Neil Rushton

Robert very fond of all his recordings on Luther. He sold me an acetate of the Hurdy Gurdy single but condition was not great. Gary Holyman ended up with it.

Am waiting info but Robert searched for photos of Marjorie and cannot find any. B side is Van McCoy song, and Robert remembers when he produced Florence Ballard on "Love Ain't Love", another McCoy gem, that Van came along to the session: "He was a small guy, really friendly, and ended up doing background vocals."

Hi Mike, Am waiting info from Robert on where he produced Henry Lumpkin, The Enjoyables, Sharon Soul, The New Monitors, Billy Woods, The Lavettes, Marjorie Black, The Drifters, Barbara Lewis, Donald Height, Harrison Brothers and others. On the stuff released on lookalike HIB label. If It's All The Same To You Babe - Luther Ingram/ Exus Trek - Luther Ingram Orchestra.- recorded at Golden World, Detroit with various Funk Brothers. Then strongs added and overdubbed by Robert at Mercury/Smash studio in New York (Robert called in a favour from Smash based on Luther Ingram "I Spy For The FBI" and got the use of the studio for nothing. Me and You (Doing The Boogaloo) - Lou Courtney/ Give It Back - The Webbs - Pretty certain New York, waiting confirmation from Robert. check. There's photos of Robert in the studio at the session on the Lou Courtney album sleeve. Crying Days Are Over/No More Tears To Cry - The Illusions. The HIB connection here is that "Exus Trek" has been (legally) sampled. The song was written last November ands recorded last November at Rhythm Studio, Alcester, Warwickshrie and mixed at same studio early December. Vocalist is Ann Saunderson of Inner City/Reese Project fame.

Because we like releasing singles and people like buying them. And in the process the owner of the recordings - in this case Robert Bateman - gets paid money. For some of the releases, for example "If It's All The Same To You Babe" - Luther Ingram/ "Exus Trek" - Luther Ingram Ochestra, we purchased the masters. Again Robert got a nice chunk of change to sell the rights, and we promplty put the single out to get some of our investment back. It's already sold nearly 1,000 copies on the Inferno/HIB seven inch which shows there is a healthy demand for re-issue inch singles, even if they have been on CD already. And by the way Robert has not been been paid for any CD exploitation of "If It's All The Same To You Babe" or "Exus Trek"..

Yes same guy, same session.

Am delighted to announce that by arrangement with the mighty Robert Bateman, Inferno is releasing on HIB lookalke seven inch the wonderful "One More Hurt" by Marjorie Black. The USA Sue release was leased to Juggy Murray by Robert, who also dealt with Sue when he and his pal Popcorn Wylie did post production work on The Poets "She Blew A Good Thing" for release on Juggy's Eastern label. Have also secured from Robert the rights to a peviously unreleased master - "Seven Days" by Teddy Green (aka Greene). This is haunting beat ballad that was set to be released on Capitol in the 60's, but they passed on it. I got an acetate of it from Robert two years ago which now sits proudly in Mick Holdsworth's record collection. Teddy was a member of The Royal Jokers. "Seven Days" will be released on a CD album "still OUT ON THE FLOOR TONIGHT" which is the follow up to the 1979 Inferno album of the same name. 33 years to release a follow up is a bit of a wait but there you go!. Just sorting out the details but all being well we will also release a limited run 6 track 10" sampler from the album, and "Seven Days" will be one of the 6 tracks. All The Best, Neil

I had the whole 1,000 copies of the pink ones from Joey Jefferson via Bob Cattanneo. JJ was supposed to supply the same version as on Breakthrough but didn'. I had a lot of trouble selling them, was too classy for the time I suppose, and people wanted the version they knew... I also had the very first copy in the UK of the rarer Breakthrough copy , and was later offered a second one by Joey at his place in LA then he went all mental and I was glad to get out of there, even without the record which he had promised me, and which he showed me, but would not sell it.

Mick Holdsworth lending me his Media Sound acetate of Tom Moulton remix of "It Really Hurts Me Girl" - The Carstairs to play on the Day. Is full on vocal remix, competely different and much better than the Tom Moulton remix of the track which I released on Inferno way back when, and was done by Tom at the same time as mix that came out on Inferno. .

I am looking forward to this very much, I know Ian has put a lot into it. Best of luck to everyone involved with the project. All The Best, Neil

Tickets at £10 pricey? If you knew the costs you wouldn't say that.

Following a massive refurbishment by HMV, am pleased to confirm the return of the legendary Manchester Ritz All-Dayer. Sunday March 25, 3pm till 11pm, in what is now known as the HMV Ritz Ballroom. This was planned for last July and had to be cancelled when HMV took over the building. They have done a wonderful job and the old place now looks superb. There is now a second room downstairs, wish I had that facility when I promoted the Heart Of England Soul Club All-Dayers at The Ritz from 1975 to 1980. The upstairs ballroom will feature original Ritz All-Dayer DJ's - IAN LEVINE - COLIN CURTIS - NEIL RUSHTON -RICHARD SEARLING - JOHN MANSHIP playing those original Ritz bouncy dancefllor anthems - Northern/Jazz Funk/Disco Soul - from 1975 to 1980 & the new room downstairs will feature New Skool Soul, Soulful Dance & Jazz with DJ's COLIN CURTIS - SOUL KANDI - MIKE STEPHENS - RALPH TEE - TONY COONEY - ROGER WILLIAMS - NEIL RUSHTON Advance Tickets £10, Pay On The Door £15 To purchase Advance Tickets Online go to - www.soulvation.biz

HYPE & SOUL - BEHIND THE SCENES AT MOTOWN AL ABRAMS (TEMPLESTREET PUBLISHING) LIMITED EDITION COMPLETE WITH BONUS SINGLE - TAMLA MOTOWN APPRECIATION SOCIETY 45 At the regular price of £39.99 this is being sent out Royal Mail Special Delivery today, tomorrow and Friday with delivery guaranteed the next day - ie no extra charge for the Special Delivery service. . Please make PayPal payment to - sales@soulvation.biz Thanks, Neil

In stock now, the lovely second edition run of the in-demand CENtral 1179 - The Story Of Manchester's Twisted Wheel Club Keith Rylatt + Phil Scott (Bee Cool Publishing) The reprint is only 1,000 so watch this go out of stock too! £20 each plus £5 delivery (Ist class recorded post). PayPay payments to - sales@soulvation.biz All orders sent in overnight will be sent out Ist thing tomorrow morning. Thanks Neil

The Atco connection came when Robert Batemam found he had a mini hit with "If It's All The Same To You Babe" in St. Louis where Luther Ingram had a big folowing. Robert got concerned about monies he would have to lay out when the local distributor asked for more copies, and the distributor said he would "have a talk with someone". That someone was Jerry Wexler at Atlantic, and he did a deal with Robert to distribute the record nationally in the USA via Atco.

The below are all in stock now All orders sent out Ist class recorded post SEE SPECIAL OFFER BELOW TO BUY THE SET!! CENTRAL 1179 - THE STORY OF MANCHESTER'S TWISTED WHEEL CLUB KEITH RYLATT & PHIL SCOTT (BEE COOL - NEW PRINT) £20 HYPE & SOUL - BEHIND THE SCENES AT MOTOWN AL ABRAMS (TEMPLESTREET PUBLISHING - WITH BONUS TAMLA APPRECIATION SOCIETY SINGLE) £35 NORTHERN SOUL STORIES - NEIL RUSHTON (SOULVATION YELLOW COVER) WITH BONUS US NORTHERN SOUL STORIES LABEL SINGLE - TSU TORONADOS 1,000 WONDERS £20 THE WIGAN CASINO YEARS - TIM BROWN (OUTTASIGHT) £25 THE IN CROWD - MIKE RITSON & STUART RUSSELL (BEE COOL) £20 ADD £5 POSTAGE & PACKING PER BOOK. BECAUSE OF CHRISTMAS RUSH, ALL ORDERS SENT OUT IST CLASS RECORDED POST. SPECIAL OFFER - ALL 5 BOOKS ADD UP TO £120 PLUS DELIVERY. WILL DO THE LOT FOR £90 PLUS £10 CONTRIBUTION TO DELIVERY (SENT OUT SPECIAL DELIVERY!) PLEASE MAKE PAYPAY PAYMENTS TO - sales@soulvation.biz PM me with enquiries. All The Best, Neil

New on Inferno. In stock now REAL LOVE -DRIZABONE - THE ORIGINAL VERSION (INFERNO SEVEN-INCH) Am really pleased with this release, highly reccomended. By arrangment with Vince Garcia of Drizabone, this is a re-release of the very first version of "Real Love" which was released as a 500 only white label 12" in 1991. This was the debut version, featuring Sophie Jones, which got the support of KIss FM who created such a demand that Island/4th & Broadway signed the act. Sophie had other commitments and could not sign to 4th & Broadway so "Real Love" was re-recorded twice for the label, once with Dee Heron and then with Kimberley Peer.We have done a 3.31 edit of the Sophie version,taken out the rap, and released the track for the first time on a seven inch single. Although this was recorded as a demo at Rondor, to many it is has always been the best version. "Real Love" has always been one of those Modern Soul gems with a Northern Soul following, now it is even better. Label artwork is a replica of the original rubber stamp design on the original 12". Price - £10 plus £2 for Ist class recorded postage & packing. PayPal - sales@soulvation.biz Enquiries - please PM me. All The Best, Neil

I released this on HIB replica seven-inch by arrangement with Robert Bateman this year. Stock copies are black vinyl and dinked @ £10 There's also a limited edition run of 150 multi coloured vinyl and solid centre @ £20 Remastered and sound amazing! If anyone wants a copy please PM me. All The Best, Neil

Nothing you can play. It's plate engraved with patterned Made In Detroit logos.

Am down to last 10 copies. £15 plus £3 postage & packing (Ist class recorded post) Please make PayPal payments to - sales@soulvation.biz TEASIN' YOU - WILLIE TEE (NIGHT TRAIN/TUFF CITY) MINT/SEALED COPIES 2001 COMPILATION, LONG DELETED SIDE 1 YOUR LOVE AND MY LOVE TOGETHER TEASIN' YOU WALKING UP A ONE WAY STREET THANK YOU JOHN I WANT SOMEBODY (TO SHOW ME THE WAY BACK HOME) YOU BETTER SAY YES PLEASE DON'T GO MY HEART REMEMBERS SIDE 2 TEASING YOU AGAIN YOU GONNA PAY SOME DUES FOOLISH GIRL I PEEPED YOUR HOLE CARD AIN'T THAT TRUE BABY I'M HAVING SO MUCH FUN SWIVEL YOUR HIPS Not a bad album! All The Best, Neil

Out on Monday. Inferno label revived with new "Made In Detroit" series. Collectors special - One sided disc, flip is engraved with "Made In Detroit" logo. They look and sound incredible. Issues - 500 copies only. If repressed will be with different label colour. All dinked. Audition Copies - 50 only, numbered 1 to 50. Solid centre. 30 of the 50 already ordered by dealers, so I have just 20 left for retail sales, well 15 really as I am keeping the first 5 of each. Issues £10 each - or all 3 for £25 Audition Copies - £20 each Add £2 postage and packing for Ist disc, £1 for each extra. All orders sent out Ist class recorded post MID 1 - YOU BETTER GO GO - MATT LUCAS MID 2 - JUST LIKE YOU DID ME - YVONNE VERNEE (Rights obtained from Robert Bateman - the Bert in Son Bert. Sounds incredible!) MID 3 - IF THIS IS LOVE - THE PRECISIONS PayPal payments to - sales@soulvation.biz PM me with any queries

My memory might be wrong, but didn't Soussan discover The Servicemen and press it up right away as The Magicans, ie before we knew about The Servicemen? Why he would do so, but keep the label the same seems more than odd. I was sent the first copies of The Magicans by Simon and seem to remember none of us had heard "Sweet Magic" before. I might be wrong but that's the way I remember it. IThe Magicans boots are quite rare in their own right aren't they?

I am sure Soul Source members wiould have lots of questions for Al, after all he was Berry Gordy's first employee! Should I ask him to join and answer queries? Maybe set up a day when he would make himself available to go on Soul Source and be able to respond right away? Please let me know, Neil

Hype & Soul - Behind The Scenes At Motown AL ABRAMS (TempleStreet) First 500 only come with bonus single., the 1964 Tamla Motown Appreciation Society 45, and we still have stocks of these but they are going fast. The ultimate Motown book, written by Berry Gordy's first employee, full of searing "back in the day it was like this" essays and surrounded by dazzling graphics. Rated by John Manship as the best Motown book he has ever seen! Al has just been interviewed on Fox 2 TV in Detroit and the clip can be seen online at - www.soulvation.biz The site has been updated and contains lots more photos from the book, along with lots more info. The book is full colour, with dust jacket, 288 pages long. Limited edition (with the 45) is £34.99 plus £5 postage & Packing (UK Price) Book can be ordered on line from www.soulvation.biz or from the Soulvation shop on Amazon. All The Best, Neil