Chalky

Ask any soulie, dancer, collector or dealer to name a city closely associated with the scene and I bet most would say Detroit. Ask them to name a label from Detroit and again I bet most would say LaBeat. Both are synonymous with the scene and deservedly so. This release from Grapevine is in the opinion of many long over due and rightly deserves a lasting tribute to the joy the label has brought to many soulies for over 30 years. One look at the people involved behind the scenes at LaBeat, its subsidiaries Mary Jane, Coolschool and Rambler and also Lou Beatty's early collaboration with James Hendrix and his Carrie Label....Fred Bridges, Bobby Eaton and Richard Knight writing team, Curtis Trusel and John Mills, not just writers but part of the in house production team/musicians The LPT's but also writers, Melvin Davis and the famed Mike Terry to name but a few, you just know you are in for a treat!!!! The CD kicks off with the ever popular dancer from Edward Hamilton "I'm Gonna Love You" (the flip "Call Me" features later in the cd). Edward is represented several times the soulful "My Darling Baby" with the Natural Looks and of course with the Arabians with the superb and vastly under-rated and definitely underplayed "Thank Your Mother" and lastly with the all time classic "Baby Don't You Weep"...Northern Soul just doesn't get any better...or does it! Al Williams is probably the name most associate with LaBeat. First played at Wigan although not what you would call a typical Wigan sound, "I Am Nothing" personifies just what the scene is all about, Rare, obscure and above all a dancer. It has remained out of reach for most collectors not just because of it's rarity but also it asking price of £2500 plus. The flip the soulful midtempo "Brand New Woman" also features on the cd and rightly so in my opinion it probably deserved a release of its own. Cheaper but not by much is the later release on Palmer. Al Williams other recording for the label remained in the can but have at long last seen the light of day and it was well worth the wait. A ballad called "She Does It" and very good it is but it's the dancer "Try Them" that will appeal to most I guess and rightly so....due for limited release on Grapevine 7" I can see this one taking off and becoming a firm favourite with crowds up and down the country once one or two DJ's get behind it. Another LaBeat release that went on to gain legendary status at Wigan and still as popular to this day is "This Won't Change" from Lester Tipton, his solitary release for the label. Again this fills all the criteria needed to make it a Northern Soul classic, the intro instantly drags you to your feet making you want to dance with Lester still saying he still loves his girl and things won't change, despite the hurt she's caused. Again an asking price of £3000 plus puts this way out of reach for most collectors plus the fact it's as rare as the proverbial rocking horse s***! The Masqueraders although pretty well known for their musical output and many discs that have gone on to be scene classics are pretty much soul superstars to UK soulies due to their recent live performances over here during the last couple of years. "How" kicks off their input to this cd and the track has become very much sought after in recent times and gained a high asking price a price considered ridiculous by some. On listening you can see why its coveted by collectors and DJ's...perfect Northern. Personally I prefer the driving "I Got The Power", also considerably cheaper as well! If you prefer your soul that bit grittier with a bit more bite then "I'm Gonna Make It" will be right up your street. The mid-tempo lovers won't be disappointed either with the inclusion of "Be Happy For Me". Clifford Binns with his Carrie outing "You Got To Help Me" rightly deserves it's inclusion, a firm favourite in the mid 80's during the Stafford era the disc has received some re-activation in recent times. James Shorter and Don Hart, two friends whop as well as being a double act also recorded individually. James Shorter's "Modern Day Woman" is probably the best known by him. As soulful as they come and becoming very much indemand and probably more so after the release of the cd. The flip also represented on the cd, "Getting Ready For The Heartbreak", more of an up tempo dancer make this a highly collectable double sider, watch the price rise!! Don Hart best effort in my opinion is his Cool School release the delightful midtempo effort "I'll Keep Holding On". The track hasn't had the recognition it deserves in my opinion and hopefully that will now change. Nelson Sanders has two releases included on the cd, "This Love Is Here To Stay" and "Mojo Man" suit those who love the more R&B/funkier sound while his "I'm Lonely" and "Tired Of Being Your Fool" are two great ballads. Not too be outdone by his artists, Lou Beatty chips in with his version of the Masqueraders "A Family" and the previously unreleased "Wet Pillow". With the inclusion of the unreleased instrumental of "I Am Nothing" there's pretty much something for everyone on the cd, deep to dancer, ballad to midtempo to R&B. LaBeat, although just a tiny label in Detroit's thriving music scene of the 60's and what would be considered a commercial failure, has played a large and influential part in the history of Northern Soul and with this release a small band of musicians and artists have at long last had all their efforts recognised and hopefully they will at long last reap some reward for their efforts. Chalky June 2006 Track listing from Paul Mooney. GVCD 3029 01. Edward Hamilton " I'm Gonna Love You 02. The Masqueraders - How 03. Lou Beatty a" A Wet Pillow * 04. Edward Hamilton " My Darling Baby 05. Don Hart & James Shorter l" All The Love I Got 06. Nelson Sanders " This Love Is Here To Stay 07. The Masqueraders t" I Got The Power 08. Don Hart " I'll Keep Holding On 09. James Shorter t" Modern Day Woman 10. Al Williams " I Am Nothing 11. Lester Tipton i" This Won't Change 12. Edward Hamilton " Thank You Mother 13. Clifford Binns e" Take It From Me 14. Nelson Sanders " I'm Lonely 15. The LPTs i" I Am Nothing (Instrumental) * 16. James Shorter " Ready For The Heartbreak 17. Clifford Binns " You've Got To Help Me 18. Al Williams " Try Them * 19. Don Hart & James Shorter e" It's In My Mind 20. Lou Beatty " A Family * 21. Nelson Sanders u" Mojo Man 22. The Masqueraders " I'm Gonna Make It 23. Al Williams s" She Does It * 24. Don Hart " I Can Make It 25. Edward Hamilton q" Call Me 26. The LPTs " Long Cool Summer 27. Nelson Sanders h" Tired Of Being Your Fool 28. Al Williams " Brand New Love 29. Edward Hamilton & The Arabians e" Baby Don't You Weep 30. The Masqueraders " Be Happy For Me * Previously unissued more info at http://www.grapevine-soul.com

Lowton Civic Hall New Years Eve Saturday 31st December 8pm - 2.00am Choice of three rooms to see in the New Year Northern Room including Andy Dyson, Tim Brown and Molly, Ian Cunliffe, Steve Whittle. Modern Room - Baz Maleady and friends. RnB Room - Pete Coulson and friends

Latest News and Info on the Lifeline Weekender Full information and the latest new on this upcoming event. Not long now for the Lifeline Soul Club's first Real Deal Rare Soul Weekender to be held 3rd, 4th &5th of February 2006..... Being held at the "Ye Old Bell" Barmy Moor near Retford. Here's what the Hotel says of its self and having seen it we can only agree!! "The Ye Olde Bell, one of the most distinctive hotels in Nottinghamshire is set in several acres of beautiful grounds close to Sherwood Forest in the heart of Nottingham's enchanting countryside. It has all the charm and character you would expect from one of England's oldest coaching inns, with its oak panelled rooms, log fires and leaded windows. Guests are assured of all the modern day comforts required by the most discerning of guests. The surrounding area is rich in history. Nottingham and York are less than an hours drive away." The hotel is sold out but there is a travel lodge close by at Blyth Services from where we will be hoping to run a mini bus from there to the venue for those who cannot get a room at the venue (if there are enough stopping there). There are also B&B's in Blyth itself and the surrounding area. I'll post some further details as soon as possible. Weekend passes are still available for £35. The music policy for the weekend will be the same as the successful Lifeline all-nighters, upfront, rare, unissued, cheap, expensive, forgotten &thinking man's and woman's oldies.....anything as long as it isn't played week in week out DJ's confirmed include Butch, Andy Dyson, Mick H, Soul Sam, Cliff Steele, Chalky, Kitch, Dean Anderson, Arthur Fenn, Tim Brown, Rob Thomas, Andy Whitmore & Christian Brodsjoe. Others who have gladly given there services free for the afternoon sessions include the London Mafia Marco, Teff and Tony Smith, Hammy (the Scottish one), Ali &John Nightingale, Glyn Thornhill, Brett Franklin, Jamie &Rich (Soulsville), Ged Parker, Mick Howard, James Trouble & others....quality assured I think you will agree!! To reserve your pass for the weekendor for further enquiries please e-mail Chalky @ chalky@soultown.eclipse.co.uk (or telephone 07743 863 523) or Andy Dyson @ Dysonsoul@aol.com (01302 744927) or Mick @ Trentsoul@aol.com This will also mark Lifeline's second anniversary

Since April, 2002, The Steve Propes 45s Show has been heard weekly on www.wpmd.org, generally live, on Saturdays, 9 to 11 a.m., PT. (1600 to 1800 GMT), check your local time zones. Often, guests show up: Kell Osbourne, Rip Spencer, Tony Allen, Count Yates, Elliott Shavers, Young Jesse, Thomas Turner and Charles Wright, among others, have been recent guests on the show. They hear their music, then they comment on their career. It's all very casual. Steve has a collection of around 35,000 r&b/soul and other style 45s, so he can always get something new on the air to play.

latest info on feb 2006 weekender team Hi folks time is getting on and we need some monies from you all. Could those who have reserved a room please pay 50% deposit for each person in the room. Those who have reserved a weekend pass copuld they please pay the full pass amount of £35. Send monies to Lifeline Weekender 12 Micklebring Grove Conisbrough nr Doncaster South Yorkshire DN12 2LG would prefer if can send cash but if you wanna pay by cheque mail Chalky @ chalky@soultown.eclipse.co.uk for details. We will need the deposits for rooms paids by the end of August, if depsoits not forthcoming your room could be allocated to someone on the reserve list. You can alos pay if and when you see one of us out and about which is most weeks. Many thanks Andy, Mick & Chalky

Latest news and details of forthcoming Manchester Nighter MIDDLETON CIVIC HALL JULY 16TH 2005 THE RETURN OF SOULTOWN, LIFELINE AND BACKBEAT SOUL CLUBS As most of you know Soultown, Lifeline and Backbeat have been homeless due to the closure of Sheridan’s. On July the 16th by kind permission of promoter Geoff Richardson and Middleton Civic Hall, we will be hosting the all niter there. Lifeline and Soultown will share the main room, the same as New Years Eve And backbeat will take there own room downstairs. Add to this the Carl Willingham suite, and I think we have an all niter that will be hard to beat. So the line up is MAIN ROOM Andy Dyson Soul Sam Chalky Rob Thomas Carl Fortnum Bob Hinsley Robbo Kev Murphy DOWNSTAIRS THE BACKBEAT CLUB Mad Hatters Tea Party line - up: The Mad Hatter - Roger Banks The March Hare - Steve 'Hoss' Watson The Dormouse - Neil Lee The Cheshire Cat - Mace The Catapillar - Neil Henderson Tweedle Dum - Lee Miller Tweedle Dee - Joe Dutton THE CARL WILLINGHAM SUITE Col Kidson Jayne Carter Fred Krol Geoff Buckley Steve Jenks Mick Howard Craig Atkins Maria Willingham. Three rooms featuring some of the best DJ’s around catering for quality soul music to suit most tastes all played in a superb venue with superb facilities 3mins from the M62 [Middleton Heywood Junction] 3 miles north of Manchester. There is a great balcony over looking the large main room with a bar and record bar. Record dealers are asked to book tables in advance. We are currently in negotiation with 2 other venues for a permanent home, details of which will be hopefully announced at this night. Other promoters please take note that the 3rd sat of the month will be the night we run our events on, this night has been selected to avoid clashes with the CIS all niter[4th sat]and Crewe all niter[2nd sat]. Once again many thanks to Geoff and Bob at Middleton Civic. Further Info 07792 164683