A stomper is born. New Soultime magazine #4.
Have you ever wondered where the D.J.'s manage to dig up the constant flow of rarities from? Well, here's just a quick rundown on some of the places that the sounds are dug from.
Chris Cerf - 'Sweet Music' - Amy
If you travel down to Ashton-under-Lyne there's a little place called the Record Bar. Behind this place lies a warehouse full of old singles. A couple of local lads struck it rich by getting in there and sorting through some of the stock, unearthing such gems as 'Right Direction' - Gerry Jackson (same as Clara Ward) and Chris Cerf. Two copies were found and 'Soul Sam' bought one for £40, left it for a few months and it returned covered up as Len Barry - 'Turn Off The Music'. This place has also started such gems as Lennie Curtis and copies of The Jewels and Leslie Uggams have been found there.
Chapter 5 - 'You Can't Mean It' - CBS
In the heart of Manchester is the Indigo Recording Studios and for years they had in the back of the premises the overstock of the 'Granada' record library.
Anyway, word leaked out to three lads (including Dave McAdden and Dave Withers) who gained entry and were allowed to take their pick of the stock at 20p each including Shane Martin, Rufus Lumley and Chubby Checker (all demos). Anyway, word leaked to Mr Searling (who had been there on several occasions with R.C.A. unaware of the stock) and he, so to speak, cleared up the leftovers. 'you Can't Mean It' was an unknown pop item which Richard remembered and he got three demos. It remains as one of the rarest British records and like so many others, was bought for next to nothing.
Flaming Emeralds - 'Have Some Everybody' - Fee
Amazingly enough, this is a 1977 release distributed by the small 'Fee' label throughout the States. Imports were hard to obtain until John Anderson brought 200 back from his last visit to the States. John then sold? these to the various top jocks who then are the only ones who have it - so a rarity is born.
The amazing dance floor reaction was immediate and it appeared as though a 1977 rarity was reality until Neil Rushton managed to get an order from 'Fee' (so the blue label 'Fee' is just a different label pressing and not a bootleg). I should imagine this will be one of the tops in the top ten of 1977 - wotta stomper!
Bobby Diamond - 'Stop' - Columbia
This first appeared on Martin Kopell's list for just £5. It was about three months later when Russ covered it up at Wigan as 'Stop - You're breaking My Heart'. A real bouncy tune, maybe just a little too pop, buta very good dancer. It was amazing how many copies surfaced after the title was leaked and I don't think anybody with £15 to spare would have difficulty in obtaining it. Once again, the magic name of Charles Callelo is on the producing and arranging side of things. Making it even more amazing in how long it took to turn up.
Martin lives in Canada and obtains a constant flow of known rarities but doesn't seem to get a lot of unknowns. I can never understand this. Perhaps he's in it for the money and not the love of the music. Perhaps he is just playing safe with stuff he can sell well. Perhaps he hasn't got the knowledge or contacts to obtain new stompers. Whatever the case, I think he could come up with more than he does.
So, the rarities can come from unusual sources and predictable ones. I should think about a third of rarities are from 'Soul Bowl'. John Anderson's frequent trips to the States makes discovering top sounds second nature to him.
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