Mark Bicknell

Not charm just the truth Rachel....lol Mark Bicknell.

Not Cheeky Shane just good buisness....don't forget my 10%......now thats cheeky...lol Mark Bicknell.

Quality tunes like this are drawn to people like you with such good taste in music, thanks Rachel...ain't this fun sharing the music instead of bitching about it, not you i mean in general. Mark Bicknell.

You can tell we have the builders in doing the new bathroom as i'm up nice and early, still off work for another few weeks with the busted foot so plenty of time on my hands to develop and continue this thread, here's another batch of ten a little soul with your breakfast you might say............................ Bessie Jones - No More Tears - A-Bet 9424 - A remarkable short sweet in your face uptempo stormer, pounds along at a frantic 100mph pace, perfect dance floor material, been around for years yet never really took off as big as it should, seen this listed at anything from £50.00 to £75.00...a bargain being an oldie with imagination. Barbara Carr - My Mamma Told Me - Chess 1955 - Written by the legendary Oliver Sain, and co produced by him and Billy Davis this is another tune that has not really had that much attention on the scene perhaps due to not being one of the more common Chess releases, another uptempo gritty dancer out of the Windy City, unsure of it's current value but £50.00 should help to tempt a record dealer......pure class. The Webs - Tomorrow - Pop Side 4593 - This is the Impressions meet the O'Jays kind of stuff, certainly one for the male vocal group fans out there, produced by Robert Bateman and Lou Courtney this is a killer record and only a tenner, Tim Brown i'm sure has copies of this at Anglo American so pretty easy to find. Taurus And Leo - I Ain't Playing Baby B/W Goin' Out The World Backwards - Velvet Sound 367 - Two for the price of one here but 'World Backwards' is the side for me, again another oldie that still has so much to offer, always reminds me of Dave Evision being a spin for him on and off over the years, a gem of a record for £25.00. Detroit perfection both sides. Syl Johnson - I've Got To Get Over - TMP-ting 115 - As good as it gets in my book and far eaiser to find than his Special Agent 45 'Do You Know What Love Is' in terms of quality it's up there with that and the superb 'Try Me' another good cheap record, i seem to remember Guy Hennigan getting behind this Chicago mover one many years ago and rightyly so...what a record! seen this for as little as £10.00 so well worth a listen at that money. Mike Watson - I Dig Your Kind - Etah100 - This great semi known out of New Orleans really will have it's day as a big record, needs some turntable action if a few copies can be found, i paid $250.00 for this one a couple of years ago and have championed it a little on my radio show and one or two of the specialist rooms at the venues and it alway creates interest, a light production which grows on, not an instantly 'oh yes' but creeps up on you as a quality tune. pretty rare i would think. Little Jewel - I Want To - Tay-Ster 6011- I love this record to bits, storms along, gritty up tempo New York based soul which again needs a few more spins which will result in a pretty big record, been around for ages, hard to value such records but i would gladly pay £50.00 for it if i did'nt own one............This record is on fire trust me. The Artistics - You Make Me Happy - Bruniswick 55353 - I have a yellow promo of this little known Artistics record, to the best of my knowledge this record does not feature on any of their Albums, this group has already been mentioned here and is one of my favorite male groups up there with The Dells, O'Jays, Volumes, Falcons etc. written by Van McCoy, produced by Carl Davis, arranged by Sonny Sanders and directed by Gerald Sims need i say more? the pedigree behind this record says it all really and is a prime example of The Artistics at their very best, floats along to a perfect tempo just simply a must have record. Value wise i've never seen it listed to be honest the odd promo here and there over the years in sales boxes but never seen an issue/stock copy of this one, quality wise would suggest a £100.00 record but £25.00 would be the more realistic market value if you can find one. Felice Taylor - I Can Feel Your Love - Kent 483 - £25.00 just go out and buy this, nothing more to add really, a belting record that needs playing more, has it all the real deal...Northern!!!!!!! Joe - L - (I'm Not Gonna Be) Worried - Clissac 3001 - Detroit! Detroit! Detroit! cheap £20.00, quality wise would be a £1.000. if it was limited in quantity, another record that has yet to have it's day on the dance floors at rare soul venues, another record that i'm sure is already in many collections, perfect pace, great vocal just out and out quality. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Ain't got 'The Headlines' anymore....great record, best you bring some of these into the soul shack when you guest soon, yes Joan's selecting all the tunes for two hours with little old me on Solar Radio, show will broadcast in about three or four weeks, can't wait...yummy and all that...now i'm going to bed. Later Joan really looking forward to it and don't forget the cream cakes...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I'm not really that sure of current values as it's a bit of a minefield really these days, Ted's about right on the Buddy Lamp, perhaps Chalky or someone will be able to value better than me as it's not really my thing, Roy Robert has to be a couple of hundred i would think maybe £300.00 for the Oliver Joy, Fabulous Peps £75.00, Magic Tones £10.00, Prophets £5.00, Bobbie Jean Bland i'm sure i've seen this listed at about £100.00, Otis Brown again a hard record to find at least £150.00 i would think,Fantaisions another cheap record should be £15/20.00, Little Milton again a cheap quality record maybe £10/15.00 but with a few spins this will go up, i'm likley to be way off on these prices, the cheaper ones are what i paid for them in the course of time infact less with most of them, but as i say it's a bit of a minefield, thanks for your comments and i reckon we could have the makings of a good thread here. Mark Bicknell.

Just been upstairs playing a few tunes and thought what a good idea for a thread, i bet it's been done before but what the hell!!!! So what floats your boat behind closed doors, here's my first batch of ten, maybe a few comments on each record if you all join in? Maybe we could call this collection selections.............. Oliver Joy - Keep Love Growing - Big Deal 133 - Stunning New Orleans Rhythm and Soul here, i've not heard this played out that much, has it all, perfect dance tempo the whole deal, pretty hard to find i would think. Little Milton - I Know What I Want - Checker 1194 - Sadly Little Milton passed away back in August, this is one of his lesser known tracks and it's awesome, pure Chicago soul from a super talented singer. The Fantaisions - Unnecessary Tears B/W That's Where The Action Is - Satellite 2006 - A fantastic double sider also out of the Windy City, a Special Agent production via Monk Higgins, both sides are cream of the crop female emotional soul, cheap as chips but oh so good. Otis Brown And The Delights - Southside Chicago - Ole' 100 - Another beautiful record from Chicago, a very simple production which makes it an awesome group record, pretty hard to find but well worth the hunt, simply perfection. Bobbie Jean Bland - I'm Satisfied Just Loving You - Sack 4360 - Another Special Agent published song, oh so good, what a voice, what a record. The Prophets - My Kind Of Girl - Stephanye 335 - You will be pushed to find a better five pound record, it's quality would suggest a much higher price, but who cares this is dynamite. Magic Tones - It's Better To Love - Mah's 1037 - Produced by Mike Hanks and distributed by Ric - Tic Records, Detroit this is one of my favorite Motor City records up there with some of the big ticket items, should be in all collections and i bet it is. Buddy Lamp - Next Best Thing B/W Just A Little Bit Of Lovin' - D-Town 1064 written and produced by Mike Hanks once again this is a superb double header from an awesome label which produced some outstanding records. The Fabulous Peps - My Love Looks Good On You B/W Speak Your Peace - D-Town 1065, carrying on from my above comments, this record confirms just what quality records came out of this Detroit company, two awesome sides which you don't hear that much out and about, pretty much what it's all about for me. Roy Robert - I Know What To Do To Satisfy You - Tina - An old Stafford Top Of The World spin if my memory serves me correctly, my second copy which i got about ten years ago for £40.00, perhaps a tuff record to locate these days but again well worth the hunt, great voice and mood to the production and more down tempo than his other awesome record 'Got To Have Your Love', this is a peach of a tune and needs more turntable action. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

No i only I only ever remember buying The Majestics off you outside The 100 Club many years ago, i take it you mean the A-Bet Hytones "Bigger And Better" i've had that years mate and it come from another source, and my question was how much is Bobby Angelle worth?????...............lol Mark Bicknell.

I was having a bit of a tidy and changing the main play box around when i came across Bobby Angelle - Living Lie - Money stock/issue copy and was wondering what it's current value is, i checked one of John Manships price guides and it books at £50.00, i'm sure i read recently somewhere maybe on here that it's had a few spins here and there, sorry i'm a bit out of touch with prices etc. so is £50.00 about right or is it more? great record don't want to sell it but i'm just curious, quality tune just sitting on the shelf...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I've been thinking this thread over doing the Sunday night washing up a tradition in my house...lol and as i wear kinda two hats on this one doing the gigs and presenting the music on Solar i have mixed emotions about the whole deal really, i have no problem in playing say a new re issue from Grapevine on the show as a way to promote the record for them but i would not play them out at a gig, a little strange perhaps double standards but radio is a very different animal to the live venues as i tend you use all formats on the show well new legit re issues at least, CD's as and when they get sent to me again to help promote the CD, but it should alwas be about the music and it's enjoyment however the small circles of paper often to seem to get in the way. Regards - Mark 'Bootleg' or is it 'peg leg' Bicknell.

Sure i have being Charles Diamond and the Inspirations - No One Else Can Take Your Place - Breakthrough the one dated 1977 pink lable, and all the Grapevine 2000 releases but they are all legit British releases as already mentioned, pretty much every CD thats ever been issued from Kent, Goldmine etc. etc. but when i DJ i choose to play originals it's just the way i am with it i can't change that, again i don't really care or have an opinion on how others do it as it's none of my buisness i can only comment on how i present myself as a DJ. Example i love the mentioned above track but know there are a couple of first generation originals out there in collections and would not dream of playing it at a live gig but again thats just me. Mark Bicknell.

This old chestnut will go on and on, who's right? who's wrong? and to be honest who really cares? fucked if i do anymore, just lets say we all do it our own way the best way we can and if some choose the original route then whats the problem? i think this has little to do with originals or pressings more to do with who wants to be a DJ and trying to justify their tools of their trade, like i say i don't really care how others work i just do it the only way i know...now over to Mr Rimmer.....lol Mark Bicknell.

Give me a ring as soon as you can we will sought it all out, look forward to it. Mark Bicknell.

Yeh Alan but it was blokes like you that got me interested in the music and the scene in the first place, when i was a 16 year old dancer at Yate, Wigan etc. i used to look up to you old fellows...lol and you could always set the dance floor on fire when we did those gigs in Reading all those years ago and i bet you could still give one or two of a us a run for our money now.........respect. Mark Bicknell.

Respect.....very valid points here, i simply meant that some of us put the music first because that why we are here, strip all the crap away and what are you left with? the music, and no one is bigger than the scene or it's music.....deep down we all know that. Mark Bicknell.

I don't think it's always down to the DJ's perhaps more to do with the nature of the scene and how sometimes having all the big ticket rare records seems to be the passport to becoming a big name, which is true in some cases but not all. I have no comment on the private DJ members thing as again i feel this is perpetuated outside of the DJ circle as often non DJ's if you like seem to have a much louder voice when it comes to how things should be rather than how they really are, quite simply the answer to having a pop at DJ's or thinking they could do better is to put up or shut up, bring on anyone who can do the buisness, breaking into this DJ thing can sometimes prove a little more difficult, it's something that takes a good few years rather than something that will just happen over night, because a box of top notch big ticket items does not always make a top notch DJ, i guess you have to earn your membership into the DJ fold. Mark Bicknell.

Cheers mate, i guess you just have to get on with it, head down, collect and do the gigs as they come to you really, i guess it also depends on how badly you want it, me i just do my own thing, if asked fantastic if not then thats fine, it's certainly not worth beating yourself up over, yes i love the music always have and always will but sometimes the negative vibes on this scene over shadow the very thing that got us all on this scene in the first place THE MUSIC, ego's, personal differences, scene politics, whos hot and whos not is fragile and total crap, the best way forward is to enjoy the music it was here before us all and will be there long after we finish with it, if anyone will be listening to it then is another matter, if we ain't careful we could end up destroying it. Mark Bicknell.

Said it myself many times not what you know sometimes more the case who you know, we all know a DJ should be booked on merit, depth of collection, reputation and entertainment value but it's often jobs for the boys i'm affraid always has been and always will be, often if you try to be a maveric of freelancer it will back fire on you big time, still who cares really, did what you can when you can for who you can when kindly asked, this often closed shop can sometimes have a negative effect on the quality and depth of music played, as for the pressings/bootleg issue i really have not opinion on this anymore because what ever you say can often come across as being a snob or whatever so no comment on that one. Perhaps a case of too many venues, too many DJ's, too much of everything really, go through the motions if you will or choose where and when you wanna get soulful............good luck. Mark Bicknell.

www.solarradio.com CHANNEL 879 SKY DIGITAL - Soul Shack Tonight - NEW ORLEANS SPECIAL AND TRIBUTE TO LITTLE MILTON - 8pm - 10pm UK and 9pm -11pm Central Europe. For requests, mentions and dedications markbicknell@solarradio.com or bicknellmark@aol.com Thanks for listening - Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Do you think the nights are getting darker quick now, seems like summer flys by these days, still soon be Christmas, ask Santa to bring you some originals...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Already had a couple of people showing interest in coming on the show so keep it coming, it ain't rocket science just have a few good records and the rest is basically easy, hust get in touch bicknellmark@aol.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Just a bit of an update regarding the old radio show, firstly i will be celebrating five years on Solar this coming November which ain't bad for a man with limited talent....lol. Solar is a commercial station on channel 879 SKY DIGITAL and also on www.solaradio.com and we are always looking for possible advertisers and show sponsors, the rates are very reasonable so if you have an event, re issue record company, record list or Soul related buisness then it might be worth a call to the station, both myself and Kev Roberts present Northern related shows plus there are many other Modern and current music shows on the station so your ident will reach a big audience global. I am always looking for show sponsors and have had fantastic support from the likes of New Century Soul Club, Soultown Promotions, North Manchester Soul Club and Tyne Side Soul Promotions and i would like to think that they have all been happy with the feedback and coverage of their events, again the rates to sponsor the show are very reasonable so please contact me directly bicknellmark@aol.com Over the next few weeks i will be inviting a number of guests into the studio which include Jo Wallace, Val Palmer yet to be confirmed, Nige Brown, Neil Jones, Sister Dawn, Jamie and Rich from Soulsville, Brett Franklin and others, infact anyone who fancies coming on as a guest then again please let me know bicknellmark@aol.com This Sunday i have dedicated the whole two hours to the music of New Orleans as so much great music came out of this now very tragic city i thought it would be a small gesture to the people and artists of New Orleans so if Willie Tee, Robert Parker, Curly Moore, Donna King, the Sansu groove and much much more floats your boat then check the show out this coming Sunday, also i've included a tribute to Little Milton who sadly passed away last month. The Show goes out between 8pm - 10pm UK Time and between 9pm - 11pm Central Europe CHANNEL 879 SKY DIGITAL and www.solarradio.com Some four decades of quality Northern Soul music and club culture, CD reviews and previews, venue information, requests,mentions and dedications, special guests, club classics, current popular Northern Soul, collectors records and lots more. Lastly a big thank you to everyone out there who tunes in, it's an honour to be invited into your homes for two hours every Sunday and judging by the amount of emails i get on a regular basis and feedback out and about it makes it all so worth while. It's a thrill to be able to play the music i love to an audience, if it's ten or ten thousand it's just simply wonderful, so thanks for your loyal dedicted support. Regards - Mark Bicknell. If you are interested in advertising etc. please either contact the station directly via the website www.solarradio.com or bicknellmark@aol.com

Fat bloke at bar please my folks were married...lol Anything you need in terms of support from me via my radio show please ask, let's hope it all comes together. All the very best - Mark Bicknell aka Fat bastard under the bar...lol

Anyone who go's for the Big Ella here @£40.00 is not only getting a great record but also a bargain IMO, and as James states in needs playing again, a fanstic record. Regards - Mark Bicknell.