Joe Theobald, aka DJ Captain Wormhole, Looks at all things vinyl 

HELLO Swindon! This week’s column takes the form of an interview. Marc Nicholas has been collecting records and DJing for over a quarter of a century and could talk for a day or two on the genealogy of House music alone; “Jazz by definition”.

CW: “Let’s start with an ‘easy one’; favourite record?”

MN: “Lonnie Liston Smith, Expansions, the 12-inch version of course. Not my first record, I’d already been collecting for years. I first heard it in Gas Club (Cheltenham) at the end of a Saturday night in the mid-nineties.

CW: Who’s influenced your DJ’ing most?

MN: “It’s impossible to choose one person, DJs inspire me in lots of different ways.

Snowboy. He’s an ex-Teddy Boy Latin-Jazz band leader, Conga player, DJ and record collector. It’s an occasion when he DJs, massive personality, shouts and swears down the mic to get people dancing. Simon Mansell’s amazing Southport sets.

Ross and Matt (Para & Baila) have rejuvenated the buzz lately, it was waning.

Jerry Hipkiss from Gas Club was a heavy influence on the Soul side, he’d always have you rushing to the decks to find out what record was playing. As was Clive White (Cee Double EE). Also, Elwyn Lloyd inspired me and was a good friend, RIP.

CW: Favourite record store?

MN: Crazy Beat Records in Upminster, they know their stuff. Gary Dennis (the owner) goes back to the Goldmine days on Canvey Island. You’ve got to support places like that or they won’t be around any more.

CW: Money no object Holy Grail record?

MN: Clarke-Boland Big Band – Jazz Convention Vol. 3, on the KPM label, it’s a library record (stock music recorded for film and television soundtracks) from 1968, there are probably less than 100 in existence and it goes for up to £500.

Marc DJs at the MECA’s Soul, Funk & Disco nights and you can catch him at the next one in May.

Next week: The mechanics of the dance floor.