Frankie Crocker

Awesome tune. One of the very best Northern tracks. Certainly in my top ten. Compare it to his Hard Working Man RnB track and there's a world of difference.

Should be institutionalised. Serious record gathering is hard enough anyway - who needs twerps like this making it harder for honest collectors? Merry Christmas to all genuine record collectors out there...

This makes sense for records in a sales box but not convinced it is necessary for DJ playbox records or collectors' records. Using old sleeves is sometimes more trouble than they are worth. I do like the idea of keeping a record with its original sleeve but double sleeving everything bulks up the volume reducing the number of records per box. Surely access to records is a more important consideration than having to fumble them out of one sleeve and then another?

Even stupider question here but why put records in paper sleeves before putting them into cardboard sleeves?

Ditto.

Maybe we'll see his mug shot on Crime Watch, you know the section they put up the faces of the stupidest thieves so they can be grassed up...

Dave - on reflection, you need to grab any of the cheapest compilations still available in the shops, usually priced at £5- £10; these are generally compilations of the best of compilations if that makes sense ie good, old established tunes that could be accessible to someone not on the scene. The Torch, Wigan Casino, Blackpool Mecca series of CD's are still available and are well worth a close look. The troops have done a fine job of identifying the very best CD's released over the last 10-15 years but these will probably only be available second hand on Amazon or eBay. I visited the new HMV store on Oxford Street yesterday and there were virtually no Northern Soul CD's there; there were a few more in the larger HMV store but really only the remnants of what has been a 20 year production line of decent releases. It looks as though the CD business has almost run it's course so I would urge anyone seeking decent music, to sweep the shelves clear of the last few...

Ditto

Ditto.

He was a liar. Why didn't you get another box, continue the joint collection, take it away for the weekend and have it' 'stolen'?

Well said Pete. Drugs get too much coverage in the book. The scene was mainly about the music to most of us back then, and still is now.

May Santa bring you loadsa records Roger.

Kimbo - real sickener. Hope the culprit returns the records pronto. Too much record thieving going on. General consensus seems to be ostracise the scumbag or batter the b#####d - either option's too good for him. Real mates don't steal from mates so kick this kleptomaniac off your guest list.

Tommy - awesome tune. Ignore low-ball offers from Ady...

Some cracked records play perfectly. Some cracked records can be sold on at a profit. No one would choose to have a broken record in preference to an intact one but sometimes you have to settle for less than the best. I sold a cracked Five Chances on Finch for a £100 making a nice margin - the dealer who took it sold it on making his cut. We all have cracked records I suspect, particularly the owners of larger collections, but how many of us actually scrutinise every disc meticulously before parting with the cash - not me for one. Every trip to the US results in at least one cracked record per 100-200 bought but they can be sold on if they play OK.

What a storming set - wish I'd been there. With such great sounds, not to mention rarities, how could anyone be less than satisfied?

Store stock itself these days is a bit disappointing, decent bits 'back room' or online sales. He did used to move some pretty good items at one point in the past but quieter of late from what I hear.

All these records sound like oldies ie 1966-1969 vintage. If they were Crossover sounds then they would be less accepted by the oldies crowd but they're not... Do oldies lovers really resent the discovery of new oldies? I would hope not given that it's all good music. To answer the question, the oldies brigade would embrace these sounds as they're good dance tunes and timeless in their appeal.

Chris Beachley of the Wax Museum record store in Charlotte put the record out, presumably a genuinely leased reissue. The record is excellent and deserves occasional outings in public. The OVO connoiseurs would expect to hear it on Back Beat or Dynamic but if you were playing it to a wedding reception disco in the local sports club, nobody would fault you but someone might say hasn't the DJ got good taste... Chris used to run a really neat store with loads of good tunes, many in quantity, but I'm not sure if he's still in business. Any dealer who provides a comfy armchair for the Mrs is welcome to a slice of my pay cheque...

Leave Berbatov out of it...

Not too many bargains this week. Passed over the Bobby Paris in Beanos of Croydon a few years ago - mistake. Passed over a white Demo of Buster and Eddie more recently as I have the issue - really stupid mistake. Old codger in Las Vegas owes me $7 change from the Lou Ragland I bought about 15 years ago but the price fetched today may help me reach closure in another 15 years... I think Manny should put together a book of auction sales pitches to give us something to read on Christmas Day...

Mambouk should be named and shamed. Evidently untrustworthy and one to shun...

Hot Boxing evolved as individuals felt the urge to DJ irrespective of the size and calibre of their collections. Steve Chadwick could lay claims to be the first Hot Boxer... Once upon a time, the credentials for DJing were an eclectic collection of sounds plus the backing of knowledgeable club goers wanting quality sets. Nowadays, anyone with a bucket-list of top tunes, spare cash and the urge to DJ thinks their chance has arrived because they have ticked off Charles Sheffield, Lonnie Lester, Exits, Brice Coefield etc. Perhaps we should consider ourselves fortunate there are young collectors out there competing for the best tunes to play in public as this can only be good for dancers, event goers and the long term existence of the scene itself.

Yep. Thanks for the reminder. Cloisters was the basement with the suit of armour in the club. Used to drink pints of lemonade there so not to fall over spinning...didn't make much of a difference though...

Pips was behind the cathedral. Placemate 7 was the name of the club on the Wheel site in Whitworth Street. The Solem Bar at the university union had a great soul night on Tuesdays. There was a Sunday allayer on the road going past the prison but can not recall it. Do remember the suit of armour in the middle of the dance floor at Rafters. Across the street from Rafters was a club where Tommy Hunt featured, had palm trees in the upstairs room but can not recall the name. Sure was a good place to be in the mid to late 70's though.