…..according to a voice at today’s Hazlet, NJ record show. I beg to differ people. 45’s are alive and well, and there were plenty for all today. This Groovy Productions Show, run by Creepy Ira, a guy who usually sells porn at his “Fantasy Island” table at the Spot, has been around for quite some time. He used to have a record store up in East Bruinswick, and is a staunch follower of the Stinky Steve Goldmine book practice. In fact, for those not in the know, the show was formerly held over at the Raritan Center. It used to be huge, but has now been stuffed into a small, overcrowded, and hard to move around Holiday Inn banquet hall. Ira is there, a sort of a tanned looking George Gobel type. I mean he could sit on the panel of the Gong Show or Match Game AM (not PM). “While shopping for records, she liked to put _______ in her mouth.” You get the picture, definite slimy material. He wears a lab coat throughout the whole show, which raises the creep factor up a few notches. I cruised up with my man Larry from Funky 16 Corners, and we met the digger’s digger DJ Prime, hungry for some vinyl scores. Apparently he got shut out at the Spot on Friday. It must be that time of the year, where the droves of part time diggers try to hijack the Spot when the weather turns a bit warm. Not one to be kept down, Prime was back for some vinyl gold. All the usual suspects were there, DJ Skills, DJ Jack the Ripper, and a whole crop of out of area diggers carrying Vestax, Columbia, Numark, and Fisher Price portables. The early admission is key, it’s where I get my best digging done. I find 95% of my stuff before general admission begins. After the GA, it gets too crazy: people pushing, no room to listen, and the English or European diggers are about, some right up your ass or in the crate you’re in. I saw some of the local dealers: Egg Beard (lurking about us again), The Mooch (who was trying to move in on my shit and I had to tell him to step), Big Gay Joe, Candy and her husband (who are really great people with really great records), and one of my favorite dealers, Doug from American Oldies. He always has quality product, and has some great conversations.

Here’s a question, why are there always guys asking me while I’m diggin if i have any Beatles records for sale? It’s always some mop topped dude with ankle high zipper boots trying to recapture “the good old days” asking the same question. This guy actually was walking around with a FLIGHT CASE. These cases are heavy (even heavier when full), and are not conducive to small spaces, let alone a small spaced record show. I can’t believe people are still looking for Beatles records. It amazes me every time, as they are pretty easy to come by. He must have just discovered E Bay, and needs to put some other artists like Elvis, The Eagles, and Michael Jackson’s Thriller (because it’s rare) up on his auction block. Ok, I’m way behind on reading the times and there is some fresh pressed coffee ready to be drunk. See you tomorrow with another gem. Keep Diggin’!

45 Scores:

James Brown – Soul Pride/ King
Betty Everett – Better Tomorrow Than Today/ Uni
The Jaggerz – Born Poor/ Kama Sutra
The Formations – At the Top of the Stairs/ MGM
Simtec & Willie – 9 Times Out of 10/ Mister Chand
Simtec & Willie – Do It Like Mama/ Shama
Bobby Byrd – I Can’t (Do It Alone)/ King
Pieces of Eight – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?/ A&M
Counts – Funk/ Aware
Freddy Robinson – Black Fox/ World Pacific Jazz
Leon Thomas – L-O-V-E/ Flying Dutchman
Gershon Kingsley On the Moog Synthesizer – The First Step/ AF
The Sand Pebbles – Soul Keeps Rolling Along/ Calla
El Chicano – Michaels Theme/ MCA
Nina Simone – O-O-H Child/ RCA
Barbara & the Uniques – You’re Gonna Make Me Cheat On You/ Arden
Oscar Weathers – The Spoiler/ Top and Bottom
Clarence Paul & the Members – Operation Breadbasket/ Pride
Kool & the Gang – Funky Granny/ De-Lite