Continuing our spotlight series called Favourite Finds, we ask some of our favourite DJs, collectors and selectors to tell us the story behind how they came across one of their most cherished records.
For the next instalment, we’ve asked digger, DJ, radio host and label owner, Stu Clark, to step up to the plate.
Making up one half of WOLF Music with Matt Neale, now in their 16th year, Stu has been digging and DJing since he was a teen. Running an esteemed record label that’s clocked up over 100 releases and DJing round the world across the past 20 years, he’s amassed an enviable collection in that time. As at home spinning the deep dancefloor cuts, as he is weaving together modern soul and boogie, his taste is an eclectic spectrum of goodness.
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Around the mid to late 00’s I had become obsessed with the Modern Funk and Boogie scene. One such artist who was at the forefront of the sound was Dam Funk with his online mixes being played on repeat and tracklists being studied extensively.
A track that caught my attention on one of his first mixes was a scarce Chicago soul stepper by an unknown group called The Verdict. I made it my mission to track down this illusive 45.
This was a time before every record in the world was listed on Discogs so I had to revert to searching through listings on specialist soul websites. One evening I struck gold via Crazy Beat. At the time my work meant I was travelling around the UK a lot and could plan my own jobs and route so I made sure I could go via Upminster to swing by Crazy Beat.
I’m not sure why I didn’t mail order the vinyl, or whether it was a possibility, but from memory I think I pulled up on a cold Thursday morning before they opened and had to wait outside. Once opened I raced to the counter to ask if they still had the copy of The Verdict. Off someone went to fetch it from the back and then owner Gary Dennis popped his head out with a confused look on his face, handed me the record, shaked my hand and I was on my way with a skip in my step.
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Thanks to Stu for taking the time out to tell his about his favourite find. Be sure to keep up-to-date with all things WOLF Music and check their Soundcloud for new releases and mixes too.