Steve G

Looks great!

Here is what I printed in Blackbeat (July 82): "CURTIS ANDERSON was born in Baltimore, and at age 16 he became the music director of radio station WEBB, where he had started off as an errand boy at the James Brown owned station. He got to know James very well, and when a DJ didn't turn up one day, Brown suggested that Curtis take his show. Curtis went on to become program director of WEBB, WRDW, and WJBE, and is currently Programme Director of WINN in Baltimore. According to the press review CURTIS is a very busy person, as indicated by the success of WWIN and his many real estate deals. He is a good planner, practical, and not afraid of hard work. He's the type of person who puts his cards on the table and aims for the top. CURTIS definitely likes to keep up to date on new developments in the music field, and has brought a new pride to WWIN and Baltimore with the music he is playing. Away from the promotional leaflet, here are some facts about CURTIS courtesy of IMPACT Pubs. Date of Birth: 16-9-53, he's single, nicknamed Curtis or CA, is 5'11" and 192 lbs weight. His hobbies are ski-ing and home remodelling, his most memorable moment was recording his first album…. Favourite artists: Quincy Jones, Manhattans, Patti label, James Ingram, Luther Vandross. Auto: Corvette Food: Anything, especially ice cream. Awards: Jack Gibson Program Director of the Year, Best Baltimore Radio Award". ---- So there you have it. Looks like the album never made it out, so some unissued tracks somewhere.

I came across him in early 82. I'd purchased "How can I tell her" from Soul Bowl for £20 some time earlier, then went on a detective hunt to try and find out more. This was before we had the internet obviously. I soon found him In Baltimore and wrote to him ℅ WWIN. He was very generous and sent me two copies of everything on Charm City (at the time no "second version" of "How can I tell her") + photos etc. of the acts, some of which I used for a feature in Blackbeat. In fact Curtis's picture adorned one of the mag's covers, although it was a horrible Gestetner copy, unlike todays 300 dpi professional jobs. "Hardest part" was later (c.85) and it looks like just before he had to give up radio DJing due to his throat problems. Anyway one of the good guys.

As soon as I saw Danny Baker my heart sunk (sorry!). But having Cheryl narrate it was good, as she knows her onions and is well respected. I guess the BBC can't magic film up from the 1970s if it isn't there in the archives.

Walter Wilson's Wand 45 was another BeJax classic.

Yes Karl, Volume 4.

Don't listen to everything you are told John…..plenty of excellent tracks on those LPs. Live a little, have both the album set and the new set.

What issues brought up Rob? The only one I could see was your complaint that the set didn't feature some tracks that you thought it should. Then the comments about the compiler not having a clue, possibly being "American" (!) and your view that it'll suffer because it doesn't have certain tracks that have probably already been out more than once. Some bold statements from you that I thought were off colour. that's all.

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ This. Stak-O-Wax and the like which take up valuable room, can probably throw them in the bin now with 45Cat.com etc. Steve

Hello James, I am missing about 3-4 last time I looked, and I practice the school of thought that says one might turn up one day….although I realise that with the passage of time any hope diminishes to the point of near non-existence. Still we live in hope. Time on my hands? I've never been busier, what with work, a house move and a complete resort of my collection. No time for making lists here I am afraid. Hope you are well.

Ah, that is one of my missing ones! So with unissued tracks too, it makes a mockery of the "guy who did it hasn't got a clue" comment.

I stand corrected then, I shall go and have a closer look but just assumed it was all issued material.

I love it when us Brits get all uppity about compilations and what they should or shouldn't contain. Americans "do" northern soul how very dare they!! Clearly only one of the 4 albums produced is aimed at the "northern" market. Pretty much got all of the Loma singles here bar about 3-4 mystery ones and so can say with some confidence that there was a huge diversity of styles produced. Yes a few of the choices aren't ones I would have selected, and some great tracks have been missed. It is a bigger shame however that no matter how many Loma compilations get done, we don't seem to be able to get beyond the issued product and into the vaults at the unissued product. As Dave says hopefully a second box set to come.

Thanks Russ. I got it at Cleethorpes 2006 from John Anderson. At the time it was a lot of money, but asking about it no one seemed to know it, and it got its first plays from me at least at Crossover venues, and the Beds / Herts do's I DJ'ed at back then. It's been a much requested record ever since and is very popular both at Xover and rare soul events. Great news that SJ are putting it out. Hope you are well Russ.

A pivotal figure I am sure he was in NY for a while. RIP.

What a great concert that must have been, and it is THE Wally Cox too.

Bay Area legend.

And me, a masterpiece of soul.

Great stuff, keep up the excellent work Dave.

Nice write up Dave. Just to add a bit….he'd worked at Bobby Robinson's Fire / Fury set up in Harlem until 1960, when Scepter employed him. He left Scepter when Pete Garrison was hired, worked at St. Lawrence, and then in 1966 for the Leaner's at One-Der-Ful, promoting Alvin Cash etc. His name must appear on at least a thousand records and his tireless promotional work was legendary in the industry. He was one of the most under-rated people in our music.

It has actually got into the Solar Radio top 30 which is normally new music….great result. SWEET RHYTHM CHART 2ND 9TH NOVEMBER (CHART 39 OF 2015) ... 21NEW-DEE DEE WARWICK 7INCH SINGLE YOU TORE MY WALL DOWN SOUL JUNCTION

Fabulous.

Good article

Fabulous achievement Mike.

The man was a legend.