Sean Hampsey

Yep - You're all right... but also slightly wrong. Steve Croft and I had a 'shared' box of tunes that we were working on each weekend (at Cleethorpes, Bradford etc.). We figured that sharing certain 'new' records would get them played more often and we could 'break' them quicker. This was one of Steve's 'discoveries'. I didn't like it at all (thought it waaaay too poppy) and we argued for quite a while about it as a consequence. But, in the end, I was forced to use it, trading it against him playing my Ronnie Dyson 'Lady In Red' (which in retrospect probably wasn't an awful lot better, lol). I think, for at least a few months, Annis was by far the most popular record at the time, but 'Lady In Red' did prove to have more legs over the much longer term and did at least go on to earn the prestigious merit of getting 'bootlegged' Steve never was one for measuring a record's 'soulfulness' - it was all about the BPM for him - but it never stopped him filling dancefloors and at that time, early 80's, that was always what seemed to matter most. Sean

There've been a few records from the late 70's and early 80's that, at the time, we thought were LP only. Bobby King "If You Don't Want My Love" LTD "Love Magic" Whispers "Gonna Love You More" and Mighty Fire "Sweet Fire" all came to us as a bit of a shock when they turned up on 7" 45. Tony Fox 45 was known to only a few, the Bobby King came much later. LTD seems now to have dried up, Whispers, only 3-4 known copies and only ONE known copy of Mighty Fire thus far! These tracks were all played in the days when being on 45 mattered much less in the eyes of the scene and when LP's were scoured for the killer tracks, without ever expecting their to be a limited 7" press anywhere or even needing to be. Bearing in mind that this was before the Modern Scene existed, we are talking The Northern Soul Scene here, it shows how ahead of the game some people (such as Glyn) really were in terms of turning up great tunes that only since (and largely in only the past few years) have gone on to be seen as classics, worthy of a second issue! Sean

Think that's exactly right Phil. Sean

Chris Clark is a Demo only misspelling Darren. Lovely one mate. I have Otis Redding "That's How Strange My Love Is". Made me smile.

I saw Joe Dunlop had one for sale at the last Whitby weekender. When I told him it was Dave's own handwriting he was well chuffed. Sean

Ive had both 'The Motown Sound' volumes since the early seventies. The first one caused me to search out the Lollipops and Terry Johnson 45's a very long time ago. The second volume is another great comp which features tracks less retrospective and more of the time such as the incredible Val Simpson track 'Cant It Wait Until Tomorrow'. Every home should have them! Sean

Earlier thread on Randy Brown 45 here Pete. Scarce, but don't think its indemand. £25 - £30 tops... at a guess? Moses Smith Original must still be £175 - £200? Recently reissued on lookalike Cotillion. Cheers, Sean

Not a re-issue or boot. I bought it for the flipside, many moons ago, for about fifteen quid. Sean

Thanks Steve. Confirms what I said in 2007. The old memory still intact (or at least it was back then lol). What an absolutely fantastic mag that was. Way ahead of its time. Sean

The Oldies Allnighter!

Yet another. KGB was always a cracker! Sean

A couple of Flyers from around that time! Where did all those Clifton Hall people go? Have they still to return? Sean

One of my favourite allnighters of all and the first I ever worked as a regular. See Pic! Such an awesome atmospheric venue! Musically it was truly groundbreaking with 60's, 70's and 80's being played ALL IN THE ONE ROOM! Yet nowadays folk say that can't be done That March '82 advert, must have been the first 'guest' session for me, and was added to the team thereafter. Very exciting times, with Cleethorpes, Bradford and Warrington kicking off around that time, and where I was very privileged to work for another few years with the 'After Dark team. Will upload anything i can find to contribute. Cheers Chalky. Sean

Hi John, Hope you're well mate. We set off to do pic sleeves for the first few only, and then, because they were so popular, stretched it to the first 10. In fact we managed to do 11, but in truth it became unsustainable to continue doing them (cost a small fortune in such a limited quantity) so the previously unreleased Vibrations issue seemed a logical point to move away from them and go to the branded / generic black sleeve they now appear in! Cheers, Sean

Acquired from a Rock n' Roll dealer in the 70's and Big spin for me early 80's at Bradford Queens Hall. Still love it! Sean

Cheers Peter. Hope you enjoy the rest of the music on there. It get's better as the show progresses! Sean

Definitely Kev. Only 2 or 3 copies? Has Ian Levine got a copy? Sean

Thanks Kev. Praise indeed. And glad you enjoyed the banter! Hope to see you at the Autumn JS. You were missed at the sizzler! Sean

Have you not got this Andy? Thought you'd sold it but bought another. Very rare record. Sean

Here's a link to a Radio Show that I was allowed to play some of my stuff on, as a guest of Paul Cater. There's a right old mix of Soul Music from Bobby Bland to Ann Bogus and Chris Bartley to Paul Kelly! If there's nothing decent on the telly, give it a whirl! Enjoy! Sean Hour One https://soundcloud.com/mindbodyandsoulclothing/the-ambersoundfm-com-soul-show Hour Two https://soundcloud.com/mindbodyandsoulclothing/hour-two-sean-hampsey-night Hour Three https://soundcloud.com/mindbodyandsoulclothing/hour-3-sean-hampsey-night

Bobby 'Blue' Bland Rest In Peace View full article

Don't think there's ever been a problem with DJ's playing legally licensed legitimate Soul Music, has there? I grew up on a scene where every DJ had Action, Direction, Stateside, Soul City etc. in their boxes. If a DJ or venue wants OVO (original vinyl only) and that's what they prefer to do then obviously they won't be playing most of the Go-Ahead releases. But there's others who are very happy to play 'LFO' (Legal Format Only - i.e. not bootlegs) and these releases cater for that requirement superbly. The feedback we've had on this particular release is that its a very welcome double-sided legal release in an easy to use format. As Mr LoveMusic said 'what's not to like'. Sean

That's essentially it. Both tracks have been played extensively for years off the album 'Welcome Home'. But we all know that the preferred DJ format on the Soul scene is the vinyl 7" 45, so to put them both together meets an obvious (albeit fairly limited) demand. Saves having to get a 'carver' cut too (as you said earlier!). That's it really! Sean

Think you might be right Neil. One that'll come back and bite a few in years to come! Sean