I Intend To Escape ......................And Come Back

A Tribute To Donna Summer

To everyone who ever said "electronic music will date really quickly" listen to this version of Donna Summer's best track "I Feel Love."

 

It still sounds as good to me as it ever did.

Wot No Anarchists?

The quote below is from today's Telegraph Review, where amongst the book reviews Dan Jones considers Paul Preston's work on the Spanish Civil War and its fascist butchery, The Spanish Holocaust.

Jones writes:

"Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell and the rest sent back graphic dispatches from the front line, and their work has left the historical impression that Europe's first open war between fascists and the combined forces of communism, socialism and social democracy was well covered and understood. Yet away from the eyes of the war reporters, argues Paul Preston, there was another Spanish Civil War, in which thousands of civilans were systematically murdered, and their deaths subsequently obscured".

Whilst accepting his latter point, the former is a re-writing of history. In this analysis, all those Anarchists in Barcelona and much of southern Spain must have been a figment of the imagination. I do hope that Preston's book is considerably better than Jones' summary above!

Ziauddin Sardar and Hajj Diplomacy

I spent an excellent afternoon yesterday at the British Museum's exhibition "Hajj: Journey To The Heart of Islam".

Going at half-term was possibly a mistake - the event was clearly at maximum capacity, but I just about got to see everything. If you go, I would recommend getting the exhibition's book, edited by Venetia Porter. Coming in a at a whopping £25 in the museum bookshop, it is a more agreeable £16.32 on Amazon, and contains pretty much everything in terms of pictures, artwork and analysis that you see as you go round.

Amongst the chapters we have British Muslim intellectual Ziauddin Sardar weighting in with the "Hajj After 1950". This period sees the rapid expansion of pilgrimage, as factors such as the development of the jet engine and coach travel, the Islamic resurgence and Saudi oil money dramatically alter both supply and demand.
Anyone who has read Sardar's excellent "Desperately Seeking Paradise: Journeys of a Sceptical Muslim" will be aware of his work at the Hajj Research Centre, carrying out analysis on the effects of millions of pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia. The work of these British exiles briefly brought them into conflict with construction company the Bin Laden Group “as zealous in its development work as it was in its religious outlook” (p.133) In time Sardar was to be repelled by the commercialisation and over-development at the country’s religious sites.

As might be expected from an exhibition sponsored by (amongst others) the King Abdulaziz Public library in Riyadh, there is no mention of the Bin Laden group's sterling work on re-developing Mecca. And whilst Sardar's chapter tells us much about concern for the environment, or new extensions and development work to the Kingdom's religious sites, and even the Saudi Princes overseeing such work, there is diplomatically no mention whatsoever of the company who actually did that work.

The Bin Laden group is placed, for western public consumption at least, firmly behind the scenes.

 

Fighting Back: Race and British Boxing

Clare Balding is on Radio 4 at 1345 on Wednesday 15 February presenting Fighting Back - an examination of the relationship between race and boxing in the UK.

There is much to discuss - how many people know that as late as the 1930s the British Boxing Board of Control sometimes operated a colour bar?

Of Greens, Deep Greens and Terrorism

In the 1990s, the UK, very briefly, enjoyed a unique period in its modern history.

For a little while at least, Britain appeared to lack an enemy. Communism had been defeated, collapsing in on itself. The Irish peace process, whilst experiencing fluctuations was at making the possibility of a world without Northern Ireland terrorism possible. No one had heard of Al Qaeda or the Taliban, and few, outside of Foreign Office Arabists or his London associates, of Osama Bin Laden.

Perhaps not surprisingly, some began to look rather crititically at the police Special Branches, and in particular at the domestic security service, MI5, and the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. Who were these guys? What did they get up to? And how did they manage to spend so much of our money doing it? Whether related to such questions or not, these actors suddenly began to branch out, offering their expertise in other areas. The danger of emerging Russian organised crime (to take just one example) was presented as a mortal threat to our communities, and MI5 began to target alleged British gangsters such as Paul Massey in Salford. 

Suddenly we were being told in the media that the UK was awash was the potential threat of domestic terrorism. Be it from the far-right (who remembers Combat 18?) from the Animal Liberation Front, to deep greens and environmentalists. There was even a nasty World In Action hit piece on anti-fascists, never mind the usual scare stories about Anarchists. One of the few people to really research all this at the time, certainly in book form, was Larry O'Hara in his 1994 "Turning Up The Heat: Mi5 After the Cold War" - others, at some stage will no doubt follow. I certainly intend to.

Many of 'green terrorist' scares in the UK came courtesy of the Sunday Times. Eventually sustained police action followed the media, leading to the failed prosecution of the Green Anarchist group in the Gandalf Trial. I am not as familiar with the environmental movement in the United States, so do not know if the US political fringe experienced a similar odysessy in the early to mid 1990s. What did happen in the United States is a much more substantive radical environmentalist movement emerged, for example in the shape of the Earth Liberation Front.

On Monday 13 February at 10pm BBC4 is showing Marshall Curry's documentary "If A Tree Falls - A Story of the Earth Liberation Front" which covers the ELF, its actions and the states response to it. This is part of BBC2's Storyville series.

In teaching Terrorism Studies, one of the tools I have used in recent years has been to get students to consider groups like the Animal Liberation Front or SHAC and ask - is this terrorism? Is there a line where political violence is crossed,  and terrorism begins?
This attempts to circumvent the rather sterile formula of students struggling with the countless definitions of terrorism and going round and round in circles chipping at them, as it allows the discussion of actual recent cases. Marshall Curry's documentary takes a similar path - it focuses on ELF activist Daniel McGowan and the arson attacks he was accused of.

Over to you. Is this terrorism?

Egypt: Rewriting History?

History is written by two groups - the victors, and the middle classes.

I am reminded of this following an interview/book review with Egyptian author Ahdaf Soueif, by Julie Tomlin, in the current issue of the Camden New Journal. Ms Soueif, who divides her time between Cairo and London has a book to promote "Cairo My City, Our Revolution" and talks wearily of the 'betrayal' of the Egyptian revolution by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF).

What did annoy me was this little quote from Ahdaf Soueif's interview, where she states:

"The fact that people could act with such unity; that a civilian population could, unarmed and non-violent, force the removal of the head of a corrupt and brutal regime was a general cause for optimism."

She was a lot closer to the action than I was. But anyone following the news this time last year could see that the Egyptian people were anything but non-violent. How else can you describe the pitched battles in and around Tahrir Square between Mubarak's supporters and those who wanted change? How else do we account for the presence and perhaps critical involvement of Egyptian football hooligans in the fighting in Cairo against forces loyal to the dictatorship?

The good news is that the anti-Mubarak forces won, at least in terms of the battles of Tahrir Square. As the dust settles, it seems probable that they won the battle but lost the war. But that is no need to re-write history. I do hope Ahdaf Soueif's book is better than the interview suggests............

 

MediaCity Salford: Locals Need Not Apply?

Many years ago Class War's Ken Keating commented on redevelopment in Salford, and argued that it would in practice not bring jobs for local people - the companies that came "would bring their own people with them".

Ken did not live to see the completion of the BBC's flagship MediaCity in Salford, but the figures seem to bear him out. Just 26 local people have been employed by the BBC - probably fewer than if a new Wetherspoons had been opened instead.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Having now seen the first English language adaptation of Stieg Larsson's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - I can only recommend others go and see what is likely to be the film of 2012.

In terms of acting, the development of tension, occassional outbreaks of humour and genuine suspense, director David Fincher has done a remarkable job, although he was working from very strong source material.

Whilst his publisher styles Stieg Larsson as one of the world's foremost experts on the far-right, referring to him as such on the dustjacket of his books, I was never a fan of Larsson the man. His relationship with the anti-fascist magazine Searchlight (a malign influence in the UK anti-fascist movement in for a generation) attracts my suspicions. Larsson edited Searchlight's Swedish sister magazine Expo. I am also informed that even though Anarchists form the backbone of the anti-fascist movement across Scandanvia, Larsson made comments about such activists that were prejudicial and indeed stupid. A proper reassessment of his political work is overdue.

As a crime novelist however, I suspect Larsson will be regarded as unsurpassed - he is the man who left too soon.

2012: Jean Vigo Coming To Our Cinema Screens

Forget Mission Impossible 24, or whatever Tom Cruise's franchise is up to now. January and February 2012 sees several UK cinemas showing L'Atalante, by the French Anarchist film maker Jean Vigo.

The British Film Institute's preview should hopefully garner your interest, although it sadly avoids any examination of Vigo's politics. For that - consider this overview from the Daily Bleed, and this copy of the now defunct Jean Vigo website.

Thanks to the ever patient Muriel for introducing me to the importance of Jean Vigo.

 

Christopher Hitchens Crossing Swords With The Enemy

As a tribute to to the late great Christopher Hitchens, my favourite Hitch clip:

 

Pizzicato Five - Baby Love Child

If like me you wondered where Adam Curtis got the theme tune for 'All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace' - here it is:

 

Colin Blakemore Interviewed

Supporters - and opponents - of animal rights will wish to hear the interview on Tuesday morning at 0900 on Radio 4.

In The Life Scientific scientist Sir Colin Blakemore is interviewed by Jim Al-Khalili

Spacemen 3 - Call The Doctor

Not many posts on here recently - I have been busy doing some work on the 9/11 Cultwatch Blog, and have updated it pretty much daily over the past week or so.

Immersing myself in all those damaged ideals would be enough to turn anyone to drugs, but I have instead re-discovered my love for the best psychedelic band of the past thirty years - Spacemen 3. This track is to me the perfect way to close an album.

   

Ali Soufan Interviewed

I shall certainly be tuning in to Radio 3 at 10pm on Monday 17 October when Night Waves has an interview with Ali Soufan.

Soufan, a former FBI interrogator, is hawking his new book "The Black Banners: The Hunt For Al Qaeda" and appears to have licence to rather stick the knife into the CIA. An interesting 45 minutes should ensue.

Considering Christianaland

This evening at 8pm BBC Radio 4 considers Christiana in Copenhagen, an autonomous part of the city which is now 40 years old.

The Christiana Effect will also be repeated at 1500 on Monday 26 September.

Science Fiction At The British Library: Two Days To Go

The British Library's superb 'Out of this World: Science Fiction but not as you know it' closes on September 25th.

If your interest is in film, novels or political visions of the future, there is plenty in this free exhibition to whet your appetite. The science fiction of the Cold War period is well represented (including visions from writers in the former Communist bloc) and there is even a small section on science fiction and conspiracy theories, with Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson's Illuminatus trilogy to the fore.

Every effort has been made to present a range of exhibits - from old books behind glass to film, music, artwork and the obligatory replica Tardis. The section on J G Ballard reminded me what a truly inventive thinker he was. If 'Out of this World' has a weakness it is that it is all a bit vague. 'Science fiction defies prediction' we are told - which leads to the inclusion of pretty much any writer setting something in the future, or the past, or a lost world - which is not neccesarily how I, and many others, view science fiction. I expect new worlds, new technologies and different ways of being. If I have one other grumble, it is that the accompanying book 'Out of this World' by Mike Ashley is an astronomical £27.95 - a timely reminder that the present is perhaps not so great as our future.

There are only two days left of this excellent, free exhibition. See it whilst you can.

Lets Send Polly Toynbee To Salford - Permanently

It's nice to know that someone reads what I write.

Class Warrior Ian Bone (whose blog is I guess, the best read Anarchist blog in the UK?) has taken forward my analysis of the BBC's former Social Affairs Editor. Ian has called for an anti-Polly Toynbee march, heading from Kings Cross to her office at the Guardian's plush new premises just down the road.

Such a demonstration however, needs a rallying cry to inspire the masses. With the BBC struggling to find high profile staff to relocate from London to its new Salford offices, who better to set an example than the socially concerned Ms Toynbee? Such regional development would not only free up a position in London, but Polly could help someone really undermine that 'class ceiling' she claims to be concerned about. In Salford she could mentor a local working class youth, perhaps from one of the old housing estates that are literally a stones throw from Media City?

Let this be the rallying cry - 'Send Polly Toynbee to Salford - Permanently!'

Reasons To Despise The BBC: Number 367

I despise the BBC.

I despise it as an elitist organisation. I despise most of its journalists, I despise the middle class Britons who regard the existence of the BBC as proof of our 'freedom' and most of all I despise the fact that if I do not subsidise this 'institution' by paying it an annual licence fee, I can go to jail. The idea of no taxation without representation is still to catch on in some quarters isn't it?

Sometimes, as a 1970s urban guerilla had it, it is good to keep your hatred strong. Only the BBC could be so crass and so stupid as to air a series on class (The Class Ceiling Thurs 1 September 0900 on BBC Radio4) and have it presented by...........Polly Toynbee. The Toynbees are the epitome of elitism and everything that is wrong with the social system in the United Kingdom. Has it never occurred to the BBC that the reason so few working class people break through the glass ceiling might be because, patronising words aside, the likes of Polly Toynbee are sitting on top of that ceiling kicking the ladder away from any aspiring journalist from a working class background?

In recent weeks the BBC has had Rageeh Omar present a series on the Prophet Mohammed. Today, Paul Sinha, a Briton of Hindu extraction presents a critical look at the caste system. Could they not find one person in their ranks, from a working class background, to consider the 'class ceiling'?

I suspect we all know the answer to that.

 

Caste War

Sunday at 1.30pm sees Radio 4 devote half an hour to the British Caste Conundrum, with comedian Paul Sinha putting on his serious face and presenting.

The programme suggests that in some areas the Indian caste system has been reproduced here in the UK. I can't say I am a big fan of the various Equalities Acts and anti-Discrimination laws that a succession of governments have introduced in the UK, but if we are going to have such items on the statute book, banning discrimination on the grounds of caste seems as logical as anything else.

 

Medieval Fightbook - 8pm This Evening

Watching police formations during the London riots, it is easy to look back centuries.

The use of shields, the desire to attack whilst defending, to break up and put opponents to flight, are all familiar images from centuries past. It is perhaps timely then that this evening National Geographic has a one hour documentary devoted to Talhoffer's Medieval Fightbook.

European martial arts are much neglected, but Talhoffer's fifteenth century book, shows the depth and range of these forgotten practices. Replace the swords with a baton and a scaffolding pole, and you could almost be in contemporary Hackney.

For Amy Winehouse: Paint A Vulgar Picture

 

The Tour De France

I have lost count of the number of different versions Kraftwerk have made of 'Tour De France'.

This is as good as any, and comes complete with a marvellous video of historical race footage.

 

Last Day of the Season Shenanigans

I am a little surprised by all the talk of the sanctity of the Premiership, and how it is not credible to claim Manc hester United could field a weakened side against Blackpool at Old Trafford.

Lets rewind to 2006-7. On the final day United were at home to West Ham, with the Premiership won, and a Cup Final to look forward to the following week. The Premiership was paraded. West Ham needed a point to stay up, whilst rivals Sheffield United, with Neil Warnock moaning more loudly than ever, were at home to Wigan.

United fielded a weakened team, and missed a score of chances. As the teams came out for the second half, the Stretford End, having no love for barrow boys, demanded "Send them down, send them down" - United did nothing of the sort, West Ham winning 1-0, and Sheffield United were relegated. From my seat, United did not even try. The positive thing to come from that day was this You Tube classic

 

My tip for tommorow is a weakened United side, and Blackpool to gain a 1-1 draw.

Stalin's Diary

What better way to mark international workers day, then promoting Stalin's Diary?

This Wordpress blog gives us the low down on exactly what Stalin (plus Lenin, Trotsky and Mao) got up to in their heady days of exile in London. For the pedantic amongst you, I am informed that any inaccuracies concerning dates, spelling or grammar have occurred because this diary has been translated from Georgian into Russian and then into English.

Thank you Uncle Joe!

Scotland Yard Issues Policing Instructions For The Royal Wedding

They are out there. Waiting, watching. The forces of anarchy.

 

Eisenstein To Laibach - 'Drzava'

Fiddling about on You Tube, I found a student who had put Laibach's 'Drzava' onto clips from the Battleship Potemkin by Sergei Eisenstein.

It works, as you can see below.

 

The Last of the International Brigaders

Tune in to Radio 4 at 3pm on Monday 28 February for Archive on 4: The Last of the International Brigaders.

This tells the story of the handful of British men who travelled to fight Franco between 1936 and 1939, and who are still alive. As I wrote the programme can also be downloaded on BBC iplayer for the next six days. Finally an article which appeared when the documentary first aired, in 2009, can be seen here. Finally consider the work of the International Brigade Trust, which includes a tribute to veteran Sam Lesser , who appears in the links above.

Whilst fascism mutates into ever shifting groups, ideas and currents, in it's way anti-fascism never changes. It still comes down to people making a stance against what they can see is wrong, and for what we know is right.

The BBC, Bruce Parry, Arctic Tribes and Racism

This weeks Radio Times has a very sad little quote from Bruce Parry. Promoting his programme on BBC2 this evening at 9pm, several political issues emerge from this:

"You find spiritual traditions all over the Arctic. Although Stalin pushed shamanic practices underground in Soviet Russia, the link between tribal peoples and their traditions survives. However in North America where both Alaska and Canada had policies of forced assimilation, the link with the past has been severed. The children were taken away from their families, sent to Christian boarding schools and not allowed to learn their own languages or any of their people's traditional ways"

That the UK/Canadian and the American approach was allegedly more damaging and destructive than that of Stalin, is sobering. Bruce then bowls his bouncer:

"That went on right into the 70s. It is the biggest story of the Arctic, to me, and it's not in the series, hard though I pushed for it."

Will the BBC allow Parry free reign to complete the work he has started?

Hope Kindergarten, Israel

This is from an Israeli comedy show called Eretz Nehederet. 

  

Hat tip to The Interpreter. 

Fundamental: Wrath of the Black Man

Great music, awful politics!

I saw Fundamental play at Chats Palace in Homerton way back in 1994, and thought they were the future of British Hip-Hop. It never quite happened I suppose, but this, along with the b-side Sister India, was easily their best track. 

 

I Have Always Been Here Before

This is Roky Erickson's classic, although Julian Cope's cover almost matched it. 

 

Quick Comments On The War You Don't See

I could only catch the first hour or so of John Pilger's "The War You Don't See" - having twins who are a couple of weeks old does not sit easily with documentary films that are nearly two hours long. 

Of that first hour, you saw Pilger at his best when it comes to his basic understanding of the media - what it by and large is, and what it does on the big issues. It supports and serves the state and capitalist interests. And those interests, in this case, were to go to war.
Of those interviewed I had not seen the excellent Mark Curtis before, and Rageh Omar was surprisingly radical. David Rose, author of a series of articles supportive of the invasion of Iraq was a real surprise. Here Pilger was on less sure ground - whilst Rose may have recanted and now regrets allowing himself to be used by the security services in 2003, he has long been categorised as a 'journo-cop' by activists, with a history of dubious articles going back to the mid-1980s. Pilger could have gone further in his questioning here, but lacked the tools to do so. 
Photographer Guy Smallman was also interviewed. Guy has more than worked his ticket since falling out with anti-fascists in 1999, and his testimony here was both moving and effective. On a personal level having once lied to me about his relationship with the alleged anti-fascist magazine Searchlight, I have little time for Guy (it is not good enough to say he merely took pictures for Gable and co, when he has sold Searchlight and eagerly defended it from anti-fascist critics) but that will not detract from his interview here. 

Weaknesses? Pilger appeared to have one silly line where he referred to Iraq as 'defenceless'  - something palpably not the case - but in many ways the weaknesses lie not so much with the material, but how it is used. What is tragic about Pilger is how easily his core message is forgotten or traded - certainly those in the leadership of the anti-war movement quickly traded the idea of a war for resources or American imperialism for the fashionable idea of a 'war against Islam'. As the likes of Mark Curtis point out, the US and UK ruling classes have always happily worked with the most reactionary Islamists possible. 

A BBC interview with Pilger about his documentary is here. 

Did Julian Assange appear after I went to bed? 

The Flashing Blade

Great childhood political influences, Vol 1 No.1 

 

Religion: Hitchens v Blair

Tune in to Radio 4 this evening at 8pm and you can hear the debate between Christopher Hitchens and Tony Blair on the issue of whether religion is a force for good in the world. 

It is repeated on Monday at 3pm. 

Oh - I'm told Hitchens kicks Blair's arse........... 

Malcolm McLaren: A Great Life?

Radio 4's Great Lives series debates the merits - and failings - of Malcolm McLaren this afternoon at 4.30pm. 

More details on the programme on the Radio 4 website here, and if you miss it today, it is repeated on Friday evening at 11pm. 

Tuesday Afternoon: Don Letts On Peter Tosh

The first record I ever bought was 'Do Nothing' by The Specials - an act which showed unusually prescient good taste. 

Although I did not know it at the time, that was the first time II had seen an image of Peter Tosh - the logo which appeared on all Two Tone record sleeves was based on an early 1960s image of Tosh in a very sharp black suit. On Tuesday at 13.30 Don Letts devotes a mere 30 minutes to the life of one of Jamaica's most important musicians, and equally one of Jamaica's most important political activists. 

According to one early review, Letts concludes that Tosh was a great rather than a nice man........

Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply

Not sure Kevin Rowland's vocals really pull this off, but for the title alone this is one of Dexys Midnight Runners best tracks: 

 

Tolstoy In The Cotswolds

Tune in to Radio 3 this evening at 9.30pm for a 45 minute documentary Sunday Feature: Tolstoy In The Cotswolds.

A small community in the Gloucestershire village of Whiteway continues, founded on the principles of Russian writer and Christian Anarchist Leo Tolstoy. The documentary argues that utopian communities generally flounder on three issues - sex, money and who does the washing up - although I wonder if organisations on the political fringe (and even in the mainstream) also flounder on exactly the same three issues, albeit in different settings? 

Joy Division: In A Lonely Place

I heard the New Order version of this track when it came out, but only heard the version with Ian Curtis when I found it on You Tube.

It is, predictably, a lot darker, a lot more stark, and I do not think drums have sounded like this on a record before or since. If you had to make a soundtrack to the Battle of Stalingrad, I guess it would sound something like this.

 

Every Man And Woman Is A Star

I do not think there are enough stoned hippies visiting this blog. 

In an attempt to corner that much sought after section of the blogging market, I bring you Ultramarine's very mellow classic "Discovery" from the album "Every Man and Woman Is A Star". It has one of the best introductions to a track I have heard. 

So lacking were The Cult in ideas for their comeback, I believe they nicked the line 'every man and woman is a star' - even though it is plainly wasted on their audience.

 

 

Benefit CD - Ian Tomlinson Campaign

If you still have money left having failed to get tickets for the Take That comeback tour, why not spend it on something a little more productive?

The Benefit CD for Ian Tomlinson's family is now out. Money raised will go to Ian's family to help fund their fight for justice. The CD is put together by the Norfolk Community Action Group who organised the Justice for Ian Tomlinson day last month

This CD can be obtained from Now or Never's website, by visiting the page devoted to the Ian Tomlinson benefit CD. The musical styles on the CD range from folk through ska to punk (inc Robb Johnson, Graveyard Johnnys, the Oppresed, Restarts and more) and costs £6. Get it whilst you can!

MC Solaar: Bouge De La

Here is another hip hop golden oldie for you, all the way from France. 

 

I used to love this track, even though I could not understand a word of it.

I think firstly because there is something about French vocals that seems to suit hip hop, or at least something about MC Solaar's vocals. Secondly because of the backing track (which is also on Ruthless Rap Assassins And It Wasn't A Dream) 
But most of all I loved this track because of the (North African?) female backing singer.

In fact I am not sure if I liked anyone else quite as much in my youth............. Hearing this track again after 20+ years is great. Bouge De La! 

Afghanistan: Out of the Ashes

Not many good news stories come out of Afghanistan, but here is one.

The Afghan cricket team has gone from being ranked 81st in the world to 13th, and now regularly competes against what might be called the 'division two' sides in world cricket - the United States, Canada and the Netherlands. Out of the Ashes is a 90 minute film telling their story, which you can see this evening at the ICA in London, and across the country in November.

Details of where and when are here.

The Last Tree

This is a very old Mancunian Hip Hop track from circa 1989(?) called The Last Tree by MC Buzz B. 

I was probably the only kid in Wilmslow who bought this at the time, but I hope I am not the only person who remembers it? My 12 inch of this has lasted longer than my record player, but I could never part with it. 

 

Apart from this one, MC Buzz B's best track was probably Never Change - he certainly beat Tupac to sampling 'That's Just The Way It Is'. 

X Clan - Verbs of Power

Forget the first 60 seconds of this track - a rather waffly vocal intro that does not work. 

Consider the remaining three minutes - as good as hip hop got in the late 80s. Stripped down. Feel the power..... 

 

 

The Fall's Greatest Ever Record?

Free Range! 

I think The Classical, The Knight The Devil and Death or How I Wrote Elastic Man run it close, but this to me is the Bard of Prestwich at his absolute greatest. 

 

Everlasting Dub

Time for some culture.

Here is Augustus Pablo's best track (in my opinion) Everlasting Dub, from the excellent 'Dubbing in a Africa' LP.

 

For those too young to have heard this music first time round (or even a few years after it was made) for a period it was very common for musicians to wish to associate themselves with Africa, and to adopt African names and titles. Somewhere along the line it seemed to die out - whether from the decline in Rastafarianism, a decline in black consciousness or - more likely - the general air of failure and corruption from Africa just got too much.
I guess Michael West (once Rebel MC, later Congo Natty) may be one of the last London acts to adopt an overtly African moniker?

An Outing For Mason Boyne

Following my trip to Northern Ireland, a correspondent has reminded me of the true glory of Robbie Coltrane's ever loyal comic character Mason Boyne. 

I think there were five or six sketches featuring Scotland's staunchest Orangeman. Here is one of them. 

 

Banksy Bested By Brazilian!

Gil Vicente is a Brazilian artist who's work is certainly original - he depicts himself executing politicians and world leaders!

You have to admire his broad brush stroke - the Queen, George W Bush, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and  Ariel Sharon all get it from our artistic assassin! Vicente comments:

"Because they kill so many other people, it would be a favour to kill them, understand? Why don't people in power and in the elite die?"

Ofra Haza and the Sisters of Mercy

No weighty political waffle from me today - just one of my favourite records of all time. 

If you ever feel life has dealt you a bad hand, reading the details of Ofra Haza's sorry death may bring some perspective. Either way, be haunted by her voice.