Ian Dewhirst

Also, whilst we're on the subject of names, how does one pronounce Paul S's surname? Sadot. Is it the French way with a silent 't' I wonder...............? Ian D

I'm not sure anymore mate...... I'll have to go back to the beginning..... Methinks James is a sheep in wolf's clothing anyway............ Ian D

Mmmm. Obviously it takes one to know one! I mean what parents would baptize their offspring with a name like In-Town anyway? Ian D

Can you stop with the humerous posts please Steve? This is meant to be a serious conversation about Soul Music........ Ian D

Because that's what In Town Mikey just told me. But I've just had two people tell me what James's real name is, so I take it back again. I thought it was too good to be true LOL.... Ian D

I take that back. James didn't christen himself "Trouble". That's actually his christened name. It's genetic then........ Ian D

I agree too but if someone has a pop at @ a load of associates and friends and says they have never contributed to the scene, then should there not be a right of reply? I didn't even get involved until Paul Sadot levelled his accusations @ Manifesto and I thought someone should respond. I was just about to shoot a few things back too from the calls and PM's I've had about other situations that concern Paul but I'm happy enough to get back to the music mate. I don't like negativity anyway. Ian D

Yeah but come on guys. What did you expect from a guy who christens himself "Trouble"........? Did that not give you a clue? At least he does what it says on the tin. Unlike that nefarious b*stard 'Mr Nice Guy' Ritson............ Ian D

Thanks for the warning Stuart. The beard is a dead giveaway and I should have seen that from the off. It's only after reading the above and re-watching a DVD of "The Devil's Advocate" that the truth has suddenly clicked that Mike Ritson is in fact evil incarnate and the living embodiment of the role which Al Pacino played with such aplomb. The guy lulled me into a false sense of security by appearing on the scene in the early 70's and bugging me to play records - an early indication of the kind of sublimal mind games the guy was up to back then. Little did I know I know this was part of his long-term game-plan. I then managed to keep out of his way for the next 25 years before I realised he'd cropped up with with a Northern Soul magazine called 'Manifesto'. Little did we know back then how prophetic the title would be! In the meantime I next bumped into him when the two of you wrote "The In Crowd" and Mike first located me by nefarious methods (he rang Neil Rushton and got my number) and then proceeded to interogate me mercilessly under the guise of interviewing me for his so-called book, henceforth to be known as 'Project Orange'. He plied me with alcohol throughout the 'interviews' and then accused ME of trying to encourage HIM to drink - a typical ploy from a criminal mastermind. 'Project Orange' was a perfect cover for this undercover svengali to interrogate key members of the Northern Soul movement in order to understand the mindset of Northern Soul devotees so he could take over the scene for his own pernacious desires. I'm not surprised you got suckered into it mate - he had us all fooled didn't he? I've since done some more research and found out that 'The Master' is currently running his evil empire from a caravan in the South Of France - presumably to try and fool people into thinking that he's actually not that well-off and actually chooses to live in a hot-box for several weeks every year! Thanks again for the warning Stuart. I'd better alert Soul Sam and Fish before they carry out any more attrocities in the name of The Master....... Ian D

Well, only another couple of weeks left of me doing a weekly show before Alan and I co-host from the 30th August at the Chertsey All-Dayer. From September onwards we'll be splitting the Sunday duties between us due to our respective workloads outside of radio. Next week's show is highly likely to feature all my favourite Original Mastercuts tracks over the last 12 months of being solo, so I've pulled out the stops on this week's show which is an absolute belter! So coming up LIVE at 2.00-4.00pm today on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com is a GREAT ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS Sunday afternoon session featuring a veritable feast of Soulful gems from all eras. The Collective Vs Peyton * DJ Kulbir feat Daniel Thomas * A.G. Thomas * DJ Asparagus Vs Wipe The Needle * Paprika Soul * Major Harris * Yasuko Agawa * J.W. McGhee * Magic Lady * Eleanor Goodman * Mosely & Johnson * Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon * Friends Of Distinction * Tony Stone * The Brothers * Gail Eason * Double Exposure * The O'Jays * Sharon MacMahan * Bobby Reed * Sandra Wright * Frank McComb * The Brand New Heavies * Jamariah * George Benson * Thelma Houston Try and join me this week as it'll be a PERFECT Sunday afternoon and you're gonna need a soundtrack! Ian D

Hi Paul, Phew. There's enough material here for a case study in the psychology of a twisted mind. Might be time to see a shrink mate before you get into this too deep! Just a couple of points this time:- "I'll tell you, its because they haven't got the love, committment or soul to embark on the job!" However they did of course write and publish one of the defining books about Northern Soul, the 320 page "The In Crowd" in 1999 which is probably the best-selling book ever about Northern Soul and still available after numerous re-prints. "That aside, even without the attempt at stopping the play, the Mag is narrow and run by a soul clique who have nothing to do with the scene i support". Hang on a minute. I thought you were the guy who did a play about Wigan Casino? I was a resident D.J. at Wigan Casino and many of the people who have contributed to Manifesto over the years I first met @ Wigan. Must be that parallel universe that keeps happening ay? A book on Zoo's by Tim? is that an 'ooh, ooh, a human zoo, ooh?' Tremendous pun! When the next play? Bit like the red eye page! There ya go insulting the good readers of Manifesto again...... Ian D

Note to everyone: I'm pleased to announce that Alan Champ is coming back aboard the ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS show from the beginning of September onwards. We'll be pretty much doing alternative weeks when we can't do the show together due to increased weekly obligations for the daytime jobs (or job to be in my case). I've just landed a new job which will reduce my ability to put the show together on a weekly basis, so I've opted for 2 shows per month which should be do-able and will hopefully keep the standards up. So just 2 more consecutive Ian Dewhirst ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS shows from me (the 16th and the 23rd) and then Al and I will be broadcasting live from the Chertsey All-Dayer on the 30th which will a lovely way to start the new season! Many thanks for everyone for such a wonderful 12 months and 50 shows of unbridled passion every Sunday afternoon! I LOVE this show and I LOVE this station! Ian D

I spoke to Mike yesterday and specifically asked him if he'd ever had a run-in with a guy called Paul Sadot, (who by the way, I'm pretty sure that I have personally never ever met in person). I didn't put two & two together until something clicked in the thread that Paul's the guy who did "One Upon A Time In Wigan" and then I remembered the feistiness of some of the previous S.S. threads concerning the play and various parties who were involved at some stage or another. I remember reading a lot of remarks from Paul at the time which I thought got quite personal and not necessarily the most prudent or proper way to conduct personal matters on a public forum. It was almost like he was trying to breed controversy through accusations, personal insults and incendiary statements which is an interesting way to go through life I guess, but it's all kinda negative, negative, negative all the time which can't be that much fun. Must be a bitch in fact. So I reckon Paul's one of life's fiery, fiesty typa guys who may go around upsetting people. I don't know since I've never met him, but in the space of this thread he's accused me of:- 1) Being a member of a 'Mafia' type organisation which was set up with the sole intention of monopolising Northern Soul music for monetary gain. (Hah! try telling that to my wife that and she'll laugh you out my hilltop mansion with the roller outside!) At one point he likened the Manifesto bunch of people to the award-winning HBO produced, "The Sopranos" but, like, a Soul version of the New Jersey Mafia family but helmed by notorious boss Mike Ritson and aided and abetted by thugs like Soul Sam, Fish, Pete Haigh, Dr Bob Jones, Tim Brown and Keith Rylett. Unbelievable. This guy should write a play ..... 2) Being illiterate. First-ever time that's been levelled at me after hundreds of published articles, hundreds of sleeve-notes and a current book commission. 3) Not travelling North, South, East & West to various Soul do's as I'm a 'Sofa Boy'. Patently untrue, as our mafia boss would cut our collective balls off if we didn't get out and about to gigs. I go to loads of 'em, including James's gigs but the 'sofa' bit did un-nerve me a bit since I use it most nights....... Now we also know that Paul has never taken me seriously and I don't impress him 'cos he told me that as well. So can you imagine how much worse it would have been if the guy actually knew me! Fascinating stuff. The double-whammy of Paul Sadot's generalisations and mafia fantasies about Manifesto together with James Trouble's forthright opinions and unbridled hatred of Ian Levine make this an interesting thread - these guys love keeping Mike on his toes don't they LOL...... I've met James and, yes, he's obviously an arrogant prick but we've all been young once and every scene needs it's characters IMO. Plus, that's what happens when you've been trained by Keb Darge. Haven't met Paul yet but I'm obviously not in that much of hurry 'cos the deranged b*stard will probably stab me before I've even said "buongiorno....." And Jocko - I had a natter with Mike about the legal nastiness and he then told me that there had been some concern @ Bee Cool when him and Stuart read the original manuscript of the play and thought it bore a striking resemblance to a book they had just published called "Casino" by Dave Shaw and thus voiced their concerns. It never went anywhere and I guess it was a case of lawyers giving ill-judged advice more than anything else. People protect their interests and given the level of vitriol above I have no doubt that Paul would be exactly the same if he thought someone had plagiarised his play. However, Mike also told me that it all blew over and he's met Paul several times since and even shared a beer with him in Australia. He was kinda surprised that it was even mentioned........... Anyway, there is no 'mafia' or cosy cabal @ Manifesto. The mag is very fluid as contributors come and go and then come back again. There's many contributors at the magazine who I've never even met or talked with. Most of them are just people who love Soul Music and spend a couple of days of their own time writing about it for free. If we're in the same place at the same time, we say hello and have a beer and a natter - pretty much the way it's always been for the last 40 years. Ask any of 'em and they'll tell you exactly the same thing. And anyone is welcome. Just submit a decent 2000 word article about a Northern Soul related topic and the chances are that it will be published. Plus I read Martyn's hand-written letter to Manifesto castigating Tim Brown and if he can send me an e-mail with it by Monday so I don't have to type the bloody thing, then I'll make sure it gets printed in the next issue. How's that for wimpy democracy ay? Tony Soprano will be turning in his grave............. Ian D

Damn. I guess that Manifesto "Sweet Soul From The North East" column by the award-winning Baz A is a bust then..... I applaud anyone who gives up their time to write regular columns for Soul mags. I just read the damn things - I couldn't give a monkeys about politics! Ian D

Well, there's two sides to every story Paul and since I don't know the circumstances I can't comment but I guess that does explain your attitude somewhat. I think it was more to do with them trying to protect their copyright in Dave Shaw's "Wigan" book wasn't it........? Ian D

The 'tacky photos' of readers wives etc, are in fact submitted by Manifesto readers themselves from around the world - numerous photos are sent in by the readers and contributors and there is no editorial policy on this at all. It's as democratic as possible. Why insult the readership? Also if you were to re-read the entire Manifesto collection of back issues you'll find hundreds of records which have been reviewed over the years which are now the mainstay of the current scene. There was even a James Trouble article last year. Are we talking about the same mag here.....? Ian D

"In The Basement" is pretty good and covers a wide remit and the above mentioned "There's That Beat" is great as well. Publishing's not an easy business, so anyone who can put a decent magazine out regularly should be encouraged IMO...... Ian D

I think you have a twisted view of Manifesto Paul. As far as I know, no one who contributes to the mag has any illusions about 'running the scene'. The idea is laughable as there's so many different facets of the scene I don't think anyone would seriously imagine that they could control a scene which is essentially beyond control. If you really knew Tim Brown you'd know that he's as passionate about Northern Soul and Deep Soul as anyone else on the planet and has the collection to back it up. His other passion is Zoos and he's been on deadline to publish his first Zoo book this year, so that's why he's not been out and about so much. And I honestly don't know what you mean by people not getting out and exploring it. I'm out and about all the time at numerous gigs and see loads of people! This year I've been to numerous gigs @ London, Chichester, Birmingham, Brighton, Prestatyn, Morcambe, Todmorden, Hinckley, Caister, Leeds, Wakefield with trips to Chertsey, Leeds, Manchester, Hull and Prestatyn coming up shortly. I think that covers North, South, East & West doesn't it? I have a certain amount of sympathy with some of the opinions on this thread, for instance, I think that the magazine could broaden it's appeal for sure and more contributors would be nice but, hey, it's not my magazine so not my call. Other than that, I find it an enjoyable read and quite enjoy when it drops through the letter box, as I do with many magazines. I think Manifesto's basic aim is to survive. It's lasted 15 years and 108 issues to date which surely should be applauded shouldn't it? I really think you have a seperate agenda based on a prior disagreement with Mike but that's really got little to do with anyone else....... Ian D

Have we ever met? Maybe we have, so perhaps you could remind me when and where if poss please? Either way, I don't tend to cast aspersions on people who I've never met or don't know well, so I'm just curious why you seem to have it in for anyone who's been involved with Manifesto. There is no 'gang'. Most of the contributors vehemently disagree with each other anyway, as anyone who's read Tim Brown, Soul Sam or Simon White's columns will know. I consider Mike Ritson and Tim Brown to be old friends, who I bump into on occasion and have a natter or a beer with. Likewise Soul Sam, Neil Rushton and Pete Haigh who I see occasionally at gigs - maybe a couple of times a year. Roy Burton, Bob Jones, Fish, Rob Moss, Sean Livesey and Sean Chapman I see maybe two or three times year and may have a casual natter with. I've known Steve Handbury for a few years now - generally from Prestatyn and a few other gigs and I see Simon White at a few London gigs and we chat. That's it. No cosy 'gang'. Just a lot of long-term soul music enthusiasts doing what they enjoy. So no conspiracy over this end mate. What on earth has Manifesto done to you to make you so bitter............? Are you a rival publisher or something........? Ian D

Post of the thread! Ian D

Well, better late than never. Sorry for the delay folks but here's the download at last! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show with Ian Dewhirst Sunday 9th August 2009 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Hour 1 280 West feat Diamond Temple with Ray, Goodman & Brown I Never Knew Vanessa Williams The Real Thing Maurice Joshua Nu Soul Mix Hardsoul feat Ron Carroll Back Together Will Downing A Love Supreme Tafuri What Am I Gonna Do About Your Love Kariya Let Me Love You Tonight Touch Without You The Joubert Singers Stand On The Word Hour 2 Jackie Wilson & Erma Franklin I Get The Sweetest Feeling Ila Vann You Made Me This Way Anthony White Hey Baby Universal Mind Reach Out For Me Step By Step So Very Near You Wee Try Me Brenda Holloway Home Is Where The Hatred Is Heaven & Earth Whole Lot Of Love Millie Jackson Summer (The First Time) The Isley Brothers Summer Breeze The Real Thing Raining Through My Sunshine Janette Renee What's On Your Mind The Max feat Xavier - Incredible Main Ingredient Won't Let You Do That To Me https://www.sixmillio...9-Starpoint.mp3 See you @ 2.00pm LIVE next Sunday Afternoon! Will be announcing some changes to the show coming up from September! Ian D

LOL, challenge No.1 is to persuade Mike to let you actually edit! Welcome aboard Catfish. I hope you get what you wish for! I'll do an induction for you if you like..... Look at that. James Trouble just got us a new contributor with professional editing skills! Well done mate! Ian D

Gotta correct you there Martyn - I'm not on the staff because there isn't any staff, nor a realistic budget for one. I've been helping Mike out 'cos I'm down the road and I've know him 36 years and he's been a very, very good mate to me. So I try and return the many favours he's done for me over the years and that's the main level of my involvement. So Quid Pro Quo then. Res Ipsa Loquitur...... Ian D

Do you know all the contributors then Paul? 'Cos you sure as shit don't know me, so I have no idea why you'd want to tar everybody with the same brush. You're so far wide of the mark it's laughable. Are you saying that Keith Rylatt, Rob Moss, Soul Sam and the literally hundreds of other contributors over the last 15 years 'have never represented the scene'? Tosh! You must have an axe to grind with someone but don't generalise about some people who have given their whole lives to Northern Soul because that just makes you look like a prat. Ian D