Mark R

Sleep on this Pete Simpson remix at your peril..............fabulous!! https://www.juno.co.uk/products/lay-far-so-many-ways-remixed-part/553879-01/ Cheers, Mark R

Not sure if I've posted this before, but I would have loved to have gone here just like I would have loved to have gone to Wigan etc...........so much bickering on various scenes about the merits of era's/genres of black music, but there are so many parallels and similraities. I love the start of this (the no-one in there anticipation), and the final record (Inner Life). Check out 1:25:20 too. I believe that this was the last night here, end of September 1987............. Cheers, Mark R

OK, cheers Ady, just curious! Cheers, Mark R

Hi Sean, Grabbed this yesterday assuming it was just out but noticed Amazon indicated release date of something like September 2014! I was intrigued. .... It is a new release this week isn't it? Cheers, Mark R

Just to explain, I try to avoid the re-works/re-edits of old stuff in the year end rundown. Just a personal choice on my part as it's my choices of original material for the year. Don't hold me to that though, I'm sure there are exceptions which people could point out, but it's a rule of thumb I apply if you get my drift. Basically, the reason it doesn't feature has nothing to do with its quality. The Velvet Hammer thing was a Record Store Day release in 2014 and was created by Al Kent (Glasgow, not Detroit!). Nice yellow vinyl with an edit of PPM's "One On One" on the flip. I think the LeKilt label gives away the Scottish connection quite nicely..............I like a sense of humour! ;-) One here, be quick................. https://www.discogs.com/Al-Kent-Happy-One-On-One/release/5896795 Cheers, Mark R

I would say, very much yes............why not? Cheers, Mark R

A cheap way to get the wonderful Blenders on vinyl! :-) A word of caution......a friend who bought the first LP told me that the downloads are basically not worth having as they are at some insanely low bit rate! Best get burning from the vinyl. ..... Cheers, Mark R

That makes complete sense to me John, as I would have bought whatever came first in order to get the track..................so I would have bought it on CD as a new release, grabbed a 12" to get it on vinyl and then chose to swerve the 7" as I'd got my vinyl fix via the 12". Cheers, Mark R

But most that turn their noses up at programmed drums would see past that if they could find a copy for a couple of quid and sell it for £100.................funny that! You can see it now................."The great Temptations caught the imagination in the 90's with this great tune based on "My Girl", only a handful of promo 45's slipped out............a must have in any collection, grab it now for £100, the price can only rise!" And nothing about programmed drums................... LOL! Cheers, Mark R

Wouldn't mind a seven at the right price, but won't pay inflated prices.............whatever inflated is! Twelve will have to do. And Glyn, seeing it priced at £300 doesn't mean it sold for £300 mate! LOL Cheers, Mark R

if it helps John, I did at the very least hesitate between 'f' and 'ph'!!! :-) Cheers, Mark R

It was a promo only 7"........seems to be fetching £300+ A modern soul boys life is much simpler when the tunes aren't popular with the Northern scene! LOL Oh well that big phat bassline opening is much more suited to deep grooved 12", so that will have to do me....... Cheers, Mark R

As usual folks, for those interested, attached are my year end run downs of contemporary releases for 2014. Lots of great music as always!! Soul CD cuts/MP3's etc..................... Soulful/jazzy dance 12's/MP3's etc...................... Cheers, Mark R

I agree, in my experience the albums are straight up issues, just stamped promo on the sleeve. Some would have and additional label the width of the cover stating track info and promo only. Cheers, Mark R

"Tomato, tomatoes......" as they say LOL

The other side is fab, one of the tunes of the year for me, but as it's not a dancer I doubt it's that pushing the price up via the DJ fraternity. Cheers, Mark R

Only if you hit me over the head with those knackered 7's first! ;-) Cheers, Mark R

It's a different animal, in that I personally would LOVE for the music/artists to have more widespread exposure/appeal, not necessarily that side of "the scene" as such. Cheers, Mark R

After hearing another pair of NS "Gobsmackers" on Chris Evans' Radio 2 breakfast show this morning, what with the ad on TV etc, etc.................it occurred to me that bizarrely the Modern Soul scene is arguably now more underground and cool than the NS scene!! The general public are far more aware of 60's Northern Soul than they are about more contemporary soul music, the latter of which hasn't really charted to gain awareness that way since the heady days of Alex and Luther et al. Just a thought.................. Cheers, Mark R

In a simple sense, what about accounting for room acoustics? Surely you would concede that some adjustment is necessary from installation to installation. Even in the same room there is usually adjustment to be made between an empty room at the start of a night and then when it's full of people absorbing the sound. I know what you're saying about complication and agree in the sense of OTT functionality for just playing 45's off 2 decks, but you can't just set all the pots to zero "because that's how it was recorded to sound" because the sound will be modified by the environment anyway. Cheers, Mark R

Yes, I had them from that website Steve, it's safe enogh in the sense that you can just use Paypal, though navigating the site can be a challenge! Cheers, Mark R

Apologies if it's been posted before, but this will be of interest to some on here. Not sure whether Mr. Thorley knows anything about this with his Detroit contacts? Some interesting names involved here, I have downloaded the Hari Paris and Dames Brown versions so far............Pat Lewis & Spyder Turner sounds good as well. Duane Parham seems to be the man behind it all............a notable contemporary Detroit sax man. www.motownambassadors.com Cheers, Mark R

To be honest mate, I often marvel at the fact that the NS has the lowest paid DJ's yet the most expensive tools of the trade, often played on the shittest equipment.............totally barmy really!! And before anyone says it, I'm fully aware that some couldn't give a toss about the cost and I totally get that because they just covet the record. But if that's the case you don't have to justify it by DJ'ing with it and knackering it, just enjoy it! Cheers, Mark R

Clean your records with a carbon fiber brush before each play too...........dust and grit is probably worse for your stylus (and record) than the odd scratch/click is. Imagine that groove laid out straight.......and the imagine the sandpaper effect between stylus and vinyl over that length!! Obviously for DJ's it's not feasible to take such precautions..........which is ironic so don't mention talc to me..........a pet hate!! Cheers, Mark R

I never thought to look for a tutorial, so nice one!! It really is easy........but you need the tracking force info for the stylus. - Set to zero (turn front ring only) - balance arm horizontally (careful not to stuff stylus into deck when doing so!) - set correct force by turning the whole mass to the right value, and not just the front ring) - set anti-skate to the same value QED! Cheers, Mark R