soulfulsaint

I'm going to exclude Sandy Wynns 'A Touch of Venus' for the more soulful Ty Karim 'Lighten Up Baby'. Maybe too slow for some but I like sets that vary pace as well as taste. am I alone?

..'No Second Thoughts' ....

I was in Detroit when the news broke. Ironically the CCC After Hours Club where the shooting took place is on 8 MIle Road, not far from May's Used Record Shack, a favourite haunt of nortthern soul collectors over the years.

I've got a 45 by Wee Willie and the Winners 'Wipe Your Feet and Dance'. It would go down well on deep-funk scene - how should I cover it up?

Gerry and Paul and Soul Emmisaries went on to found nucleus of The Fat Back Band (Note the label name) Dirt cheap records in the past but have gained in value over the years through a mixture of time, the rare groove scene in '80s, US funk boogie scene, etc. Others on forum are much better placed to give you a current value. They were around in 'junk' boxes in the '70s - but deserved better. I suspect it was the rare northen soul scene's allergy to 'funk' that caused them to be feel shunned.

Not sure if that's true I remember a guy at Wigan called Matchie from Rotheram - good dancer - sure he was smaller than Tom Thumb

Wee Gee was born on July 13, 1950, in Detroit, Michigan. His full name is William Franklin Howard II. Better known as "Wee Gee", a nickname he acquired in high school. In high school, Wee Gee sang with a group called the Sir Primes. He left the Dramatics in 1972, and pursued a solo career. "Hold On To Your Dreams", and "You've Been A Part Of Me" are two of his singles. He rejoined the Dramatics for their reunion in 1986, but left again in 1989. His replacement was Steve Boyd-Barnett. Wee Gee died of a heart and chest condition s February 22, 2000, in Bronxville, New York. His funeral was held in Detroit seven days later. He was only 49 years old.For fuller biog see this Dramatics fans site at. https://dramafever.tripod.com/id19.htm stuart

Its from the LP/CD 'Spirits'.

I agree with that sentiment Matt. One of the reasons that Larry Saunders released the rare 'Free Angela' LP was that a significant injustice had been done to Angela Davis in the name of the US state pursuing the Black Panthers. She didn't wear gloves, she didn't go to Wigan - but in the words of Towana and Total Destruction, she did 'Wear Her Natural Baby' Can't see how politics of social change and civil rights can be stripped out of soul music? I didn't wear a glove but they were a lot cooler than some of the garb that has been worn in the name of northern soul. Next week - Beer towels and why they helped free Nelson Mandela

Just back from a business trip to Detroit, where the local papers were dominated by the death of the rapper Proof. Whilst there I went to the Fox Theater to see O'Jays, Tempts and Bobby Womack. Good show. At the height of the Tempts set, Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops was brought on to stage in a wheel chair. Levi has had a stroke and looked very old and tired and clearly had no idea what was happening around him. Really sad to see a legend in such a state.

I agree with Paul. I have a pretty decent collection of rare northern from '60s through to modern. Among them are big rarities. But over the years I've collected white label US imports too, the idea being to get the best soul/club music I could. The more I look through those boxes, the more precious they have become in my mind. Gladys Knight, Harold Melvin, James Brown, Lolleata Holloway and even New York Disco on 7". Among the boxes are some great soul records that may not be 'rare' in the northern sense but feature some of the best music over the last forty years. Its too easy to have 'tunnel-vision' about collecting and allow rarity to be more important than quality.

There is currently an Impel (Florida Indie) release on auction at anglo american with bids above £400. The yellow Seventy Seven southern regional original is around £100.

Thanks for that Gareth - love it even more now and have another want's list too.

Trying to date the collection it includes records that were big on the scene in the post Wheel era, and include a lot of records that were pre-Wigan. If you get my drift. I am taking a wild guess here. But did you go to clubs like 'Rowntree's Sounds', along the road from Ralphs in Manchester Victoria. Or 'Motown' in Shaw near Oldham. Or even the 'Seven Stars' in Heywood. Many of them are original and the boots were readily available in Ralphs.

Gene Dozier and Dale warren connections please? Any other info on Keni Lewsis's DC Sounds label? Thanks for information so far guys

Warning this is a chin-stroking thread and I apologise in advance. Hi Can anyone help with research. I'm trying to make sense of the last confusing months of the legendary Shrine Label. A mystery surrounds the instrumental 'Charge' which has been played on the rare soul scene. It comes in at least two forms: 1. The Dreams (They Call Me Jessie James)/The Dreams Band Charge (DC Sound 02) This features Kenni Lewis, the Shrine staff writer and one time member of the Cairos of 'Stop Overlooking Me' fame. It was released in July 1969, by which time Shrine was a busted flush. 2. Strings 'n' Things Charge/Fabulous New York (Jet Set 1007) which is credited to Dale Warren. This appears on a label funded by Shrine's backers the Jet Set. They are obviously the same record but very different versions. The first is a stomper the latter more orchestral, modern and like a soundtrack. Same intrumental but the writing credits are very different, one crediting the soul-funk producer Gene Dozier the other crediting Dale Warren, Raynoma Gordy's nephew, and a Shrine veteran, who is now I think a classical composer. The first question is simple - what is the connection between Gene Dozier and Dale Warren? The second question - I am aware of the Jet Set discography - Jimmy Armstrong/Barbara Long/Jimmy Castor but any further info on DC Sound label would be much appreciated. Stuart (Again sorry this is so arcane)

I am only aware of the two releases too. But the 'Nobody But You Babe' LP also came out on TAY-STER the New York based indie too. Not sure if it preceded the Alston release or not. Sleeve notes on this one by the DJ Brooks O'Dell.

Pure genius up there with George Clinton as one of soul's great creative eccentrics. I like 'Baptise Me in your Love' it has a great mix of religion and filth. quality act.

I entirely agree Rod - I think what you decribe is happening a lot. US dealers post up records, and not always with the intent to defraud. We easily forget the depth of local knowledge Soul Sourcers have about the scene - early '70s pressings, EMI Discs, very clever boots have all been used on the scene. Forty years on, an American guy whose really into rock rarities finds a northern soul record, and all he has to go on is a price guide. The instant thought is that the record is worth a bit. I wonder how many Amercian have say John Manship's Bootleg Guide let alone an obsessive knowledge of the Wheel, Torch, Wigan, Cleethorpes, Stafford, 100 Club etc. Not saying there aren't con-men but I suspect there's also a lot of innocent hype.

....Absolutely phenomenal footage from the heart of the Dee... brilliant.

For forty years now Rod, I have tried to raise your base sensibilities above a morass of seedy cyncism. It seems I am doomed to fail. As you well know, a polemicist is someone who likes to put forward arguments. A lapdancer is where old men from Stockport go for relief.

Dave was a journalist but also a passionate believer in the rights of the under-priviledged. I think his journalistsic instincts led him to classify the scene becasue that's what journalists do. How many scenes from punk to Brit Pop have been a scenes coined by the media rather than the consumer/user/particpant media to define a culture that is complex, and so for journalism needs a simpler term. But this was allied to something else - Dave loved the idea that soul culture was forming and shaping itself differently in the north and wanted to argue that it was more vibrant and real than the more commerical and faddish south, specifically London, where the major labels and media are based. He had very similar attitudes to independent film and argued passionately for a non-mainstream cinema culture. He argued passionately for animal rights. He was a polemicist. I think he was great for the scene and the factionalsim now is about people who want the luxury of finding big difference in very small things. I'm glad he used the phrase northern soul.

When I was studying in Washington DC a gospel review was touring Virginia. It featured choirs and solo singers. There was a women solo singer listed as Constance Clark. Not one of the famous Clark Sisters. I tried to make contact but no luck. Always wondered but no proof.

....Still want one......

--> QUOTE(mark.b @ Apr 5 2006, 05:31 PM) link on the original the vocal side is called any dance will do but not sure of colour think it is purple. i like it i have it on yellow and purple, mark A Side is Hipit/B Side is 'Any Dance Will Do' (LHMA) this was local NYC release and then Calla was national release, as I remember. Hipit were Jim Hartnett and James Middleton and I think the label was some mix of their initials. But can't remember why? Definitely deep red and purple copies initailly but not sure of others..