Dean

Roger - I'm back reunited with my box and sat in my label anorak. I've not got a camera here to take a pic but the design of mine is a little different. Swirl copy is the same as your black text, little alignment difference on print but just a different print run. My tram-lined SOUL purple/white unfortunately isn't as clean as yours, but may be intersting: "WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKENHEARTED" is in speach marks, arranged as above.1966 and time are under a smaller print S 35022 on right. "BABY I'VE GOT IT" arranged thus on flip, with speach marks again. Small difference but important to me . . . . . .and I think I'm speaking to a like minded person. Let me know if you want a pic posting, as I say - sadly not a clean copy but interesting never the less. Dean

Don't recall ever seeing a black/white SOUL swirl demo . . . . . . Anybody. Very interesting full label same side promo above Roger. Always appreciate your scans. Dean

Had a white demo at mine:

I saw Spaced (Milton Wright) went for £506 on John Manship auction last night. Made my early bid seem silly. Is this about right? By the way, very interesting list Sebastian, only a few I know. Dean

Good point Simon, but for most it isn't a "job". There's always a bit of ego involved too I'm sure. Many more irregular djs do so to share their records because they believe they have something to share. However, that doesn't account for the pressing box djs toting stuff around not to be proud of. IMO.

I think there's a NS geography thing here. As Kev H mentioned above the youth club sounds were played to a younger crowd by older guys (always male at the time) who we looked up to for having a few records. In the early 70s NS was mainstream around Nottingham with many youth club dj sets including a representation at least. Mine was Blidworth Miners welfare youth club, Nick Ackerman (still does weddings I think) had a Reparata 'Panic' on Mala to play along with Bob Wilson Strings-a-Go Go and other Soul Galore and 70s current soul issues and re-issues. As mentione dabove, youth club sound will refer to whatever the dj had in his box . . . . . . . . and played week-in week-out to very eager ears.

A lifetime not wasted then Sean. Four Tops version still chokes me each time I hear it, and its often on my home decks, never loses that impact - wonderfully delivered. Agree with Brian above, no need for a dancefloor to feel this.

Thanks Brian, Ken and Shinehead, really useful. The Nina Simone I play at home is the flip to the '68 RCA Victor Ain't Got No - I Got Life. I think there are a few different takes around by her. Previously unaware of the Al Wilson and Clarence Carter versions, thanks again for that info. Appreciate the replies. Dean.

A personal favourite non-northern/dance soul track, Jimmy Webb's 'Do What You Gotta Do'. I'd find it hard to choose between Four Tops, Nina Simone, and Roberta Flack, all very different and brilliant in their own way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q62CAf070I Think Four Tops just does it for me. Are there any other soul versions. I'm aware of the Johnny Rivers and Linda Ronstadt versions. I was wondering if anyone was aware of any other versions of interest for sentimental reasons.

I thought Steve Cato came across as articulate and sincere, particularly regarding the emotional side of involvement in the scene, in the Channel 4 five minute thing he did a couple of years ago. Although to get an accurate picture I think you would need several people representing different aspects of a varied scene at different times of its history. I don't think anyone can represent a scene that is often quite fractured. I wouldn't want to be represented by a retro oldies view-point, just as perhaps others wouldn't want to be reresented by obscure vinyl addicts. Perhaps a key qualification should be not wanting to do it. My chum Garry Churm has a great pedigree (get it!) for nighters over the last 35 years without a break, but I'd be nervous about his viewpoint.

Lots of Motown examples, obvious ones being Nathan Jones and Jimmy Mack, the famous absconders! edit - late realisation you may be identifying more subtle mentions than titled references, and both male of course. I shouldn't go on here before lunchtime. I'll get my coat, Goodnight Irene!

Told kevH to keep hold of this one. Price is creeping up on ebay although still a cheapie. Wonderful record that seems to have overlooked for a long time. By the way KevH I didn't see a flier for this event:- "I dj'd at home to rapturous applause( and a bottle of red) from the missus.Had no trouble filling the floor,no talc needed at Shatto Holmes.Dancefloor pure laminate. She commented "If you play stuff people want ,you'll be famous one day". Let me know when you're havin another - I'm available to dj Sorry i can't contribute as I was away at V festival all weekend, so not much northern soul there. Needed a soul fix quickly upon return early hours of Monday morning, opted for the more mellow David Hudson - Royal Sessions lp to unwind to. That worked.

Lots of agreement with many above. I don't have Joe Bataan, Call my name, but remember being played it some time ago by a club dj. Loved it then and think I would love it more now. Must look for a copy, but as Mossy says may not be that easy. My shout out may not be so popular but one that has lasted with me for decades and still gets at least a bimonthly turntable outing at home is Gill Scott-Heron / Brian Jackson - Winter in America. Like many in the 70s I only bought this for The Bottle. I remember telling a more senior record colelctor that I'd bought one, he laughed and said "Yeh but the rest is crap aint it". At the time, being dedicated to northern soul I duely overlooked the other tracks as not northern and crap. But over the years the other tracks really grew to be some of my favourite home plays, long outlasting interest in The Bottle. Peace Go With you Brother, Rives of My fathers, A Very Precious Time, Song for Bobby Smith, Your daddy loves you (sentimental play for me and my daughter Molly) sound beautiful to these old ears now. Would be the last Lp I'd part with.

Sat at work so can't play em but I'm comparing Megatons Detroit Sound in my head and thinking, yep I can hear that.. Be intersting to play side by side. Full of information Kev, thanks for all the detail.

One and the same mate, he moves like a whole posse of girls. Lookin forward to the rematch . Agree with the sentiment of your original post, just doing the late night devil's advocate session. Thin line between reason and madness.

The disc was always the better looking of the two!

I'm certainly not a big buyer and am not implicted as I've never had cause to let you down (I Hope). Whilst not condoning the practice, I do think vinyl buying is more of an emotional exercise than a practical one. I can understand someone being swept away by the desire to own a record without reflecting on the more realistic implications of paying for it! I think the emotional angle, and the following embarrassment of economic reality kicking in, is part and parcel of this whole "scene". Emotional desire of ownership will outway economic reality for many a vinyl junkie. I don't think many will recall him but an old mate of mine, Fran Morgan (booby) was due to be married and blew the mortgage installment on a Eddie Garrigan many years ago resulting in a non-wedding. You can pick up eddie garrigan for under £50 now, but at the time he sold a future for it. Vinyl, don't you love it.

Thanks Harry and Chalky, top class vinyl porn. We have a statue to The Archer pressing plant in Nottingham, [url="https://www.nottinghamactiondays.co.uk/images/robin-hood-sherwood.jpg refosoul

Several similar arguments / discussions condense into threads on here, and I'm not saying that's a bad thing. There seems to be some unresolved issues around the "scene" (understanding Paul D point I hope about is it records or the rare scene?) that erupt regularly. I'm at odds with "rare" being used as a derogatory term when associated with scene or records. My abiding opinion of "northern" was to celebrate its rarity. I'd prefer for rare records to be played only by those who have them (rather than pretend to). That encourages the point of having to travel to hear them to celebrate their rarity of number and quality (in that the sound is worth travelling to hear also). A lot of records are special in so much as they are very scarce, if they're also very good then brilliant, that's what we want. Hearing it becomes a privilege to be sought out. As for rare scene, I'll embrace any group of people who appreciate the history and enjoyment of music to move your feet and your soul. I'm sure there will be those I'll be happy to disagree with within that scene, but aint that life. For me it's the term "Northern" that conjours up images of media misrepresentation and retro fancy dress, although agree with Matt about wishing to re-claim it. Is one opposite of rare common?

Steve - this is genuine and not suggesting promotion, will you be stocking this. Is there a date? Best wishes, Dean.

If you pay me commission MAK, then I'll pay Soul45er his! It's well worth a listen if anyone interested, really enjoyed it in my kitchen.

I think it ws Adam who played Commodores a few month ago at Rugby nighter freestyle room (Move On v Attic). Struck a chord with me so was asking Adam about it, he had a very used spare issue that played fine that he let me have for a very good price. Picked up a white demo off ebay cheap, then came across this French pic sleeve issue on Rare Earth. Thought it worth sharing, as if you're into somewhat funkier, and frantic, sound, this is a good one to pick up. Been enjoying playing at home. But also a fine example of the somewhat wierd and wonderful art of French pic sleeves. The image has no particular specific link to the song as far as I can discern.

Thanks, will do. Didn't recall hearing this before but having checked it am ashamed that's true, don't htink I hae come across it. Good sound, good shout out. I Dig You baby youtube link here, some cool dance floor scenes too. https://www.youtube.c...-NgMxUFUo4&NR=1 Must look at how to attach refosoul!!