature is now closed, it got a bit heated with myself and another chap and all a bit personal, i cant believe this topic had over 1000 hits and seems to be a very heart felt subject. I said that i cant be bothered anymore regarding posts on Soulsource but really meant on that particular topic, sorry to that person again if i was rude,costic or even hostile towards his comments but we will have to agree to disagree on this one fellow. Collectors just take it all to heart when their passion is messed about with , best we just enjoy our Soul the best way we can within our budgets and i promise not to go near the bootleg issue again well not on Soulsource anyway. I really had no idea that you valued my contribution to this website so much and for that reason i can not let Mike H or everyone else down and will continue to submit copy if you want me to that is. Regards - MARK BICKNELL mike- Posted: 2004/1/6 2:10 Updated: 2004/1/6 2:10 team member Joined: 2002/8/26 From: Posts: 2244 Online! Re: My Mistake - I Take It All A Bit Too Serious Sometimes. Mark and everyone All contributiors are valued on here, the whole site is based on soul fans sharing, reading,talking and passing on news, info, views on all aspects of this scene of ours As a regular contributor your articles bring yet another aspect to the site, same as all the regular and the not so regular contributions do be it weekly articles, event info, ads, comments or a quick question or joke all adds to site and is appreciated by meself and hopefully all rest who drop in Guest Posted: 2004/1/6 13:36 Updated: 2004/1/6 13:36 Re: heads up and onwards&upwards Too right Mike.... Mark never mind all those idiots who have a pop under the name guest, they havent got the bottle to sign their views. I let people a few months back get to me but no more, I might not be involved with the scene as i useed to be but im still collecting records and love going into soul source everyday and reading new stuff. keep it real and keep up the good work with your articles. By the way that Stormy Wynters track has been round for years on a tape from Bill Nadolney (american record dealer). He sent a sales tape out to loads of uk collectors back in the mid 9ts and this was the first track on the tape. A few people got upset when i&others verbally uncovered it after hearing butch had it c/up LOL but hey then Mick H went out and got one a few weeks later. Its hard but will turn up in time....its not like its on a rare label. Keep your money matey ps any chance of some semi known record reviews? cheapies etc. carefree Greg :-) Guest Posted: 2004/1/6 21:00 Updated: 2004/1/6 21:00 Re: heads up and onwards&upwards Cheers Greg... as always respect to a top man, thanks for the information on Stormy Winters track already onto one mate so your comments are possibly correct being a semi major lable etc. Fantastic record though...right up my street. Regards - Mark Bicknell. Greg will review some stuff off the bottom rack which may be of interest to you and others.......coming soon. chalky Posted: 2004/1/11 23:21 Updated: 2004/1/11 23:21 Hardest Joined: 2002/11/15 From: Chesterfield Posts: 649 Re: heads up and onwards&upwards Regarding the Stormy Wynters, the copy Mick H got is Butchs copy...so in essence one didnt turn up. Only know of that one and the one Tim Brown owns. Guest Posted: 2004/1/11 23:26 Updated: 2004/1/11 23:26 Re: heads up and onwards&upwards Cheers Chalky, Makes the chase even more fun, not saying ill get one but will have fun trying mate. regards - Mark Bicknell. chalky Posted: 2004/1/12 16:52 Updated: 2004/1/12 16:52 Hardest Joined: 2002/11/15 From: Chesterfield Posts: 649 Re: heads up and onwards&upwards Forgot to mentiuon Mark that Tim reviewed the record in Manifesdo (I think) and there is a scan. Butch just started playing another, Gerri Taylor - Its Beautiful covered up but its far better than Life Saver, superb IMO. Chalkster Guest Posted: 2004/1/12 18:00 Updated: 2004/1/12 18:00 Re: heads up and onwards&upwards Chalky all due respect mate but thats not the case. mark B has alrreay been offered one and i know a mate who has one in the south. I got offer one myself by a dealer in the states but too much wanted and i think andy dyson has one as he played it at notts union. unless everyone is selling the same copy then this is not the case. rest easy greg Guest Posted: 2004/1/13 0:19 Updated: 2004/1/13 0:19 Re: heads up and onwards&upwards Hi Greg, forgot about Andys oops!!! I did say I only knew about Mick Hs (Butchs copy) and Tims. Didnt know about your mates or the one youve been offered. Like you said they will turn up but personally dont think many will. The more the better IMO as more folk then get to hear it.... though hope it doesnt get hammered. So that make six copies then known about????

nEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB - MEMBERSHIP NEWS AND MORE. Only a few weeks to go to the second NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB ALLNIGHTER in Manchester on January 31st which is looking like its going to be a full hose as the pre buzz on this event is simply awesome. For the 700 or so people who attended the first session there back on December and filled in their details on the back of the admission ticket will be able to collect their membership card for THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB on the night and new patrons will be able to apply and collect their cards on leaving the venue on the 31st January, those who can not attend who supported the first allnighter will be mailed their membership so everyone will get one with no problem. We also plan to issue a club newsletter on the night to eveyone who attends which will include all the 2004 dates, DJs set to appear, news on the club, special events and features and lots more. RECORD DEALERS - RECORD DEALERS - RECORD DEALERS. The selling, wheeling and dealing of vinyl at all Northern venues is so very important and makes the night for many collectors and people attending, so we welcome any major record dealers or casual seller to bring their boxes to THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB EVENTS, if you are interested pleas dont hesitate to contact us to reserve a free pitch, there is plenty of room in the bar area to accomodate plenty of dealers but will be allocated on a first so first serve basis, so to reserve a space please contact me directly bicknellmark@aol.com or telephone 0161 330 6267 and I will secure your pitch with Chris and Lee. no need to contact us if you are just bringing a small 50 box. infact the more of that the better .......so happy collecting. Im sure major dealers will find the venue rewarding on the basis of 700 plus people on the first night back in December with a lot more for sure to come at the end of this month so please give me a call. DJ TIMES - DJ TIMES - DJ TIMES - DJ TIMES - DJ TIMES. Already worked out the running order for the main room DJs which will balance and blend the NEW CENTURY VIBE perfectly. 9 - 10 GARY COPE. The mans a genius. 10 - 11 KIDDO. Here we go the night gets moving. 11 - 12 MARK BICKNELL. The still sober set from the big man!!!! 12 - 1 JO WALLACE These Old Shoes comes North, powerhouse DJ. 1 - 2 DAVE RIMMER. Souful Kinda Music, Soulful Kinda records. 2 - 3 TIM BROWN. The man has them all!!!!! 3 - 4 ADY CROASDELL. 100 Cub, Cleethorpes master. 4 - 5 MICK H. AWESOME!!!!! 5 - 6 BIG ROBBO. The man is a walking soul machine. 6 - 7 MARK BICKNELL. Serious but very very drunk!!!! PLUS FROM 2AM - 6AM THE Once Upon A Time In Wigan ROOM WITH ORIGINAL WIGAN CASINO DJS - RUNNING ORDER TO BE CONFIRMED. DAVE EVISON. BRIAN RAE. STEVE WHITTLE. RUSS WINSTANLEY. If you fancy a few beers before the allnighter then please check out the pre bar at Atlas on Deansgate from 7pm through 10pm with Steve Cato and friends, admission free, nice venue to chill out in before the big one ten minutes down the road. Also the 31st January is the final night of Paul Sadots play Once Upon A Time In Wigan at The Contact Theatre, which I understand is pretty much sold out, but again would be the perfect way to start a Soulful night out in Manchester, Also Ady Croasdell and Paul will be laurching the Kent CD by the same name at the allnighter a twenty four track killer cd which is basically some of the play soundtrack, so plenty of good stuff to look forward to on January 31st 2004.........Its gonna be huge!!!!!! See flyer here on Soulsource for further details and contacts. Regards - Mark Bicknell - Resident DJ - NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB MANCHESTER.

NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB 2ND ALLNIGHTER - ADY CROASDELLS TOP TEN PLAY LIST AND MORE..... Get ready for the big one!!!! new century soul The next regular monthly Northern Soul Allnighter hosted by THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB, NEW CENTURY HOUSE ( CIS ) MANCHESTER in only a few days off and the pre buzz and support for this huge event is awesome, its more than just another North West based Soul event far more this will become a National event situated in the North West as people seem to be coming from all over the UK and in advance we thank you all for your loyal dedicated support and look forward to seeing you all there on Saturday January 31st - 9pm through 7am this time in two rooms. Paul Sadots wonderful Play Once Upon A Time In Wigan will be celebrating the end of the first leg of their national tour of the play being its the final night at The Contact, theatre in Manchester the same night, so a special room has been added to the New Century event to pay tribute to the remarkable play and the legendary Casino Club, Wigan with a show after party for cast and crew followed by DJs Russ Winstanley, Dave Evison, Steve Whittle and Brian Rae playing top tunes from the 1973 - 1981 period which will be open from 2am through to 6am. Upstairs in the main room we have a superb line up of DJs to entertain everyone which includes Tim Brown, Robbo, Dave Rimmer, Mick H, Gary Cope, Kiddo, Jo Wallace, Mark Bicknell plus our very special guest Mr Ady Croasdell playing! - get this little lot from the main man listed below................. add this to a superb sound system, rare footage screened allnight, late bar with reasonable prices, first class venue with plenty of seating and that all important ATMOSPHERE.......man I can taste it!!!!!!! everything is in place to make this event bigger and better than the first one which was mind blowing to start with. ADYS GONNA DO US ALL........BIG TIME! MAGICIANS - (JUST A LITTLE ) FAITH AND UNDERSTANDING VILLA UNISSUED. THE KILLER VOCAL EVERYONES TALKING ABOUT!!!!!! MARTHA STARR - SWEET TEMPTATION - CHARAY. DEVONNES - DO THE GETTIN UP GWP ACETATE. LUTHER INGRAM - OH BABY DONT WEEP - UNISSUED MASTER. PENTAGONS - GONNA TELL HER - SUTTER. GERRI GRANGER - WHY CANT IT BE TONIGHT - ASSOCIATED ACETATE. NANCY WILCOX - GAMBLERS BLUES - RCA ACETATE. LOU JOHNSON - THE PANIC IS ON - BIG TOP ACETATE. SHARON SCOTT - IM NOT AFFRAID - PIED PIPER ACETATE. MAGIC NIGHT - IF YOU AND I HAD NEVER MET - ROULETTE. What a night this is going to be................................ Ady will also be helping Paul Sadot promote the superb new Ace/Kent CD Once Upon A Time In Wigan which features manty of the tracks featured in the play also JO Wallace will have copies of her wonderful new Motown Soul Satisfaction CD on the night, so loads to look forward to on January 31st. If you plan to hit Manchester early doors please check out the Allnighter pre bar at ATLAS ON DEANSGATE, from 7pm through 10pm with Steve Cato and friends warming everyone prior to the big one just down the road, admission is free and is the perfect way to start the night off. For further information on the Allnighter you can call Chris on 07989 415991 / Lee on 07973 864256 email info@newcenturysoul.co.uk or check out the website www.newcenturysoul.co.uk - Admission to the Allnighter is £10.00 advance tickets and £12.00 on the door, membershipe will also be issued on the door and you will also get our first NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB NEWSLETTER, which will feature future dates, DJ line ups and the music policy on special nights in the second room to follow this year.......all good stuff! REMINDER TO ANY RECORD DEALERS/SELLERS WHO WISH TO RESERVE A SPACE FOR SATURDAY PLEASE CALL IN ADVANCE SO WE CAN HAVE YOUR SPACE READY - call Mark 0161 330 6267 or bicknellmark@aol.com Finally we simply look forward to seeing you all on Saturday for what promises to be a huge night, again from us all at THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB we thank you. I have tickets here so you can call me on 0161 330 6267 to reserve. Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell.

NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB FINAL UPDATE - DJ TIMES AND MORE FOR ALLNIGHTER THREE SATURDAY 28TH FEB 2004. Final quick update to all things soulful set to happen at the next NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB - ALLNIGHTER THREE THIS COMING SATURDAY FEB 28TH 9PM - 7AM - IN TWO FANTSTIC ROOMS. DJ TIMES - MAIN ROOM - Across The Board Northern Soul. 9 - 10 - KIDDO 10 - 11 - STEVE THOMAS / KARL RHODES 11 - 12 - MARK BICKNELL 12 - 1 - SIMON INGRAM 1 - 2 - NIDGE SHAW AND COOKIE 2 - 3 - GUY HENNIGAN 3 - 4 - KARL RHODES 4 - 5 - GARY BELCHER 5 - 6 - STEVE THOMAS 6 - 7 - MARK BICKNELL SECOND ROOM - MODERN SOUL. 9 - 11 - CHRIS SHARPLES / TONY SHAWCROSS 11 - 1 - JIM HARGREAVES / ANDY LETT 1 - 2 - DAVE RIPPOLES 2 - 3 - CHULL 3 - 4 - PETE HAIGH 4 - 5 - TONY DAWBER 5 - 7 - JIM HARGREAVES AND FRIENDS - Last Man Standing!!! Please note the allnighter warm up pre - bar has now been moved from Atlas Bar on Deansgate and will now be hosted by Steve Cato at the Ducie Bridge Bar bang opp. the allnighter venue - from 7pm through to around 10pm, on two floors dance floor upstairs - music throughout the venue, admission free, a good place to meet up with friends, have a drink and collect tickets for the allnighter. Then from 7am through to 11am you can relax , chill out over tea, coffe and breakfast with even more quality tunes at THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB BREAKFAST BAR SESSION, just 200 yards from the venue at RIKI TIKI TAVI, situated in THE PRINTWORKS COMPLEX, again admission for this superb NEW IDEA IS TOTALLY FREE, a good way to wind down before your journey home, Top DJs on hand to make breakfast go with a swing. RECORD DEALERS - RECORD DEALERS - RECORD DEALERS.... Just one final point if you are interested in booking a free pitch to sell records this coming Saturday - Please secure now as space is limited, we would like to offer a pitch to the dealers who supported the venue last month and will try and fit everyone in who wishes to sell, so could you please give me a quick call to arrange this 0161 330 6267 or bicknellmark@aol.com And finally dont forget the preview of the SOULMASTERS rare soul footage this coming Saturday, exclusive to THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB, which has to be seen to be believed ( see previous posting on Soulsource for more details) - This will be a one off showing of some wonderful footage, so check out the big screen behind the DJs in the main room. For further information / TICKETS etc. please contact CHRIS ON 07989 - 415991 OR LEE ON 07973 - 864256 OR CHECK OUT www.newcenturysoul.co.uk See you all Saturday - Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell.

Dear All, Sorry Ive not posted too much here recently but Ive just had the worst week of my life as my father Alf Bicknell passed away last Monday, so its been a bastard of a week all in all, thanks for all the good wishes etc. its really helped me get through the past few days, some of you may have known my dad had a pretty unique job back in the 60s as he worked for The Beatles so we have had added presure with the press etc. because of his connection with them. I will try and get back on track with all things soulful over the next few weeks, I hope to honour all DJ bookings if i can but dont shout at me if i cant the music being high on emotion makes it just that little bit harder to do. Any of you who may have met my dad will understand how difficult this is right now he was a super bloke and i will miss him so much. He always made my friends off the scene so welcome when they came to the house when i lived at home, he was a real one off. All the best - Mark Bicknell. bicknellmark@aol.com

New Century Allnighter 4 - DJ Times and More. Firstly, a million thanks to everyone who sent emails and cards to me over the past few very difficult days, its been the worst period in my life to date losing my father but the Soul thing has helped me get through it, without question not only is the music the best in the world but its followers are the best people in the world, my very close friends have been superb, a special big thank you to Guy Hennigan whos words and advice helped me through the really bad period and to people like Jumping Joan, Chris Waterman, Lee Crank and many others really I can not find the right words to say what I really feel so thanks will just have to do. Really looking forward to THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB 4TH MONTHLY NORTHERN SOUL ALLNIGHTER - this coming Saturday AT THE NEW CENTURY HOUSE, CORPORATION STREET MANCHESTER - OPPOSITE VICTORIA TRAIN STATION - 9PM THROUGH 7AM IN TWO SUPERB ROOMS - IN ROOM ONE - DJ TIMES AS FOLLOWS. 9 - 10 - KIDDO 10 - 11 - MARK BICKNELL 11 - 12 - CHRIS CHURM 12 - 1 - KARL RHODES 1 - 2 - DEAN ANDERSON 2 - 3 - TIM - BROWN 3 - 4 - MARK BICKNELL 4 - 5 - DAVE THORLEY 5 - 6 - LES HARE 6 - 7 - KARL RHODES AND IN ROOM TWO. SOUNDS OF THE MIDLANDS DJS LITTLE SCOTTY KENNY HICKMAN MICK BENNETT COLIN KIDSON TIMES T.B.A ON THE NIGHT.PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROOM RUNS FROM 2AM THROUGH 6AM. PLEASE CHECK OUT THE BRAND NEW UPGRADED SUPERB NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB WEBSITE - WHICH HAS FULL INFORMATION AND DETAILS OF ALL NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB EVENTS. http://www.newcenturysoul.co.uk This Alllnighter should be a bumper packer so please be early. Looking forward to seeing you all at the CIS this coming Saturday. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

New Century Soul Club - latest news Firstly a big thank you to everyone who attended Allnighter 4 back on March 27th, musically it was the best yet, all the DJs delivered quality music throughout the allnighter in both rooms, its fair to say that THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB has become a quality national event and we can promise many more fantastic nights in the future. The CIS venue is possibly one of the best venues in the country and its solid reputation is building by the day, full credit to promoters Chris Waterman and Lee Crank with a little help from the team for making Manchester even more soulful than it already is. Easter is always a busy time on the Northern scene and there is plenty of events to keep us all entertained next weekend, New Century is on a bit of a day out in Birmingham on Easter Sunday 11th April hosting its first huge Alldayer in three fantasic rooms at CLUB AIR,Heathmill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham, New Century has joined forces with the highly successful New Untouchables with this event so it will be a very busy day from 2pm through to 2am - DJs include CARL WILLINGHAM, KARL RHODES, KIDDO, STEVE THOMAS, PHIL BLACKNELL,GARY BELCHER, DAVE WELDING, ROB KAY, JOHN POOLE, MICK H, SEAN CHAPMAN, PID, GAV N VIC, ROGER BANKS,ROB BAILEY, MARK RAISON, MARK THOMAS, NEIL HENDERSON - A modern room has now been added to this superb event with DAVE THORLEY and friends presenting the quality Modern and crossover flavas The venue is state of the art and as ever THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB can promise a first class quality sound system throughout all the rooms, there are hotels rooms booked near to the venue for anyone wishing to stay over, further information on this please contact CHRIS 07989 - 415991 - LEE 07973 - 864256 - FULL DETAILS ON www.newcenturysoul.co.uk full upgraded website with everything New Century. Tickets can be secured on line at £10.00 advance or you can pay on the door at £12.00 - for direct credit card bookings contact rob@newuntouchables.com This is going to be a quality event for Easter Sunday and we look forward to seeing you all, the music is without question going to be first class and we are confident that we can capture some of the magic of past and current Midlands venues which has always been a Northern Soul hotspot. Lastly many thanks to everyone on the scene who has sent emails and messages to me over the past few weeks, its been a difficult time for me but everything Soulful has helped me, a big sorry to the couple of venues I failed to attend in particular Dave Raistricks Skegness weekender, and Sian at The Rugby Soul nights. Looking forward to the easter bash in Birmingham and all future NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB events - full details of Allnighter 5 to follow soon. Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell.

Mark Bicknell Farewell A Final Thank You To Everyone. Well thats pretty much it from me on a DJ front had a fantastic weekend at The New Century Soul Club on Saturday and a blinding last Allnighter for me at Sheridans in Dewsbury, many thanks to Chris Waterman and Lee Crank at New Century and to Mr Andy McCabe and Mr Kevin Murphy for Sunday nights electric venue in Yorkshire, i really enjoyed myself and it was good to play a few tunes at both venues, i really plan to have a serious amount of time out from the UK Northern scene, like ive already said ill never say never or totally burn my bridges but for a number of reasons both personal and public i have to do this. I have two more U.K events to do at The Plintston, Letchworth 2nd Anniversary on Friday September 3rd and Bridgewater Sports and Social Club, Bridgewater on Saturday September 18th and one final overseas event in Milan, Italy in October then im done. Thanks to everyone who has tried to talk me out of this, thanks for all the emails and good wishes, thanks to all the promoters who have booked me over the years its been fantastic fun and a joy to do. I will still be doing my Solar Radio show every Sunday on Channel 879 SKY DIGITAL also www.solarradio.com - 8pm - 10pm UK Time / 9pm - 11pm Central Europe - for any requests, mentions, dedications contact bicknellmark@aol.com or studio@solarradio.com. Some two hours of all the very best in quality hard to find Northern Soul, some four decades of quality Northern Soul club culture and music, Rare Northern, Club Classics, Stax, Atlantic, Motown, CD and re - issue previews and reviews, special studio guests and much much more. Check out the link here on Soulsource or go to www.solarradio.com Thanks again - See you sometime soon - Regards Mark Bicknell.

NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB JUNE ALLNIGHTER SATURDAY 26TH JUNE 2004 - UPDATE,NEWS,VIEWS,DJ TIMES AND CURRENT PLAYLISTS...........MMMMMMMMMMMM SEE YOU THERE. Diplomats Kent CD, Winsford Allnighter and More........ Hi All, Seems i did it wrong again at Cleethorpes on Saturday night, too much beer too quickly lost the plot and fell asleep around 5am, up until then it was a superb night, good music, good people, a live act that did a great show, so well done to Ady Croasdell, the DJs and The Diplomats. First time ive attended Cleethorpes in about seven years or so and it was just like going home, incredible to think that this was the 12th weekender there and to think i can remember going to the venue with Ady with my brother - in - law to look at the venue with him prior to the first event, oh how the years fly past...its crazy. Reviewed the superb Ace/Kent Diplomats CD on my Solar Show SKY DIGITAL CHANNEL 879 AND www.solarradio.com on Sunday night featuring some ten of the tracks on offer, again Ady and Ace/Kent have done a fantastic job with this one, superb sound quality, excellent sleeve notes and pretty much the complete Diplomats story, all in all this im sure will be another top seller, includes some 25 tracks both uissued and issued material from the vaults of Arock,Wand,Minit and Dynamo records, standout tracks for me are Perfect Love, Cards On The Table, Jerking Time and Honest To Goodness but all the tracks have that little something extra which is what our scene and its music is all about which is simply QUALITY, CDKEND 232 should be available from all good retailers, THE DIPLOMATS - GREATEST RECORDINGS CD is very much the icing on this years very Soulful Cleethorpes event, one to look back on in a few years and you will be proud to say I was there. New Century Soul Club News - DJ TIMES AND FOUR CURRENT TOP TENS. Only a couple of weeks to go until the next quality Northern Soul Allnighter at NEW CENTURY HOUSE,Corporation Street, Manchester M60 4ES. ON SATURDAY JUNE 26TH 2004 - 9PM THROUGH 7AM. Another solid DJ line up has been secured for this now high profile Allnighter. DJ TIMES (Subject to possible changes on the night but should go something like this......) 9PM - 10PM - KIDDO 10PM - 11PM - DAVE MALLOY 11PM - 12MIDNIGHT - STEVE THOMAS 12MIDNIGHT - 1AM - DAVE RAISTRICK 1AM - 2AM - EDDIE ENGLES 2AM - 3AM - CARL WILLINGHAM 3AM - 4AM - RITCHIE ANDREW 4AM - 5AM - ROBBO 5AM - 6AM - MARK BICKNELL 6AM - 7AM - KARL RHODES Thought it would be nice to include some of the above DJs current top tens - which should show that we are a venue of quality music and not simply the same old same as..............which was recently suggested to us. RITCHIE ANDREW - TOP COLLECTOR FROM NORTH WALES, THIS MAN CETAINLY KNOWS HIS ONIONS.... 1 THE ORACLES - AINT GOT TIME - OM RECORDS 2 PAT AND THE BLENDERS - JUST BECAUSE - FAST EDDIE 3 GENTLEMAN FOUR - CANT KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN - WAND 4 TOBI LARK - SWEEP IT OT IN THE SHED - TOPPER 5 MATADORS - SAY YES BABY - CHAVIS 6 TOPICS - HEY GIRL - CHADWICK 7 CHUBBY AND THE TURNPIKES - INSIDE STORY CAPITOL 8 JOHNNY MAESTRO - STEPPIN OUT OF THE PICTURE SCEPTER 9 VIRGINIA BLAKLEY - LET NOBODY LOVE YOU MOJO 10 SPIDELS - DREAM GIRL PROVIDENCE KARL RHODES - MANCHESTER MAN WITH OH SO MUCH PASSION FOR THE SCENE AND ITS MUSIC. 1 TONY CLARKE - A WRONG MAN M-S 2 JONHNNY McCALL - YOU CANT GET AWAY SATELLITE 3 FRANIE AND THE DAMONS - MAN FROM SOUL JCP 4 E. RODNEY JONES - PEACE OF MIND TUFF 5 LEE ANDREWS AND THE HEARTS - IVE HAD IT CRIMSON 6 BILLY KENNEDY - THIS IS A GROOVY GENERATION THELMA 7 MOUSIE AND THE TRAPS - HOW ABOUT YOU TODDLIN TOWN 8 TYHE MONTCLAIRS - HEY YOU! ARCH 9DYBREAK - I NEED LOVE PAP 10 Z.Z AND Co - GETTIN READY FOR THE GETDOWN COLUMBUS MARK BICKNELL - STILL AT IT NATIONWIDE ON A REGULAR BASIS......Just...... 1 IRENE AND THE SCOTTS - IM STUCK ON YOU BABY SMASH DJ 2 THE JETS - EVERTHING I DO PORT 3 RUFUS WOOD - BEFORE 2001 ESPANOLA 4 VINCE APOLLO - I BEAR WITNESS PENTAGON 5 TWO PEOPLE - STOP, LEAVE MY HEART ALONE REVUE DJ 6 TAMMY WAYNE - HAVE A GOOD TIME BOOM DJ 7 JIMMY ELLIS - PUTTIN IT ON YOUR MIND SALEM 8 THE DYNAMICS - YOU MAKE ME FEEL GOOD RCA DJ 9 AL GARDNER - SWEET BABY SEPIA 10 THE ROSEBUDS 0 SAY YOULL BE MINE B/W MAMA SAID TOWER 2 SUPERB SIDES. KARL WILLINGHAM - WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE TOP MEN ON THE SCENE TODAY............ 1 FAYE SIMMONS AKA UNKONW ARTIST - I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU 2 SOUL BROS. INC - TEARDROPS - SALEM 3 BILL BUSH - IM WAITING RONN 4 THE PASSIONS - IF YOU SEE ME BABY EL VIRTUE 5 KARMELLO BROOKS - TELL ME BABY MILESTONE 6 MAR JS - GOTTA FIND A WAY MAGIC TOUCH 7 OXFORD KNIGHTS - IM SUCH A LONELY MAN DELPHI 8 HAMILTON MOVEMENT - SHES GONE LOOK OUT 9 MARILYN BARBARIN - MAKE IT ALONE VIRGIL 10 PAULETTE - LOVE YOU BABY CONTACT Certainly some interesting tunes in that little lot but by no means the full story as all the DJs seem to shine brightly at the Manchester CIS venue and as ever we look forward to your support and hope we are getting somewhere close in making your night one of good quality music played by some of the best DJs in the UK. For furher details please check out the website www.newcenturysoul.co.uk or contact Chris on 07989 415991 and Lee on 07973 864256. Hope to see you all at THE BURY SOUL NIGHT this coming Friday night June 18th with Neil Jones and friends now in three superb rooms - check out the Venue pages here on Soulsource for further details. Then on Saturday night Ill be at The Winsford Allnighter, first time there for many years as a DJ at least, looking forward to playing a few tunes alongside SAM MOORE, TERRY DAVIES,NEIL JONES, MACE, STEVE SMITH, GARY BEATIE,JOAN LIVESEY AND JACKO, Admission for this one is £10.00 starts at 10pm through to 7am - WINSFORD CIVIC HALL, DENE DRIVE,WINSFORD - M6 JUNCTION 18 - FOLLOW SIGNS FOR MIDDLEWICH, THEN WINSFORD. FURTHER DETAILS CAL SAM ON 07939 835638. Im shattered already........ Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell. P.S Have i upset some folks in London, noticed the cold shoulder now twice, have to stick by my wife really on this one... so no hard feelings.....you know who you are......

It May Be Winter Outside But In My Heart Its Spring - Seasons Greetings From The Big Fellow........ Firstly I cant believe the huge number of hits my recent posting on the bootleg issue got, its fantastic to gain mainly support for my comments so thanks for that, all we need to do is Keep It Real and we should be fine. 2003 has been a fantastic year on the rare soul scene with many of the venues doing really well, some might say that there is a little too much on at the present time but one thing is the scene is possibly the most busy it has ever been over the past four decades and long may it continue. Im really looking forward to 2004 as there are already some very tasty events to look forward to during the early part of the new year in particular the second New Century Soul Club Allnighter in Manchester on Saturday January 31st, this time in two rooms and if the massive first event was anything to go by it is hoped that the 700 plus people who attended will return with a friend and then this venue will be without question one of the leading Northern Soul venues in the country. 9pm through 7am - DJs include TIM BROWN, MICK H, DAVE RIMMER, JO WALLACE, GARY COPE, KIDDO AND MYSELF IN THE MAIN ROOM AND RUSS WINSTANLEY, DAVE EVISON, STEVE WHITTLE AND BRIAN RAE IN THE DOWNSTAIRS SECOND ROOM which also hosts the after show party for Paul Sadots Once Upon A Time In Wigan production which ends its Manchester run and the start of the UK tour, so very much a Wigan Casino flava in room two that night. The New Century event will run on the final Saturday every month throughout 2004 and there are some outstanding DJs booked in to play at future nights. Again thanks to everyone who attended the first Allnighter back on December 6th, it was simply a magic night and has set the venue in a good position to be able to grow to a bigger and better event. Plenty of soul gigs to attend over the Christmas period so have a fantastic time wherever you end up, also if you fancy a good soul night out check out THE LIME STREET CLUB, CHAPEL STREET, OFF KING STREET, DUKINFIELD NEAR MANCHESTER ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 27TH - FROM 8PM THROUGH LATE, WITH DJS ALEX JONES, EDDIE ENGLES, SID JONES, MARK BICKNELL AND VERY SPECIAL GUESTS MICK H AND BIRTHDAY GIRL JUMPING JOAN - ADMISSION ADVANCE TICKET £4.00 OR £4.50 PAY ON THE DOOR PLUS A FREE SAMPLE CD FROM SID JONES TO THE FIRST 50 THROUGH THE DOOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION TELEPHONE 0161 330 6267 OR 0161 338 7294 - A fantastic little soul night well worth a visit, good sound system, cheap bar, nice dance floor and used but not abused music policy. Last but not least the massive Midnight Hour soul weekender is only a few weeks off now and bookings are well over 2000 so if you plan on going i would suggest that you get your bookings in now rather than miss out on what promises to be a huge event, details can be found here on Soulsource so check out the details as soon as you can. I trust you will all get what you desire this Christmas, mines a George Pepp if anyone can help....................... still cant complain as my wife Jacqui paid for a couple of recent Ebay wins as part of my Christmas present so i love her to bits. Respect and big up to Mike Hughes and all at Soulsource, thanks to all the promoters who have booked me this year, big thanks to Chris Waterman and Lee Crank of The New Century Soul Club for having the faith in me to play at few tunes at their bright, fresh new venue in Manchester at the CIS and for supporting my radio show on Solar Radio, SORRY IF I GO OVER THE TOP SOMETIMES ON CERTAIN ISSUES AND TOPICS CONNECTED WITH OUR SCENE BUT I ONLY DO IT AND SAY THE THINGS I SAY IF ITS WRONG OR OUT OF ORDER, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER FOR THE REST OF OUR DAYS SO WE MUST RESPECT THE MUSIC, THE SCENE AND EACH OTHER IF WE ARE TO CONTINUE THIS AMAZING JOURNEY, ITS WITH US FOR LIFE GUYS SO LETS AT LEAST TRY TO GET ON EVEN IF SOME OF US CANT, LETS KEEP IT REAL AND STAY TRUE TO THE ORIGINS OF THE SCENE AND LETS MOVE ON AND FILL AS MANY VENUES AS WE CAN THROUGHOUT THE UK, IF NOTHING ELSE THE MUSIC DESERVES THAT RESPECT. Its about people, its about sharing the whole deal, no one person is bigger than the music and we must at all cost let the scene survive and blossom because as Dena Barnes said If you ever walk out of my life there be tear drops and heartaches..........imagine life without this beautiful scene of ours.....I cant. To all promoters, DJs, collectors, dancers, record dealers in the land you, we, all of us make the scene what it is, there may be petty politics from time to time, we all dont agree on certain aspects of how the scene is run and worked but what we should all have in common is a passion for what we do and how we do it from the local 200 capacity venue to the monster events they are all keeping the whole thing going and im proud to be a part of just about the best cult music scene in the world. Happy Christmas - Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell. Email bicknellmark@aol.com Company mark bicknell dj services Location manchester

Whos ******* The Brooks Brothers and Melvin Davis Back To Back? Oh dear me, just when I thought the bootleg thing was slowing down imagine my horror to see two of Detroits finest now out on sale at £10.00 back to back on Kingy records, a yellow design made to look like a King records release which is just taking the piss really to be honest. It took me years to find an original TAY Brooks Brothers - Looking For A Woman and Ive had the Melvin Davis Wheel City original - Find A Quiet Place for a number of years which at the time was not such a big investment but has so far turned out to be a very rare record and it was pressed back in the 70s so why do it again??????Plus I wonder what Melvin Davis will make of it when he appears in the UK next March? Is there really such a demand for such bootlegs in this day and age? and what people forget is that these and many other top tunes are available to the CD format so dont give me the old chestnut that these things are supplying a demand for home entertainment because thats total bollocks, even worse if they get played at venues because if I see anyone playing one Im sorry but I will have to say something as I can not support or defend this practice at all. The only difference with modern day bootlegs to those of yesteryear is they have no real effect on the value of the authentic originals as in the old days people would panic when they got wind of a top tune being pressed and would sell the original to get their investment back but today is very different. Records like the Brooks Brothers and other recent boots to hit the streets such as Mr Soul aka Al Scott, Mel Britt, Kurt Harris etc. are treasured and sought after by collectors and DJs so why should someone profit from the talents of someone else? There is no justiforcation for this apart from greed and the people behind such ventures can not have any real passion for the music and the ethics and ideals of the RARE SOUL SCENE. I think its time to name and shame these people into submission, its total abuse of the highest order and I only wish a few more people would stand up to these people and be counted as this has to stop. For example many of the current re - issue lables such as Grapevine 2000. Ace/ Kent etc. make every effort to obtain the correct clearence to put out their product so why dont others follow these guidelines, listen I dont have a problem with such records coming out as long as they are legal and above board. Why should a record that the likes of myself, Dave Rimmer and others worked bloody hard to track down be fair game to the bootleggers who wouldnt know a rare record if it hit them between the eyes. I suggest if people dont buy these records......well you cant really call them records can you? if there is no demand for them then maybe this will stop and stop now. Spare a thought for the artists who made Jimmy shit for these tunes in the first place and who ever now owns the publishing rights to them, I hope to god one day someone comes forward and demands legal satifaction from these people and maybe the BPI should treat this as a crime on the smaller artists and non hits as they do in litigation on their paid up big clients such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bowie and all other major recording stars as if you get found out bootlegging their recordings then you go to prison its that simple. Oh and before anyone says The Artists dont see a penny of the huge amounts of money records currently sell for on the open market is a totally seperate issue and a bit like saying Vincent Vangough should have been paid millions when he was alive for his paintings which now sell for huge sums of money in the art world, yet he cut his ear off and died a poor man point being all things that are rare sell for big money its a fact of life be it a rare soul record or a work of art. You can buy a print of a rare painting but I bet you a million pounds most art collectors desire the original as record collectors do. I have a pretty good idea who is behind this as do many other people on the scene yet we say and do nothing myself included, I really hope it stops as its not my style to bubble anyone, still its been with us since the year dot as it would seem that some so called high profile respected people way back worked hand in hand with the bootlegers by promoting the records to the masses then getting kick back when they were pressed.... integrity,respect well I shit it sorry.....maybe one day someone will have the balls to write the book of books worts and all and really tell it like it is?????? I have no respect for this practice and really dont care what these people say or do to me, it would be nice for them to reply to my comments and maybe defend this current bootleg by producing written authentic permission from the owner of the publishing and I will publically retract my comments here, but I honestly dont think they can do that can they? I dont think we can insult people who attend rare soul venues with non original records being played so why the need for this recent batch of pressings? If it aint real dont play and more importantly if it aint real dont or refuse to sell it in the first place. Like I said it would be good to name and shame but to be honest it would not make that much difference really would it as this shit will happen again and again and we all say nothing, well sorry I care about this scene and really want to Keep It Real and have to comment on this bullshit, I know I dont stand alone but would really be interested in your feedback and some support on this total abuse of our otherwise beautiful scene, lastly I dont have a problem with people who wish to make a bob or two as long its done without ripping everyone else and its just that a rip off of everything we stand for. The strange thing is that both The Brooks Brothers and Melvin Davis are still very rare records and despite this new release they will still command a huge price tag if and when they come up for sale so its just the bootleg practice rather than the material used that upsets me and many other collectors. Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell. -------------------------------------------------------- 48 comments were posted when this went up they follow The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content. Poster Thread Guest Posted: 2003/12/9 13:18 Updated: 2003/12/9 13:18 name & shame game...... So the label is called Kingy! I wonder then if its Chris King who is behind it? he is well known for bootleg acetates and ripping people off isnt he? i suppose Kev Roberts wouldnt be far behind. Maybe a brooks brothers mug and keyring next eh boys. Hows about some CK/KR toilet roll. Any suggestions on a title for the bog roll? Guest Posted: 2003/12/9 15:36 Updated: 2003/12/9 17:14 Re: name & shame game...... this post has been edited by site reason: lets not go down the road of posting abuse Please keep discussion worthwhile If poster has any concerns as why his post was edited please use the contact us link chalky Posted: 2003/12/10 12:06 Updated: 2003/12/10 12:06 Hardest Joined: 2002/11/15 From: Chesterfield Posts: 649 Re: name & shame game...... As far as Im aware they were given away at the said persons Birthday party at Sheridans. Could be wrong and if so please feel free to correct me. Personally I agree with Marks comments 100%. As long as the companys have obtained the rights I dont have a problem but when some one blatantly boots a record then I hope they get everything they deserve. chalky Guest Posted: 2003/12/10 14:14 Updated: 2003/12/10 14:14 Re: name & shame game...... well another sad day in the hall of shame for the bootleggers.ie! chris king this time no doubt aboat it.no shame in hiding his name to it either. a coment they was done for his 47th birhday 47th for fucks sake.the poor guy needed another few quid to fund his jag his misss porche.if only people who buy these bootlegs relised were there money was going they wouid think twice. and one final thing.you promoters if you hire a dj and he ends up playing them.do the honourable thing dont book him again take a note out of steve wileman comments on soul source for his opening allnighter this weekend at ashby.he states djs playing bootlegs will not be tolerated.with kenny burrell & mick h.guesting along sides the sam moores .this will be a interesting night to watch. play it real tyrone Guest Posted: 2003/12/10 20:18 Updated: 2003/12/10 20:18 Re: name & shame game...... Mmmm yep this old chestnut again.Glad you mentioned the likes of Chris King and Kev Roberts on the major front of this argument cos yer damn right about them being kings of bootleggers,got thier fingers in that many pies its unbelievable,or is it? Correctly you all note this thing has been going on for years and sometimes splits the "Rare Soul" community, but opinions will massively differ depending on wich side of the fence your on or wich part of it. catagories include. The local pub/villiage hall dj.The connosiure.One of the thousend whos come back to the scene after kids n divorce and still catching up again.The dancer.The big "Do" jocks.And the list goes on.How much it affects or hurts differs dramaticly.Me i couldnt give a monkeys,as sadly i gave up collecting seriously years ago.Certainly if something takes my fancy enough ill try and find it,but not some shit copy(had enough of them of Roberts ! ) if not nearly everythings available on cd anyway.But unfortunatly there will always be a market for these bootlegs.But just remember a hell of a lot of"Big Guns" have been involved in the past.Goldmine records?? He of !! Guest Posted: 2003/12/10 20:28 Updated: 2003/12/10 20:28 Re: name & shame game...... Yes, perhaps there are more people all pissing in the bootleg pot than we realise but it still aint right is it. Thanks for your comments and support in this matter it really does piss me off, cant wait to see if someone bites on this item but sadly i doubt it! Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell. PS The Brooks Brothers may well have been a freebie at a birthday party, but its still out there on sale. Guest Posted: 2003/12/10 21:19 Updated: 2003/12/10 21:19 Re: name & shame game...... Fraid theyll be as anon as ever.Stick by your beliefs and you cant go wrong . Keepin it as real as i can! By the way saw you on some soul tv clip other day with a well dodgy red Jonathan King cap. How real is that?? jokin Guest Posted: 2003/12/10 21:26 Updated: 2003/12/10 21:26 Re: name & shame game...... You cannot deny that bootlegging is wrong. But, we should not pretend that the practice of purchasing second hand records, frequently at great expense, provides any more remuneration to the recording artists who made the recordings than the bootlegs do. So lets no kid ourselves. Ours is a selfish hobby. Guest Posted: 2003/12/11 7:42 Updated: 2003/12/11 7:42 Re: name & shame game...... i agree with that last post, yep i dont condone bootlegs, but at the same time i dont agree with the elevated prices that records are fetching because some so-called big name has played it - or for that matter a certain venue(s) is spinning it and pushing it down every ones eardrums every 5 mins to make it go big (or should i say - expensive) you only have to look at the likes of the futures party time man, ace spectrum dont send nobody else, to name but a few - not exactly hard to find are they but dealers (and some djs) on our scene are quick to jump on the opportunity to exploit us (incidently these 2 records appear to be dropping in price - so i feel sorry for those who have paid extortionate prices for them)- so what happened to a record being expensive because it is stone cold rare - NOT because it is fashionable at the moment! i know i have digressed somewhat from the subject of bootlegging but all i am tryin to point out is that the bootleggers are not the only parasites on the scene. Posted: 2003/12/14 17:26 Updated: 2003/12/14 17:26 team member Joined: 2002/8/26 From: Posts: 2244 Online! Re: name & shame game...... Quote: but all i am tryin to point out is that the bootleggers are not the only parasites on the scene. Dunno much about econimical theory and all that, but find it a bit off calling djs and dealers parasites cause selling 45s at price some are prepared to pay. After all no one is forcing anyone to pay any price, and while its a pain that it seems there are people prepared to pay "crazy" prices. Surely by their willingness to pay over the odds they are ones responsible, if there is someone willing to pay price then could argue dealers pricing is justified. Exploition? Feel sorry ? no way, when unrolling wad, they must have been aware price over the top, same as everyone else, if not could question just what they are doing buying records if not aware of value. For whatever reason they wanted that 45, they choose to pay that price, their decision. Guest Posted: 2003/12/14 22:52 Updated: 2003/12/14 22:52 Re: name & shame game...... Sorry dont like polotics, im only intrested in what comes out the speakers... but (here we go, im not arguing this is just MY view and im sorry if I am speaking out of line) If a record is rare, and there are only a few known copies, and they are owned by collectors, if its that good a record, a record that is worth dancing to, a proper hair standing up on the back of the neck Northern/Rare Soul record, you know the ones, a really good sound. Then sorry people should get to hear it, and on what ever format possible. If some tracks never got bootlegged, whouldnt they get lost and be forgotton, surely for the love of our music and for its future, that would be just as bad. I havnt wrote this to wind anyone up its just my view. And before you slate me I do only buy originals, and I cant afford the £1000 records but there are a lot of quality records under £100. that I do buy. Guest Posted: 2003/12/15 9:42 Updated: 2003/12/15 9:42 Re: name & shame game...... Good point - although i dont see the point in booting records that are a plenty - and not necessarily £100s of pounds worth e.g. Prince Phillip Mitchell, etc. But not everyone can afford to pay silly prices (a lot of them unjustified). I dont want to get into the politics either as there is far too much of that bollocks on the scene. I was actually at a soul nite last year and a young lady on the decks spun a few boots in her set - but the dancefloor was chocca, they didnt give a flying **** what label the record was on or whether or not is was original, they sounded good (cos some boots sound awful) but the promoter wasnt happy (he didnt forewarn her not to play boots though). Too much snobbery maybe? Im sure everyone wishes they could afford originals, and I know what it feels like when you have a record that is scarce (allegedly) and it gets booted or re-issued whatever, but lets face it its as they say its whats in the groove that counts and unless you keep the punters happy (remember they vote with thier feet) well loose them coming thru the doors at many venues. Those who like to promote rare soul nites - fine o.k. get on with it as I truly support such venues but it doesnt work everywhere does it. Lets just stop all this griping and get on with playin the tunes and let those who are a major part of the scene -yes the DANCERS- who we seem to forget in all these debates and argument- enjoy it! So never mind keep it real lets keep it goin. mike- Posted: 2003/12/15 16:46 Updated: 2003/12/15 16:46 team member Joined: 2002/8/26 From: Posts: 2244 Online! Re: name & shame game......reminder Just a friendly reminder, while do not need to join or log in to post We do recommend that if not a member when you post you add your name Not only does it give your post more creditbility, it also helps the discussion as other related posts, discussions, and so on can be made and even help build up community feel of site To join site and get benefits of being a member only takes 5 secs and once joined if you use the remember tick box, you should be "autologged in" each time visit site Guest Posted: 2003/12/15 19:38 Updated: 2003/12/15 19:38 Re: name & shame game......reminder Oh I give up.....whats the fucking point of having a valid opinion, fact is bootlegging is wrong, its totally illegal and is just not the done thing, as for playing bootlegs at venues, tell you what why dont all the real DJs with commitment, passion and dedication just pack it all in and leave it to the pretenders. Christ its a scene based on rare soul records for fucks sake and to suggest that the dance floor cares little about the authenticity of the music coming out of the speakers makes is simply turning the whole thing into a joke. If its that easy then everyone should be a DJ.... I do care and try to do it the right way, if I aint got a first generation USA original then I dont play it rather wait until a DJ who does have it play it. If I played a bootleg it would be around the scene like shit off a stick so why should others take the easy route?? still this was not the issue or the reason for my comments, these current boots are just for profit and sod all to do with the ideas, ideals and ethics of the rare soul scene and the collecting of it, call me a purist if you wish rather be called that than a parasite or worse. Just trying to give a voice to what is right and correct, the issue of playing pressings is another topic which should be talked about some other time. Yes Keep it Going but please keep it real. Mark Bicknell. Guest Posted: 2003/12/15 23:50 Updated: 2003/12/15 23:50 Re: name & shame game......reminder Right lets get one thing straight, if you are a Dj, you should be playing your tunes from the original format. You dont have to spend £1000s to find good dancable soul records, dig deep, use your initiative, get on to things quick before demand drives prices up, in fact do what all the best Djs do, hunt your own tunes down, yes it takes a lot of time & trouble & thats why you get pissed off when some lazy git plays your fave rave on a £10 bootleg, or a slate, when you have spent literally years hunting it down. I totally disagree with Djs playing bootlegs, the argument that says its making the sounds available to the masses is bollocks, cos if that was the case they wouldnt be pressing em up on vinyl, they would be bootin em onto CD. Any way, promoters, just dont book Djs that use boots or cut acetates of issued material. Peace, love & Soulfulness Russ Vickers. ShaneH Posted: 2003/12/16 22:00 Updated: 2003/12/16 22:00 Hardest Joined: 2003/11/25 From: Sheffield Posts: 189 Re: name & shame game......reminder I am what you consider to be new to the scene (29 yrs old and a regular on the niters for the past 4 or 5 years) and find the rare aspect of this scene to be fascinating. To be told a track you are digging for the first time is one of only a handful of copies is an extra special moment to me and I am glad to be there to enjoy it. This is one of the many appeals and it wouldnt be the same without it. The history of a track and how this original dusty 45 got from a junk shop in Chicago to a working mens club in York is part of the scene to me and I am forever wishing to hear more stories of this kind. It doesnt have the same appeal to be told its been pressed. I am not a collector and will probably never will be but rare original vinyl is of much greater interest when you have travelled 40 miles on a cold winters night. The fact that the guy on the decks has not bought his set from HMV but spent most of his adult life acquiring such gems from here, there and everywhere is much more sentimental to me. You can look on with admiration and feel like you are part of a very special scene. I am sure it will continue at the quality niters. Shane Guest Posted: 2003/12/17 1:31 Updated: 2003/12/17 1:31 Re: name & shame game......reminder Shane, youve got it mate. You have pretty much hit the nail on the head. Cheers Russ V Guest Posted: 2003/12/18 1:34 Updated: 2003/12/18 1:34 Re: name & shame game......reminder Gosh - I admit it - I buy bootlegs... and I been buying them for 25 years - shame on me.. First let me say; the rarity of the tracks and the original only policy at big nights has kept the scene going and does make them special when heard. So that is a good policy. On the other hand I think that boots/reissues have also kept the scene going because they enables punters like me to enjoy much-adored tracks at home. Whats wrong with that? I do buy originals when possible, especially if they are under £50, because I prefer them. But big money tunes are simply beyond my means (and most people on the scene I would guess). When Ive been dancing to a track for months/years, I often think "I cant wait for somebody to boot/reissue this". I really dont think Im alone in this. One thing that annoys me about recent boots is that they are being sold for £10 instead of £5, now that is greedy of the sods behind them. On this subject why are Grapevine 2000 (and often Soul City) releases £10 when Goldmine and Stardust can do them for £5? Does anybody else feel like this? As for CDs, I dont own a player, I love vinyl, my bootlegs and reissues sit alongside my originals. Why should anybody tell me what format to buy music on? On the subject of dealers, there are many decent ones out there. But lets face it there is also no shortage of greedy dealers who cant wait to inflate a £20 record up to £50 or higher on a whim - this encourages bootlegs. Concerning royalties, why not donate a certain percentage of the money you are prepared to pay for an original to the artist and writer. Finally, I think it would be a good thing to name the bootleggers - then I can send requests to them. Dave you have the originals, respect for that - be proud of them, but calm down nobodies hurting you. ST - London Guest Posted: 2003/12/18 1:39 Updated: 2003/12/18 1:39 Re: name & shame game......reminder Sorry that last line should have read "Mick" not Dave, its a bit late and Im knackered ST - London Guest Posted: 2003/12/18 12:12 Updated: 2003/12/18 12:12 Re: name & shame game......reminder "Christ its a scene based on rare soul records for fucks sake and to suggest that the dance floor cares little about the authenticity of the music coming out of the speakers makes is simply turning the whole thing into a joke. If its that easy then everyone should be a DJ.... I do care and try to do it the right way, if I aint got a first generation USA original then I dont play it rather wait until a DJ who does have it play it." have you actually thought that a good majority dont give a toss if its an original played or a boot. ive been doing do,s/niters for a fair few years and dont care what format the records on.if its good ill dance and if i dont like the tune i wont. can you really say that youve seen a dancefloor cleared because a dj played a boot and not an original,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,no didnt think so. dance floors clear because djs play shit records.simple as that. i personally think youre way off the mark by saying the scenes based on rare soul records. i always thought that its based on "rare soul music". maybe the scene that you collectors in youre anoracs are into is based on records.sorry but for me the scenes about the music,the atmosphere and the dancers.the origins of a played record are way down on my list. and how do you know if records that are played are boots. do you go through every dj,s box and examine his records befor he plays it.do you know every record they own. wayne Guest Posted: 2003/12/18 13:21 Updated: 2003/12/18 13:21 Re: name & shame game......reminder Fair comment Wayne on the count of some stuff played because it is rare - take Bobby Kline Say Something Nice To Me or Bobby Sheen Something New To Do o.k. not rocking horse shit but have u ever tried dancing to them for chrissakes?!!! Ok if u are on fucking crutches or something. too slow but played at the time cos they were rare. another one that is beyond me that is rare is Mr Soul - how the fuck do you dance to that??? nice listening record maybe, but a dancer-dont think so!! Guest Posted: 2003/12/18 16:00 Updated: 2003/12/18 16:00 Re: name & shame game......reminder Ive seen some of the top Wigan Djs use CDs. And they have been there from the early days, I cant have been the only one to have seen it. Guest Posted: 2003/12/18 20:43 Updated: 2003/12/18 20:43 Re: name & shame game......reminder ST LONDON, Respect pal, but the names Mark, respect your comments but I personally do not agree with them, you do it your way and Ill do it my way.... oh the original records issue, inflated prices etc. has nothing to do with my points, a private transaction between a dealer and collector for a genuine first generation authentic USA 45 is just that private, like I said a bit like buying an original work of art, antique etc. collectors desire the real thing is all, Im not telling you what to buy but my point was the legal issue and the get rich quick ethics of the bootlegger. Mark Bicknell. Guest Posted: 2003/12/18 22:10 Updated: 2003/12/18 22:10 Re: name & shame game......reminder hi mark the bootlegged records are only down to supply and demand. if no one bought em they wouldnt boot em.# it may be morally wrong in some peoples eyes but they have always been there and will probable continue. personally i think they help the scene as well cause it means the masses can hear certain tracks at their local soul do,s that they wouldnt normally hear without having to travel vast distances because only one dj has a copy of a certain track. wayne grant Posted: 2003/12/19 7:20 Updated: 2003/12/19 7:20 Hardest Joined: 2003/3/25 From: Stockport Posts: 339 Re: name & shame game......reminder I think this debate could go on forever. I think the point Mark B is trying to make is that he enjoys great pleasure in tracking down rare original soul records - whatever the cost - he is not bragging about how much he pays for them (Im sure Mark would like to buy a £100 record for a tenner if he was offered it!!). It is easy for someone to buy a boot and play it at a gig, and as long as they are available to buy (lets face it they are all over ebay, main dealers lists, record fairs, allniters etc) it will continue. Mark is only pointing out the wrongs of the bootlegging and he can only be right in that respect. It is frustrating to have a hard-to-find 45 and then along come Stardust or someone and hey presto! The terminology these days is lookalikes isnt it? I do get the points of availability to the masses anmd that Joe Bloggs on the dancefloor probably wouldnt know an orig from a boot and probably doesnt give a toss anyway, but it has to be said there is a real feeling of satisfaction in playing a real one on the decks. Grant JTrouble Posted: 2003/12/19 12:53 Updated: 2003/12/19 12:58 Hardest Joined: 2003/6/16 From: Chelmsford, Essex, UK Posts: 445 Re: name & shame game......reminder Im not sure many of you know me, but for those who dont I am a rare funk collector and DJ. I would like to say that I support Mark Bicknells comments 100%. On the funk scene it is generally accepted practice to play reissues/bootlegs and dub plates. In fact if you speak out against this practice you are told to stop being a twat, a snob, or an elitist and as a DJ, if you say bootlegs/reissues should not be played you will probably find yourself getting fewer gigs as a result!!!!! Without wanting to name names, even the flag ship nights and the best Djs play pressings and dub plates of rare records. Personally I find this very frustating, as I am not just a DJ, but am the kind of person who travels accross the country, and even into Europe to dance to good records (thats rare on the funk scene). However, I do have a half decent collection of rare funk/soul/crossover, and I when I find out that a DJ is playing a pressing/reissue or bootleg of a rare record that I have sat at home how am I ment to react? Well, having spent money on trains/fuel/taxis etc and spent hours in transit I am obviously going to be pissed off, frustated and disrespectful and I wont go to the night again. But even if you dont have the records yourself, should you still dance to the DJ if he/she plays bootlegs/CDs/reissues etc? In my humble, but very correct opinion, NO! If you go to an art gallary, and when you get there, there are photo copies of paintings on the wall, you are going to be pissed off and you should get your entry fee back. Shane said "The fact that the guy on the decks has not bought his set from HMV but spent most of his adult life acquiring such gems from here, there and everywhere is much more sentimental to me. You can look on with admiration and feel like you are part of a very special scene." This is the point. Its about respect and doing things the right way, which is the only way that a scene can build up loyal and dedicated followers. Perhaps this is the reason the crowds at funk nights are very fickle and you will not see the same faces week in, week out, and apart from a few dancers at Madame Jo Jos there is little sense of community. Perhaps if the funk scene had more upstanding, strong characters like Mark Bicknell then it would not be quite so disjointed, ramshackle and weak. Maybe I am wrong. and maybe Wayne is right with his comments about the "good majority dont give a toss if its an original played or a boot". All I know for sure is that if the DJs play boots/Cds/reissues I will not be dancing, and I will not travel to any night where this practice is encouraged. Rant over. Trouble. BTW. Keb and Butch have a rare soul night at Jo Jos on Boxing Day. 10till3. Guest Posted: 2003/12/19 13:16 Updated: 2003/12/19 13:16 Re: name & shame game......reminder dcp,ÃÆ’ o!cpXcp ÃÆ’¼rp4!8cpxcp ´ÃÆ’Å¡o"!Xcp¨ÃÆ’Å¡o Dcp( mpp@8`pÃÆ’¨cp)0§¯Ã" 'ÃÆ’â"š¬cp<8pbpÃÆ’¼ÃĮ’oxcode]/sUÃÆ’¿ÃÆ’¿ÃÆ’¿ÃÆ’¿!¨cpdp dÃÆ’¿n!ÃÆ’¨cp(dp 2003/6/16eAdphdp+« ÃÆ’Ã…“ÃÆ’·@dpÃÆ’¼ "opp$doÃÆ’Ã…’gppostnumr mike- Posted: 2003/12/19 14:46 Updated: 2003/12/19 14:49 team member Joined: 2002/8/26 From: Posts: 2244 Online! Re: name & shame game......reminder no probs with deviating! though may be easier and get better response like, if post up new thread in forum on q hold it up to the light if vinyl browny color = boot Guest Posted: 2003/12/19 16:42 Updated: 2003/12/19 16:42 Re: name & shame game......reminder hi trouble i understand youres and marks points but i see it from a dancers point of veiw and not a collectors/dj,s. if im at a venue and a tune i like is played ill dance.im not to know whether its original or a boot and prob a lot of the people there wouldnt know or really care. if the majority was that bothered they wouldnt buy em or dance to em,but they pack floors and sell. dont think you could stop it happening even by naming and shaming JTrouble Posted: 2003/12/22 7:47 Updated: 2003/12/22 7:47 Hardest Joined: 2003/6/16 From: Chelmsford, Essex, UK Posts: 445 Re: name & shame game......reminder But why make look a like 45s? If it is just about making the music obtainable and affordable to the general public just put the tracks out on CD. You can get 20+ tracks on a CD and sell it for £10/20. People buy look a like records because they want to pretend to be Butch, or Ginger or Mark et al. The only reason to buy bootleg 45s is to pretend to have the original when they DJ. If people are allowed to DJ with bootlegs then what is the point of collectors chasing mega rare 45s only to be slapped in the face when they go to a night and see a nobody wanna be playing THEIR record off a bootleg? The whole issue of original rare records being desirable comes from DJs wanting new and relatively exclusive tracks to play. Just like big radio & club DJs need pre-release promos or exclusives to justify their status, so do DJs playing old stuff - the more good tracks you have that few other people have, the better you are considered. And this is right because we all want to hear new records and this competitiveness creates the incentive to find them and it drives the scene forward. If DJs are allowed to play bootlegs, what is the incentive to hunt originals? There is non, and the scene will die. Guest Posted: 2003/12/22 12:30 Updated: 2003/12/22 12:30 Re: name & shame game......reminder Polotics will kill the scene not bootlegs.... Imagine not really understanding Northern/Rare soul, being new to it, youve gone to a couple of dos with a mate, enjoyed the night think ill have a look on the internet and coming across this site, (Not this site this topic) What would you think then? Anyone who has answerd this topic has answerd it because of there passion and love of the music and the scene, dont take it away with who plays what and on what label. I understand things are important but some things are more important than others, the scene depends on everything from when you get in the car to go to a do, driving 100+ miles going through the door experiancing the night then and coming back home and talking about it, this is what makes the scene, not the labels. on a differnt note... Have a Merry Christmas and a Soulful New Year Guest Posted: 2003/12/27 15:14 Updated: 2003/12/27 15:14 Re: name & shame game......reminder Right lets kill this once & for all, you are entitled to your opinions & I genuinly respect your right to that oppinion, but Djs regardless of who they are should not be playing bootlegs, its absolutely wrong, if you cant afford a real un, then find something that you can afford to play out thats good or do what any self respecting Dj/collector does & turn detective & find one for the price you wanna pay, this subject is really past its sell by date, those of you that wanna Dj, get the real deal or dont bother, as for ex-Wigan Djs playing from CD, does it really suprise you, & it really doesnt matter that much any way, cos my idea of Rare Soul & theirs is probably a million miles apart, back in the day these guys were the bollocks, unfortunately Rare Soul to me is an exciting progressive form of music, a lot of the nostalgia events may be successful from a promoters point of view & all those people wanting to relive thier last good night at Wigan love it, but what relevance does it have on a forward thnking progressive music scene.......errrrmmmmm none. I could go on forever but really cant be bothered, if you aint got the proper release dont bother. Russ V Guest Posted: 2003/12/28 12:53 Updated: 2003/12/28 12:53 Re: name & shame game......reminder I started all this so only fair I put this baby to bed, some of you have missed my point totally as my comments really have nothing to do with the playing of bootlegs rather more the manufacture of them as being totally illegal and simply not the done thing. As for playing them, well.... thats the final insult to this very sad affair, personally I would pull the plug on any DJ doing this so enough said. As Russ V said lets close this subject once and for all as its really not that important is it? as some people dont give a flying fuck about any of this do they? Simply - Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell. Guest Posted: 2004/1/4 22:21 Updated: 2004/1/4 22:21 Re: name & shame game......reminder Only just come across this thread, but as Mark mentioned me in his original post I thought Id better throw my hat into the ring. It took me five years of searching, and £1200 (Which I financed by selling other records, I dont have that much spare cash lying about the house) to get my copy of The Brooks Brothers. Now every one can buy a bootleg for a tenner. To be honest, I have no problem with people buying bootlegs to play at home, but why anyone would want to buy bootleg vinyl is beyond me when both tracks are easily available on CD for home use. It leads me to think that the people buying the boots want to use them to DJ with. That I have a problem with. Five years work, and £1200......... unusable if someone plays the boot in a spot before me. (Not strictly true because I would still play my original and quite happily name the DJ who played the bootleg as playing bootlegs when they are DJing :-)) Yes to a certain degree its elitist, but every scene which involves collecting things is elitist. Thats the nature of competing for scarce resources. And I like to think thats one of the reasons I get bookings as a DJ, because people know I will only play originals. The comparison used early made me laugh, art galleries with photocopies of the pictures. Ive often used antiques as another example. Do you want to see genuine antiques or reproduction furniture. Obvious when you phrase the question like this isnt it. Only a complete twat would want to see reproduction furniture rather than the real thing. So to return to Mr Bicknell. I always remember him saying once, "If it aint real, dont do it". That goes for me too, play your bootlegs at home if you must, but remember every tenner you spend on a bootleg is a tenner you could have spent on a CD from one of the legitimate companies who pay royalties to the writers and artists. And if five hundred people spend that tenner on a bootleg, that legitimate company might not have enough income to put out their next CD, so who loses then ? We all, as Soul fans, DJs, artists, writers, etc do. Simple. Buy boots if you must. Play them at home if you must. Dont ever shortchange people when you DJ though, only play originals. Dave Rimmer Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 1:14 Updated: 2004/1/5 1:14 Re: name & shame game......reminder Why would any of these worry you if you were a true collector. I think this seems to be more of an elitist issue with DJs to be honest. I do feel playing bootlegs is a bit off though, given the morale code of our scene. Just be pleased you have a copy of the Tay disc, you are very lucky. Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 12:03 Updated: 2004/1/5 12:03 Re: name & shame game......reminder How many times do I have to stress that this has nothing to do with the collecting or selling of original records or an eliitist thing with DJs...... Its the moral, legal issue here which is in question and the fact that some chancer is making money off the back of someone elses talent.... and why do you consider DJs to be elitist because they choose to do it the best way they know how, is it a British trait or what to have a go at the good guys and let the shit heads get away with it...sorry I cant do that!!!!! Just because the likes of myself, Dave Rimmer who took ages to locate the Brooks Brothers and many others be subject of being accused to be elitist is total rubbish. I would rather be put in this bracket to one that cheats and rips people off for my own financial gain, how dare you insult us in this way!!!!! You think we stand up there behind the decks for fun, we do it because we love it, we love a packed dance floor and yes we love authentic big fuck off records because thats the nature of the game we are in THE RARE SOUL SCENE, a scene based on mainly rare American Soul records and yes some of them sell for large sums of money, is that a sin????? and if we choose to follow this and chase the big records to play at venues to entertain does this make us elitist...I Dont think so! I collect original records because I want too. Chuck some insults at the bootleggers and not us please, follow some correct ethics instead of having a pop at the good guys.... Dave good on you mate.. I hope your next shit rare megga want comes your way real soon..........Keep It Real - Mark Bicknell. Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 13:33 Updated: 2004/1/5 13:33 Re: name & shame game......reminder Without wanting to be too offensive, heres what I think (again)... People buy lookalike bootlegs because they want to DJ and pretend to be Butch et al. If they just "want to have the music", buy a CD! If DJs are allowed to play bootlegs, what is the incentive for the real DJs to hunt originals? The result would be a scene full of northern soul tribute nights, like the rock and roll scene, or perhaps similar to "Carwash" or "Starsky and Hutch"! A stagnant, retro quagmire. If you buy bootleg 45s you are responsible for helping to push the scene into a retrospective state, degeneration and ultimate destruction. Because without your support there would be no market for bootleg lookalike 45s. If a DJ plays a bootleg at a night you go to, ask the promoter for your money back, this will help kill off demand for those nasty, underhanded, horrible and disgusting lookalike bootlegs. JT 😮 JTrouble Posted: 2004/1/5 13:35 Updated: 2004/1/5 13:35 Hardest Joined: 2003/6/16 From: Chelmsford, Essex, UK Posts: 445 Re: name & shame game......reminder Without wanting to be too offensive, heres what I think (again)... People buy lookalike bootlegs because they want to DJ and pretend to be Butch et al. If they just "want to have the music", buy a CD! If DJs are allowed to play bootlegs, what is the incentive for the real DJs to hunt originals? The result would be a scene full of northern soul tribute nights, like the rock and roll scene, or perhaps similar to "Carwash" or "Starsky and Hutch"! A stagnant, retro quagmire. If you buy bootleg 45s you are responsible for helping to push the scene into a retrospective state, degeneration and ultimate destruction. Because without your support there would be no market for bootleg lookalike 45s. If a DJ plays a bootleg at a night you go to, ask the promoter for your money back, this will help kill off demand for those nasty, underhanded, horrible and disgusting lookalike bootlegs. JT 😮 Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 16:36 Updated: 2004/1/5 16:36 Re: name & shame game......reminder What exactly is your point ? Nobody has insulted you or Dave Rimmer. You can try and articulate it in any graphical shape or words you like, but it is elitist, and youve said it yourself. Who are you to deprive others of bootlegs and lookalikes if thats what they want to buy, maybe they dont like CDs okay. Its really none of your business. And dont try and claim the higher morale ground, its pathetic and doesnt stack up. You should try reading others posts probably first, instead of seeing ghosts and enemies. Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 16:36 Updated: 2004/1/5 16:36 Re: name & shame game......reminder Hey Guys, Thanks, youve entertained me all day and ohhhh... im glad to be out of this scene. Want to be like Butch...pmsl thats the best line ive read for years...fantastic! Bootlegs are everywhere just like dvds,cds,clothes,watchs etc etc. I used to be one of the people who would get upset and defend everything that was real about the Scene but you know what...no one really gives a F*ck. I agree that bootleggers are scum but only a few people like Mark stand up and tell the truth. Most people on the Dancefloor couldnt care less (some will) as they just wanna dance and enjoy, the people in the record bar just want to make money and sometimes rip there friends off & then theres the people who just wanna get smashed on drugs/drink and talk sh8t all night about there ex wife/husband. Dont worry about a small number of bootlegs coming from the manchester area as theyve been doing cds for years and f*ck all royalties have been paid. Yes i feel sorry for the artist/writer etc but ive seen people get upset when grapevine/kent have legally isssued 45s of rare records. Bootlegs will never effect the price of an original rare copy....people know there onions these days. Now re the Djing side...well it should be originals all the way with maybe the odd exception. The scene has lost so many great one off records to collectors who stay at home and do not go out on the scene never mind dj. Should we ignore a dub/bootleg of a record that maybe only 1/2 exist in some blokes mansion! should the dancefloor suffer cause of a moral/elitist stand. I agree with Mr Rimmer re Brooks brothers as i dont see the point bootlegging records like that...many djs have it and most people will have it on cd. There is no real answer guys & girls but if people were to walk out of venues cause a dj played a dub/bootleg then we would have many empty venues up north and down south. In a perfect world the artist would get what they deserve but we dont live in a perfect world and the Northern scene is far from perfect. Keep it real and smile,be happy and enjoy. Nice to see people getting passionate about this subject as it shows people care and take the time to write...oh ya can the people who dont sign there real names F*ck off and go somewhere else ya sad twats. carefree Greg. Ps its a great shame that some of the so called big named djs/collectors dont get off there arses and contribute to this great web site. Give it up to mick h from notts Union/CSC who went up to a dj at desborough and told him to stop playing a bootleg. Caused a verbal fight mind but was entertaining. Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 17:16 Updated: 2004/1/5 17:16 Re: name & shame game......reminder I think Mr Bicknell, Russ Vickers, admin, Mr Croasdale and plenty others know who the bootleg bandits are, dont keep on repeating yourself and just tell the good people out there who they are. You still see these people around im sure, point them out at soul nights and lets send them packing once and for all. Name the bandits today and be done with it, dont hide the names of these creatures. If i had the proof i would shout it from the rooftops. Carl.. Cheshire Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 17:46 Updated: 2004/1/5 17:46 Re: name & shame game......reminder A final note.... here here Greg and BOLLOCKS TO IT ALL. May I suggest to the person who I have offended read my original comments and you will see my point is the legal issue, oh and if you wanna go head to head on a subject at least put you name to it then we can talk ok. To be honest I dont really give a flying fuck what you think,say or do regarding this matter, if you think we are elitist then live with it, how dare you take the moral ground with me, Im trying to stand up to what is right but after all this fuck ill say nothing but when it all goes to shit dont blame me, and like Greg said who gives a flying fuck really. And what is your point do you have a vested interest in illegal bootlegs....if the shoe fits and all that!!!! Mark Bicknell Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 18:13 Updated: 2004/1/5 18:13 Re: name & shame game......reminder And finally, Ive asked Mike Hughes to close this debate as we seem to be going round in circles on this one, respect to everyones passion and feedback, Ive calmed down a bit now and would like to submit an open apology to the gentleman who expressed his opinion ie. THE ELISTIST suggestion on reflection perhaps on the outside the collecting and playing of big money rare records could come across as elitist, I really cant comment on this as I do it for me because it floats my boat and when I present Northern Soul at a venue I have do be true to myself and authentic sorry its old school is that growing up with people like Dave Greet, Ian Cark, Tony Ellis, Mick Smith etc. etc. If people wanna purchase their music on other formats such as CD or bootleg then I agree it has nothing to do with me, as I stated from the off its the legal issue of bootlegs which my comments were directed at. All I wish to do is do the best I can when DJing and take pride in my collecting and really just want to share the whole real deal is all. Mark Bicknell - subject closed. Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 18:18 Updated: 2004/1/5 18:18 Re: name & shame game......reminder Mark, Youre mixing issues and I suspect trying to diliberately confuse the debate. I have no interest whatsoever, just my right of opinion. The people who buy bootlegs have a right of choice, I personally think its nice that they can own a lookalike, its the next best thing to an original if thats what they can afford. On the legal front, by using your records to DJ and get paid, strictly speaking you probably have a legal issue yourself!! You may think youre standing up for what is right, but I think its more of a case of what suits you to be honest.... if the shoe fits and all that !!! From a collector with more one offs and rarities than you, okay. Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 18:20 Updated: 2004/1/5 18:20 Re: name & shame game......reminder Mark, Ive just read your post after submitting my last one. Thank you. and closed. Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 19:35 Updated: 2004/1/5 19:35 Re: name & shame game......reminder Now whos being elitist?????? like I care you got more one offs and rare records than me but good luck to you!!!! again this is not the issue here and to be honest i really dont care anymore plus you still wont put your name to your comments so this really is nothing more than a personal dig at me and thats very different, I gave an open apology to you and you still snipe and hide............ If you would like to talk about this further then my email is bicknellmark@aol.com I accept that you replied to my last but one comment prior to reading my last post so perhaps best we let it lie as it aint really that important and Im certainly not going to fall out over this with a nameless person - this will be my final post on Soulsource as i really can not be bothered anymore so Ill leave it to you with your one offs and rare records, no hard feelings but this is total bollocks. Mark Bicknell. Guest Posted: 2004/1/5 20:35 Updated: 2004/1/5 20:35 Re: name & shame game......reminder It was a response to your hostility, and I apologise for it too. mike- Posted: 2004/1/5 20:40 Updated: 2004/1/5 20:40 team member Joined: 2002/8/26 From: Posts: 2244 Online! THREAD CLOSED As requested by Mark Please do not post anymore to this thread! Mark expressed concern that his original meaning has been stretched and so on. Along with some of the posts from "no names" do agree with him and as such ask all not to post any more in this thread Unfortunately the comments feature is not as featured as the forum , so can not "lock" posts as can do in forum. Therefore any further posts on here will be deleted. Help us out by not posting Marks last post does raise some issues, however will post about these in forum later. Am just posting up Marks latest article in the big daddy section. Hopefully this will not be his last as myself feel Marks articles are one of the most worthwhile parts of site and sure vast majority even if dont agree with his points or views think so as well As said thread closed please do not post further in this thread here

Bicknells Bits and Bobs - 17 Nov 03 Freelance DJs. Im Your Puppet! I Dont Think So!!!!!!!! Sometimes I think our scene is set in Westminster rather than in venues up and down the country, firstly I wish we could leave politics to Tony Blair and Co but no it keeps on coming and its simply not on. Its been suggested to me recently that Im disloyal when it comes to DJing for certain venues which is total bollocks, now note this.... Im a freelance DJ who works for who I want when I want of course when Im kindly asked of course!!!!!! Im not a puppet where someone else pulls the strings or worse has his hand up my arse, its funny but those who shout loudest often pay peanuts so dont tell me what I can and cant do please its fucking insulting, and if you dont wish to book me then thats your choice and I respect that, still the only people who lose out are the Soul fans as some might say Im a pretty good entertaining DJ so again your loss not mine. At the end of the day Im simply one of the lads who plays a few records because I enjoy it nothing more, its a hobby be it life long, it should be about fun and trying to contribute something to the scene of quality which I always try and do when Im booked to play a few tunes. As regard being disloyal to a venue or venues who have only booked me six or seven times in so many years again this is total bollocks, Its nice to be put in such high regard from certain areas of the scene who may consider me to be a major player. To suggest that not being asked to play at certain venues may damage my DJ career is a total nonsence as so far this year I have played in Edinburgh, Hinckley, Bisley, Birmingham, Bedford, Letchworth, Prestatyn Weekender and many venues in the North West so bookings are pretty good, booked on merrit, reputation, entertainment value, quality of collection etc. and not on the fact you DJ for me I DJ for you ethic. Basically Im loyal to who ever books me and pays me the wages, and no it aint about the money as no amount of cash would ever come close to the money I have spent and spend on my records. I object to the suggestion that Im disloyal and listen when X,Y,Z purchase my records, pay my bills and look after my family then they can tell me what I can and cant do, until then NO ONE has the right to suggest this to me or to any other DJ come to think of it and I dont care who they think they are or how my power or command they have over this scene as there are far more worse tatics and bad ethics going on right now than simply being your own man and freelance DJ. Talk of level playing fields have been mentioned also recently... well the Northern Soul scene playing field at the present time has that much of a slope on it you could ski down it. Just another point..... I would like to stress that I have nothing to do with the running of the new Manchester allnighter on December 6th at The New Century Hall other than being asked to DJ as resident which is some 12 gigs booked and confirmed for 2004, now I would be a fool to turn this down. This is not my venue as I am basically helping with the DJs nothing more, yes of course I want it to work as a lot of work, effort and money has already been invested in what promises to be a major new venue for the Northern Soul scene, the pre buzz is very good with many people not just me pulling together from all over the country to try and make it work so lets just get on with it and see what happens........ Many of the UKs top DJs have been asked to do future sessions at the CIS including - Andy Dyson, Dean Anderson, Ian Cunliffe, Guy Hennigan, Soul Sam, Bob Hinsley, Tim Brown, Robo, Jo Wallace, Sean Chapman, Tommy Potts, Neil Jones, Dave Rimmer, Roger Banks, Andy Rix, Rob Thomas, Mick H to name but a few. So its a very credible venue to be part of from a freelance DJ perspective and every effort has been made to look after everyone who plays at the venue and we welcome any suggestions or new blood DJs who will be given the chance via The New Century Soul Club. Other Stuff. A big thank you to both Derek Mead and Peter Kelross and all at the wonderful Bisley Pavillion Soul night last Saturday November 15th, a wonderful night packed to the rafters with some wonderful people, so cool to play down south again, a fantastic night. Good to see many of the old faces who made the night for me, special thanks to John Donovan from Reading who I have not seen for must be twenty years who gave me my original Wigan Casino membership back which I thought had long gone. Nice to see Paula and Andy Crane, The Basingstoke crew, Cockney Mick who still looks the same and many others, it was simply a blast to DJ alongside old mates like Roger Stewart, Derek and Pete...... Thanks guys. Seems like the Brooks Brothers, Johnny Rodgers, Larry Clinton, Bobby Kline, Jimmy Burns, Ty Karim, Phonetics, Cashmeres, Jimmy Wallace, Danny Woods, Jesse Johnson all went down well in Bisley, so much so thanks to all the kind comments after the spot.......... Looking forward to playing a few tunes at Junction 11 Soul Club on Saturday 29th November at Brookfields Riding Centre, Canock Road, Shareshill down there in the West Midlands, Junction 11 off the M6, always a packed night and a real quality venue, admission £4.50 b4 8.30pm and £5.00 after for Junction 11 members - further info on 07767 880812 / 01922 710106 / 01922 411111. Solar Radio Show. I will be celebrating three years on air this coming weekend on Sundays show 23rd November from 8am through 10am on CHANNEL 879 SKY DIGITAL and www.solarradio.com I would like to thank everyone for their loyal dedicted support over the past three years, special thanks to Garry J. Cape / John Anderson at Grapevine 2000 records, Ady Croasdell and all at Kent, Jo Wallace, Neil Jones, New Century Soul Club aka Chris Waterman and Lee Crank for their sponsorship, all the guests who have been on including Mick Howard, Brian Rae, Garry Cope, Ian Blackburn and others. Special big shout to Carl Webster Lewis and Tony Monson at Solar for giving me the original chance and break to play a few tunes on radio. For any requests, mentions or dedications please feel free to send a quick email to studio@solarradio.com. Some four decades of quality Northern Soul club culture and music packed into two hours of action packed radio. Thats about all this time out - Keep it real - Mark Bicknell.

Hi All, I thought as is getting close to the festive season that it might be a nice idea and metion a few possible gift ideas for todays Northern Soul fan. This item is inspired by the new yet to hit the streets Wigan Casino Soul Club - 30 Years Of Northern Soul Memories - CD FBUBX101 from Fabulous Records with a pop up full colour model of the Wigan Casino in its Northern Soul hey-day! So inspired by this ive been looking around for other goodies which Santa may deliver on the big day. Firstly Northern Soul The Board Game, a wonderful journey of discovery, this game for up to six players will give hours and hours of pleasure, infact you feel like you are really at a Northern Soul venue when playing this without leaving the comfort of your own home. Its a game for everyone you can be a record collector, promoter, punter, drug dealer orDJ, experence the whole scene with realistic politics, venue clashing,back stabbing the whole real deal is here... The object of the game is to move around the board trying to avoid the many traps and horror along the way, you can buy and sell records, run a venue, fill a venue and play the nostalgia or future cards, the rules are a little complex but once mastered this game becomes very addictive. The playing counters are designed in the keep the faith black fist in red, green, blue,white, yellow and black so plenty of battles to start as you will all want to be the black one i know as i did when i first opened the box. The price for this seems a little high at £339.99, but the board is hand painted and crafted in China, its ok another Monopoly type game, but in the Northern Soul version jail means jail if your found out to be a bootlegger for example, there are so many twists and turns to this game i can see it becoming a best seller very quickly, produced by Afastbuck Ltd. Next up we have the Northern Soul Action figure, this is a fantastic toy and was only a matter of time before it hit the streets. There are male and female versions of this doll sorry action figure, approx 12 inches high with realistic hair, movable joints and record box with the male version. There are also talking versions in development which should be ready for next Christmas. The price is reasonable on this classy item being £99.99 each ( oh the DJ versions also in development will be a limited edition set of six at £299.00 each but chances are there will very quickly be copies of these out there so i suggest you pre order these directly form the makers which are SoulDoll Ltd of Wigan. And lastly one for the children Charlie - The Soulful Singing Chicken £39.99 which is a bargain for this electronic gismo, Charlie is very much based on the singing fish idea popular a few years ago but Charlie has an incredible 2,000 original full version Northern Soul records in his memory and is an ideal way for the children to also enjoy Northern Soul thats of course if you can get him away from mum and dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He sings, dances and chuckles away to some outstanding classic Northern Soul, he even tells you to fuck off if you try and play the same record twice in the smae hour, a real clever chicken. Although these items are most enjoyable and would be a fantastic gift for anyone , top of my Christmas list will always be a hard to find, original not often seen American first generation 45, basically the things that are the fundimental single most important part of the Northern Soul scene and not how much more manufactured crap do we have to put up with , im glad September 2003 has now passed so we can get on with the promotion and development of Northern Soul circa 2003, now and for the future and stop looking back throught rose tinted glasses at past glories. Keep it real and in the 21st Century. Mark Bicknell.