Category Archives: Is That Jazz?

Millions of sounds to keep you up when you’re down…

MY LONDON ROCK STARS, ENDS TO ESTATES: Hassan Hajjaj @ Sotherby’s

Moroccan-born and Camden Town raised Hassan Hajjaj is one the best known faces on the London Club scene. Back in the Eighties he promoted his R.A.P. clothing label and became well known for his diverse and always supa-hip parties in … Continue reading

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EBO FEST Activation: Jago/London

Prior to Ebo Fest Ghana, the Ebo Fest London Activation celebrated the life of the legendary bandleader Ebo Taylor with films and words and music… I think it was post Covid, while working on the Lockdown FM: Broadcasting In A … Continue reading

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“This my 208th session at Maida Vale…. and it’s the last one… end of an era… Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Binker Golding, Theon Cross, Zara McFarlane, Cleveland Watkiss…. “

Over his time at BBC Radio 6 Music, Gilles Peterson has notched up an incredible array of live sessions at the legendary Maida Vale Studios. When I got a call saying this was most likely going to be the last … Continue reading

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The MUSIC is BLACK.

The Music Is Black: A British Story, has been 4 years in the making and as the summer arrives in the capital this much anticipated exhibition is finally open to the people. Welcome to V&A East. “Music is the soundtrack … 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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UNFILTERED: IN CONVERSATION WITH OSUNLADE

Live ‘n Direct from Mason & Fifth – Osunlade meets Straight No Chaser’s Paul Bradshaw… We go DEEPER! Tune in! A couple a weeks ago, at Mason & Fifth in Westbourne Park, we were treated to a revealing ‘n’ wonderful … 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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NCO meets Joni & Mingus @ The Dome

Led by Peter Edwards, the New Civilisation Orchestra took on the music from Joni Mitchell’s classic ‘Hejira’ LP and the singer-songwriter’s collaboration with master bassist and composer Charles Mingus. Jihad Imroel-Quays Darwish & ESKA It was hard to say whether … Continue reading

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A World Without Worldwide FM

On Sunday October 30 the WWFM crew gathered at the Brownswood studio to celebrate the last six years before signing off at midnight leaving the station on hiatus until a new era beckons. It took a few days to gather … 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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