Agentsmith

we have to be optimistic......this nomination sets a precedent......this music, this scene is an irresistable force.....for this film to win, let alone be nominated for an award, is an undeniable acceptance....FINALLY that it's part of british culture, and deservedly so......broadminded people understand it's place in the wider concept of contemporary music and that it is received with global recognition. to get to this point, to achieve an accolade it has to be put into context, how it all started..that is what this film replicates. a life spent paying homage to northern soul has to be colorful, especially in teenage years, involving experimentation with drugs, styles, drink, sex and the music itself..finding out what it was all about. elaine's film encapsulates life in the north west of england in an era of no prospects other than escapism...we know it's true because we've seen and lived it first hand..i think she's done a brilliant job of giving us a view of our heritage that is as close to real life as is humanly possible. let us all hope it's equally possible for the powers that be, to deliver a long overdue acknowledgement.....in 4 days we will know.

went to a couple of youth clubs in my time, the latter being st giles y.c. in willenhall. the mobile disco was a regular friday night feature...through this and encorperating the dj's, an all-nighter was eventually organized ( use of equipment you see! ). really, i suppose this grew from 74 onwards until sammies nighters started in 75....however, from about 72, i started going to monday nights at willenhall baths ( it shut down in the winter and a dancefloor was laid over the pool...empty of course! ).....there are a good many on here who will remember this.......with reference to hoards of music-of-the-day kids, standing round watching as a group of youngsters about the same age, did something totally different, dance wise. the dj's would slip in a few tunes every now and then...gradually, over the years...northern soul took over the playlist, almost completely, apart from 70's disco as it was simply referred to then...and more kids got into it. willenhall baths lasted for about 8 years, although the two dj's who started out had also grown older and progressed to putting on a saturday night event there, but by this time, 1980, it was lost on them...much in the same way that the scene was about to hit a rocky period...they used to pack 600 in the building on monday's though and over those years, lots of stuff that became big at the casino, could be heard there.....not just because they invested in the sounds theirselves, the regulars used to bring along tunes for them to play as well...something you wouldn't dream of doing or see happen now!........it really was a conceptual era.......

dave, i'll admit that i'm just a little surprised that linda had not been admitted from day one of this prestigious page, however, matters have now been rectified, so....i'll stick my neck above the parapet...and say it for all to hear...... LINDA JONES IS WITHOUT DOUBT.....THEE GREATEST FEMALE SOUL SINGER...OF ALL TIME.... apologies to the devotees of aretha franklin, but the queen of soul as she is referred to, would have been PERMANENTLY IN THE SHADOWS had linda lived.....such tragic cirmcumstances, contrived to rob the world of a truly unique talent. i pull no punches in making such a statement...linda was the embodiment of a vocal range, a vestige so few are, or have been blessed with...and for the purpose of emphasizing the fact, i have such admiration for others such as doris troy, tobi lark, kim weston, tammi terrell, ty karim & barbara macnair. LINDA was unlike anyone else for her age, showing a maturity before her time...i'm of the opinion that the record companies she dealt with, simply didn't get a grasp of what they possessed.. the 70's would have been her breakthrough era, for sure...she would have been a global superstar.. alas, for the populus of our northern soul scene, her endeavours were not to be witnessed here,she departed this earthly life whilst it was still fledgling..perhaps our only saving grace is, we may all receive fulfillment in heaven's rapture, courtesy of one god given angelic voice....

what an absolute vindication!, most of us were aware something was up, a short while ago. this really does the "soul" good. elaine constantine is an honest-to-goodness woman with an up close and personal perspective of the northern soul scene. she could quite easily have been ridiculed by the glitterati in general,..instead having embraced her vision and generated a close up, as close as it gets to most of our memories of what it was like to live the dream back in those almost hazy days now..against all adversity...she has emerged triumphant, with a celluloid production, steeped in unswerving devotion, but with realism and cold light of day. PEOPLE,...it has taken a woman's belief to deliver a testament to our united passion for our music......a woman...can we now all hold our heads high...we have no need to feign embarrassment ....it simply dosn't exist. She deserves all of the plaudits bestowed on her...and to a man or woman...should she receive the glittering prize she so eagerly anticipates, we should ALL raise a toast to her...the person who perhaps, stood alone, when others doubted, but achieved what no one thought possible...a near as damn it representation of a by gone age, so revered and still cherished...done with justice and love. now the curtain call awaits....let it be righteous...

well done dave, a considerable article about a considerable man, a "giant" in every sense of the term. with the greatest of respect to our terminology, "northern soul"...his terminology "sax break" is unequivical in the importance of our music...exactly what drove almost everything recorded in detroit, also has driven us. mostly, we easily associate his text book with "the middle eight" as has been said but, imho, i believe the record that he dominates the most, and is forever one of the greatest uptempo motown records of all-time is "something about you" by the four tops...you could not imagine that thunderous start without his machine gun staccato -like intro. speaking personally, my last introduction to the man's talent, was probably the last and most recent discovery that displayed his moniker...that being margaret little " love finds a way"...all of 12 years ago now..even in the new millenium his dynamism is still evident. you know we're all aware of how many number one hits the funk brothers played on, over 15 years, yet it appears that mike terry's influence and legacy is responsible, not only for the continued love of motown, but the adulation shared by millions of us for a myriad of stone classic northern soul gems that bear that charisma only he could magic out of his beloved baritone sax. i'm sure everyone will agree, that andrew "mike" terry sits proudly in a place of true honour within this hall of fame.

loved his book from day one Dave, took it along to the Manchester Apollo on 2004 and got the funk brothers page signed by Jack Ashford and the guys after their performance. really is a personal perspective, a genuine close-up that very few people were privilege to in both the 60's and 70's. Sadly, the book was only made available in the states...more people should have it in their collections, it really is a fascinating insight into the workings of the Motown corporation. I think that what Weldon did, in Philadelphia, came as close to replicating the Motown sound, but without the big breakthrough his productions so richly deserved. Having said that, he more than anybody else, is probably responsible for more releases associated with our northern soul scene than any other writer/producer/arranger, outside of Detroit.

his blog is tremendous, he certainly dosn't disguise the fact that he loved being part of/working with the funks, and on so many hits, he introduced originality, particularly the effects he acquired, including wah wah, echoplex and fuzztone. he refers in particular to cloud nine and ball of confusion...you can identify his trademark here, but they are just examples of the enormous amount of work he collaberated on. i don't possess the book..i assume the many anecdotes he is currently relating, must be in there, either way it's fascinating that he can recall so much, his mind as sharp as a knife. love the record catalogue as well, so many northernesque "hits" to his and mike theodore's credit......and a big thumbs up to the man as it's also his birthday today.....congratulations dennis, and a continued long life to you!

fitting in the eyes of a good many, however it has been debated as to it's whereabouts which i understand, didn't impress an awful lot at the same time...perhaps the fund raising should have continued, whereby an obelisk WITH a plaque mounted on it could have been purchased and positioned OUTSIDE the mall. suppose the arguing will carry on until we're all pushing up daisies!

that's now a legacy mike, by which bob will always be remembered.

lorraine, it's a shame that we may never see his likes in the u.k. again...think those who attended the concerts in 2004 were mighty privileged....i also believe that the in-fighting prevented the surviving members from giving us so much more, that we craved and will eternally regret. we have, of course, as our heritage, the musical soundtrack that was, and still is, their creation. eddie gave his heart, soul and long hours in the relentless pursuit of perfection, as a band the guys were an unstoppable force...berry gordy has taken a long time to give them recognition....perhaps now, more than ever, he should step in to help eddie in his time of need or will he never truly know, in such high esteem, his beloved musicians are held. what you are doing is honorable, it's the least you could do, you've known these people all your life long...if you decide to market a video of this showcase, i will most definitely contribute...i envy the folks who will still be able to see mr. willis in the flesh...i just have the treasured memory of 2004, when they finally came out of the shadows...god bless your man eddie. rob

THE definition of motown?....read levi stubbs...so many great vocalists adorn the companies success story, but the stand-out is the top's frontman, and that's not to withhold the tortured genius of ruffin or gaye. stubbs voice and commitment was unfaltering throughout the top's residence. we can talk about the tunes we associate with readily yet, the exposure of archive material in recent years revealed a dirth of classics that would have given them a superior status and rewarded motown financially, had gordy had the foresight to have faith in their output. from the double cd collection released 7 years ago via hip-oselect, i have to nominate a track that has resounded with many similar minded folk and, courtesy of mr. searling, will become a stellar memory for years to come, pending it's imminent release for the first time EVER. CLIP MY WINGS...if you haven't already heard this masterpiece, you are in for a treat.

if it's his inclination.....personally i find it utterly selfish...it's denying people the opportunity to get a REAL glimpse of the past, filmed independantly and with no interference from a commercial perspective..that guy needs to search his soul and his conscience...he's whistling dixie whilst sitting on something unique...is he waiting for someone gullible enough to come along and start a bidding war then??...how does he, or anyone know for a fact, that after 36 years, it hasn't deteriorated?, rendering it bloody useless?.....he's says he's got it.....then SHOW US THE MONEY!!,...to quote a phrase.

we never did get to the bottom of that legend, did we bro?, to quote the "x-files"...the truth is out there...... must get this book, not a ditchwater remark yet, proof that real soul people don't just judge by the cover.

wow.....it's sadly becoming a record year for losses...father time waits for no one, has never rung so true. this gent wrote, produced and sang so many great songs, most, essentially attributed to the northern soul scene. fortunately cody was made aware of this, though be it late in life. it perhaps, was the realisation of a lifetime's ambition, and though it would never be of monatary satisfaction, the pure pleasure of knowing that his catalogue was appreciated literally worldwide, must have been a great comfort...to know your creations were worth the effort.....slowly moulding a new fan club upstairs i bet...amen......r.i.p. cody black

a complete genius, lauded for his talent, a great exponent of jazz in all it's formats...a travesty of justice to die at such a young age...67?, not even time to spit in the wind. i think for most jazz funk fans, brazilian love affair is a trademark by which others are judged, is easily in my top ten of that genre, yet that alone dosn't scratch the surface of what george had achieved in his brief lifetime. his legacy is a university of knowledge for those who want to follow his lead. may i also suggest a wonderful modern soul classic he cut for epic in 1980 "i want you for myself", at the time, right up richard's street.

a giant falls silent....."what's gonna become of me,...now iv'e lost my yum yum tree?" bobby bland r.i.p.

the roster of great voices in heaven burgeons once more, but the choir is enhanced with her unfaltering sweetness. mary love, r.i.p.

think you've got them both on the reggae thing pete, they are, however, walking encyclopedia's and the most likely people anyone would refer to if the guide books don't list it.

tim's the man...but i would say that wouldn't i?....particularly as he's a good friend, he's also intellectual and an in depth mine of information where both of his hobbies are concerned. of course he's not going to please everybody, much in the same way as the maligned ian levine, but he sticks by his guns and his words. oratory probably dosn't interest the masses much, i'd imagine the attention span of a gnat springs to mind, but please don't think i mean that a derogatory manner. a good many just want to cut to the chase and there's nothing wrong with that, but what he does say is well thought out and informative and very rarely off the mark. as a matter of fact, i haven't read his commentary yet so i'll reserve judgement on any of the negatives so far expressed...each to his own as they say!.

a breathtaking tribute....a remarkable voice....a unique human being...the celestrial heavens ring with his name, our lives were richer with him, without, we are left blessed with an enduring legacy. marvin was indeed, a member of clutch of people who are visited upon us once in a blue moon...and many of our generation have been fortunate to witness virtually all of them in that short period of time. mighty, mighty the dells certainly were, and are...marvin junior helmed them to success and an eternal place in musical history. god rest your soul.

even better if you could secure his services kev, for a big gig! no go with holly st james then?

i second that bro

another solemn occasion....such a gifted exponent, his fingertips laced with magic, that infused the sound of the city of brotherley love...and, as is the case with these alchemists, vince was churning out hit after hit over many decades, a true reflection of his resilience and the respect in which he was held by new artists who wanted that something special in their productions....so many clamoured for his talent and so many prospered under his wing. r.i.p. vincent montana...a true philadelphian father figure.

great detective work again rob, you & rixy are like holmes & watson!. ive always had it drummed into me about great voices and jack montgomery sits alongside roy hamilton, ironic that they both had tragically short lives, the former moreso...should have been big stars...but to the northern scene they are and always will be.

amazing vocal clarity this man posessed...a clutch of northern soul classics to his name, a true devotee to music who could be stood up and counted...just dovetailed emmaculately from group to group...and now another awesome voice is silent....god now has another soulful string to his bow...r.i.p. richard