Firstly, I have to confess that this was my first visit in nearly two years (sorry Nick and Dawn!) and, of course, tonight made me realise just what I had been depriving myself of all this time.  For those of you who don't already know, The Browns, (Nick and Dawn to you) have now moved Scenesville to the Phoenix, just behind Oxford Circus, in London.  The Phoenix has long been a haunt for the soul scene and the mod fraternity alike for at least 20 years, so being there was like a throwback to my youth, when I first began to frequent the place!  Tonight was also a great night for meeting friends old and new, as I tagged along with old friend Shane Cox and his friend Mike, who I had met for the first time tonight.  Anyway, after coffee and a liberal dose of soul records at my flat, Mike very kindly drove us on to the Phoenix, keeping the mood of the night alive with an excellent tape played in his car!!

 Unfortunately, we missed Dawn and Nick's first spot of the night, so by the time we arrived, Chris Dale had just begun an excellent (as always) set.  Highlights of Chris's spot were Betty Lou & Bobby Adams "Dr Truelove" (TRAX) (I get so upset every time I hear this, as it reminds me of the one I bought in '95 for £15, and promptly moved on to Mick Smith for £125.  Oy Smiffy!!  That must be about £375 you owe me in accrued interest by now!!); Jesse Johnson "Left Out"; Peppermint Harris "Wait Until It Happens To You"; Sugar & Spices "Have Faith In Me", to mention but many more.  Shane took to the dancefloor immediately, and I never saw him again until 3am!! (only joking, really!).

 Most noticeable during the night was the different type of folks in attendance; they ranged from city-type gents, young students to people just like ourselves, but the atmosphere was so alive, and really friendly.  At the bar, I got chatting to a guy (whose name escapes me).  It was his first soul night, but he was so overwhelmed at the good standard of music, and the overall friendliness of the night.  I asked him if he'd be coming back...and what do YOU think he said?

 There were a few record dealers with boxes in attendance, including Adey Potts, who made Shane cringe when he flourished Luther Ingram's "If It's All The Same To You Babe" at us, on offer for £375!!   Only two hours before did I refuse Shane's offer on my worn copy!!

Anyway, next up on the decks, after Chris, was Kitch.  Apologies for the blasphemy in advance, but MY GOD - WHAT AN AWESOME SET!!!!!!  How's this for starters then?  Admirations "I Want To Be Free" ; DC Blossoms "Hey Boy"; Sharon McMahon "Got To Find Another Guy" (which I remember was covered up as "Make It Last" by Florence Miller (thanks to Ion Tskalis for being one of the first to play that in '84).   Also heard was the brilliant Peewee, Shuck & Huey's "Beside Myself" , which resulted in my first excursion to the dancefloor.  Kitch also displayed the UK' s best kept secret, in the form of the Unknown Sailor cover-up "Little Girl", and finished a wicked set with "Keep Away" by the Appointments (the other side of "I Saw You There", also given an airing earlier in his set).  Talk about fulfilling wishes - in a fit of excitement, I mentioned to Nick that I would like to 'shake Kitch's hand' for such an excellent spot.  Before I knew it, he introduced me to the man himself for the pleasure!!!

 Next up, Mr Andy Rix, who filled the dancefloor yet again by opening with Jay D. Bryant's "I Won't Be Coming Back (hope that's not true, Andy!), as well as the unissued acetates Andy always surprises us with.  Personal highlights were: The Masquaders - "That's The Same Thing"; Ronnie McNeir "Isn't She A Pretty Girl" etc etc...  Always nice to hear the unissued acetates in the form on the Hytones (an alternative mix of "You Don't Even Know My Name"); Keni Lewis, The Vows - in fact, I could go on for ages, but there's only so much you can squeeze into a review!!!

 To round off the night, Dawn and Nick got together for a Double-decking spot, where they shared the decks for the final hour.  Between them, they kept the dancefloor momentum active with faves old and new such as Cecil Washington "My Proposal"; Danny Moore "Somebody New"; Cashmeres "Show Stopper"; The Dolls "The Reason Why" (NB - buy this while you can get it for £30 or less, 'cos it's bound to increase before long!); Carol & Gerri "On You Heartache Looks Good" which Dawn played, and whilst she got up to dance to it, I could detect a snigger from Nick as he cued up the other side, "How Can I Ever Find The Way", ready to play straight after!!!  Well, I do have to say that this must be one of the best double-siders to grace the scene.  The night ended with Maxine Brown "Oh No, Not My Baby" (so nice to hear Maxine's excellent version being played - knocks spots off Manfred Mann or Rod Stewart's versions any day!!), and Clyde McPhatter's "Lonely People Can Afford To Cry".  An excellent end to an outstanding night, then it was back in Mike's car to my flat, until dawn finally broke at 5.30, where the three of us played more and more soul sounds accompanied by copious amounts of coffee!!!

 In conclusion, it must be said and known that Scenesville are certainly in the forefront of London Soul clubs.  How many other Soul nights in the South, other than the Dome, can boast a policy of ultra-rare and unissued quality soul sounds?   Scenesville are, undoubtedly, in a class of their own, second to none.  Long may you serve!!!!

 GENE ROBERTSON  (Soul Source website - www.soul-source.net)