Chris L

I thought he went through that "skid row" phase, drugs, no money, etc but seems to have pulled himself up by his braces. I watched a revival show on US tv in Pittsburgh about 4-5 years ago, he was pretty neat. Actually Edwin Starr was on that same program and if I'm not mistaken that flight back was the killer that added to his heart trouble. Chris L

Is there anywhere I can get me hands on a listing of the releases on Bashie and Dakar? I always thought they were nifty labels at time when new releases tended to be of a shyte funk nature. Many a memory of hanging round record corner lsitening to the latest Tyrone Davies choon............. Anything (except a dogs turd) would be much appreciated Chris L

Better than Ex++ plays mint, biro on b side £13.00, postage £1.50. US Gordy label. Chris L

I'd better give the easiest choon to dance to, otherwise I'll be sending post complaining about the thread being "negative" "Arrest me - Jamo Thomas" this regular beat-nick even gets my lumbering frame a movin'............................................................................ ... Chris L

Least Memorable/most Disappointing Live Soul Act This is the thread title "Least Memorable/most Disappointing Live Soul Act" I'm not sure where the positive is in these words. Tony thought the C Mayfield gig was sub-standard I loved it, it's personal choice not a fact. Again not sure where Chuka Khan comes into the scheme of things, if C Mayfield had been a smackhead (in fact he was prone to hair loss) and pissed off after one song I gues that would rank as a "Least Memorable/most Disappointing Live Soul Act" in the very least. When I saw Archie Bell in NJ the whole thing fell apart, not sure though that Archie was 100% to blame, probably could burn KV to stake for that one. Just because someone says "bad" or "good" doesn't make a it fact. I went with wife, bro & sis-in-laws to see 4 Tops & Temptations, the fact that only one of each group was an original member didn't make it any less of a great night, I read lots of the comments on the web from soulies and most were negative, but we enjoyed it. Getting to meet and chat with Abdul Fakar and Ronnie McNair was tops. So.......... beauty is in the eye of the beholder............................................................... Chris L

Nothing compares to you - Velvet Satins Chris L (he's a got a velvet satin backside ;-)

Hhmm..........this is a negative type of thread Tony, not sure it contributes much, however Archie Bell in 2006 in New Jersey was a load of tosh, maybe the KV set up wasn't as good as for the Del-larks & Spellbinders. As for Curtis Mayfield did you come down with us to the Roundhouse/Chelsea Village circa 73-ish, he played a great set, we got to say hello and shake his hand. Of course we didn't expect hime to start with "I'm trying hard to forget......................." As these singers get older and most have lived pretty rough hand to mouth lives, I am content to see them, say hello and have a chat, after all it was there 60T's heydays that really interest us. Chris L

Can't be sure, think 1967, the pirate stations playing all that Motown, Stax, etc. By 1968 well and truly hooked, 1st concious soul record purchase was Jay & Techhiniques - Baby make you own sweet music. 1969, Bob Potter setting up his decks he'd play a reel to reel that started with the Isley bros. Aaahh.....halcyon days.............. Chris L

Seems a great way of hearing something you may even have forgotten about, recently heard Johnny Williams - Just a little misunderstanding, good to hear that one on the dancefloor. Chris L

Hallo Ady, well at least you're still talking to me (or is it talking to me ;-) When ever I've been to a venue where he's played it been pretty dreadful, last October at Stoke I thought he and Mick H were having a competition who could play the most awful junk, really. Most of us there couldn't categorise that stuff as "classic soul" my mate said he'd prefer to listen to Sam & Dave. I really do have an open mind Ady, I really do but that crappy slow shit, well, I just don't get it mate. Now then as for my leader, you'll be saddened to hear it's actually not Ian, but this person................... However funnily enough there is an IL connection, he destryoed my fantasy by telling me she was an gay icon, well you imagine how I felt? Anyway I stand by my feelings, garbage in the waste bin and great soul in the earholes............... Chris L

Would agree with most names listed here, don't forget Alan S from the Cats, light years ahead of most DJs at the time. Of course it depends on what the criteria is for a top DJ. Chris L

A lot of what got played in the 90T's by DJ's of that ilk (or is elk ;-) were already in Ian Levines collection, thing they are so shitty records that they never got played. Why would you when there were hundreds and hundreds top class Motownesque records to play. Chrs L

Yeah, these rare Soul guys have pushed past anything that even resembles soul music. Grungy R & B, cha-cha, rockabilly. They have the ability to clear a dancefloor faster than a Soviet tank division, the only list they should be on is a maffia hit list......... Chris L

No, it was released in 1971 on the back of "Tired of being alone" I was instrumental in getting "Back up train" released I knew Chris Denning of Bell Records and suggested they release it, which they did. Didn't make the charts I'm afraid. Flip it over, nice mid/uptempo choon, got small plays at very very early Mecca days. Chris L

We should also remember people like Barbara Mills could have just said "No, naff off" but she didn't, she put some make up on, got into a dress and did it like she does. None of us look like we did did when we were 18 so be grateful of wht we've got..... Chris L

I seem to remember McCullogh off his head refusing to get fof the stage...............

Went a few times, the Mecca DJ's also DJ-ed there, Tony Jebb for sure. Firsy heard "In a world of trouble" there. Was it a converted chuch or something ? Chris L

I got six, this is what they told me : At the end of the specialist round you scored 6 The Temptations don't seem to be your specialist subject! Why don't you try another specialist subject?

Dee Grant founding member of the Spellbinders died suddenly Tuesday this week. Dee sang with the group right from the start, recorded that wonderful album under the direction of Van McCoy, he toured with the group both in the US and abroad. 35 years after splitting up I organised a re-union of the group in New Jersey with Dee flying in from the southern states. This photo was taken on that day, seen here left in conversation with Norman Donegan of the Ad Libs. Dee leaves a daughter, he was married to Abby, they were divorced in the seventies. This promo shot with Dee on the far right Very sad. Chris L

Normally I would sit here and fight you to death with me handbag but off to Prague int mornin and remember it's already way past my bedtime, 23.16 here in sunny Belgium.

Naah............don't buy it, my reply was by far the best one Phil..........................

Ian Levine - for shifting the Wheel crowd over to the Blackpool Mecca, getting Jebb to play Northern, getting Les Cokell as DJ and very much putting NS on the map. Had this not have happened the NS scene may well have dissipated into oblivion. Let's not forget the huge amount of records he brought over from the US that got people spinning quite literally on the dance floors. Alan S - unsung hero from the Cats who was discovering and playing rare NS stuff whilst the remainder of the UK soul fans were still tuned into Chuck Wood. Richard Searling - the voice of sanity during the white pop blitz in the 70T's. Later with the Ritz and jazz FM. Trevor Churchill - one mega soul fan working for EMI and getting some cracking NS tunes released, a shamefully modest man. How many of us started playing those UK releases and wondering where and how we could hear of the same?. Chris L

I always recommend "Andy Rix Ears" best in the business......................