Posts by Hugh Wilson
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I like Peter’s comments about reggae – its pretty much the music I listen to most, and having cut down on purchases this year, its what I buy 90% of the time when I sneak something in to address the notorious record collectors ‘buy’ itch. Don’t get me wrong, I still like jazz for example, but would rather buy reggae as I feel I’m going to give that more spins over the years to come. And yes, there is a deep well when you start digging into back catalogues.
Some great covers there also – Scientist’s ‘world cup’ LP (an OG greensleeves press) was one I really deliberated on when in Tokyo last, but at ~$100 I couldn’t do it given I already had more than 60 LP purchases (!). I console myself with reviews that say its not his best (see ‘Rids the world of the evil curse of vampires’ for that honour).
And the Music World reference was interesting to me too – I dig the logo, and am pretty sure I have something somewhere on it, just can’t think where. Your story Russell reminds me of the bloke who ran imports bitd at Uni Books in Christchurch (?), and from what I recall, was responsible for lots of otherwise inaccessible things getting into the country when tariff restrictions were a bit harsh. Can’t recall his name, but I am sure some of you know who I mean.
And a recent fave, rewind:
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Hard News: Friday Music: Sound and Light, in reply to Russell Brown,
Mantis’s album got a reissue here in 2015.
Ah, thanks! I had completely missed that
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I don’t think I’ve ever heard an Adele song (and the same goes for lots of contemporary artists as I have practically no mainstream radio/tv exposure – i.e. I’d never heard of Florence and machine before colleagues started talking about them, and I’ve never heard them either) but its been impossible to miss coverage of her tour, and clearly she’s HUGE so to say … too busy catching up on stuff from the 70’s that I’ve never heard :)
Anyhow, folks have been weaving in local footage into their AV shows for years. I think Coldcut may have been among the earliest to do this in the late 1990’s
On a different note I saw one of the more popular ‘grail’ albums of the aussie scene has been reissued – Sue Barker, an Adelaide based jazz soul singer from the 70’s, doing covers of Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield etc. Its a good un, and given OG’s have been going for $300+ now available at a much more reasonable price. Continues bit of a trend here, and makes me wonder about certain NZ albums like Dr Tree & the 1860 band, or Fiji’s Mantis for that matter – perhaps there are difficult licensing considerations, perhaps a shallow market, still, would be good to see some thing’s re-emerge.
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An entertaining, enjoyable interview between Gilles Peterson and David Rodigan went up last week, marking Rodigan's autobiography. Among other things they ruminate on how their kids wouldn't be seen dead at any of their shows (despite the fact they're world famous headliners!) and theres a great Augustus Pablo story towards the end. The passion & knowledge Rodigan has is impressive.
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Murray Cammick's exhibition AK 75-85 is on in Sydney, and there are some great photos in there. I really like the Bob Marley shots at the old White Heron, and theres one of Opdiner/Simon Grigg at the Windsor Castle too (pic 11).
Prints are A$900 (ex. GST) ... I would love to get one or two, but felt the prices were pretty steep!
http://www.darrenknightgallery.com/artists/murray-cammick/murray-cammick/
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As of last week one can block egg's, so their replies don't show up in your mentions/timeline - it seems this feature was long requested, so hopefully its of some use managing what looks to be quite a nuisance:
I gather there are also ways to remove them en-masse ,,,
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Gareth Morgan posted some thoughts on outlook for Sky & the sporting codes - especially rugby - where it holds the broadcast rights
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I enjoyed that Rodigan extract last night and will cop the book when it comes out – from a few things I’ve read it seems not all has always been full peace & love in Rodigan’s world of reggae, which seems to parallel Jamaica & the genre in general I guess – volatile characters abound! Paul Bradshaw touches on some of this here: https://ancienttofuture.com/2017/02/20/david-rodigan-a-life-in-reggae-roddy-you-a-dubwise-smody/
Elsewhere Australian producer Mista Savona is getting close to the release of his Havana meets Kingston project – the lead single dropped last week (its on Bandcamp and 45) & would mix extremely well with summertime anywhere, and theres a snazzy video of the project (which has a seriously impressive cast of musicians) too:
Another thing I’ve enjoyed this week – Cut Chemist & B+ in conversation on David Axelrod, with some of his stuff and sampling songs mixed in as well.
And the new Lorde in the New Yorker:
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/listen-to-lordes-fiery-new-single-green-light?mbid=social_twitter -
Hard News: Public Address and PressPatron, in reply to TracyMac,
Er, why would a private blogger feel obliged to produce reports to the public on their profits, or even their revenue, full stop.
I think revenue as opposed to profit is the more apt lens ... as for the reporting, there probably an optimism bias whereby readers think the site's journalistic efforts are showered in commercial returns when, I suspect, the opposite is more the case. When alerted to this readers may feel the urge for some reciprocity, and make a donation. Behavioral economics 101.
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On the Blackalicious tip, an old favourite flip
