Category Archives: Urban runnings…

We don’t need a Tory to tell us about the Big Society.

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 →

Posted in Deep stuff, Urban runnings... | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Urban runnings..., Words, Sound & Power | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SXSW: Reggae Roots ‘n’ Bass Culture @ the Roundhouse

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Paul Brad

Saturday night at the Roundhouse in Camden Town . It’s busy. In the main room, post-emo college rock band, Brand New, was pulling  a heavy  crowd. Meanwhile, in the small theatre, a more modest gathering was gradually assembling to  get … Continue reading →

Posted in Urban runnings..., Words, Sound & Power | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Art of Buying Reggae Music: A back in the day journey from Dalston Junction to Tottenham High Road.

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Paul Brad

Yesterday I was chatting to a couple of friends – one of whom was from Senegal – about reggae music in London. Along with talking about the the evolution of the UK sound – roots & Lovers -we also got … Continue reading →

Posted in Urban runnings..., Words, Sound & Power | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 58 Comments

Book Bizniz… Which ‘Dudus’ dem a look for? Jamaica’s First President…

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Paul Brad

OVER A YEAR HAS ELAPSED since the world watched in awe as the Jamaican police and armed forces made a military style incursion into Tivoli Gardens in West Kingston in an attempt to arrest and extradite Michael Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke … Continue reading →

Posted in Follytricks!, Urban runnings... | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

CARNIVAL 2011… It’s on… & it’s HOT HOT HOT!

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Paul Brad

The first big question that went through my mind the day the riots kicked off in Hackney and around the country was, “Carnival… what about Notting Hill Carnival?” That was back on August 8th and as the debates swirled and … Continue reading →

Posted in Urban runnings... | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Meet The Interrupters! Redemption & Intervention

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Paul Brad

THE AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR OF HOOP DREAMS TAKE US ONTO THE WAR TORN STREETS OF THE WINDY CITY WITH CEASEFIRE. Last Tuesday evening, after spending two hours immersed in of Steve James’ latest award winning documentary, The Interrupters, I staggered … Continue reading →

Posted in Deep stuff, Urban runnings... | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

INNER CITY INSIGHT: Words, Sound & Power – MC Akala’s Life Of Rhyme & Life in Grime!

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Paul Brad

A blazing beacon of cultural enlightenment emerged from beneath the post-riot smokescreen in the form of UK MC, Akala’s ‘Life Of Rhyme’ on Channel 4. Following on from Saturday night’s well publicized but low budget and lame ‘How Hip Hop … Continue reading →

Posted in Urban runnings..., Words, Sound & Power | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

APOLOGIES… bit of a reflection comin’ on… steppin’ back to north London in the mid 80’s… then jumping to now… time to ‘Get Up, Get Into It Get Involved’…

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Paul Brad

It’s been a vexing time. The lame speeches, the frustrating TV debates, David Starkey…. I’ve even had recurring images of the intro to Shameless… the burning car, the estate… and philosophical Frank ‘avin’ a “Paaaaarty!” I’m tired of them all. … Continue reading →

Posted in Follytricks!, Urban runnings... | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Soul Jazz, Brownswood, Ninja Tune, Rough Trade… their future threatened by rioting & looters!

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Paul Brad

Ohhhh maaan… I was distressed to hear about the fire at Sony’s DADC distribution centre in Enfield which was burnt to the ground during the riots. This is a tragedy… a tragedy that will seriously impact on the most creative … Continue reading →

Posted in Urban runnings... | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments