Still Diggin

Just wondered if you have the group members for the Four Wonders?

Great subtle harmony, busy chap back then was Ronnie Mcneir.

It saves them from bringing a stick.

To be fair Chris even the thickest of skined collector was reluctant to spend a shed load of cash on most titles like that for the simple fact most of us thought in the end they would slowly start to drift over from the states and end up being a fiver as most were relatively knew, even after the best part of forty years you could probably fit all the known copies of those titles you mention ever found in a bucket and still have room for your shoes! but the thing is if you wanted to hear it you had three options, buy it, turn up, or scrounge a hissy cassette off ya mate! , no youtube mixcloud discogs spotify re-issue etc. Everybody's an expert now without going out of the front door. Good times back then for sure and credit to Poke, Sam Arthur, Robin, Richard etc for the inspiration.

Many thanks for getting in touch Peter, your best bet would be to contact Steve Guarnori, he has just brought out the wonderfull book which is All Platinum the making of a sound. In the book are scans of the Maple 45's, Collector Greg Tormo let Steve have a scan of the Prescott 45. I still have the 45 which plays reasonably well, but had sadly been in a basement which at one point in time been underwater, this has rendered it unfit for what you would need it for, some info on the label is ok, but some missing. A very rare 45 indeed,

Yes, I recall several folks playing this back in the early 90s, we used to play it down the mucky duck in Norwich, I say we in that I knew at lease 4 local people who spun there owned a copy. It's great to see collectors and dj's take on this subject, but in reality the halcyon days of the rare modern soul scene (given most of the tracks that have been mentioned) was between 1980 and 88, for the simple fact most of the tracks mentioned did at the time sound relatively modern due to being recent releases or a couple of years old ie Curtis Anderson and Ronnie Barns were not a million miles away from new releases being played in the better end clubs around Londons north circular,it was a subculture of club culture. Even back then the people I knew who were really on it never classed Melvin Moore or Earl white junior modern, even back then they sounded dated, I still have both and are fantastic records, but had either got 1975 written on the label I doubt too many would have questioned it. The term Modern Soul should have been well and truly been dumped for these releases in and around the early nineties as record productions changed and in turn call them for what they infact are, which is rare 80s. There have also been too many records on this thread made well before the term modern soul was to my knowledge ever used! I mean surely Sammy lee and the Nialations are just seventies dancers, I have the Sammy Lee 45,supposed to be from 78, sounds more like 71 to me, that's not modern. For example a proper modern soul record is Anthony David feat Kiesha Jackson 'Lady', came out last year ON CD so it sounds modern!. Back then there were also a few tracks played that only appeared on 12" , many of these have remained elusive like the Purple Gang, Bachelor, James King, Pike, Juice on Outlet the list goes on. There have been hundreds of 45's which failed to make it back then or had yet to be found, many of similar rarity and quality of most mentioned above. There seems to be several small fractured scenes for this output now, So sadly many will get little attention. Has Larome Baker, Glenda Mcloed,Raj, Brothers Gilmore,SPG had a mention?. One record I must mention that I had purchased in the early 90's was Darrell Johnson's 'Days gone past' on DTJ productions, it actually came out in 1980, such a great production for the period, way ahead of it's time. Sorry about the terminology rant, unable to contain myself. By the way Steve I used your post to thank you for excellent work that is ALL PLATINUM the making of a sound. For a group harmony fan like miself a real treat. Never knew Jay player was in the Optamistics, every day's a school day. Oh, Jay player on 45 is no easy piece in 2024.

Yep, same guy who was flogging the Charmels 'Ive done it again' on Volt! a few years back, with the release number convienently crossed out, because the type face used for this boot is from a release three years previous and had not been recorded at that point in time.

Have we had James Fountain 'Seven day lover' yet? memorable start if ever there was one. Or The Quantrells 'Show me the game of love' pure kitchen sink stuff ! Just cant wait for the best ending thread to start

Yes, you are infact correct, I failed to see the bit about 'before the singing starts' perhaps the lyrics play a major part in my appreciation of soul, hense my oversight. Not sure I would call it the opposite, just a misinterpretation of the thread.

From a perspective of 45's played on the northern/ rare soul dance scene, the two which had me the most capyivated on that first hearing had to be - Harold Melvin 'Get out' Melvin Moore 'All of a sudden' Opening lines on both are lyrical genius IMO.

Fair dues, if you you were not around back then, however it was most certainly not a 'southern thing' you would have that in Nottingham (rock city) circa mid eighties along with several other venues up and down the country. Within a six month window around that period some would say a top five modern soul want that's never really turned up.

Probably Silver platinum Gold 'Loveland' on Magic which should probably be in a different thread, as that's comparing an obscure 60's 45 with something from 83 of similar rarity. Bit like comparing rare funk or Sweet soul with Northern.

I am convinced what you are alluding to will sadly one day play its part in the making of a record aimed at the soul scene and one of it's many styles, however how AI can replicate the passion and conviction we have all grown up to deeply understand within the portrail both lyrically and emotionly in an Afro American voice I am yet to be convinced. we have enough nonsense to deal with regarding the numerous cover versions that some people think will make them rich! Just wish Jan Jones and Ray Pollard could hear the covers or not!

I have played the flip a few years back at a local downbeat gig before they became the norm, but in reality just another southern soul curiosity. As for 'Come on', well in my opinion there are a whole load of tracks like that on the likes of early Gwen Mcrae and Betty Wright LP's which in my little world are far superior in every department, but they would never get a look in, due to being album tracks by well known artists.

Special Delivery ! Geez, I record having at least two copies for re-sale every year for the past five, and I could hardly class myself as a dealer. Could never bring myself to charge more than thirty squid, boy is that a common record!