Friday, September 15, 2006

And now for something different - Photomonth...

So I've posted a lot of music and film so far, but what about the other arts? photomonth (with a small 'p') runs from October through November 2006. The blurb proclaims over 50 exhibitions and events in 35 galleries and spaces in East London. The season features fotofeast on 3,4,5 November- East London's Contemporary Photography Fair offering the opportunity to buy original prints from emerging and established photographers at the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane.

"Images discuss the complexity of racial identity, social inequality, conflict, ritual sacrifice, street children in the Congo,
violence in South Africa, the sex trade in Iraq, HIV/AIDS in Rwanda, downtown Las Vegas, industrial Teeside, Hurricane Katrina, devastation in Pakistan and protest in the East End.

"Exhibitions can be found in a wide range of accessible locations from major international galleries to a shop off Brick Lane, a cafe on Bethnal Green Road, a church, community centres, a hospital, a university, a therapy centre, an hotel, a club, an old brewery, a steamship, a pumping station, a library and artists studios, as well as many East End galleries. The line-up of photographers is international."

For more deets and a free brochure call 020 7375 0441 or see http://www.alternativearts.co.uk (check the events page.)

Wonderland


It's been far too long since I went dancing. Proper kick up yer heels and shake loose. Garth and Seymour unleash another Wonderland session next Wednesday (20th September) - featuring guest DJ Cypren (Soulbrother Records, Solar Radio, CoOp...) with residents Garth, Seymour for "musical freedom and good vibes", as he calls it. Venue: Ruby Lo's, 23 Orchard Street, London, W1 (next to Selfridges and M&S). Doors 8pm-2am, free before 9pm, £3 after. Expect the jazz dance crew to be in attendance, and go with the intention to move.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

New Soweto Kinch album...

Soweto Kinch. Diamond geezer. And talented, to boot. In a freestyle session between me, Benji Reid and Soweto, Soweto had no competition. Now, seeing as I hadn't hit a freestyle sesh for years, and Benji's no emcee, that may not be saying much, but trust me - 'kid's got skillz'. Got the following info from a Dune Records mailer:

A LIFE IN THE DAY OF B19: TALES OF THE TOWER BLOCK
Dune Records DUNECD014

On iTunes 12 September
In stores 25 September

The NEW ALBUM from the sensational young sax star and MC, Soweto Kinch breaking new ground in hip hop and jazz.

The first of a two-part album follow-up to Kinch's Mercury/MOBO/Urban Music Award-winning album, Conversations With The Unseen featuring explosive jazz with innovative rap and hip hop beats.

A distinct and commanding way of looking at jazz, at hip hop, and at the whole performance situation. Mr Kinch demonstrates what England has to teach [the USA] about narrative hip hop. Don't sleep on Mr Kinch.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

A rawness and power that mark him out from his peers in British jazz.
THE INDEPENDENT

--- end quote ---

Plenty tour date information available at either http://www.sowetokinch.com or http://www.myspace.com/sowetokinch. A couple of London dates:

14 Sep LONDON Cargo LAUNCH PARTY! 0870 060 0100 http://www.cargo-london.com
* hosted by Jonzi D
* + DJs Mark de Clive Lowe / Part Time Heroes
* + live support by Lyric L

19 Nov LONDON Jazz Festival Queen Elizabeth Hall http://www.rfh.org.uk 0870 264 9988
* Double bill with Abram Wilson + The Delta Blues Project

Monday, September 11, 2006

Casino Royale

Completely forgot about the new James Bond until I saw this. I opted out of the Bond franchise around the same time I grew out of watching terrestrial TV on bank holidays. This might just draw me back into active service...

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

FAVELA FEVA @ Guanabara - 05.09.06








From the Caferecordings mailing list:

"On September 5th, UK and Brazilian artists and DJs come together for FAVELA FEVA, a one-off event to raise money for a radio station to be built on behalf of AfroReggae in one of Rio 's toughest favelas.

"Guanabara plays host to DJs Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 1), DJ Marky (Innerground, Brazil), Bryan G (Movement/V), Benji B (1Xtra BBC), Bongo DJs (Mr Bongo), DJ Limão (Jungle Drums Sambatralia) plus guests.  They will be joined by MCs Dynamite and Skibadee . Dancing will be courtesy of Quilombo de Samba (Basement Jaxx) and Capoeira Canal.  There will be an exclusive live set performed by Bembe Segue (Goya Music). The UK' s own Ty (Big Dada) and Estelle (V2) will be the hosts for the night.

All proceeds will go towards providing the favela's youth with training and equipment to build and run a new community radio station.

"Doors open at 8pm. Tickets on the door. £6 before 10pm / £8 after. Dress however you want.
Guanabara is at Parker St., corner of Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PW,
Tel: 020 7242-8600 / www.guanabara.co.uk
For more information call Izzy on 07976 638586"

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Lyric L @ Soul Power - Wednesday 6th September...

It's a little known fact, but I used to emcee. With my teenage crew Pure Cut Productions, we hung with British Hip-Hop stalwarts Son Of Noise and Kobalt 60, got a little attention from Blade, and even got the chance to do a little guest slot on Choice FM, which was a big thing for me as a 17 year old rapper living my dream. Ah, the good old days...

My relationship with hip-hop is a little more tenuous these days - don't get me started - but I still have an ear for it, and particularly the UK reps. Not only does Lyric L rep UK Hip-Hop, but she's incredibly versatile, having risen to (international) renown on the back of the seminal Seiji-produced Loose Lips - a classic slab of broken beat. Props n' kudos to her. Get down to Soul Power and support if you can. Check the myspace page for more deets - myspace.com/thesoulpower

Friday, September 01, 2006

Sequins, Soca and Sweat...

No, I didn't make it down to Carnival this year. And it's only yesterday that I found out I had a press pass waiting for me to take pictures. Foo. Next year, maybe?

While I'm waiting for the opportunity to come round again, I might check "Sequins, Soca and Sweat" out for a bit of Bacchanal flavour... From the site:

"Sequins, Soca and Sweat is the debut documentary by award winning filmmaker, Stephen Rudder. His interest in Carnival was first sparked in 2003. Whilst at the Notting Hill Carnival he saw a young boy with a horn in one hand and the other around the shoulder of his grandmother as they danced together in costume. He was intrigued at how this spectacular art form had the power to bring together generations in this way.

"When Carole Morrison, the film’s Executive Producer, was looking to commission a documentary about the ‘Mas’ in Notting Hill, Stephen’s initial seed of interest had the chance to grow.

"What he found when he looked behind the mask of the masquerade, was a small group of artists, designers, innovators and pioneers who somehow managed to nourish their communities and inspire the younger generations, whilst also forming the backbone of the largest street festival in Europe. Sequins, Soca and Sweat is their story."

It'll be screening at the BFM Festival on the 13th of September, 6.30pm...

(Oh, and by the way, the poster looks hot. You can't really see it in all it's glory here, or even on the site, but the design's real tasty... Love to get my hands on a full sized version... ;)

BFM Film Festival

The Black FIlm Makers Festival runs from the 8th – 15th September 2006 at the ICA, Pall Mall. A programme for the festival can be found here.