It was already quite a shock when Northern Soul DJ Kenny Burrell from Scotland bought one of the only two known existing copies of Frank Wilson's Do I love you for 15,000 GBP ($22,000) in 1997. The record was released on Motown's subsidiary Soul and initially six promo copies were pressed.

But now the other copy is being auctioned by record dealer John Manship. The current bid is at 24,735 GBP ($37,000), already making it the most expensive record of all times. It might sell for as much as $50,000 when the auction is done.

And no, I'm not the highest bidder. I dropped out below the minimum bid.

MrSoulpower said:

I thought you would've owned this on some kind of re-ish Good rec.. no great record but there are decently priced boots of this 45
[Edited 4/29/09 7:05am]

I was watching that auction!

Amazing

That song can be heard cheaply on some compilations, and it is a gem.

Cinnie said:

It's a fantastic record. it'll make it's way to the 45 box on a boot of course but still nice record to have in the box

I read that once Frank Wilson confessed to Berry Gordy that his main interest was in being a producer, that's when the pressings stopped

Cinnie said:

Yup from what I understand he ended up as an inhouse writer and producer for Motown. What's funny is cats like "Hutch and Bristol" both great writers and producers recorded for Motown. then again with Bristol I think he only wrote and produced and I could be wrong that he actually released something on Motown.
[Edited 4/29/09 7:15am]

IAintTheOne said:

haha good call.

Cinnie said:

Hey I can be wrong you know

Cinnie said:

Sounds like a good song. Wonder if the people bidding actually care about the song at all. I mean, they won't be playing the actual disc, I hope.

IAintTheOne said:

I thought you'd know by now that I don't do reissues. I'm a vinyl Nazi with an obsession for original pressings. But for this one, I may re-consider, just to have it. Usually, I dig as long as I find the original, but with this release, I would dig for the rest of my life. But if you play this release as a boot at a Soul party, other DJs will dis you. Because this record is sacred and should only be played as original.

VinnyM27 said:

I do play my original pressings. That's part of the fun. I'm just really careful with them. I usually bring my own needles when I play my rarest records, and I certainly won't scratch.

People ask me a lot why I don't scratch when I DJ. That's why.

*crab scratching your copy of "Hung - Up"*

Cinnie said:

That would be like throwing away two mortgage payments.

MrSoulpower said:

I could think of better things to do with that kind of cash

MrSoulpower said:

That's too bad because certain songs I just want to hear regardless of their rarity. I learned my lesson playing Skull Snaps at a HOUSE PARTY. Damn, who thought you'd find haters while rockin' a house party. lol!
[Edited 4/29/09 12:02pm]

Cinnie said:

I agree, but the reality is different. As you may know, the global soul/Funk scene is pretty small. There are maybe two dozen DJs who travel and DJ globally. All know each other. If I started playing re-issues, the word would travel faster than I could. I'm already somewhat and outsider in the scene because I don't spend my days and nights on Funk message boards and because I don't really give a rat's ass if a record is rare or not. I play what I think is good and what I think few have heard before.

The problem with re-issues is that 1. anyone can have them, which makes them not special, and 2. the song is already well known in the scene. A good Soul or Funk DJ actually discovers records ... and surprises other DJs and collectors. You're right, most dancers on the floor don't know and don't care about the difference. But the promoters and DJs do, and they determine if you're worth the money to be flown in and paid for your gig or not.

IAintTheOne said:

With $50k - yes. I'd be able to buy at least 200 rare records on my wantlist.

MrSoulpower said:

That puts it all into perspective

Cinnie said:

Yeah, if a job depends on it, it's easy to understand. For local club Djs and collectors, re-issues are fine. I got a few of songs that I just never found, but I just never play them.

MrSoulpower said:

Lmao I feel ya