Mark Bicknell

I've had a bugger of a day at work getting ready for a busy Easter.....retail sucks, arrived home to a nice couple of packages from Ace/Kent in one i was delighted to find another batch of six Kent 45's, the other package contained the new Villa CD and Northern Monsters CD which are well worth a punt and deserve their very own mention on here which i might just do a little later. The first three 45's are on the new 'Kent Select' logo nice Blue label design in a superb company bag, very classy and extra tasty, all three are stunning double headers and you really must get these now!!!!, this new logo is i think going to be releasing some of the superb unissued material which Ady has discovered in recent years and featured on many of his superb CD's, City 001 is the outstanding Tobi Lark - 'True True Love' B/W Little Ann - 'Sweep It Out In The Shed' which of course was originally recorded and issued by Tobi Lark on Topper records, both are stunning unissued tracks taken form the Kent CD "Dave Hamiltons Detroit Dancers Volume Three" Kent CDKEND 257, if you only buy one of these new 45's it has to be this one, Tobi lark is simply 'hit you full in the face' hard edged Detroit...awesome Ady. City 002 - is the wonderful 'A Broken Heart Cries' from The Pretenders originally released on "A Carnival Of Soul Volume Two" Kent CDKEND 118 from Joe Evans wonderful Carnival set up from New York, flip this winner over and you will discover the beautiful John Edwards - 'How Can I Go On Without You' taken from John Edwards - "A Careful Man Kent CDKEND 127......Dynamite Ady. City 003 - The Other Brothers - 'Nobody But Me' taken from "Serious Shades Of Soul For Collectors Only" Kent CDKEND 119 B/W Betty Swann - 'The Dance Is Over' taken from "The Soul Of Money Volume Two" CDKEND 267, i think you are getting the picture here of how good these releases are, two simply stunning sides, the Bettye Swann is just about as good as it gets for me and one i have featured on the show since the original CD came out a couple of years ago, i think it also featured on her solo recordings CD Kent also put out a bit back now, i'm sure this is just the start of some wonderful 45's in this 'Select' series.......ten out of ten Mr Croasdell. I believe the above three 45's will be retailing at around ten pounds....bargain or what? and will be limited to a 500 pressing run so simply get in fast as these are gonna fly out, best check with Ady directly or contact www.acerecords.com The next three are carrying on from the last batch of Kent 45 releases on the Red, White, Black and Grey logo again presented in a nice company bag the quality continues here with three yummy double headers so it's very much 'two for the price of one' with this little lot, i think these 45's retail around £5/6.00 but again you need to check with the gaffer on this. Millie Jackson - 'A House For Sale' B/W Garland Green - 'Come Through Me' - Town 124 - two simply class acts. Town 125 i think will out sell even the Tobi Lark 45 as here we have two awesome sides that have been on many wants lists in recent years and still pack those dance floors nationwide - Unique Blend - 'Yes I'm In Love' B/W ' Houston Outlaws - 'Ain't No Telling' crossover with ease, crossover to die for.........wonderful Mr Croasdell. And Finally Town 126 is a double diamond 64 million dollar sure fired winner - Bobby Wisdom - 'Handwritting On The Wall' from 1966 originally issued on 'Out A Site' records which is as hard as rocking horse droppings to find and will cost you a small fortune or rather a big one...lol if you can find one that is? B/W Morris Chestnut - 'Too Darn Soulful' cut back in 1967 and can only be described as a Northern Anthem and i'm glad to say i still have my Amy promo tucked away in the collection. Morris of course recently played live at the Prestatyn weekender performing this classic to over 3.000 happy people...Darn soulful just too darn i bet as i missed it. These are must have legit, authentic re - issues, Ady and Kent do it by the book, the sound quality is first class, the records are well presented and will i'm sure be well recieved, i will be giving them a full preview and airing on the show in a couple of weeks which will be a pleasure to do....first class effort Mr Croasdell....what's next ????????? www.solarradio.com Miss these 45's at your peril....Tobi Lark is a Godess.....tunnnnnnne! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I was out DJ'ing about fifteen years ago and pulled my Seven Souls - I Still Love You - Okeh stocker out of the box to play took it out of the two covers and there it was flapping around with a huge crack in it, how it happened i'll never know?, from that day to this it's been sat on one of the shelves never played it out since, plays with a click at home but would i'm sure be ok over a big system? never replaced it at the time and refuse to pay £3/400.00 for another one now...lol, has tape on the reverse which holds it together but however many time i repair it i can never get rid of the click, i also feel cracked records are worthless if you ever want to sell them so if i ever get another Seven Souls i'll give mine away. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Had and sold loads of records over the years, part of the game i guess....lol still love buying stuff when the mood takes me and money permiting...some records you sell you don't miss but i could never sell Jimmy Burns - I Really Love You - Erica, got it from him so it's very special for that reason, my three RCA Lorraine Chandler demo's as she signed all three at Stafford on that magical night with Eddie Parker in the early 80's, a Deon Jackon LP on Solid Smoke 'His Greatest Recordings' as i found this on a trip to Chicago already had one back at home but thought why not for a couple of dollars then bugger me on that trip i tracked him down and met him in a Blues bar one night for about an hour, took the album with me and he signed it, took his pone number with the intention of bringing him over but when i tried the number on my return home it was disconected oh well...lol Sam Williams Tower demo just the dogs nuts, George Blackwell one of the best Northern records ever, all my Betty Lavette's, Troy Dodds Jacquis favorite record and last but not least my Rosco Robinson 'That's Enough' Gerri demo possibly as good as it gets. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

www.solarradio.com - bicknellmark@aol.com Just in case you missed this.....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

We certainly are Mr Manship, however you have better records in your 'bargain basement' than i have in my DJ box so it should be interesting....lol be good to cath up and perhaps discuss 'Manships Selections' returning on the show....and yes i think this is a first for us DJ'ing at the same venue on the same night, really looking forward to it John...see you there. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Martyn, how odd you mentioned Ian Gill??? i got my copy from a collector in Sweden a few years back and i noticed 'Ian Gillbrand' written in the run out groove..i take it that's what you are refering too? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Hi Rich again....lol, i've had a white demo of this superb double - header for over twenty years, not heard either side played anywhere for years, still i don't get out to as many events these days...lol not sure of it's current value? but a supeb record. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sorry almost forgot anyone who is interested is either advertising or making a donation please make out all payments to SOLAR BROADCASTING LIMITED, send an email to me first for postal details bicknellmark@aol.com , thanks again. www.solarradio.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Thank's John i was half right then..lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Mine has LH - 5117 - RE scratched into the run out groove. Regards - Mark Bicknell. SWScan00039.BMP

Cheers Gene, where did you get that information from just out of interest. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Are you sure Dave? i always thought the black prints were second issues??? your right where's JM....lol Mark Bicknell.

Hi Rich, I can't comment on the seller mate but what i will say is this is a pressing/second issue call it what you will, the original is green with blue script and is a pretty hard record to locate £500.00 plus, the boots are pretty hard to find too, two great sides on this record. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

This maybe of interest to some of you out there who promote/run venues, as ever the self funding of my Sunday night show on Solar www.solarradio.com is still an on going issue so this new idea will certainly help you and support the show as well. I will always mention and plug Northern Soul events on the show as it's an important part of what i do and i always mention gigs when people either email the information or send flyers etc. I'm happy to do this for everyone who care to send details, taking this service one step further i would be happy to offer a four week - four mentions prior to an event for a small donation of £20.00 basically £5.00 per show, this has to be good value for money as the show has a big audience and i'm sure will pay for it's self. I consider this idea no different to say printed advertising which is chargable, i will spotlight the venue in detail, perhaps play a few tunes from the clubs playlist so it will be a unique way to advertise the venue for a very small donation, if you think this is too much then let's talk and maybe work out a deal bicknellmark@aol.com or perhaps donate what you think to be a fair amount?????? I would also be happy to offer this service to record sales/dealers etc. on a similar basis so again please get in touch bicknellmark@aol.com All donations and proceeds from this will go directly to Solar towards funding 'The Soul Shack', in addition to the four week - four mentions i will as before through in random plugs free of charge and will still support venues with or without the donation, i'm not looking to twist anyone's arm on this but i'm just trying to think of extra ways to raise the funds needed to keep the show alive. If you are interested in this idea then please get in touch bicknellmark@aol.com or telephone 0161 330 6267. This coming Easter Sunday's show is dedicted to 'The Pied Piper' production team inspired by Eddie Hubbard's superb piece in the recent issue three of 'There's That Beat' Magazine from Dave Moore and Co. there will also be an easy Email competition to win two copies of the mag kindly donated by Dave. A cracking show is in store from the likes of The Dynamics, Hestitations, Lorraine Chandler, Freddy Butler, The Metros, Mikki Farrow, Tony Hestor, Sharron Scott, Willie Kendrick and more. www.solarradio.com www.solarradio.com - CHANNEL 0129 SKY DIGITAL - 8PM - 10PM UK TIME - 9PM - 11PM CENTRAL EUROPE. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

They should have used us as extras Ady....lol remember the DJ dancing competitions at Cleethorpes a few years ago...i was robbed mate...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Willie Kendrick has to be £300.00 for a demo, more for the stock/issue, Metros demo recently seen for £150.00 and more, Lorraine Chandler's around £100.00 plus, Nancy Wilcox demo around £70.00, Michael and Raymond seen that for over a ton recently, Mikki Farrow and Tony Hestor must book at £200.00 to £300.00 each, Hestitations, Metros and Freddy Butler Lp's around £80.00 to £100.00 each, Sharron Scott RCA 45 well worth £100.00 these days....as ever i bet i'm way out on these valuations...lol, slighty off the topic but this coming Sunday's show is dedicated to the Pied Piper production set up basically inspired by Eddie Hubbard's superb piece in the current issue of 'There's That Beat' magazine Issue 3 - pretty much all of the mentioned records feature and much more, also some of the superb unissued material Ady Croasdell turned up a few years ago, all in all a fantastic show is promised www.solarradio.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.

That was interesting...DJ cues up Revilot 45 and Alfie Davison - 'Love Is A Serious Business' comes on.....lol good movie though. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Well worth a punt this one, got my preview copy for the show a few days ago and i must say it helped me srtip wallpaper in our bedroom allday, Neil has done a fantastic job putting this together, superb sound quality, nice booklet, all in all a well presented forty year potted history of the scene's music. I will be giving this a nice preview on the show in a couple of weeks www.solarradio.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I can only think of a one non DJ promoters on the current scene Chris Waterman - New Century Soul Club, pushed to think of anymore but i'm sure there must be??? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Nail on head i feel....it's cool to be involved in the scene in general so let's embrace it instead of pulling it to pieces all the time. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Phil, i think my reference to the beer box swung it for me....lol something that Mr Waterman avoids...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Far better i feel to have a 'Cool Box' and i don't mean a box to put your beer in either or a box of cold records i mean cool as in nice records, records you actually like, have a passion for etc. need to carry a few big hitters, a few quality classics,a couple of things not so well known but again of a quality that you believe in, some new additions a little talent to string a set together and good communication to the dance floor...cool! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Cheers Simon. Regards - Mark Bicknell. Ps...Rod come out, come out i know you are there!!!!