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Hey Mr DJ put a record on....... We're really on a roll now ........as Mike delivers three winter warmers from his December 2008 set. TURBANS "The Damage Is Done" Imperial Vocal groups have enjoyed popularity in recent years, The Drapers, The Showmen and The Del Vikings are three that immediately spring to mind. One to watch for in the future is The Turbans "Damage Is Done". Originally released as the B-side to the Drifters influenced "I Wonder", it is the Turbans last ever recording. Similar in tempo to "Wrong Girl" the track is dancefloor dynamite from the opening blast of saxophone onwards as the group sing "The damage is done, don't appologise. It's much too late now to forgive you for your lies". Value-wise, currently expect to pay between £40-£50, but buy now as it is likely to increase in value in the future. BARRETT STRONG "Money And Me" Tamla The answer song to "Money", Barrett Strong's most well known recording, and one of the best Mod R&B dancers ever. "Money And Me" is surprisingly not a "Money" sound-a-like, but is more of a big city influenced R&B dancer, similar in style to Marv Johnson's recordings from the same period and it's B-side is a version of "You Got What It Takes". Kicking off with the lines "Gonna tell you a story abount money and me and just know how bad money can be" it is two minutes of pure handclapping R&B magic as Barrett sings about the perils of losing money just as soon as you have it ! The 45 has been increasing in popularity over the last few months. Let's say if you like "Come On And Stop" this will definitely appeal. PHILIP WOLF "Little Woman" Sims The final selection is an artist that I know nothing about. A brassy guitar based 6Ts Club Soul dancer similar in tempo to the likes of Larry Davis and ZZ Hill, as Philip sings "My little woman don't stand no messing around". It sounds like a blue-eyed soul recording, which has appeal to both Soul and British R&B collectors. It was surprisingly covered up as Big Joe Turner when spun on the Allnighter scene of the mid-90s. Current value between £100-£150. 
  Paul's August 2008 collection........... This time Paul chooses three of his current spins from three MASSIVE Baritone voiced masters of the art. BIG JOE TURNER “I’m Packin’ Up” Coral A little bit out of character for the Big Man, this is a slightly more souly take on the Fats Domino New Orleans favourite. What we have is a nice bouncy mid-60s effort with Big Joe’s languid vocal style picking up one or two licks from Fats and some great understated “hey hey” male backing vocals. The uptempo beat is emphasised by a tremendous meaty drum sound (worth the admission alone). There is a slightly twee tinny organ motif running through the song which can become a little tiresome but when it flys off into a solo three quarters of the way through – it all makes perfect sense. Despite the relative polish of the recording – it is still R&B. I’ve heard this played out at other venues over the past couple of months, so it is best to get on it now before the price begins to go haywire. JIMMY RICKS “Wigglin’ and Gigglin’” Jubilee Another unmistakeable voice and one of The Hideaway’s all time favourite artists. The great Jimmy Ricks sees his late 50s/early 60s sound updated for the soul market on this mid-60s effort. If I say “Can I Get A Witness” you’ll immediately understand where this upbeat dancer is coming from. The driving piano-led gospelly feel is smoothed out with some great horns and female soul-style backing vocals. Even Jimmy sounds like a different man with a much more joyous feel to his voice. Why you can almost hear him smiling in the studio. And it’s all topped off with a super cool Hammond organ solo. What more could you want ? LONNIE SATTIN “Secret Love” Decca You all know the song. C’mon you must do. Doris Day ? Or (more in keeping with this site) Billy Stewart ? Mr Sattin’s take on the song is a straightforward swinging mid-tempo mover with a nice solid beat and guitar double-counterbeat. The economically used slick string backing is complemented with vocal support “ooh aah”s to set the stage for the honey smooth baritone of the man himself. It is most definitely a last half-hour kind of tune, but I generally wind it up a couple of notches to give it a little bit more danceability but without making Lonnie sound too chipmunk-like. Definitely one for Jak – the self-appointed king of The Hideaway. 
  Paul's June 2007 collection........... Half way through the year and it's Paul's turn to step up to the crease with three tunes that are currently doing the business for him................ The Miller Sisters "Pop Your Finger" (Glodis)
A tune that’s been seeing a bit of deck action of late from ace collector and DJ, Teddy. The song is a basic mid-tempo Hully Gully rhythmed dancer with drum, bass, guitar and sax. To be honest it is a little one-paced and the lyrics are a bit twee (your standard dance craze lyrics). The aspect that elevates it over and above many other tunes around at the moment is the unique vocals of the Miller Sisters, or to be more precise the lead Miller Sister. I’ve never heard a female singer sound so gruff. She sounds like Kermit the Frog after 40 Woodbines and a razor blade gargle. The remaining Miller Sisters cut the mustard with more conventional call and response backing vocals. And its all topped off with a cracking rasping sax solo and “Ooh Ah Oh” vocal interjections. “Baby” Earl & The Trini-Dads "Back Slop" (SPQR) We’ve always liked instrumentals at The Hideaway Club and this tune is no exception. Despite the artists’ name, this is a storming uptempo sax led rolling R&B instrumental, with a phenomenal drum sound (for its age!). The tune’s relentless rhythm makes it no surprise that it manages to pack dancefloors in 2007. The rhythm guitar gives the tune a ska feel, but everything else about the tune – including the rocking guitar solo - is American R&B. A classic Hideaway tune in the making.
The Bluesbusters "You’re No Good" (UK Island LP track)
Here’s one completely out of the blue, tucked away on the Bluesbusters first UK Island LP “Behold”. I was playing the LP one Saturday afternoon whilst preparing the upstairs room at The Waldorf for the Hideaway, when fellow resident Mike Warburton suggested that I should play this track at that night’s club. And whaddya know ? It was a winner. With full orchestral backing, “You’re No Good” sounds like an early 60s New York vocal group rather than a mid-60s Jamaican recording, with perhaps only the muddy mix betraying its origins. But it’s a strong mid-tempo song and the duos excellent vocal performance makes it an ideal “last half hour” tune that more than holds it’s own next to Hideaway favourites like The Drifters or The Wanderers.    Mike's January 2007 collection........... Jerry Foucha “Music Time” (Nola)
Kicking off my selection with a New Orleans recording. “Music Time” is very reminiscent of 6Ts club classics such as “Word Game” and “Barefootin’” and is yet another dance craze item beloved of the era. As Jerry sings “We are going to do the alphabet from A to G come on and follow me” with A letting you do The Jerk through to G letting you “go man go” ! A brassy uptempo, groover made with the dancefloor in mind. The flip side “Come On Baby” catches Jerry in a more mellow mood and is similar in style to “Caught You In A Lie”. It could easily be covered up as Willie Tee and is an ideal end of night record. Two great sides. Value-wise expect to pay about £50.
Jr Walker & The All Stars “Good Rockin’” (Harvey)
A Storming dancer from the future sax king of Motown. “Good Rockin” is one of his earliest recordings and is one of the standout tracks on the Harvey label. Two minutes plus of dancefloor dynamite, which can be described as sounding like “Hitch Hike” meets “Linda Lou”. Hand-clapping, footstomping R&B at its best with the sax being complemented by the cool sound of the Hammond organ. “Good Rockin’” is a mod classic and is a pointer to the future greatness of one of Motown’s most respected artistes.
Buddy Bailey & The Clovers “It’s All In The Game” (Porwin)
Several early-60s vocal group recordings from the likes of The Drifters, The Gillettes and The Drapers, to name but three, have enjoyed recent dancefloor success. Currently gaining in popularity is this uptempo version of the Tommy Edwards’ 50s ballad. A mid-60s recording by R&B veterans The Clovers with arrangements by future Latin/Funk hero Jimmy Castor, this record is being tipped to be as popular as “Wrong Girl”. Price-wise, expect to pay about £30, but buy now while still relatively inexpensive.
Little Willie John “Until Again My Love” (King)
One of the giants of the King/Federal stable, a number of Little Willie John’s records such as “I’m Shakin’” and “Don’t Play With Love” have enjoyed lasting dancefloor popularity. Currently receiving club plays is “Until Again My Love”, a bright and breezy handclapping R&B shuffler. It’s the type of sound that would have no doubt influenced Jamaican artistes in the early 60s. Originally released as the B-side of “Mr Glenn” LWJ’s tribute to the American Astronaut. Expect to pay £25, which is relatively cheap for a future floor filler.
Stranger Cole “Uno Dos Tres” (UK Black Swan)
Ending with a solo performance from an artist better known for his duets with Patsy Todd such as “Houswives Choice” and “We are Rolling”. A blast of the chugging ska rhythm at its best as Stranger sings “Uno Dos Tres Quatro…six long years you leave my arms”. This record was originally recommended to me by ska revivalists The Dualers. A Ska club classic from the early 60s which can still fill the dancefloors in 2007.
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