Saturday July 18th @ The Royal Hotel Walsall
Well another sucessful night was added to the already impressive track record of the happening event that is the United Sound of Soul. With a star studded dj lineup that promised a real variety of rare soul, there was the usual buzz out in the provinces, and on Soul Source.The acid test (of which there have been a number this year), with moving locations, time of the year, etc. Was passed with flying colours. There were a number who said "Were on holiday, can't make it". So what would the damage be?
None. There were nearly as many as the previous date here. With a sizeable proportion of new faces who'd been threatening to come, along with suprise arrivals too like Tina and Fudge. Fingers brought a car load with him of people some of who'd not been before. Also suprised to see Dave Allen back for more, but with Bob Deakin and Ian Shaw in tow. It's also good to see the large contingent from Telford and Shrewsbury making their prescence felt in increasing no's, as they've always been staunch supporters of progressive do's over the years /en masse'/. This time Phil & Joy Taylor had joined them, along with Neil & Chemine, and Kiddo & Wendy.
So the excitement was well justified for the evenings proceedings.
Tim Fletcher was first to show, taking time to chill before his set. It was good to see him
again after all this while. Soon after Harpo and Sandi arrived, along with a steady flow of people. While there's usually not too much worrying these days, a little doubt crept in with the slow start.
Tim played his tunes, with a good selection of semi-known 60's, underplayed oldies, and some better known tracks. It was a good well thought out set, with some ignored quality tunes there. New York Rock Exchange "Harmonica man" (UA)/ Mercy Men "You made it thunder"/ 4 Sights "Love is a hurting game"/ Masqueraders "You've got the power". Some of the obscurer bits deserve a bigger audience. An enjoyable first set, followed by another from Harpo.
A similar set, but with the inclusion of some equally good 70's tracks. Including some favourite oldies that you don't hear too often like Milton Wright "I belong to you", and Oscar Perry "Mainstring". We also had Leon Hayward "Consider the source"/ Bobby King "If you don't want my love" (WB LP)/ George Byrd "I'm available"/ Soulville All Stars "I'm gonna get to you". During Harpo's set the dancers kicked in, which set the tone for the rest of the evening.
So two hours of top quality soul tunes behind us, with five more still to come.
Jordi took to the decks and hit the now sizeable crowd with his own brand of rare soul. Cutting edge, with his own slant on the equation. He laid out some monsters in the making, with heads being turned at various times to the likes of the Internationals "Beautiful philosophy"/ , The Limitations "I'm lonely, i'm troubled"/ Stormy "The devastator"/ Vickie Labatt "Got to keep hanging on"/ and an incredible track by Gloria Barnes on Maple called "I'll call you back" to finish off. This is going to be an absolute monster when the word gets out.
Applause all round for yet another notch on the bedpost for Mr. Rippolles, his reputation assured.
Complete contrasts, and another USOS debutante with Des Parker. (And come to think of it, so were the rest of the guest jocks). Des's style doesn't leave anyone in any doubt what his take on the music is: rare soul without compromise. The sound is on the whole raw 60's, sprinkled with R'nB, and a smattering of oldies. The power of silent command is in evidence here when Mr. Parker takes to the decks, "Dance you b......., dance". His stall set out, the dancers obliged with the floor packed for most of his set.
No problem for our next dj. With requests beforehand for Steve Guarnori meant that his prescence was eagerly anticipated, with his reputation preeceding him. We expected big things from him, and were not disappointed when it came to delivering the goods in relation to rare soul records placed on those turntables.
Some of Steve's trademark rarites really hit the mark for the punters, although some were more unkown than others it made no difference. Appreciation is what it's all about. The dancefloor was rocking to requests galore to a mainly 60's set, but also some significant 70's or 80's tunes. He was enjoying himself, so were most others by the look of it. Chico Lammarr "What do you think"/ Walter Wilson "Your love keeps me crying"/ Roy Roberts "So much in love"/ Ike Strong "Your love keeps me dancing"/ Bloodstone "Just wanna get the feel of it".
So far the dj's had done a sterling job, with fantastic tunes galore. So two hoursof mirth and merriment to go, in the prescence of John Farrell, and yours truly Martyn.
I didn't envy John having to follow Steve not just because of his tunes, but because a decent proportion had decided it was time to head off home.
A slow and difficult start for John who stuck to the task admirably, with quite a few 70's tunes mixed in with some nice R'n'B. And some recent 60's big tunes. The dancefloor ebbed and flowed, with John finishing stronger than he started.
That left me the unenviable task of sending those left, home happy. Initially hitting them with a few floorpackers, (well they are elsewhere). I deviated from the plan, and thought sod it. So dragging things out i don't normally play, but still well known tracks. A few of which are here: Ann Byers "Happy without you"/ Herb Johnson "Carfare back"/ Tiaras "Loves made a connection"/ Voltaire's "My, my baby"/ Toys "Deserted". Those left were appreciative in mind if not body, with occasional forays onto the dancefloor by the likes of Jumping Joan.
Kenny Onions birthday, and another celebration for him chalking up the big 5-0. So all in all a success. Now onto Blackheath in September with a star studded lineup of dj's.