Hard News by Russell Brown

I've got some of those soundalike LPs - argh but, can't remember how they're titled. I have might have time for a rummage this arvo.

this one?

https://www.discogs.com/Sweet-The-Slade-Great-Hits-Made-Famous-By/release/4090425

I think K-Tel and Music World did a few 'soundalike releases...

Who knew Benny Goodman and his Orchestra (the Jets?) did a David Bowie Cover?

kiwiana disco kings DICE posted this remix of Chris Knox’s ‘Not Given Lightly'

Surprised they didn't change their name to 'En Vogel' just for this kiwi classic.
;- )

this one?

Quite possibly! My one had a different cover, though.

Another one in the series was David Bowie/Elton John.

I see they're using wine to keep the creative juices flowing, rather than other, more traditional, forms of music-making ingredients.

‘Top of the Pops’ and ‘Smash Hits’ records. – Pickwick records
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_of_the_Pops_%28record_series%29

and

http://www.bcb-board.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=124216

apparently all the Top of The Pops releases are on Spotify.

The Top Of The Pops albums were issued on Hallmark, a Pickwick label, and ran from 1968 to 1982, with a brief revival in 1985. There tended to be around 6 issues a year.
Other labels got in on the act too, most notably Pye via their Marble Arch imprint, and MFP. Many smaller labels also tried, most notably in the early 1970s.
Woolworths had prior experience in the field, putting out covers singles on their Embassy label for years, using the Oriole label to record and press titles for them. Embassy folded in 1965 when Oriole were bought out by Columbia and became the UK CBS Records operation.
Woolworths then got back into covers int the late 1970s, setting up their really cheap Chevron cassette imprint. As well as releasing albums of mixed covers, they put out single artist tribute albums, orchestral material (such as TV themes) and various other tat. Every Woolworths store would feature a large bin of these cassettes, retailing for 99p or £1.25, but you never saw anyone buy them. They finally died out sometime around 1990.

from http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/those-old-top-of-the-pops-lps.156583/

they’re using wine to keep the creative juices flowing

Crowded Souse?

The legendary dubstep band (Salmonella Dub) was approached to be given a Legacy Award at the New Zealand Music Awards in November and were told they could select a band or performer who had influenced them to perform at the awards ceremony.
But organisers deemed their selection, Wellington post-punk band Beat Rhythm Fashion, too obscure for TV audiences and rejected it. In response, the band then turned down entry to the NZ Hall of Fame.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/95623048/dub-snub-salmonella-dub-turn-down-hall-of-fame-over-clash-with-organisers

NIce idea and tribute to consider BRF, but I thought Dan Birch died in 2011, which leaves only two thirds of a trio… and what with Nino moving to Australia (he might be back, not sure) and being between drummers, it would’ve been hard to manage a reformation.

see:
http://www.audioculture.co.nz/people/beat-rhythm-fashion

The Clean did accept The Taite Music Prize’s ‘’Independent Music NZ Classic Record’’ award this year – which acknowledges records that continue to ‘’inspire us and define who we are’’ – and deservedly so!

On reflection the Four Stars record from Sausage Records in Wellington (1980/81) – Featuring Beat Rhythm Fashion, Naked Spots Dance, The Wallsockets and Life in the Fridge Exists should be considered for the Taite Independent Music NZ Classic Record award – despite its minuscule pressing run it, like AK79, captured a moment in time that still resonates.

NIce idea and tribute to consider BRF, but I thought Dan Birch died in 2011, which leaves only two thirds of a trio… and what with Nino moving to Australia (he might be back, not sure) and being between drummers, it would’ve been hard to manage a reformation.

This is all a bit weird. The claim was originally made in a post on the Salmonella Dub Facebook page, which was later removed. I can’t recall all the details, but it didn’t really add up.

I'm not sure if the post is public, but Peter McLennan mentioned it on August 2, and the general feeling was that the claim didn't add up.

Also, apparently Nino is working on new material with Caroline Easther on drums.

but Peter McLennan mentioned it on August 2

Sadly - The link you followed may have expired, or the page may only be visible to an audience you're not in.
- story of my life really...
:- )

Good to hear that Nino and Caroline are working on new material though.

I wouldn’t mind a Hi-tone or Hot record society t-shirt, such cool logos!

Cracked the seal on a reissue of the Paragons ‘On the beach’ (Treasure Isle) album at the weekend, lovely stuff, amongst the cream of rocksteady

This is all a bit weird. The claim was originally made in a post on the Salmonella Dub Facebook page, which was later removed. I can’t recall all the details, but it didn’t really add up.

As Grant Smithies implies on that Peter M post, it's verging on twaddle. (You can probably remove Verging from that sentence).

As Grant Smithies implies on that Peter M post, it’s verging on twaddle. (You can probably remove Verging from that sentence).

Yeah. Guess I should follow it up.

Cracked the seal on a reissue of the Paragons ‘On the beach’ (Treasure Isle) album at the weekend, lovely stuff, amongst the cream of rocksteady

What I want to know is when Sonia Pottinger's estate gets sorted out and the beautiful, beautiful rocksteady she produced is given a proper setting. As far as I know, all of it's currently unavailable, even on the streaming services. I love Duke Reid's productions, but I love Mrs Pottinger's more.

http://www.smithjournal.com.au/blogs/arts/3072-locating-classic-album-covers-in-google-street-view?

What I want to know is when Sonia Pottinger’s estate gets sorted out and the beautiful, beautiful rocksteady she produced is given a proper setting. As far as I know, all of it’s currently unavailable, even on the streaming services. I love Duke Reid’s productions, but I love Mrs Pottinger’s more.

Things are a bit murky, but greater availability would be great. Japan's dub store reissued Roland Alphonso's 'Rocksteady ABC' album earlier this year which was produced by Sonia Pottinger but I'm not familiar with too may more titles. A quick search on ebay turns up some CD comps of High Note & Gay feet releases, but not much else. CD's funnily enough seem to be one of the main mediums for accessing some back catalogues in this area. I was looking at one last week which included 45 bonus tracks (it was a double CD) on top of the original album - thats some tempting business right there. Still I do pause a little on buying CD's unless they're dirt cheap, even though my CD player - going back to the set up theme from last week - takes three discs, and usefully shuffles from one to the next to the next as each is played out. Do you have say a top three of Pottinger productions to chase down?

Things are a bit murky, but greater availability would be great. Japan’s dub store reissued Roland Alphonso’s ‘Rocksteady ABC’ album earlier this year which was produced by Sonia Pottinger

Oh! Thanks for the tip. Downloading that from Bandcamp as I type.

Do you have say a top three of Pottinger productions to chase down?

I actually have two on CD: Put on Your Best Dress and the High Note compilation. But I always want to recommend them to others ...

I actually have two on CD: Put on Your Best Dress and the High Note compilation

Ah, good stuff, The High Note CD is going for a cool 50 on the Ebay these days!

Perhaps a lot of Ms Pottinger's productions were singles, and thus the comps as good entry points. The Small Axe guide to Rocksteady notes that over 5000 singles were released in Jamaica between early 66 and mid 68, equating to over 6 a day. She seems to have been a character, and I think she purchased Treasure Isle in the mid 70's. Anyhow the small axe books are a good read, but the Reggae 68-70 one might be in need of a rerun. They originate from here:

https://www.muziktree.net/product-page/the-small-axe-guide-to-rock-steady-chuck-foster-book