Jaco

Just listening now. First up is Timmie Williams - "Competition" on Mala.

Steve, Had a listen this morning, our IT guys have lifted the blocking of this kind of streaming etc which is good news for me. Excellent so far. Some funky harder edged stuff to start with, most of which I didnt know, and then into a beautiful little sequence of Reason Why, Ballads, Lee Fields. The Ballads track is just awesome and one that I've got somewhere. Need to dig it out. Look forward to hearing the rest of the stuff later. Mike.

Then you've got an advantage over me Kev, cos I still haven't frigging well heard it! Must find the time and soon. Mike.

Come on guys! Must be some info as to where and when this was brought to the masses, surely.

Who, when, where for this sublime piece of music. Dave Thorley? Stafford? Ta much

Exactly - a bathroom book.

Its a catalogue of the author's opinion of the most popular Northern tracks across the years. It will have, by definition, tracks that some will feel are totally unworthy on any "top" list and there will be similar omissions. There will be a slant towards a certain era and there will be eras and venues unrepresented. It has a label scan for each track - that has some value to the reader - and it has some narrative to accompany the track, again of some value and mertit if the reader is interested in that kind of detail. It also has a quote to accompany the entry, some of which may not be entirely correct in the credit, and is a little bit of lightweight commentary. A value is provided for reference to the authors view to its worth at the time. Now, any list book will miss it's mark with lots of people who simply don't buy into the notion of lists. And it will, and has done, date reasonably quickly. BUT it's subjective. It's just an opinion based book that in 2013 may not have any relevance at all. But like Pete I like looking at scans of records and I appreciate some of the detail contained within the book. It's not highbrow is it and it's not going to win any literary prizes but I like it. So there.

And of course, Pete, only in the opinion of the author. Which doesn't make it any less valid.

As I've said before Steve, can't listen to this at work but will definitely give it a whirl at home. Anything like past ones and I know it will be of top notch quality. Mike.

The existence of this test press is known however.

So what number do we think would secure this then? How many people are actually out there that could go for this in one go? Holy grail time for sure!

90%. Four Tops question about being a jazz group wrong.

For all those listed I still have a great affection for the Top's version of "If I were a carpenter" Doesn't seem to resonate as much as the other great stuff.

Thats a fair reflection but as I said in my assessment of the programme, it was prompted by the anniversary and the film which in itself is a period piece. On this basis alone it was always, in my opinion, going to be more about THEN with only a slight nod towards NOW. The ideal scenario would have been to show how significant the 70's had been for the scene and the impact on those who had enjoyed it, and then illustrate how the scene had survived post Wigan and then continued to prosper till today, and not just by reference to ever burgeoning and equally dismaying nostalgia scene. There is clearly so much more to represent but Im afraid that cannot be done with the limitations set by mainstream media unless programme makers can see valuue beyond these shores.

Only just caught up with it and would say it met my expectations generally. A programme based on an anniversary and a film. So shouldn't readily have surprised too many people as to its overall content. Paul, Elaine and Richard in particular came across well simply because of their obvious endearing enthusiasm. Surely it was never going to meet any serious objective as required by most on here. As many have said to do justice to this scene it requires much more than mainstream media can allow. As to Pete and Susan, they only represent to me a couple for who Northern Soul appears to me the most important thing in their life. If the programme was representative of people on the scene, in one form of another, they would pick people less immersed in it. Pretty good I think but not sure why those that didn't like it because of a fear of ridicule are so angst fuelled. The scene prospers for those that still have the original ethos and everything else ought not to matter.

Always a tough one but...... David Ruffin Marvin Junior Gladys Knight Millie Jackson And feeling guilty for ignoring countless others.

What a fukcing awesome track! Was this a Robin Salter find or was it well known at the time. Ta much.

You would never have guessed that now would you Steve?

Unrivalled. The whole thing works on every level provided you drop your angst off on the way in. We are so fortunate that Mike and his team have created such a powerful medium for the music that we love. Long may it continue.

Top stuff Pete, right at the top of my favourite genres. Look forward to the next episodes. Mike.

Spot on Kev. Sometimes you just have to stop and remind yourself how blessed we are to be able to enjoy such wonderful music.

Finally listened. How good is that Jimmie Bell track? And I'd forgotten about The Procedures - wonderful stuff. Just a great, great mix. Look forward to more of the same, Steve, but be warned, you've set the bar high! Mike,

Kev/Steve, still not listened! Our IT policy at work blocks Mixcloud (caught under our general policy of streaming music/videos) so I've asked our guys to change my settings. Hopefully at some point tomorrow I will get to listen. By all accounts the stuff new to me will be worth the wait. Top man Steve.

Still not listened yet, Steve but hopefully will do so tonight. Few there that I know - Speck & GH Outlaw Band, Unique, Side Show, Master Force but some which will denfinitely new to these ears. Keep em coming. Mike.

At work so blocked from listening but this will be a must when I get home. And if Kev Cane says it's awesome then it's a guarantee that it is.