Frankie Crocker

Cheers Kev. Thanks for confirmation. No doubt Simon was a key source of top tunes back in the day. Even today, it is very hard for a DJ to break one new tune given the reluctance of the dancing public to embrace star-quality first time out, so not surprised to learn a mass of instrumentals received a luke-warm response.

Never heard of SS DJing at the Casino. Perhaps Richard, Kev or Pat could verify this. Did anyone on here actually attend an Allnighter he DJed at? Even if he was invited to DJ, he would have only played something that became a bootleg later anyway?

Thanks for posting it Derek. I remember it well. Leaky roof. Inside, it felt more like a hut than a store. Made several visits in the 1990’s and got plenty of nice records.

Agreed Kirsty. The book needs re-writing and the playlists need a makeover. The scene has moved on considerably and a few more ‘crown jewels’ have been revealed. I suppose these gems would be the highlights of the best collections, but realistically, few collectors will ever get close to owning them all. Sure, there’s a case for putting forward the hallowed classics, Right Track, Surprise Party, Out On The Floor etc. That said, some of the top tunes exist in small numbers and are only played out infrequently but qualify due to high soul quotient regardless of rarity eg Connie Austin, Camaros, Karmello Brooks, Margaret Little, Gerri Hall etc. I would struggle to list 1,000 ‘Crown Jewels’ as like yourself, there are many thousands of tracks I like, but it seems there is a real correlation with extreme rarity hence Mello Souls would top plenty of lists along with Ray Agee, Caressors, Sweets, Prophets, Walter and Admirations, Tranells etc There are some really good unexposed tracks out there also that deserve ‘gem’ status and at the risk of doing some DJ’s unearthing, I put forward Louis Jordan on Pzazz, Ricky Gee on Conduc, Herb Ryals on Jubilee, Bands Of Gold on Smash. There are hundreds like these awaiting their time in the limelight and often widely available for a small sum.

The so called Top 500 is badly in need of a review. There are loads of recent biggies not in the Kev Roberts books. If I had to suggest a tune it would be the Joseph Webster/Angela Davis number, My Love Is So Strong. There are of course plenty of other artists that have produced great records such as the Oxford Knights, Parisians, Constellations, Ward Burton, Talmadge Armstrong etc that could feature in a ‘best of the best list’ without being plagiarised by some struggling DJ.

PM’d you but copy is only VG+

Enjoyed re-reading the thread. Some nice yarns here. Can anyone remember the address of Cappy’s. Was it on 8 Mile?

Probably a desperate DJ or a millionaire. Has now become a must-have record for the playbox. Mind you, it was a scarce issue copy.

An object of sheer beauty Ted. And here was me thinking you were spinning the Admirations earlier this year. This could well be the nicest copy on the planet...

This is a particularly delicate issue. Does your regular home insurance cover record collections? Much depends on how valuable the collection is. If you are planning on taking records out of your house to DJ, there is a risk involved and this can be insured against. Ultimately, your best bet may be to burglar-proof and fireproof their storage. Sad to say, the biggest risk to your record collection is allowing a fellow record collector to have access to your treasures. Useful thread though, and thanks for the contact details above as I have had considerable difficulty sorting out insurance in the past.

Best to avoid MP3 venues unless in Majorca, Canaries etc and it’s Trance, House or Techno... If the DJ has a laptop, he’s not a proper DJ - you have to spin discs to be a disc jockey. The DJ with a laptop is a crowd pleaser but only because the term lap dancer was already taken...

Depends on the record and the venue where it could be played. Nothing wrong with boots being spun at the youth club, pub back-room on a Tuesday, charity barbecue at the cricket club etc. The venue may even be a drinking den where nobody ever dances but they like the tunes despite not having a clue what’s playing. if it’s a few youngsters spinning largely to their mates, who’s really bothered? This topic has cropped up so often, it’s about time someone invented an OVO trademark for events’ flyers, posters, web-pages etc so everyone knows where they stand. Maybe the Record Police could be given free entry to supervise the DJ’s and publish playlists? Podium girls (or boys) holding up placards with OVO on to reassure the most critical... I doubt that any top DJ would stoop to play a bootleg at a major venue in prime-time. If they did, I hope someone would name and shame them, ideally on here.

Very slick. Great tune - credit to Nige Brown for putting me onto it and Butch for selling me a copy. Smartly dressed, deft of foot, tailor made for the scene, might have come from Yeovil in Somerset but need to confirm this...

A bit of everything really. Freshly acquired stock from a wide network of sources. Some auction items on consignment from collectors. I think that one or two may even be eBay wins bought fir the shop window to maintain interest. Not sure why some auction values appear on the site after ending whilst others don’t show up. I was looking out for Tommy Bush and a couple of others but they just disappeared.

Yes, I’m a fussy collector and have been very pleased with the records from Carolina Soul. When the grading is conservative, you usually end up more than pleased. One thing I have noticed though is there are more records likely to be on consignment appearing - the grades of these are a little lower than in previous auctions suggesting dealers are unloading well-used records in the hope of earning a higher return. A problem that can occur with records auctioned on behalf of another party is shiv bidding... This is common on eBay and particularly affects rare records that simmer slowly before the snipers get stuck in. A look at the bidder’s history reveals whether they are selective in their targets, keen to get publicity by making dozens of low bids or plain dodgy by withdrawing loads of bids. Generally speaking, I have found the big U.S.A. dealers to be excellent in all respects.

No need to apologise Rob but you’re a tad wide of the mark. Northern Soul does not descend...it cherry picks the best bits to rise above other musical genres. Dora was a Chicago artist I guess, maybe like Timi Yuro. That’s enough in itself to put her on a plinth. She was devoted to her art. The cover versions she cut bear comparison with the original songs. She has left a legacy that we are giving serious consideration to. Pretty Boy is a classic uptempo number that has been played out in public for decades and compiled on albums. You are granted a pardon to be spared of the modern room on the strict understanding you listen to a few tunes by Duffy and Joss Stone to recalibrate your hearing... There’s also a few 60 year old grannies (and grandads) on here so go easy on us Brits - we might be getting on in years, but appreciation of a half-decent tune grows over time. Now where did I put those Dolly Parton 45’s on Monument...

It’s All Over is a nice track of hers - mid pace and ripe for playing out. She has several other recordings on Reinbeau, Cozy and Calamo labels that qualify as Northern but none as good as Pretty Boy. In fact, she could be a contender for one of the most prolific blue-eyed female soul artists.

At Wigan in the late 70’s, some of the youngsters looked 14 or 15 such was their desperation to be part of the scene. How many youngsters of this age attend events today and have a view of the current scene? As I look around at today’s youth, playing on their phones, buds in listening to Ed Sheeran, mimicing the dances on the Fortnight game, perhaps it’s fair to say the Rare Soul scene is safely underground and only likely to appeal to the most ardent of alternative culture seekers?

Spot on Chalkie. For sure, it’s a competition of sorts but an awful spectacle to watch. Perhaps this sideshow harps back to the Anniversary events of the 70’s but it is not representative of what the scene is about today. Dance competitions, dance classes, YouTube dance tips...all could be swept away and no one would miss them.

Well wide of the truth, sorry. The Beatles were great in the 60’s. They flourished as part of the Mersey beat scene, dominated the UK pop music scene and conquered America. They were heavily influenced by Motown and possibly by Spector given the ‘wall of sound’ music they produced. The Northern Soul scene developed in a totally different way. In the 70’s, you had your glam rock for the teen pop followers, your Sabbath, Zeppelin and Purple etc for your long haired hippy brigade and soul/reggae for the mods and all night dancers. The Beatles remain great today, partly due the shortage of comparable pop music in later decades, especially since 1990, the year that pop ate itself. Northern Soul has surfaced as the worthiest genre of vintage music, crossing over to a wider public (for better or for worse) as is evidenced in vinyl sales, widespread events and media exposure. Hardly a week goes by without some 60’s or 70’s soul side receiving acclaim after 40-50 years of being overlooked. The future of soul 45’s looks healthy but I have some doubts about LP’s in general and especially the prog-rock output of the past given the listening habits of the youth today.

PM’s sent. Thanks for the interest shown. Patch on hold, sale pending.

Mid 70’s patch in excellent condition. Blue border with yellow East Anglian Soul Club lettering, white centre with crossed black fists. Genuine patch just unpicked from 1976 shirt, never washed or glued so in really nice conition. PM to reserve or have photos sent. Priced at £15. Free postage to UK address. Payment via Pay Pal Buyer covers Fees) or bank transfer. Thanks for looking.

An old culture in the hands of youthful men as I see it. Vintage music from the 50’s and 60’s in the custodianship of 60 year old spinners and 20 year old backdroppers. The music keeps you young at heart. As has been mentioned many times on Soul-Source, folk of all ages rub shoulders at Allnighters and soul nights, Weekenders and Alldayers - the scene is progressive but has a fine history to look back on. It’s all magic to me as you drop the stylus on the record, hey presto, you’re transported back to the 60’s soundtrack, reminded of the 70’s and lapping it up in 2018.

Copy in VG+ condition for sale at £225 payable via Pay Pal (buyer covers fees) or bank transfer. Price includes postage, packing and full insurance to UK address. Has light, superficial marks and labels a little grubby but top side plays perfect. VG copy sold on eBay for £288.69 20/5/18. PM to reserve or for further info. Thanks for looking.

Two very nice records up for grabs. Price includes free postage, packing and insurance to UK address. Payment via Pay Pal (buyer covers fees) or bank transfer. PM please to reserve or request further info. Thanks for looking. Ringleaders-Baby What Has Happened To Our Love-M Pac VG+++ Plays perfect. Name of previous owner etched neatly in runout. One noticeable superficial stylus trace mark. Clean labels. Beautiful copy not far off mint condition. £325 Bobby Paris-Night Owl-Cameo DJ VG+ Plays perfect. Sticker on Tears On My Pillow side partially removed with slight label damage and a few light marks on the vinyl. £225