Gene-r

And here's another one I forgot about..................until now!

And here are some nice New Zealand soul-related issues, bought for a fraction of their UK counterparts whilst on holiday there five years ago! These are only just some of the 160-odd 45s and 30-odd 78s brought back, mostly R&R and 60s pop. I also had "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted" by Jimmy Ruffin on green Stateside; unusual, considering that the Supremes single pictured here on Tamla Motown pre-dates this by a year, so why wasn't it on TM instead? Anyway, the Jimmy Ruffin 45 is now happily in the collection of Roger Stewart. Also note the mis-credit on the Platters 45, as featuring "Tony Wilson" (should be Tony Williams!).

I'm A Lovin' Man - Young Jessie The Teen Beat Song - Marvin Gaye

.....Top Rank also had distribution as a label in the USA, around 1960, releasing material from artists such as Ted Taylor and Jack Scott, amongst others. Yes, Pete's right. Forget the Craig Douglas, John Leyton and the other pop releases on the label. Other personal faves of the good soul (or soul related) UK Top Rank releases are: THE PIPS: Every Beat Of My Heart LEE DORSEY: Ya Ya CHUCK JACKSON: I Don't Want To Cry JOHNNY ADAMS & THE GONDOLIERS: Come On LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS: Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop THE PARADONS: Diamonds & Pearls THE FLAMINGOS: I Only Have Eyes For You THE SHIRELLES: Baby It's You BIG JAY Mc NEELY: There Is Something On Your Mind WILBERT HARRISON: Kansas City I could go on for a long time! Speaking of which, I have New Zealand Top Rank releases of Soldier Boy (The Shirelles), Duke Of Earl (Gene Chandler), Nobody Loves Me Like You (The Flamingos) and both the Wilbert Harrison and Little Anthony singles mentioned above. The look lovely, espscially the last two which have square centres at an unusual angle! Will try post scans of some later. Gene

I think Tony Rounce is the best man to ask about Lebanese pressing plants. He gave a good response to a similar post some months ago on this subject.

I'll make sure I play Baby Can't You See at SHS tonite Bearsy! Look forward to seeing you there.

With a bit of lateral thinking, my guess is that Dickie Wonder and Little Tommy both recorded for Sound Of Soul. Oscar Wright's "Leave Me Alone" was first issued on Hemisphere as the B-side to "Fell In Love", before it gained a Fairmount release. Sound of Soul and Hemisphere both appear to be owned by Mr Wiggles, or at least come from the same distribution point. That's the only factor I can see which connects Oscar Wright with the other artists on the LP, though not necessarily Larry Saunders. "The soup thickens...................."!

Afraid not Jocko.....................

No probs Steve. I can definitely recommend buying it, if only for two tracks. I play Tyrone Thomas at Solid Hit Soul, and will be doing so tomorrow!

The Tyrone Thomas cut of "Baby Can't You See" doesn't really sound muffled to me - if anything, it's a re-recording done a key below the Little Tommy cut. But I do think "Nobody Knows" by Dickie Wonder sounds mufled.

Hi John, Yes - it's Chatahoochee 669. I'll try and post a scan up when I get home from work tonight. Gene

Steve - what was it first covered up as? Benji Schlamp very kindly sold me his copy a few months ago for an undisclosed sum (!) - what's best is that it's the "Why You Wanna Treat Me Like You Do" misprint. Can't be many of those around! A million thanks Benji - another long awaited want now in a good home!

I was stopped by customs on a trip back from Amsterdam 8 years ago. As well as my holdall, I had a large carrier bag with about 80 7" singles, which is the main thing the customs official was interested in. He grabbed about 10 records at a time out of the bag, and methodically began looking between each record, and in some sleeves (I presume this was a check for any unusual powdered substances). Just after he'd got to the third pile, the conversation turned to records, and he mentioned that he was a mix DJ in his spare time! Was a world apart from my collecting, as he collected 12" singles, some I'd never even heard of! As I struggled to cram my underwear back into my holdall, I shook his hand and bid him a friendly farewell! The people you meet........................................

Jeez Pete - I've now lost untold copies of Johnny Bragg on Elbejay trying to educate myself!

Sorry guys - I hold my hand up to my blunder! BTW - what's a record?

I love these! Would be great to see more. Wonder how that group called the Beatles got on after being watched in the chart? Silly name really; probably got in the way of their success............hope they made it anyway.

Aah, the memories Chris! BTW, sorry I haven't got back to you yet mate - very busy indeed. I'll drop you a PM tonight. All the best, Gene

....Play the other side! Nice if you like bouncy Northern. My first and last soul records: First: Queen Of Clubs - KC & The Sunshine Band (JayBoy) Last: Get It - Jay Dee Bryant (Enjoy)

Easy one Christian - all boots are styrene. Originals are deceint quality vinyl with a dark green label. Hope that helps.

Great LP! My stereo copy has a different take of "Shoes" - does yours differ to the single cut?

That's the one Mike! Had trouble thinking of it. Thanks................

From a personal point of view, "Ten To One" holds a soft spot with me. But "You Fooled Me" has definitely stood the test of time and, therefore, his best all-rounder. Should also be due some more recognition, given that there's a tasty female version being played by Des Parker at the moment - artsist and title escape me though.........

Bloody brilliant record Cunnie - and I still want one! Incidentally, pitching down dates back to as late as 1971 - listen to the London reissue of "Run Baby Run" by the Newbeats, compared to the Hickory original. London have pitched it down to a slower tempo. Was this a reissue aimed at the Northern clientele at the time?

Hi Jo, I don't have it on CD I'm afraid - my vinyl copy of the 45 went to Melvin a few years ago, and still regret it! I'll do a search round, and let you know if I have any luck. Gene

Take it you mean singing Kirsty?