Category Archives: Art

“Art does not have to be specific to our struggles to be helpful to us in dealing with them. And this is because art is not about itself, but about us. It is what it does to us, what it opens up in us that counts.”

Respect to the Arts Foundation Futures Awards 2026. If you’re reading this, please take time out, kick back and check this speech by Sir Ben Okri – pure inspiration for anyone willing to tune in. The renowned poet and novelist … Continue reading

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BEYOND THE BASSLINE: 500 Years Of Black British Music

The Award Winning British Library publication which was released in a hardback format to coincide with widely acclaimed exhibition is now available as a paperback!! What’s in this book? Edited by myself, in consultation with the exhibition curators, Aleema Gray … Continue reading

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TO THE FONDATION MAEGHT : THE CYCLICAL ROUTE OF THE AVANTE GARDE – SUN RA to the PYRAMIDS

In July 1970 La Fondation Maeght in the South of France hosted a series of concerts, curated by Daniel Caux, a French musicologist, essayist, journalist, music critic, and radio producer. These extraordinary events showcased both electronic / minimalist music and … Continue reading

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THE CASIMIR CONNECTION: Tapping Into The Mysterious Force

THE CASIMIR CONNECTION: Tapping Into The Mysterious Force At the tail end of 2017 a friend invited me to experience a brace of new compositions written by saxophonist Diane McLoughlin at the Old Church in Stoke Newington in North London … Continue reading

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Breakin’ Convention 018 meets Jazz Re: freshed

BREAKIN’ CONVENTION 018 meets Jazz Re:freshed STORY BY TOM TIDNAM This interview with curator Jonzi D and MD/saxophonist Jason Yarde was done by Straight No Chaser scribe Tom Tidnam for #SNC99 but production dates slipped by and the mag was … Continue reading

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‘BEING BLACKER’: A radical encounter between BAFTA Winning film-maker MOLLY DINEEN and Brixton’s BLACKER DREAD

‘Being Blacker’ is a unique, uncompromising and radical 90 minute documentary and both Molly Dineen and Steve’Blacker Dread’ Martin take to the road to launch the film in a cinema near you prior to it airing on BBC2 on March … Continue reading

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#SNC98 – Back On The Block but SOLD OUT! All gone!

#SNC98 – Back On The Block but SOLD OUT! All gone! Firstly, apologise to all the peeps who check out this on-line journal as there’s been very few… hmmmm, Zero!…posts over the past period. Basically, I – along with Ian … Continue reading

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JUNE 8th: Strong And Stable My Arse… Jeremy Deller!

RESPECT TO… & CHECK OUT: https://www.flyingleaps.co.uk/

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SOON COME: SWIFTY FUNKY TYPO-GRAFFIX – THE BOOK

Yeah…apologies, been absent for a spell… just a case of real-life-runnings and the task of finishing the words for the forthcoming design tome – Swifty Funky TypoGraffix. Yes, we’re pretty much done… just the cover now! The rest has gone … Continue reading

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Hockney, Saltaire, Salvo’s & A Taste Of Puglia

Hockney, Saltaire & A Taste Of Puglia – a journey into the heart of Yorkshire. T’other weekend we boarded a local train from Leeds town centre for Saltaire. After a short 15-20 minute journey we stepped off the train and … Continue reading

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