Neil Rushton

I first used to buy records of A.J ( Anthony)Lewis) when he was based down South,in St. Leonards On Sea I think. In 1970 I was 16 and used to sneak into the George Hotel In Walsall. Carl Dene was the god like DJ there and everyone wanted Bobby Sheen, Little Anthony, Mitch Ryder etc..spotted an ad from Anthony is music paper and sent him wants list and unbelievably he had lots of the records, some more than one copy. The in crowd at The George couldn't belive it when I turned up with some of the spares to swop/sell. I kept in touch and I was the first person some years later to go to his place in St. George's near Telford before it officially opened, remember meeting his Mum.I went over one Friday afternoon and had memorised Brian Philips sales list and came out with loads of stuff, most of which got flogged at Va Va's that night. Pulled loads of stuff out there right through the seventies in quantity for my wholesaling business, so much so that some years later, I junked 200 copies of "Streets Got My Lady" - Bill Brandon I had pulled out of there and which were taking up space in my garage....I know, I know, not the smartest move.......... And I went back to buying quantity from him when selling at the Scooter runs in the 80's.. Funniest story was going there in 70's (probably with Bill Baker) and Anthony and his Dad Jack (who used to work at British Embassy in Washington hence the stories about them having Shrine 45's) had got to know us and said we could go and spend the afternoon in an old chapel they had converted to store vinyl and which normally was closed and just used for storage. Piles of records everywhere, I climbed up for something and fell on to a carpet of records and (as you do) even though I was in a bit of pain, before I got up I put an arm down into this pile of vinyl on the floor and my hand came back with a mint "I Travel Alone" - Lou Ragland. Told Clive Jones the story at Birmignham Locarno All-Dayer on following Sunday and he persuaded me his life would end if I didn't sell it him on the spot.. Anthony was very brusque and impatient, that was just his way, but very funny with it,if you were buying a record in quantity he would not count them, he would say there's x records to an inch and you have had 5 inches worth which is equivalent of whatever. When I said can't we just count them he would say no, he wasn't out to fiddle you, that was way he was. At the height time of Oldies Unlimited success, if you were a candidate in the General Election you got free posting to everyone in the constituency. Anthony cottoned on to this and either he or some Oldies Unlimited person would put themselves up in loads of constiituences to get the free post. You couldn't make it up could you? Last saw him on the Cannes sea front during Midem some years ago. Asked what he was up to and he said he was writer and publisher for a good to UK Massage Parlours and lo and behold he turned on up on a telly programme about Massage Parlours some months later!!!! Definitely a one off.

Stock due in late next week. If you want to reserve a copy PM me. Record is £10, plus postage and packing £2 Ist record, £1 each extra record. Thanks, Neil

Mine arrived today, two great singles. Thanks, Neil

Here are labels for the Soulvation single to be given away free at the 5th anniversary of Soulvation @ Lea Hall Club Rugeley on Saturday Feb 14. 5TH_ANNIVERSARY_LABELS.pdf More details on www.soulvation.biz

Just got copy of original masters from New York - sounds great. If you want to reserve a copy e-mail me - neilrushton2@btinternet.com Neil www.soulvation.biz

Tapes to cut from are on the way from New York. Records should be ready in about 3 weeks time, maybe earlier. If you want to reserve one, just PM me. Neil www.soulvation.biz

This will be in stock in about 3 weeks, maybe sooner. Cut from original masters. . To reserve a copy PM me. Neil www.soulvation.biz

Just got orders for 36 copies in last hour which is mindblowing ...it is a 500 limited edition run and they are going fast, to guarantee a copy reserve one by sending me a PM. Neil www.soulvation.biz

Had loads of orders so thanks to everyone who has been in touch. If you want to reserve a copy just PM me, stock should be ready in about 3 weeks time. Neil

PM'd you.

Have just agreed a licence from Nervous Records in NYC to manufacture a UK limited run of 500 x 12" of LET IT GO - SOUL BROTHERS featuring JOI CARDWELL Will be remastered from original master tapes and feature exactly same 4 mixes as on the 2000 release on USA Deep Soul/Nervous, label will be a lookalike of original release plus added Inferno logo making clear it is a re-issue. 500 run only - so it is a case of first come,first served. Price is £10 each plus £2 p&p first copy, £1 each extra copy. Please PM if you want to reserve a copy, do not send money, that can be done when I have stock ready to mail out. Thanksm Neil

LET IT GO - SOUL BROTHERS featuring JOI CARDWELL (DEEP SOUL/NERVOUS) Have just agreed licence deal with Nervous Records of New York granting me me exclusive rights to press limited edition run of 500 x UK 12" of this massive in-demander from original master tapes.. Label will be lookalike of the original 2000 Deep Soul/Nervous release with added small Inferno logo making clear this is a re-issue. Release will contain same 4 mixes as the original USA release. Only 500 run! Price is £10 each plus £2 p&p first copy, £1 p&p for extra copies. If you want to reserve copy/copies please PM me. I will then get back to you when stock available and you can pay then. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED!!

Around 78/79 when wholesaling records, we managed to persuade Phonogram or whoever controlled Mercury to do us a custom pressing of 5,000 x "Moody Woman" on paper labels/solid centre....so last re-issue was way past 71.

40 Years of Soul, Sweat and Talc - Annual Soulvation bash at Lea Hall Dec 30th View full article

Got a handful of Crossfire left - @ £20 a bargain. And 2 x Clydene Jackson left. Cannot reccomend Major Lance enough - a classic Lance 60's dancer that was stuck in the vaults and I believe never on vinyl until this UK release, and with on flip his slant on "Nothing Can Stop Me" - again a 60's recording not his 70's remake. B side of "Hurting" - Eric & Vikings is the brilliant "My Baby Ain't No Plaything" - Willie Jones, blinding Wylie/Hester. Also got 2 x "Let's Cop A Groove" - Bobby Wells Grapevine demos, mint never played @ £20. And just 3 left of "Trying To Get Back To You Girl" - Jackey Beavers, mint never played Jay Boy @ £20. Frances Nero is in nice pic bag and remake of We The People. Sapphires is the alternative song on top of same backing track as "Slow Fizz" again never on vinyl anywhere until this UK release. EVERYTHING MINT AND UNPLAYED, I HAVE MOVED HOUSE AND SORTING OUT OLD STOCK.

THE FOLLOWING ARE ALL MINT AND UNPLAYED. TAKE ME BACK - CROSSFIRE (VIRTUE) £20 STOP (DON'T GIVE UP YOUR LOVING - THE TWO FELLOWS (FRED & SKEETS) (MUTT) £10 THE BOTTLE - GIL SCOTT-HERON/BRIAN JACKSON (INFERNO 12") - £10 CRAZY WORLD - KENNY THOMAS (suSU 12) - £10 DON'T FIGHT IT - MAJOR LANCE (SOUL SERIES) - £10 BABY YOU'VE GOT ME - THE SAPPHIRES (SOUL SERIES) - £10 LET'S TALK IT OVER - SPENCER WIGGINS (TORCH) - £10 MAKING MY DAYDREAM REAL - FRANCES NERO (CHARLY PIC BAG) - £10 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - JEAN SCHERRIE & LYNDA (MOTOR CITY) - £10 I NEED YOUR LOVING - CLYDENE JACKSON (SOUL HQ)- £10 GONE WITH THE WIND IS MY LOVE - RITA & THE TIARAS (JOE BOY PIC BAG) - £10 HURTING - ERIC & THE VIKINGS (KOOL KAT) - £10 BECAUSE OF YOU - JACKIE WILSON (TRENTHAM FINALE ALL-NIGHTER) - £10 I REALLY LOVE YOU - JIMMY BURNS (TRENTHAM TOP DOG STAFFORD ALL-NIGHTER) - £10 PLEASE ADD £2 P&P FIRST RECORD AND 50P FOR EVERY ADDITIONAL RECORD. PAY PAL - sales@soulvation.biz IF PAYING BY CHEQUE PLEASE PM ME. Thanks, Neil www.soulvation.biz

Someone in Cornwall has footage of Twisted Wheel.

Have had problem with picking up Soul Source PM's so if you have an enquiry please e-mail me neilrushton2@btinternet.com Just to confirm the above are all mint/unplayed - I am sorting through lots of old stock and that's why I have found the Eric & Vikings, Showstoppers demos, Frank Beverly etc. Still got copies of "The Bottle" 12" left. Thanks, Neil

The following are all mint/unplayed. Add P&P £2 Ist disc, 50p each extra disc. Pay Pal - sales@soulvation.biz If paying by cheque or cash please PM me Baby I'm Here Just To Love You - The Stagemasters (Slide) £10 Swingin' Camels - Detroit Land Apples (ABC) £10 Playgirls's Love - 5 Stairsteps (Windy City) £10 Trying To Get Back To You Girl - Jackey Beavers (Jay Boy) £15 Take Me Back - Crossfire (Virtue) £20 Be's That Way Sometimes - Bobby Wells (Grapevine demo) £10 The Real Thing - Tina Britt (Eastern) £10 The Bottle - Gil Scott-Heron/Brian Jackson (Inferno 12") £10 I'll Hold You - Frankie & Johnny (Inferno) £10 If That's What You Wanted - Frank Beverly & The Butlers (Inferno) £10 Gotta Get Closer To My Love - Showstoppers (Inferno demo) £20 Deeper Than That - The Preludes (Harthon 2nd issue) £10 My Oh My - Billy Floyd (Arctic 2nd issue) £10 Making My Daydream Real (great version of We The People) - Frances Nero (Charly pic bag) £10 In Love - Tony Galla (Joe Boy Swan W/DJ lookalike - one sided) £10 Girls Are Getting Pettier - Edwin Starr (Ric-Tic) £10 Real Humdinger - JJ Barnes (Ric-Tic) £10 Say It - JJ Barnes (Ric-Tic) £10 The Way You Been Acting Lately - Al Kent (Ric-Tic) £10 Oh Pretty Lady - Al Kent (Ric-Tic) £10 I Really Love You - Jimmy Burns (Trentham single) £10 Because Of You - Jackie Wilson (Trentham single) £10 Janice - Skip Mahoney (Soulvation single) £10 Hurting - Eric & Vikings c/w My Baby Ain't No Plaything - Willie Jones/In The Pocket - Detroit Strings (Kool Kat) £10

George was A&R man at Sidra and supplied Joe Boy info on Ronnie & Robyn, if I remember correctly they were the son and daughter of one of the investors into the label. Am seeing Glenn tomorrow and will try and get full story.

Yes Crossfire is definitely a bargain and I think The Showstoppers "Gotta Get Closer To My Love" is cheap at £20, it is first worldwide release of the track and not many demos were made, I have just found some mint copies while sorting out old stock as I have moved house.. And you will not spend a better tenner than the Eric & Vikings/Willie Jones/Detroit Strings! www.soulvation.biz

Yep......

No Joe Boy is a part time labour of love/hobby although we are planning to give it more of a go in 2009.. But for the last 6 years or so (and also before that on 2 occasions) I have been dealing with Pinnacle on my full time work and am sorry they are gone and that people I know and like are out of work. The problem is that the whole record business model has changed so radically.