By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 01:01 am:

Can anyone share comments or information regarding this Slab of Soul from the 60's. "Believe It Or Not" released originally on the Impact label then over in europe on Grapevine.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.76) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 03:11 am:

Horse,
what a sound,
will be interesting to see the feed back regards this.Have you got a Copy on Impact?A Mate of mine has got one,and were talking mega rarity here as I am sure you are well aware of.
Mel.

By Lynn Bruce (64.53.143.164) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 10:05 am:

Nabay was a guy from the south-end of Dearborn,in the 50s it was mostly Arabs and people from the south that came north to work at Fords.
When myself,Bob Babbitt, Vern Parker,and a sax player named Ollie Bashami were in a group,he would tag along with them to my house while we rehearsed.I think we were trying to see if he would fit in singing with our band at the time.

The thing I remember most about him was his drop-dead beautiful girlfriend that he brought with him. They used to dance in my basement while we learned the songs and could really dance great together. We all had a difficult time concentrating on the music with her there as she would have given Bo Derrick second place in a beauty contest.

The last time I saw him was in 68,when I played at Ginos Falcon Lounge and he came in to hear us.

By Lynn Bruce (64.53.143.164) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 10:10 am:

I forgot to mention that Nabay was a really good singer and I think the band ended up with all of us getting offers to go with other groups before we could get it off the ground!!!

By thecount (64.53.143.173) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 10:26 am:

HEY MEL,you are probably my best source of NORTHERN SOUL information and connections.My TWRIL LABLE collection (vickie music)I have a promo copy of "JOANNE COURCY",I GOT THE POWER.This is suppose to be a northern soul,hard to find item,and I feel this is an unusual recording for the Twril Lable,(harry balk,big top,)catagory.Do you know anything on this? or do your Sherlock Holmes thing if you get the chance for me.THANX MEL.ps.Tell your mate Frank I said thank you for visiting our web and signing our guest book."COUNT"

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 10:34 am:

Horse

There have been several threads on Nabay.

Check the "new" search function.

By thecount (64.53.143.173) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 10:45 am:

Hey Lynn,what ever happened to NABAY? He could kick with the best of them.I had no idea you were involved with him at the time.He sure deserved more recognition then he ever recieved,like so many other great Motor City artists.But like you and I said before,we really were'nt looking for the noriety then,we just wanted to play and get into all the trouble we could possibly handle,and that we did, and our reward was the toilets (bars) we got to perform in,and so many DET.groups sure did get their rightfully deserved breaks appearing in those places of fun and funk.Hey,if your phone didn"t ring last nite,that was me not calling you,sorry got so busy with honey doo"s.Call me latter this eve."COUNT"

By MelsMate (195.219.7.54) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 11:10 am:

Count,
the Joanne Courcy on Twirl you
mention has just been on a dealers record list over here priced at 400 pounds(so put that into dollars)not bad.And what a record as well.
Great Label as well Count,have you got the Volumes on Twirl?
I would just love to see your record collection mate(andthensome).
p.s.Count,
that was 400 on an issue,you said yours is a promo,then probably a little higher.
Lynn,
great piece about Nabay,that is a stomper also over here,and has been a rarity for some years.
Great to have 2 of the coolest guys on site,
Mel.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.54) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 11:12 am:

That should read MEL(ANDTHENSOME)
NOT,
Mels Mate.
Thank you.
Mel.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.54) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 11:29 am:

Count,
forgive my ignorance,
I have just belled frankiej and he sends his best to you sir.
Mel.

By Mark Speck (65.57.18.46) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 09:19 pm:

There are several items on Twirl that have gotten Northern spins from what I can deduce:

Buddy & Stacey--"A Thing Called Jealousy"
Dale Brooks--"What's There To Tell"
plus the aforementioned Volumes and Joanne Courcy tracks.

If Twirl floats your boat, there are some tracks from this label on a fairly recent Goldmine Soul Supply CD, "Big Top Soul Cellar" (supposedly, there's some connection between Big Top, Twirl, and American Arts).

And of course, since Sherlock Holmes was mentioned, even HE had a great Northern soul single, "Standing At a Standstill"!

Best,

Mark

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 10:19 pm:

Mel&ThenSome,

You sound like a very knowledgeable resource on Northern Soul - would you happen to know T. Ash... ?

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 10:30 pm:

Lynn Bruce,

Hey - I just got off the phone with Nabay and he tells me that the "Beauty" you refer to was Skip. Nabay remembers her fondly. Skip was the spokes model for the old Winston "...tastes good like a cigarette should" spotlight and also was "Queen For a Day".

He also said "Oh yeah - I remember Lynn... I always liked that guy" ...and Nabay just wanted to add "that anyone that knows Nabay, knows that Nabay doesn't "tag-along" with anybody".

Any more memories to share?

By Mark Speck (64.158.96.132) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 01:27 am:

Horse--I know Tim Ash very well. When I started to get into Northern, he was one of the first contacts I made.

I traded a number of records to him over the years, but lost touch with him after getting the computer. I met him in person nine years ago when he came Stateside, and I showed him some places to find records in my area (Northeast Ohio)--quite a day!

Best,

Mark

By Lynn Bruce (64.53.143.164) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 09:09 am:

Nabay,how are you? No disrespect intended for that "tag along" remark. After I posted it and saw it, I didn't care for it either but it was to late. You definitely were your own man. I've thought about you, Bogie,and that fine convertible of his,and Ali B. and the fine lahamishwa Ali would cook up on the stove in his parents basement. It would be nice to bring back those days wouldn't it?

I hope your well.
SLAINTE VA,Lynn

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.102) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 09:25 am:

Horse,
Yes,I know Tim Ash.
Mel.

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 08:25 pm:

Lynn,

I'll forward your good wishes and memories on to Nabay - I'm sure he'll want to reply.

And your "tag along" remark was not taken disrespectfully - as you know, Nabay is much too cool to get uptight about that kinda thing.

-Horse

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 08:34 pm:

Mel&ThenSome,

- then do you know Jac...?

By thecount (64.53.143.173) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 08:38 pm:

MARK,thanx for the reply.I have many boxes of the great TWRIL,BIG TOP,and other HARRY BALK and IRV.related lables.Yes,those do float my boat,even thou they sunk our boat with an acetate on TWRIL,but UNITED ATRIST picked us out of the water.Our group was THE 5IVE INVICTAS,the songs were insturmentals A:Green Bow TieB:A Touch Of Orchid.
Should of been titled,the Eddmond Fitzgerald(or gerald fits jim)"COUNT"

By BOBBABBITT (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 12:22 am:

HEY MO-FU'S...THE "BABBITT" HERE...............
I DID POST SOME MESSAGES ON BACKTHREADS ABOUT
NICKY ROBBINS ..........I WILL AGAIN SEND INFO ON THIS THREAD ABOUT HIM SOON..........

By larry (12.141.160.25) on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 12:29 am:

Bob,

After seeing the film, hearing you play and knowing your history with Motown, you're Tops in my book - even though you ignored me backstage in LA for some cutey. ;)

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 10:19 pm:

Babbit,

I went back and checked out your previous threads regarding Nabay/Nickey Robbins, Ali, Norman, the church basement, Ricky, the Counts, ,etc..and want to thank you for sharing the memories/background. I'm sure we'll be talking in the near future. Grabbit Babbit..!

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 10:59 pm:

Lynn,

Forwarded your message to Nabay and he agrees..."Those were some of the Best Times". He was wondering if anyone has info on Ali Bushamie and how to get in touch with him. If so please post it here or how to obtain it off line.

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 11:07 pm:

Does anyone have information regarding what year the song "Believe It Or Not" by Nabay hit the scene abroad and is it still active? The more details the better. I'm still trying to get a grasp on the Northern Soul scene abroad.

By Nomad (159.53.32.41) on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 09:42 am:

The 45 rpm "Believe It Or Not" on the Impact label has Dennis Coffey listed as the arranger on the Actual label. How can I find out who the players were? Can anybody help?

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.95) on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 09:53 am:

Horse,
are we talking about
the Lady
Jac?
MEL.

By Nomad (159.53.238.243) on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 11:03 am:

Mel,

Please email me at sabrenomad@hotmail.com I know the lady Jac...? We can speak off line. I will definitely respect your privacy. This way we don't have to inconvenience the forum.

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 11:05 pm:

Mel&thensome,

Abso...Positively...Lutely..! By the way, how do you like your cheeseburgers? on the east coast? or the west coast? Think back for a minute before you answer. You could be closer to one of your many desires and what an impact that would make.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.95) on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 12:24 am:

Horse,
your losing me,
I wont commit myself on line.
Nomad my e.mail address is
mel@andthensome.mersinet.co.uk in case I havent got back to you.
MEL(BELIEVE IT OR NOT)boom,boom!

By Nomad (159.53.32.41) on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 08:36 am:

Mel,

Check your email frequently. I will be contacting you.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.59) on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 09:31 am:

Okeh Nomad,
No problemo,
Mel.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.28) on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 10:21 am:

Just for the Record
Nabay
Believe it or Not
Vocal and Instrumental
Impact Records No.1032.
And I must add once more,
A superb,
great Sound(andthensome)
Mel.

By Nomad (159.53.32.41) on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 10:36 am:

Thanks Mel

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.8) on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 11:34 am:

Nomad,
my pleasure
MEL.
PS
Please send my regards to all the guys
down at the
Bureau of Investigation(ho,ho).

By Nomad (159.53.32.41) on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 04:25 pm:

Mel,

You are much too cool..!

By Horse (68.61.77.137) on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 11:14 pm:

Nomad,

Agreed 100%

By BOBBABBITT (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 01:43 pm:

HEY MO-FU'S.........THE "BABBITT" HERE...
NABAY.......PERSONALLY AS FAR AS SINGERS IN DETROIT AT THAT TIME NABAY...ALIS NICKEY ROBBINS, BLEW THEM ALL AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"BELIEVE IT OR NOT" ALI BUSHAMIE AND MYSELF WROTE THE SONG FOR NABAY..THE 3 OF US PRODUCED THE RECORD, WE RECORDED IT AT THE ORIGINAL TERA SHIRMA STUDIO.....THE MUSICIANS THAT I REMEMBER PLAYING ON IT WERE.....URIEL JONES, DRUMS
DENNIS COFFEY, GUITAR......JOHNNY GRIFFITH...KEYBOARDS.....JACK ASHFORD, TAMBOURINE... AND MYSELF ON BASS.. EDDIE WILLIS ALSO MAY HAVE BEEN SECOND GUITAR? DENNIS COFFEY AND MIKE THEODORE ARRANGED THE HORNS........
THE RECORD WAS PUT OUT BY HARRY BALK ON HIS IMPACT LABEL....I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE RECORD DIDN'T HAPPEN????? IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A HIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.30) on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 01:51 pm:

Mr Babbitt,
great stuff,many thanks for the full data.
The record has and still gets the full credit it so rightly deserves via the uk rare/northern soul scene.
Like lots of many other great records
for some reason they didnt hit the whole spectrum of music lovers and buyers that they should of done.
Its great to talk to people via great sites as this that were involved in such SUPERLATIVES!
Thank you Mr.Babbitt.
Mel.