Hold Tight

I'm still looking at you coming down sometime. Even if you cant scratch my itch baby.

Hi Bearsy, take your point on board but should a promoter tell a DJ what format to play or take other action? Bit of a devils advocate question really. You know me and my collection and I play originals. ( obvioulsy havent got your wallet though! ) In the main it can be a difficult thing, most of the guys and girls I know who DJ at the club play originals or UK issues. But as you yourself know not all the DJ's we know do so. PS I am going to try and get up to DKOF as it sits with my thoughts so let me know if you want to go up. cheers Mark.

Hi Jayne, no its not time to stop. I just think that there are people out there who think its the easy thing to do. I do get a buzz out of people coming to something that has taken time, energy and sheer bloody mindedness (at times) to put on. Plus I am always looking at how to make it better. On the DJ's I also feel that there are local guys and gals that have a lot to give and that should be allowed to get up on the decks and play out their passion. At the Soul Smugglers its about building the following and the club scene in general. In 12 months its gone to something with 170 plus members - admittedly they don't all turn up at once although there have been some really busy nights. It's also branching out in other directions with other venues being offered for different nights.( just need the time to be able to sort it out now) The first anniversary night is being pushed now to make it a real night to remember - with an unreleased track that's has been licensed and is being pressed to be given away. Plus a great line up of DJ's from all over the south who have had a hand in the club since it started and with Des Parker making the trip across country to headline. (Or was it Bearsy who was headlining? ) I do understand what you say though, but as they say "It will never be over for me" even if there is now a separate modern room to keep everyone happy across the board. Mark.

Not all promoters can be tarred with that brush though Bearsy. I for one don't do that and alternate my spots and in some cases even let the other DJ's sort out the items putting me in wherever is left. The two things - promoting and DJ'ing - are not mutually excusive, if you are promoting a night then you have to put that, over any ego you might have. I have even taken the stance that if I am to busy with stuff I will have to drop out of the deck slots as the nights are not for me but the people who pay on the door and should run smoothly. You for one know how many venue owners I have told to shove it up their A**e when they start to take the mickey over prices or whatever. I spend most of my time on the door greeting people who come in much like Moldie does at Lightwater and I believe I am sure many others do. If you want to promote a night to see your name in lights forget it, its a big pain in the arse to promote most of the time, although having said that if people enjoy themselves I feel that I have managed - with the help of the guys and girls who support me by DJ'ing at the nights - to achieve something worthwhile. On the matter of boots - I make it a point to not play them in my sets. I cannot comment on why other promoters would as it would depend on the type of nights they are running I suppose. After all there was the top 500 CD night in London - whcih filled a place in the market for spreading the gospel of soul. Whereas if you are running a rare soul night it is a bit of a faux paus to say the least. I love collecting vinyl and playing out unusual stuff to people. Sometimes it bombs but I believe in the tracks and some who listen do to. I also try not to play anything I know guests or other DJ's have. Mark.

That made me laugh this morning. You can almost see it as a cartoon drawing in one of the sunday papers, with you standing with a single in your hand. Top stuff, just goes to show peoples views are dependant on where they stand. But I bet you both had a good night though. Mark.

Couldn't agree more, especially when there are original artists out there who would love to come over and perform.

True words, sometimes its about what you don't buy and why. I let Roosevelt Grier go the other night as I couldn't justify the money at the time - only £75 but not the right time.

Hi Mischief, I think that its subjective to what you want to do. I still buy the cheapies that I like and occasionally I will push the boat out to obtain a wants list item; Kurt Harris, Cookie Jackson, Ray Pollard etc. Thing is though there will always be the ellusive records and its up to each individual to pay what they feel is right. So although limits, I suppose, do grow with the obession - some folk will always have that little bit wider tolerance of hefty price tags or the lack of worry about paying them as they have to have a certain track. ( do we know any one like that ) In some ways as well it depends on if you are a record keeper or you buy them hug them and sell them on. I like to keep records and wont get castrated so don't have enough sheckles to get all my pricey wants at the moment. Who'd have kids.

Absolute corker been playing it out for the last year or so. Takes quite a few by surprise.

Probably a bit of a tangent - Chuck Corby was pleased that some one cared enough to sample his tracks, did'nt FP get a bit annoyed when their tracks were booted not long ago. Doesnt seem right in my eyes. If you sample a track and the guy who sang it is still alive and you have a passion for the NS and its artists - surely spreading the love would include a bit of cash if you done alright out of the single? Doesn't answer the thread lead but does kind of fit with some of the explanations about just being in it for the money.

Hi Richard, funny you should mention this John H was playing Hey baby last night when I popped in for a coffee. He might have some idea!

Can you drop me a pm with details for paying too please- all four. ta mark.

# Liberation Street Singers: Love Is In The Air / Sunshine Of The Morning 45. Pentagram Records PE 203. Ebay Item number: 120147656724 Click link below to see it and hear a sound clip. https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...me=STRK:MESE:IT I have more Soul 45's to come. www.jeffwaller.com

Hello John, hope all is well. Yeah I know now- B8ll8cks spring to mind on that one getting out of the way of my wallet. Never mind alway another one somewhere. Just thought I better be safe than sorry as I am supposed to be on a buying amnesty! some chance. will give you a bell towards the end of the week. MArk.

great colour label.

cheers Ken, wish I had bought it now. https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-Northern-Soul-L...1QQcmdZViewItem

Saw this yesterday and meant to check it out properly and now its gone. Is it real or is it a boot/reissue? Reason I ask is its the only light green I have seen that had no "distributed by ATCO" under the Luther Ingram. If it was kosher then not a bad deal for someone. cheers Mark.

The ripette copy I was referring to was the Robert Winters track- love. If thats the one you meant sorry for getting wrong end of the stick and what label was it on originally. If you meant the heaven track then I know the answer. Having listened to them again I think that both tracks ( RW and LC)are cuts of the album/12 inch versions with a bit of careful speeding up to squeeze the RW track on.

Well picked up Girf, I was looking at the bl##dy album cover as well.

I did try and find out if it was or not, on the balance it is likely as both tracks were big on the beach/shag scene but couldnt get a positve on that.

Came out on Casablanca album of the same title by Robert Winter Band. Also on PAD 120 both mis-labeled ( this led to the confusion over artist) and correctly labeled also issued on Ripette (first licensed 45 release) both tracks on PAD120 are slightly different to other album (LOVE)/12 inch(Heaven) releases. Apparently RW was wheelchair bound and still works in the music biz. Did a bit of disco before becoming director of an upmarket music venue I believe. cheers for the shout Moldie

I would like to read Paddy's reply to the question posed.

Oh Yes, drizzabone 5 minutes away, RussSmith 20 miles, JohnA 20 miles and I am sure it doesnt end there. So any other CT postcoders post or pm me.