Ian Dewhirst

This used to be around in the UK a fair bit in the mid 1970's. Naturally you couldn't give it away back then. I'm pretty sure that a load of 'em were imported as cut-outs back then 'cos it could be found quite regularly around the North. I've had 3 or 4 of 'em over the years and sold all of 'em for between 50p to a £1.00 and thought I was lucky to get that LOL..... Ian D

Phew. One hell of blast over the last 10 days. Last weekend saw me over at the brilliant Baltic Soul Weekender where I had the pleasure of meeting The Trammps again (first time since Cleethorpes in the mid 70's), Ann Sexton, Gloria Scott, Marc Evans again and loads and loads of new friends. An absolutely mind-blowing weekend which I'll remember forever! And then a couple of days back home before Al and I headed up to Hull for the Hull Soul club and had a lovely beginning to the Bank Holiday weekend – so big shout outs coming for the good people from Germany and Hull! I've seen a few coastlines this week...... As an Easter treat, Al and I will be doubling-up again for some Easter Sunday LIVE banter whilst negotiating our way through the usual trawl through the eras. Some truly special stuff tomorrow so try and join us or put us on in the garden! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst and Alan Champ between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 24th April 2011 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring...... South Shore Commission * Isaac Hayes * Joi Cardwell * 7th District Inc feat Michael Proctor * Marlena Shaw * Brass Construction * Eugene Record * Final Edition * Sherrick * Ultra High Frequency * Tapestry * The Spinners * Corey Blake * Miss Louistine * Tommy Tate * Edwin Starr * Curtis Mayfield * Jeannie Reynolds * Clausel * The Temptations * The Isley Brothers Hopefully we'll see you @ 2.00pm! Ian D X

Mmmm. Interesting. I saw the George Blackwell and Johnny Vanelli boots and they were incredibly good at the time I seem to remember. I didn't realise that the Eddie Daniels were boots as well. I wonder how many of each he did 'cos that Eddie Daniels must be shit rare on a boot 'cos I never see that anywhere? Ian D

That makes sense. I think it's a massively rare record so if there were any copies around it would have been around that time for sure....... Ian D

Nope, it wasn't Dave, it was Soussan. This was originally on Soussan's list at the time and only a couple of copies made it over here as far as I know. I don't think those were boots either. It's an incredibly obscure record and I've certainly never seen any more than one original in my entire life. It could because it was around at that particular juncture that everyone assumes it was booted. If it had been booted there'd be loads of 'em over the years wouldn't there? Ian D

Very good! Some free Backbeats CD's for that Jerry! # Ian D

You have me confused with someone else Simon. I hate mash-ups generally apart from the Brownstone/Love Unlimited Orchestra which was brilliant. If you're talking about re-edits that's a different kettle of fish...... Ian D

Yeah right LOL....... Ian D

Do I look like the sort of guy who spends his life trying to track down cover-ups? I'd only get frustrated by wanting to know what the ACTUAL record was. So I don't tend to take much notice anymore plus don't go to enough gigs to hear 'em unfortunately.... Ian D

It really doesn't get much better than this - available everywhere for a tenner........ Otis Williams - Take Me Back - Soul Intention Otis Williams - I Got To Have You - Soul Intention Probably the best 70's double-sider ever made! Ian D

If I'm gonna be totally honest, I've never been a big fan of cover-ups. They'd intrigue me for a few weeks but ultimately become quite frustrating after a while. There's only so much time you can devote to trying to figure out what it is and the odds against scoring a bullseye are just too remote. The only time it really knocked me out was when a cover-up was uncovered and turned out to be a known act like, say, the Coasters with "Crazy Baby". Now THAT'S what I call a killer cover-up. I covered-up a few first-time spins. James Lewis & The Case Of Tyme's "I'm Coming Home" lasted about 3 weeks before a few more copies came in and Lou Pride eventually got his just deserts. The only reason I covered it up in the first place was because the actual title was so ridiculous and it would have been plainly ludicrous to pick up the mike and say, "there we go with Lou Pride and the incredible "I'm Com'un' Home In The Morn'un'" with the correct Texas pronounciation. Bear in mind that this was the North Of England in 1974 and if I'd have even attempted to announce the actual title people would have thought I was nuts. A cover-up was simply the better option. Didn't last long though. There was no way to properly disguise the title and hook really plus a few started filtering out through Soul Bowl (which is where my copy came from via a 3rd party). Great record but a bitch of a title........ I covered Al DeLory's "Right On" as the Delacosta Strings and I vaguely remember covering Rain's "Out Of My Mind" as "I'm Coming Home To You" by someone or other. We should start a thread that highlights the best cover-up titles and names if it hasn't been done already. "Black Ship To Harlem" ("Breakaway" - Steve Karmen/Jimmy Radcliffe) was one of the all-time greats. Also, creative well thought-through cover-ups are always good. The Capreez "How To Make A Sad Man Glad" seems obvious now, but it went through months and months as the Opals "Tell Him That You Care" and no one connected with the real title for ages. Cover-ups and secret sounds have always been an integral part of the scene but they merely delay the inevitable. The best stories are the records themselves. Ian D

Phew that was a pretty intense weekend LOL. I seem to have been plagued with sound problems and technical issues all weekend for one reason or another, so apologies to anyone who suffered the raw end of the deal. Sometimes machinery and I just don't hit it off but, hey, sometimes you have to take it on the chin 'cos it comes with the territory! It generally works out in the end. So techy issues aside, it's a cracker of a show this week with plenty of scope for conversation from the BRILLIANT Victor Rosado rework of a Loleatta Holloway classic with the added bonus of Ron Tyson to the pure Soul of Dr Rubberfunk and especially John Turrell - what a record! Plus some ridiculously great remixes and re-edits and that wonderful, but almost totally unknown killer slow version of Larry Saunder's "On The Real Side" by the song's writer, Tommy Keith, which had everybody and the phone ringing off the hook. What a beauty ay? Download link below. Enjoy! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 3rd April 2011 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring...... 1st Hour Loleatta Holloway & Ron Tyson We're Getting Stronger (The Longer We Stay Together) Victor Rosado 2011 Remix Dr Rubberfunk feat John Turrell Northern Comfort Slynk Remix Crazy P Never Gonna Reach Me Hot Toddy Remix Dilouya feat John Turrell & Sandra Nkake The Way It Goes Dee Dee Sharp Gamble Easy Money Todd Terje Re-Edit Thelma Houston You Used To Hold Me So Tight Dee Disco Re-Edit Skip Mahoney Janice (Don't Be So Blind To Love) Bobby DJ Guttadaro Remix Four Below Zero My Baby's Got E.S.P. Alkino Re-Edit 2nd Hour Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Ain't No Mountain High Enough Ben Human Mix Sir James Randolph Sho' Is Good Kokomo Use Your Imagination Tony Owens All That Matters Alex Brown I'm Not Respnsible L.J. Reynolds Come Get To This Al Johnson I've Got My Second Wind Tommy Keith On The Real Side Slow Killer Version Vivian Reed I'm So Tired Of Being Alone - Unreleased Jean Carn My Love Don't Come Easy Disco Tech Re-Edit Dionne Warwick & The Spinners Then Came You Larry Sanders Re-Edit The Moments & Whatnauts Girls J-Ski Re-Edit This Week's ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS Show 3-4-11 Al will be back behind the decks next week and I'll be in Germany for the Baltic Soul Weekender a week on Sunday, but if everything works out I'll be ringing in a report LIVE to Al in the studio, so if you wanna hear about 5,000 people getting down next to the Baltic sea plus Roy Ayers, The Trammps, Ann Sexton, Joe Bataan, Gwen McCrae, Gloria Scott and many others then tune-in! Thanks for listening! Ian D

Coming up LIVE @ 2.00pm on www.starpointradio.com! Happy Mother's Day! Ian D

Wow, a busy, busy week. Spent most of my time trying to put together something incredibly special for the 40th Anniversary of Philly International and if it all comes off it'll be nothing short of spectacular! Watch this space for further details but roll on July..... Also getting prepped for the upcoming Baltic Soul Weekender in 2 weeks, so hopefully I'll be able to do a phoner from there if Al can cover that week. Can't wait to see that incredible line-up! And later today, I'll be rolling up at the Holiday Inn in Sutton for the first of the Starpoint Radio Tour Parties with special guests Kenny Thomas & Soultalk plus a veritable who's who of all the Starpoint DJ's. All this just 10 minutes from home for a change so looking forward to letting my hair down LOL..... So posting up tomorrow's show nice and early this week. We have an absolutely BRILLIANT slab of an exclusive Victor Rosado work-of-art featuring the recently departed Loleatta Holloway with Ron Tyson has to be heard to be believed, plus the usual round of new releases, killer re-edits, some seriously underplayed 70's gems, some oh-so-soulful slowies and a couple of re-rubs on classic songs, in other words, the usual trawl through the eras and a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst and guests between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 3rd April 2011 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring...... Loleatta Holloway & Ron Tyson * Dr Rubberfunk feat John Turrell * Crazy P * Dilouya feat John Turrell & Sandra Nkake * Dee Dee Sharp Gamble * Thelma Houston * Skip Mahoney * Four Below Zero * Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell * Sir James Randolph * Kokomo * Tony Owens * Alex Brown * L.J. Reynolds * Al Johnson * Tommy Keith * Vivian Reed * Jean Carn * Dionne Warwick & The Spinners * The Moments & Whatnauts I'll see some of you in Sutton later but hopefully catch the usual Sunday afternoon gang tomorrow @ 2.00pm sharp! Laters, Ian D

Hi Everyone, Unfortunately I had a 'pencilled-in' gig for this date which has now been confirmed so I won't be able to make it for what will be a brilliant night at probably the most important and influential venue in my life. However, as we all know, The Central spanned a wide swathe across several decades, so the line-up is mouth-watering and will be a piece of history in the making without a doubt. I'm so pissed off that I won't be there this time. So nail me down for the next one please Steve. If we can dig Twink out of retirement, me and him will double-deck and try and be teenagers again LOL........ And where the f*ck's Swish when we need him? Let's dig him out. Plus let's not forget Pat Brady who hosted the Saturday nights in the late 70's and played tons of great tunes. The Central really was the best club in the world. Thank f*ck we were lucky enough to experience everything first hand. The history alone is astounding. Love to everyone. I'll be right there in spirit, believe me! Ian D

Actually I clearly remember Pat Brady playing this at Saturday nights @ the Central in the late 70's along with "Sensitive Mind" - General Assembly amongst many others. Cracking record and 100% genuine Northern Soul in the traditional sense. It was a revelation to me at the time because I thought we had Arctic covered. Little did I know LOL......... Ian D

Bostocks. They had stalls at Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield and Huddersfield markets at the time. Some days I'd go to all 4.............. Ian D

I'd second that. I've never had a problem with Phil either. I can't seem him having the time to do elaborate scams to be honest. He's a busy guy with a record label, website etc, etc so it just doesn't seem feasible that he try and rip someone for a few copies of a record. I'm sure there'll be a logical explanation..... Ian D

He's the sort of bloke you can have several pints with. Very good company and he can talk for hours so great value LOL.... Dean's actually married to the twin sister of the guy who designs most of the Harmless and Backbeats sleeves, Jaffa, who's a serious Northern/Modern collector himself so we've been known to have some good sessions! Ian D

Cheers Neil! I've found it's an increasingly better way to promote stuff in this day and age plus it gives us the opportunity to quiz people and look at the world behind some of these releases. I'm lucky because we have a production team and editing facilities upstairs so anytime I can snag 'em for a quick promo interview I'm right there. These days it's kind of essential to do this stuff since it goes worldwide immediately and it's a puts a human perspective behind each release. It's still early days and we can only get better but it's handy to have these interviews on file I think. I love to do something on Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Sigma Sound studios and the whole history of Neptune, Huff Puff, Gamble, P.I.R. for the P.I.R. 40th this year. If anyone knows any professional production houses which may be into a project like this then please let me know....... Hopefully I'll persuade Sean Hampsey, Kev Roberts and a few others to contribute when the next set of Backbeats comes out! Ian D

Yep, that'd be handy Mike. I'm terrible with the technical part of this stuff and I'm fed up with editing down to 15 minute segments for You Tube so that sounds just the ticket. So much technology to master and so little time........ Ian D

That's what I looked like in 1970 albeit slightly better looking, with longer hair and with enough sophistication to drink out of a glass......... Nice one Kev. I think we did justice to Dean's story didn't we? It was pretty much as you see it. We didn't bother editing 'cos it flowed pretty freely...... Ian D

Great stuff Oli. Glad you enjoyed it mate. I think it's a really interesting insight into what makes different people tick and what rings their particular bell. Dean came along a decade and a half later than me and I'm fascinated by his story........... Ian D

Con't...... Ian D Interviews Dean Rudland Part 3 Ian D Interviews Dean Rudland Part 4 Ian D

OK, let's try again. To celebrate the release of the last 2 of Harmless's 15th Anniversary releases - "The Breaks" and "Mellow Mellow", we took the opportunity to interview compiler extraordinaire Dean Rudland who compiled both albums. We thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to quiz one of the best compilers in the game and see what makes him tick. The interviews cover Dean's introduction into record collecting via the London Mod revival scene and his subsequent musical evolvement which weaved through Mod, Soul, R'n'B, Jazz, Northern Soul and numerous other musical styles, all of which has lead him to the point today where he's considered to be one of the safest pair of hands in the musical curation business. It's a fascinating journey. Enjoy! Ian D Interviews Dean Rudland Part 1 Ian D Interviews Dean Rudland Part 2 Parts 3 & 4 on the next post......... Ian D