Author Archives: Paul Brad

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About Paul Brad

Freelance journalist / Publisher / Editor - Straight No Chaser magazine / Editor - L FM : Broadcasting In A Pandemic - Gilles Peterson (Worldwide FM) / Publisher: From Jazz Funk & Fusion to Acid Jazz: A History Of The UK Jazz Dance Scene by Mark 'Snowboy' Cotgrove / Music Fan: Interplanetary Sounds: Ancient to Future / Cultural Event Consultant & Activist / Nei Jia practitioner

Exploring The Mysterious Power of Xingyiquan by Sifu C S Tang.

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Paul Brad

I first came across Sifu CS Tang when I was searching the web for xingyiquan and baguazhang material related to the famous Taiwan based martial artist Wang Shujin. From his Yang Xin studio in Hennessy Road, in the Wanchai district … Continue reading →

Posted in Wushu | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pinnacle & The First Rasta … the story of Leonard ‘Gong’ Howell

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Paul Brad

Following on from her celebrated book –  The First Rasta –  my long time friend, French music journalist and occasional contributor to Straight No Chaser, Hélène Lee,  has collaborated with Christophe Farnarier, and directed a compelling portrait of Leonard “Gong” Howell’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Follytricks!, Words, Sound & Power | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

FLIP THE SCRIPT… now online.

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Paul Brad

Kingsley Davis’ has just launched his  new website with news, videos, shopping and a selection of B&W prints now available. The man himself is totally chuffed with the result and to mark the launch Kings has got another signed copy … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Runnings | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

ONE YEAR ON…. AFTERSHOCKS OF THE TOHOKU EARTHQUAKE

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Paul Brad

It’s one year on from the Tohoku tsunami and earthquake disaster and in the wake of the stirring images and stories that have reached us I am  more than hacked off with a bunch of pro nuclear power scribblers who are … Continue reading →

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Black Queens, White Lies, Red Herrings…. take a trip to the coast!

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Paul Brad

Go on & treat yourself… after all, Spring is in the air and it is the  Queen’s Jubilee! Head on down to the south coast in search another Queen –   The Queen Charlotte, the “liveliest new arts and entertainment … Continue reading →

Posted in Deep stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

OUT NOW! DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND! WORD, SOUND & POWER: UK Sound System Map

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Paul Brad

Following the debut of Word Sound & Power – Reggae Changed My  Life  (Stage 1)  at the Bass Culture/Roundhouse forum, The people have spoken and we have released the premiere edition of  our  UK Sound System Map. Drawing on an … Continue reading →

Posted in Words, Sound & Power | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

MORE DALSTON RUNNINGS… Dennis Morris’ ‘Growing Up Black’

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Paul Brad

Staying on a Dalston vibe…. fresh from Autograph ABP comes Dennis Morris’ ‘Growing Up Black’. Born in Jamaica but  growing up in Hackney Dennis was encouraged to pick up a camera by a patron of his local  church, Donald Paterson. … Continue reading →

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Earl Zinger’ s Kingsland Rag meets Operation Condor…

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Paul Brad

Just as I was imbibing the news that Hackney Council and the Met’s Operation Condor has homed in on Dalston and Shoreditch, targeting anyone flouting the licensing laws, clamping down on the illegal venues, using sniffer dogs outside the train … Continue reading →

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Just thought I’d post this: Gwo’ka à Pointe à Pitre

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Paul Brad

While writing the David Hockney piece I had saxophonist David Murray quietly firing on all cylinders in the background. I suppose it was a conversation I’d had with Gerry Lyseight about the New York Loft Scene and Val Wilmer’s book … Continue reading →

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The Paintings Of David Hockney: Still Smoking! From LA to The Yorkshire Dales

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Paul Brad

Saturday night… 9.30pm… Royal Academy in Picadilly… and it’s buzzing with people of all ages, nationalities and classes, all vibed at the prospect of viewing David Hockney’s A Bigger Picture. There’s been a rake of media publicity around Hockney’s work … Continue reading →

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