Ian Dewhirst

Yep, they're all Levine productions, so it's pretty much sticking to the template! More to the point, what the hell are you doing being up at 7.20am on a Sunday! Has the concept of a nice long lay-in bypassed the good folk in the North? Ian D

Yep. A bit of a hard slog there I'd say...... Ian D

A few on Vol 8........ I love this version. Would sound magnificent over a BIG system played LOUD! Undisputed Truth "The Law Of The Land" https://www.zshare.net/audio/19549042a3001f30/ And here's hitmaker Frances Nero with a pumping version of We The People.... Frances Nero "Making My Daydream Real" https://www.zshare.net/audio/19548725c8c3395f/ And how about this......what a VOICE! Who is she.......? Vermettya Royster "The Comfort Of Your Arms" https://www.zshare.net/audio/1954890569604934/ Ian D

Nice version of Robert John on Vol 5.... James Ellis "If You Don't Want My Love" https://www.zshare.net/audio/1954845752bdee2d/ There's actually tons of stuff but I'm only pulling out stuff which I think will appeal to Soul Sourcers. There's lots of stuff which would appeal to other scenes - some real killers too. I may come back to 'em..... Ian D

Well, following a couple of weeks of flying solo in the studio, tomorrow will be different as I will be joined by my 14 year old daughter and her two friends. So it'll be Ian D, Savannah D, Sophie & Nicole in the studio for tomorrow's Original Mastercuts show LIVE at 2.00-4.00pm on www.starpointradio.com. Plus I've actually let 'em choose a couple too, so join in with the fun tomorrow. Packed to the brim with Soulful Gems as per usual including Dreamtime, Truce, Was A Bee, Prince Charles & The City Beat Band, Val Young, American Gypsy, Bobby Lovett, John White, Cheryl Hunter, The Stylistics, Splendour, Barbara Acklin, Otis Smith, Linda Jones, Brenton Wood, Tolbert, Madcon, Grady Harrell, David Ruffin, Stanley Williams, Anita Baker, The Black Style Mood, Rufus, Peace Of Mind, Jennifer Hudson, Jay Sean & Robin Thicke feat Mary J. Blige Ian D

Agreed! It kills me when I hear records elsewhere that should have been aired on the Northern Scene first and foremost (and probably would have been if not for 'closed' minds). I think there's some progress happening. 'OFO' would be a good start methinks as that embraces the philosophy of 'OVO' without the restrictions on format...... Ian D

Yep, agreed! Paul Thrower played it on my show the other week. Absolutely outstanding and one which I'll be playing again tomorrow (Orginal Mastercuts Show, Every Sunday afternoon 2.00-4.00pm LIVE). Co-incidentally, it's also the first track on Volume 3 which I've just got to. A tremendous vocal. Can you just imagine that session? Lovely stuff and I'm not surprised it's getting played. David Ruffin "Hurt The One You Love" https://www.zshare.net/audio/19527625ffc8ad60/ SI-004 perchance Phil? Ian D

OH, OK fair enough. I didn't know which is not such a bad thing as I'm listening to everything with relatively fresh ears..... Ian D

Well that was good advance planning wasn't it? Ian D

And from Vol 2, here's a couple worth another listen..... A lovely mid-tempo good-time groover and a wonderful homage to Marvin by his brother...... Frankie Gaye "My Brother" https://www.zshare.net/audio/19521411fe5e2569/ And anyone who doesn't think these two are singing their hearts out and giving a brilliant set of performances is obviously deaf....... Billy Preston & Syreeta "Watching The Hands Of Time" https://www.zshare.net/audio/195215707bb9939d/ It'll take a bit of time to get to Vol 9 Ian..... Ian D

Not so. I'm going through 'em as we speak. So, from Vol 1...... A joyous set of performances and a great mid-tempo good-time pounder from Jean Terrell, Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence plus the Originals. Sounds like a Chicago recording...... Jean, Scherrie & Lynda From The Supremes & The Originals "Back By Popular Demand" https://www.zshare.net/audio/19521071d91701b3/ Ian D

Mmmm. Time for a proper Brenton Wood anthology.......? Ian D

Freda Payne obviously, the tremendous Nat Augustin double-sider and today I'm actually going to spend the next few hours going through the Motor City catalogue looking for other gems, so I'll post up any goodies I find! Ian D

Going by the present workload we're looking @ November '09 minimum... Ian D

Paup-ine's so enthusiastic, she can have the first one off the press! Where are those other 19,999 Paup-ines then? I have a commercial interest now......... Ian D

Let me just make this clear folks. I knew the Erma Thomas track - in fact I sold the Irma Thomas album the other week to someone on here I think, but for some reason it didn't resonate with me quite as much as other stuff back in the day. Wasn't it Flash from Keighley's favourite record? Also with Levine blasting in my ear none stop throughout my viewing of the DVD's I was somewhat shell-shocked by the time Erma appeared. Imagine the scenario: it's 2.00am in the morning after a long day and with every single video which came on I had this raucous voice sounding at the back of head, "Oh. This is just phenomenal. You know who it is don't you? What!!! You haven't recognised it yet? How very dare you! How could you possibly not know this from the first bars. Are you a congenital cretin???" etc, etc Yes. The track's obviously a classic - just not as big a classic as some others for me. Ian D Ian D

Well Steve G, Simon M and Sean Hampsey just on this thread have a huge knowledge base between 'em, so the next logical step would be for several of 'em to get together and talk about a progressive musical policy which would set the agenda rather than just following one. It's only when I read threads like this that I realise how lucky we were in the 70's to have caught the zeitgeist at a particular point in time which almost guaranteed full houses most of the time across the North. That meant that we had a far higher turnover of tunes which broke much quicker and made the scene more vibrant (note: age also had a lot to do with it - we had a young audience back then). Not easy I know, but someone has to grab the bull by the horns and make the scene a bit more accessible to a younger, musically interested audience. My mates over on EMS are constantly sending me music files which are relatively recent and 100% Northern but can't be played now because of the restrictions of the scene itself. It seems such a waste to know that in 10-15 years is probably when some of these things will be aired for the first time. It must drive people like Sean Hampsey nuts! 'OFO' - Original Format Only might be the way to go, as that would include OV but not exclude equally good tunes which maybe didn't have the benefit of being released on vinyl in the 60's. Also having an event with such a music policy would focus a very fragmented scene right now and hopefully find a sympathetic audience - as they seem to be outside the UK! Ian D

I'm watching this debate with interest. I honestly think you guys have to set the agenda. The scene is fragmented and some parts of it are desperately unsexy musically. I for one would embrace more of a merger of different styles under the general Northern Soul/Modern Soul moniker rather than the 'either one or the other' scenario we have now. There's enough intelligence and passion in this thread alone to put together a more progressive music policy and target the more progressive audience across both the Northern and Modern scenes and some potential new inductees. Part of the role of tastemaker DJ's is to project their tastes upon a (hopefully) willing audience. You guys should get your heads together and SET the agenda! A more eclectic challenging music policy right now with the right DJ's at the right venue could inject a new dimension to a scene which obviously needs a fresh focus. C'mon guys sort it out. That's why they pay you the big bucks innit? Ian D

Enigmatic as ever......... Ian D

Me too! I saw Phil earlier tonight @ Keb's gig in Fulham and he said we should be most grateful to Mr Mooney who stepped in like a champ with almost frightening font-expertise! So many thanks to Paul. This is turning into a real community record and it's very refreshing. Reminds me why I got into the business in the first place! Will be round @ 12.00 tomorrow to pick up the masters, then mastering @ 2.00pm, so all happening at pace! And, hey, even if capitalism crashes tomorrow, we can swap 'em for FOOD! All good. Ian D

And you'll be pleased to know we took note of yours and Paul's comments on the font and we've now ammended the ridiculously modern font to something far more authentic by all accounts. Apparently it now looks great font-wise so will post when I get it. Thanks to all for comments! This is a very organic release which has happened 100% naturally through Soul Source on this very thread, so it'd be great to get it right LOL! Ian D

I thought you were being unnaturally well behaved these days! Ian D

There's a few to go yet Mike. Johnny Williams, Dick Jenson, Robert Upchurch plus more early CBS releases from the Intruders, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, the O'Jays, the Ebony's etc, etc. I'll need to pull 'em out but will add later.......... Ian D

Can you imagine how embarrassed you'll be in 2016 when you look back at this years postings? Ian D

Mike, I also have a complete PIR listing of everything that the current UK licensee has available, which also includes all album tracks. It's pretty comprehensive. Can't post it here 'cos it's too large, but PM with your e-mail addy and I'll zap it over, OK? Best, Ian D