Len

I had my house burgled once while I was at a Soul night funnily enough. I got back late that night, and the house was a complete mess, I looked across the room and saw that the catches on my D.J box were undone — I ran across and opened it……They didn’t take one singe one! I was extremely slighted by that! - They actually left me a tape! True story (except for the very last bit) On a serious note though, when I saw the box had been opened I had a ‘sick to the stomach’ feeling, so I really feel for anyone who has had the misfortune of having records stolen. Of course it is the responsibility of the D.J to look after his records, but it wouldn’t go a miss if promoters gave them the option of locking them away somewhere during the night. I also have a chain / pad lock on mine, but do you know what? — I feel a bit rude using it, because it looks like a sign of mistrust to my fellow soulies / D.J’s, I don’t feel comfortable doing so. It is the world we live in I’m afraid, so this latest episode is a wakeup call for us all. Again, best of luck to Craig ref getting his tunes back. All the best, Len

Just awful, every D.J's night mare. I really hope some luck comes your way and you get them back. Maybe if whoever is responsible reads this, they can search their conscience and return them - If you are, put yourself in Craig Smiths place for one moment. You have taken something that undoubtedly has taken a life time to amass. PLEASE RETURN. Best of luck mate. Len

I don’t think Jocko was speaking down to Oldies Lovers - On the contrary, he was saying all that kind of talk was damaging to the Scene, and speaking down to people who were doing just that at that time. I particularly liked the point made in reference to someone he was accusing, about them not doing anything themselves for the Scene - just criticising…..Yes, nothing’s changed! The labour of love is the fact that it took a lot of effort to do something like this in ‘those days’…..I know, as I was the 'Editor' of a fanzine called ‘Northern News’ a few years later, and that was a lot of effort then, but I at least I had a word processer to do it on (Typed by my ‘ex’ mother in law) Folding and stapling them all together was a real pain - most definitely a ‘Labour of Love’ though. Looks like this thread may turn a bit fiery - Great stuff! N.B - You may not have heard of ‘Northern News’..... All the best, Len P.s - Pete, I don’t think you’re a c*nt, your input on threads is welcome whether they are agreeable or not, they keep up debate, which is what it’s all about

Great stuff, second issue to be typed on the same typewriter please Jocko - Retro! Good to see the original version of some of the arguments, rather than all the re 'issues' we have today Nice one. All the best, Len

Let me know Len...or any other reading this who was part of that venue! It would be a shame if we didn;t do 1 last one....like a school re-union....I learnt much there as did u obviously!!hehe!x My Northern had consisted of my mates 100 tunes going back to 1974 on 4 tapes! That was it until 1993...and the City Stops DJ's...you included....teached me loads!!!Thanx...X Bud Harper....never heard it until u played it! Rob...That's My Girl.....which I knicked and took natiownide and had success with it everywhere! DJ's from over 30 Soul Clubs from around the nation came there as 'guests'! Super stuff! A school of learning it was....fancy going back to see how ugly we all is 15 years later???!!!??!x @@ ~ LUV SOOTY X .....u ain;t seen this mong have yer???....!hehe!x ...I felt safe at the City Stop. Fudge never used to get in me face until after we left there. We'd jump in the bus.....17 of us...and go to the 100 Club....he;'d flick paper and matchsticks at me all the way down the M11. I'd avoid him before me spot by mingling and dancing.....and then as I go on stage....a tap on the shoulder...i'd turn around...and 'Soots....YOUR SHI*E' would bellow in me lug hole....for inspiration. 7 years he did that. It dented me confidence i assure you!x @@ ~ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you ain't had your 'confidence dented' by Fudge - You ain't a 'proper' soulie, as far as I'm concened (It goes 'hand in hand' with being 'fleeced' by a record dealer! )....I remember after my first time D.Jing at The 100 Club (which you rang beforehand to wish me luck - v. much appreciated that) All went well and I was absolutely exhausted afterwards (what with at least 4 weeks preparation!) I 'limped' off the stage somewhat relieved, and sat next to Fudge.......Ooops....."You were sh*t" (of course!).......I tell you what, it was just what I needed - I cried with laughter! Brilliant, what a c*nt he is (in a nice way) City Stop again? - Why not?, I'm sure yule create a 'buzz' for it, even if there was five All-nighters on the same night. A word of advice though mate - If you do it, you will need to do what you did back then x 10, then it will be a success All the best, Len

Yes, still plugging the Mid-tempo thing mate I had a 'Grand Final' night at The Embankment Club back in 2007, after 15 years. This was by choice, due to a terrible new Manager, having some more babies, and having a business to run. In hindsight a very good decision (albeit more luck than judgement) because from around that date, the Soul Scene exploded with hundreds of new events (as you can see by looking at the calendar) I was well pleased it finished on a massive high - it was a lock out by 9.30, and I had to sneak people in past The Management (lot's still owe me entrance money!) Rob, if you remember never did The Maltings, him and Karen went their separate way and started The Buzz. This is where we differed in opinion - Rob wanted to introduce different music to The Soul Scene to attract younger people, they ended up being very successful playing different music first, then introducing Soul Music to that 'Scene' (I was pleased for them) Also pleased to be working on my own - It's the only way! Ciro and Sharon are 'out 'n' about', but I don't see them very much (different places) I see Dave and Lisa still at local events that I am involved in (at arms length) - I have to put my 'Mid-tempo' Two Penneth in! Ref that photo, we were actually using the Mike as the Ear Phones if I recall! - Still trying to remember the shirt though (Almost the 80's look that!) Yes, happy times....when the Soul Scene was made of Chocolate I'll take up your offer next time I'm about in you area.......Crumbs, are you coming back to haunt us mate?! All the best, Len

I was just browsing the front page, and a thought came to me with ref this thread. Going back to the point made on why (since the site change) some of us are now no longer ‘drawn’ to ‘other’ events threads - We established that before, we would see someone we knew (or interested us) and would usually ‘click’ onto whatever they were writing. Anyway, my suggestion would be to highlight the names that appear on the front page when someone makes a post in a really bright colour. I don’t notice who’s posted unless I’m following a thread, I think this would draw people to threads that they may not be aware of - Any thread really, but for the purpose of this discussion, events threads, then maybe creating that ‘buzz’ again for some events. Just a suggestion. All the best, Len

Aye up Sooty me ol' Bean! All the best, Len (Still keeping it real)

Agreed - The 'different version' is an obsession of ours! All the best, Len P.s .....Now where're going to 'RareMusicDirect'?

Who's Ken? ..... .....I know, what could have been aye? All the best, Len

...Ooops double post. Len.

Hi Andy, There's some great photo's of Record Rooms on this link (mine's in there somewhere) All the best, Len

Would I be correct in saying the 12" version is pretty rare, or maybe a 'keeper' to those that have it? I think Soul Sam used to play the long version, which I've been after for years. If anyone has one for sale give me a shout, unless of course todays somewhat surprising prices scare me off (I'm a bit skint) Here's hoping. All the best, Len P.s - I'll swap it for an engineering company......I would have put 'thriving engineering company', but I couldn't possibly 'over egg' something for sale - It just wouldn't be 'cricket' would it?

They are everywhere.... Len P.s - Allegedly....... .......

Back on topic - Two step (the dance) is great, and easy to do! It’s just ‘stepping’ from one foot to the other (clues in the title), absorbing the music, and enjoying yourself - Otherwise known as ‘Dad Dancing’ (in a complimentary kinda way)….Holding a bottle of beer is optional, but allowed in this particular instance. Brian Goucher trained me at ‘Essence’ …..I simply had to do some ‘Norman Soul Dancing’ at times though. It just didn’t feel right doing it all night, but these guys can, no spins or anything required - blo*dy ridiculousness if you ask me - Call themselves Soulies! Seriously though, I would imagine any music that you can do ‘Two Step’ to, can be classed as ‘Two Step’, up until the tempo gets too fast to do so (That’s my understanding anyway) If adopted every so often, it can save one looking like a ‘husk’ after a nighter, which apparently isn’t the most attractive look - so Nina (Mrs ‘Long Suffering’) frequently tells me….usually closely followed by, 'F*ck off Len, you’re scaring the Children'…….. …..’Poetic licence’ that last bit, by the way (honest) All the best, Len

Near St Ives (Of the legendary nighters / dayers fame)......down in Cornwall of course........thank the Lord for Sat-navs.....or Taxi's (before someone else says it)........ Len

......I can tell you what it's not (if that's any help).....It's not a 'Burnley Sound' (There's a whole thread on that)......and it's the last kind of dance you would see (or do!) at Burnley All the best, Len

Same here...but I'm still trying my bestest to picture it All the best, Len

I've mentioned this many times before - The best 'tongue in cheek' descriptions of records I can remember were Rudzi's from Boogaloo Records......also from Leicester.....is it something about that part of the country? Because they're all blo*dy good at it! All the best, Len

...Yes, a very good site Pete........and I will be playing similar soul sounds that are for sale, in 'Lens Den' at Soul in The Bowl, Rushden on Sat April 13th - hope you all can make it All the best, Len

Yes, Cliff is who I remember playing it, sometime in the 90's - Two of us dancing! lol. That happened twice with it 'around these parts', once at The Pemberton Centre (when Tony Parker ran it) and once at The Embankment Club - I remember Brian Goucher coming up to me with his arms in the air, saying "Len, what the f*ck is up with everyone? This is one of the best, and rarest records that ever was!".....then we both carried on 'bopping' to it I expect Ion played it for a short while, then moved on to 'samat else' Great tune. All the best, Len

Crumbs Garry - That's a bit 'out there' - But I got it! Len

To directly answer your thread 'starter question' - Anyone Know Who Runs This Site? Yes All the best, Len .......Just noticed, some ones named him - All I'll add, is that Lee is a good ol' boy - It obviously works for him, the site has been going a long time I enjoy reading 'exagerated' record descriptions, and think most are 'tongue in cheek' anyway.

Good word! All the best, Len

To be fair though, these types are enjoying themselves, yes and the ones that leave for their hotels. It's up to them ain't it? We're just desperately clinging on the hope that the nighter scene (as we knew it) will last forever - It won't, it's shrinking all the time. But I'm gonna embrace the change, and enjoy when I go out as much as I can. Even now, I'm enjoying the smaller room soul nights more than ever before. All the best, Len