How long have you been collecting?
I started getting into records when I was 17, me and my mates were really into the Trojan Skinhead scene, we were wearing Doc Martens, Fred Perry shirts and Levi’s and therefore a natural progression to buying Rocksteady and Ska singles from local record shops, it was from there that my love for soulful music was born.
Do you remember your first buy?
I certainly remember the first time I realised I had a problem with records. I was 18 and working on a building site and was pretty new to the soul scene but I was desperate to get some serious stuff in my collection, that’s when I decided to spend 3 days wages on Ann Sexton – You’ve Been Gone Too Long on the yellow Seventy Seven label, It’s still an ever present in my box.
What’s your favourite record in your box?
I’d say for sentimental reasons, this specific record is my favourite piece, It’s The Commands – Hey It’s Love on Dynamic. I will never forget the first time I heard this record in one of the side rooms at the Blackpool Tower with Liam and Jonny at the weekender, I remember shuffling on a sticky carpet to this mid tempo classic and immediately it became a record that I just had to have.
Which record do you regret selling the most?
Fortunately I’ve never been a position in which I’ve needed to sell any of my records, I often consider parting with some stuff to make space but you know what, space is overrated.
What’s your fave all time soul club?
It has to be the club that changed my life, The Beat Boutique, I stepped in there as a curious young fella and I don’t think I’ve ever been the same since, the unique diversity of sound and people down in the Ruby Lounge just resonated with me in a way that nothing had before that.
What’s your all time want?
Richard Caiton – I Like To Get Near You, Everything I adore about soul music on one 7 inch piece of wax, the innocence of Caiton’s voice, the majestic brass sections that appear from nowhere, that quintessential crossover sound and of course the glorious green label with it’s unassuming branding of UP TIGHT.
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