How long have you been collecting?
I’ve been collecting records for nearly 20 years now, I started when I was around 18 (giving my age away there) when I first got into Mod and Motown stuff and haven’t stopped since.
Do you remember your first buy?
Yes, It was Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – The Night. It was the first time I’d been to a Northern Soul night, I was having a drink in the main bar area of a working mens club in Barrow-In-Furness with a few friends, I heard this sound coming from the function room next door that sounded like Motown so I ventured in for a nosey. This was the first tune that really captivated me, I was a bass player in a band at the time and that intro instantly grabbed my attention and watching people dance to it blew me away.
The next day I came back to Manchester, went to Beatin’ Rhythm and to my delight, they had a copy on MoWest… only issue was, I didn’t have a record player so that set me on my next quest and its been a love affair ever since.
What’s your favourite record in your box?
This can obviously change but I’ll go with Dee Dee Sharp – I Really Love You on Cameo. By all means not the rarest or most in demand but a record that sums up my love for soul music, that haunting voice, that deep sentiment and them strings. A record that will always stay with me regardless of wether it gets played out or not.
Which record do you regret selling the most?
Oh this is an easy one for me, it’s Joe Walker – This Is My Last Goodbye on Bold which is the flip of Just To Spend My Life With You. A sentimental fool am I, I bought this as a relationship was coming to an end and after the split I played it to death and then rightly decided to move on and sold the record but regretted it not long after. The good news is though, I sold it to Andy Evans and he still has it!
What’s your fave all time soul club?
The Greatstones, this was the perfect place for me. Such an interesting and iconic hidden gem with wonderful people and some of the best rare soul you could ever wish to hear. It was always a joyful education in rare soul music there and I owe a debt to the many great DJ’s that played there over the years, it’s still a source of inspiration for me all these years later.
What’s your all time want?
Almeta Lattimore – These Memories on Mainstream Records. I mean need I explain why? it’s perfect! that mesmerising Detroit vocal that might well be the best soul record of all time… well, as far as I’m concerned it is anyway.
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