Ian Dewhirst

Interesting. The blue label version was the one that got mass imported here in the early 70's. I've never seen a copy on the multi-coloured Share label............ Ian D

A massive big shout for everyone who made it to the Baltic Soul Weekender last weekend! Truly one of the biggest events in International Soul circles with 5000 of the friendliest people you could ever hope to meet, the best music, a brilliant vibe throughout and live acts to kill for! So special thanks to Dan, Nussim, Barbara, Andrew and the rest of the crew who make this event a reality. And shout outs to all the deejays who were on throughout the weekend. What a gig ay? Roll on Love Soul Ibiza and Grand Can coming later this year! Well done folks! A massively busy time on the release front with the Philly Box Set out in 2 weeks yikes....note to self: I'd better get that Kenny Gamble interview edited-up this week. Also coming up - a double CD set of killer Gospel funk from Jewel records compiled by Dave Hill and Greg Belson, so watch out for "Holy Spirit" in 5 weeks. And coming up on the show today? Some interesting new slants on some old records, some cracking new re-edits, some obscure killers from the 70's and the usual all-round trip around the last 40+ years of glorious Soul music. Hope you can join me! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 6th May 2012 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring...... Christian Hornbostel & Alfred Azzetto * Frank Boissy feat Michael Watford * Lou Rawls * Sharon Redd * Rhyze * West Phillips * Dooley Silverspoon & Jeanne Burton * Tony Clarke * Archie Bell & The Drells * The Five Stairsteps * Ruby Andrews * S.O.U.L. feat Larry Hancock * Wizdom * Darrow Fletcher * Ronnie Dyson * Marvin Gaye * O.C. Smith * Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr * Audio * Howard Johnson I won't be here in 2 weeks as Copenhagen beckons myself and Paul Schofield for another cracking Uluvka Vodka party which means I'll be in no state to host a radio show because that would be highly unprofessional. So I'll try and figure it out with Al. We shall let you know. Catch you @ 2.00pm today! Try and join the rest of the crowd in the Starpoint chatroom on the home page of the Starpoint website. Laters all...... Ian D X

No probs. I'm developing the next generation of internet conferencing which will hook up a national UK all-nighter every Saturday with each remote attendee allowed to select a record from the comfort of their armchair in their own living rooms. Result: Everyone's a DJ, no one has to travel and you can get pissed at home and be amazed at your own brilliance live on t'internet! Ian D

Yep. There'd generally be something going on somewhere most nights of the week in the 70's whereas most events these days have to target weekends because of the age and responsibilities of the attendees. Which means everyone wants a Friday and Saturday. Covenience of location is another factor with many people not wanting to travel far. It'll probably get WORSE LOL..... Ian D

I found a pink original on Bradford Market circa '75 for 10p. Ian D

Ludicrous. Even in the 70's when the scene was at it's most populous there still wasn't enough people to risk clashing local nights. Ian D

I wouldn't even pay £10 for that. It's well battered. What's the point in paying megabucks for something without a basic aesethic beauty or even the ability to listen to it properly? $724 bucks for a piece of battered plastic? Aren't there enough new unplayed copies anyway? Ian D

Not rushed Ian LOL. Both the Moulton package and the 10 CD box set were actually delayed! Moulton should've been out in January and the box set for February, so, as my boss keeps on telling me, I'm waaaaay behind! However, yes, I am trying to get as many releases as possible out whilst the market is still holding up. Who knows what'll happen in another couple of years or so.......? Ian D

Hi Paul, Try 14. I'm sure Philly Dave won't object if I list 'em (plus it gives you some idea of the level of detail that Dave went into in compiling the full discography)....... 1977: *1133 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Boston edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (Boston edit)" *1134 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Washington edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (Washington edit)" *1135 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Miami edit)" /"Let's clean up the ghetto (Miami edit)" *1136 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Philadelphia edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (Philadelphia edit )" *1137 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Baltimore edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (Baltimore edit)" *1138 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Detroit edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (Detroit edit)" *1139 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (St.Louis edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (St.Louis edit )" *1140 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Houston edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (Houston edit)" *1141 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Chicago edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (Chicago edit)" *1142 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Cincinnati edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (Cincinnati edit)" *1143 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Cleveland edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (Cleveland edit )" *1144 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Dallas edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (Dallas edit)" *1145 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (San Francisco edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (San Francisco edit)" *1146 Philadelphia Int All Stars "Let's clean up the ghetto (Los Angeles edit)"/ "Let's clean up the ghetto (Los Angeles edit)" * The above are identical except for Lou Rawls singing the name of the different City at the record's start. 18 days to release! I'm excited. Pre-orders are incredible! Mind you, I'm not surprised seeing as you can pick it up at a price that equivalent to £1 per year for the last 40 years LOL..... Ian D

That's a pretty punchy Darrow Fletcher track too. Never seen that before. John's write-ups are pretty good. I bet he's saving 'em all for a book LOL...... Ian D

Blimey and you called me narrow-minded for not liking some white pop records t'other week......? Ian D

It's great. I never really liked the original compared to a lot of other stuff at the time - it was a bit too galloping for me and sounded kinda a little too raucous for my ears. This mix brings out the best in the song and you can hear his vocal's much much better than the original. I think it's a masterpiece of creativity and I'm sure Marvin would've preferred it to his 60's stuff (which is the reason he ended up making "What's Going On" anyway). This is much more in the vibe of his 70's stuff and I just think his vocals sit perfectly on this. This was pretty big on my show about 3 years ago so I'm glad it's still picking up admirers. What's not to like about a Kool & The Gang instrumental with a killer Marvin vocal.......? Ian D

Actually complete album-only sets are probably good as the sound levels will be consistent throughout. Do you notice a lot of difference in the fidelity of 60's abums compared to 70's and 80's albums Steve? The 60's ones sound much less compressed to me and a lot brighter in the mix...... Ian D

True, true but I still say albums are tricky. I could NEVER get a decent volume off Clyde McPhatter "Please Give Me One More Chance" on whatever system. Gain is all very well as long as you have enough reserve in a decent-size amp and you can dick around with the bass level 'cos it almost invariably starts rumbling with bass feedback. I really don't think the grooves are big enough for general club play UNLESS you have a system that's well geared up to accomodate 'em. Ian D

Album DJ sets are a bit of a lotttery. There's not much 'punch' on the tracks due to the thinness of the grooves and the difference is really discernable when you play an album track after a 45. Also, album tracks have to be played on a great sound-system to sound even halfway decent. Unfortunately most systems aren't really set-up to get the best from albums. You can often get howling feedback, severe bass distortion and other horrible noises as you desperately try and up the volume whilst looking at a bemused dance-floor who are wondering why the volume suddenly halved. I think they're best for home use but I applaud anyone who has the conviction to try and get around the above problems! Ian D

First rate! Pleased for Lou! Ian D

Massively helpful for picture research Mike. If I'm looking for a suitable image, label scan or just inspiration it's the first place I go. Also makes it easier to find out the rights owner too..... Ian D

I've got a 12" on U.S. Reliant on Discogs if anyone wants it...... https://www.discogs.com/buy/Vinyl/Four-Tops-Im-Here-Again/23614045?ev=bp_titl Ian D

It's not so much missing but more Ralph preferred the other two cuts which is the compiler's prerogative I guess. Actually it could be handy since it will probably fit a future "PIR Rarities' package which I'm hoping to get out later this year. But you're right Mike. They don't miss much apart the stuff that they simply can't remember anymore. As Kenny said when he came over in November, he and Leon spent the best part of 20 years locked in the studio only dimly aware of what what going on outside 'cos they were too busy with the next session! Ian D

Did anyone actually like this.... Ian D

Cheers Dave. We went through about 10 drafts on the booklet, so you can imagine how much fun that was to get signed off! Philly International went through 3 lots of fax paper (which everybody had trouble reading LOL) and then Joe Tarsia was consulted to lend his eagle eye to everything. They'd never seen the actual discography laid out before so I think they're happy! Ian D

Different strokes Tony. I could happily never hear either of 'em again. I like a lot of other pop stuff from the same era but not those two because I'm not keen on either the vocal or the songs. If that makes me narrow-minded then fine. Ian D

Maybe I don't understand the thread then. I thought I was quoting a few records that I genuinely used to wince whenever they were played in the context of Northern Soul. Nobody I hung with at the time liked any of the records I posted so I don't really understand what's so different about them compared to a "Suzy's Serenade" or "Esperanto". What did I miss? Funilly enough when I first started on the scene "Suzy's Serenade" was a seriously big record with the Torch crew........ Ian D

It's with a massive sigh of relief that I can say that Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff have signed off on the PIR 40th Anniversary box set. Phew. They went through every detail of the 60 page book including the 20 odd pages of Philly Dave's discography and gave us the thumbs up so we're now good to go on the 21/05/12. Ian D

"Red Dress" - Sugababes (Samples "Landslide" - Tony Clark) Ian D