Wise words
the decline and fall of zine culture part 785
“Why do you think I do a blog? Cos it’s less work than doing a fanzine and it costs sweet F.A to ‘publish’. Sorry if I’m more advanced in my commitment to the anarcho-socialist utopia of the 24/7 leisure society than some.” – Martin, BTI
There seem to be less and less magazines out there I am interested in as time passes. Maybe that’s because I’m more fussy and cynical these days, but I think the simple fact is that there is just less self-published material being produced.
Here’s what I’ve been reading recently, anyway:
Savage Messiah #10
London 2013 and things look bad. Laura Oldfield Ford paints a bleak picture of the Olympic legacy, with various subcultural tribes wandering the decaying urban wastelands of a post-apocalyptic Britain. Perhaps the most shocking indictment of all is the fact that these wretches seem to be reduced to painting Flux of Pink Indians graffiti on the walls….
Order direct or buy from Housmans in London.
Aufheben #17
Brighton-based marxist magazine which won’t be to everyone’s tastes -very text heavy, lots of footnotes, quite wordy. Still worth a read in places though – I have linked to their piece on opposition to the Criminal Justice Bill from the uncarved “critical look at anarchopunk” pages.
This issue includes some surprisingly readable interrogations of New Labour and the Socialist Workers Party and their relationships with the “muslim community”. Good to see a worthwhile class analysis of the situation for a change.
Order from AK Distribution or buy from Housmans in London.
Shook #4
Music mag – a bit too much focussed on soul, funk, hip hop, crate diggin’ business for my liking but still pretty good as these things go. This issue has a nice feature on UK reggae soundsystems – largely inspired by the Musically Mad DVD. The piece has some nice quotes from Shaka’s box boy Norman Felix and Benji Roots of Brixton’s Supertone shop. Other features I found interesting include Greg Wilson on Legends – Manchester’s seminal electro club and a feature on Emory Douglas – graphic artist and Minster of Culture for the Black Panther Party.
Order direct. Or download a free sample pdf (for the first page or so of many articles).
Otherwise it’s back to my archives for a print media fix. Or (bah) onto the net:
http://zinewiki.com/ was a great resource about independent publishing – hell I even added some stuff on there about reggae fanzines. It now seems to be down, bah. I was looking forward to going back there and genning up on first wave Riot Grrl zines after listening to a compilation CD of the music Martin did for me.
When zinewiki was up, browsing through lead me to discover that there is now an almost complete online archive of queer punk zine Homocore. That was always worth checking – a nice counterpoint to the increasingly rigid and tedious punk scene.
See also:
http://qzap.org/v5/index.php which includes Homocore precursor JDs and lots more besides.
JDs is interesting because it is said to have willed into existence the homocore / queer punk genre just by writing about it, over emphasising some things and probably mythologising a lot. Perhaps worth comparing to Taqwacore, the relatively recent eruption of Islamic Punk which was apparently inspired by a novel?
dubstep reviews
No, this isn’t some kind of road to damascus conversion, I just happen to have been given some dubstep tunes that I actually like for a change. I admit this is a surprise after several years of slagging off most of the genre for just not being good enough.
But as usual there are people working at the edges who are doing good stuff. In my own biased way I am still prepared to check stuff out if it is recommended by people I respect or if it’s made or released by people I like. The latter is true here, so the usual disclaimers apply.
Subeena – Boksd/Znare/Pepepe – Agosto Morado /2080 12″ (Imminient IMM004)
We gave Imminent’s previous release by Wagawga a nice review in Woofah, so I didn’t groan when this promo slipped through the letterbox. “Boksd” is a filmic night drive tune which is right up my street. Some of the melodies remind me of slightly melancholic techno like Colin Faver used to play.
“Znare” is much harsher – the opening made me worry about an incoming wobble fest. But my fears were displaced with the arrival of female MC Violet who I think is spitting in Portuguese (the language I have had the most troube with)? Subeena seriously messes with her voice throughout the track, giving it a nice glitchy feel. No doubt this will get played out the most, but despite its undoubted quality it’s my least favourite track on this release.
“Pepepe – Agosto Mordo (Subeena Remix)” – reminds me of the tale of a Czech canary called Pepik which I read to my daughter. Whilst Pepik is flying over the old town of Prague having escaped his cage, he may well hear the odd chiming melody. If you liked Orbital’s more ambienty tracks circa “The Box” then this is for you (it’s not a rip off, it’s just shorthand – I have to finish this entry before the other half shows up in a minute).
“2080” is very special indeed – more great chiming, but this time laid over a great understated crunchy rhythm track.
Subeena knows that you don’t have to smack someone in the face to make an impact – everything here is in the right place at the right time.
Spatial – 80207 / 70810 10″ (Infrasonics Infra001)
I met Mr Spatial at the Highpoint Lowlife Xmas bash I played some records at (and indeed at the previous affair at Shunt). The only word for this is minimal. And abstract. Right, the only two words for this are “minimal” and “abstract”. OK? Even the packaging gives little away, and I had to guess at what speed to play this at (33 and a third, in this house. If you want to do a Paul Meme and play everything at +8 then feel free, but not round here sunshine).
“80207” kicks off with what could be an off key keyboard skank from a classic uk dub tune. But it isn’t, especially when accompanied by a glassy, brittle click track of a riddim. It would be too easy to dismiss this as another Basic Channel lite – I think there is a lot more going on here. The very simple female vocal refrain anchors everything and allows the deceptively simple beats to build up and gain in complexity. Where Subeena uses minimal ingredients to produce a joyful landscape, Spatial is far far colder with his tools. But then, as the good Dr once said, it is cold in Babylon…
“70810” – “is that weird music or is something knocking?”. Well it’s both really. It’s an orchestra stripped of most of its instruments trying to get in, it’s a stoned cosmonaut trying to reconnect to the mothership. It’s…
http://infrasonics.net/dubs/infra001
[at this point the review was terminated so that we could watch “Special Needs Pets” on More4]
BEYOND THE iMPLODE: CRAP JOBS I’VE DONE NO. 892
Further to my musings on the demise of Woolworths, here’s a report from the other side of the counter from Martin:
Perilous Times
uncarved.org reader features on BBC Radio 4 “Today Programme”
Stewart Home’s comments below have lead me to discover he has a new blog here: http://www.stewarthomesociety.org/blog – check it out for the usual mayhem and bewilderment (especially in the comments boxes).
It includes this entry about his recent appearance on BBC Radio 4’s flagship “Today Programme” discussing the role of the avant garde in the 21st Century. Also featured are novellists Hari Kunzru and Tom McCarthy, both of whom I have met, oddly. So along with Dr William Henry aka Lez Lyrix that is 4 people I’ve had something to do with on the Today Programme in recent months. Perhaps that’s just a sign of getting old.
The blog also features a piece on Iain Sinclair’s recent tie-in with Audi and speculation about whether he is the author of the Belle du Jour book and blog. I have previously written a piece here regarding the speculation about whether Stewart himself is the mysterious author…
And finally, don’t forget to keep checking http://stewarthomesociety.org/new.htm for details of articles Stewart has added to his website.
Other 2008 music
Albums that everyone reading this must own:
The Bug – London Zoo (Ninja Tune)
Naphta – Long Time Burning (The Fear)
Kevin’s album has deservedly torn up the end of year polls. Brilliant to see him getting some recognition at last – hopefully this can act as a calling card for UK soundsystem-inspired musics and p u s h t h i n g s f o r w a r d…
Speaking of which, Naphta’s album snuck out at the beginning of the year to the delight of those that know, but that isn’t enough. Check it.
Friends making awesomely skewed songs:
Giant Paw – Flood
The Men Who Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing – Stephvenson
The Paw’s gigs have been great fixtures in my social calendar for a couple of years now. Album coming in Spring 2009. “The Men” are probably the first Norf London victoriana steampunk band.
I know it’s only rock and roll, but I like it:
V/A – Songs The Cramps Taught Us Vol 1
The Cramps – Off The Bone
Unexpectedly got into all this again and hope to carry on next year. I’m fucked if I’m growing a quiff tho.
Daft pop music (boys):
Wiley – Wearing My Rolex
Dizzee Rascal feat Calvin Harris & Chrome – Dance Wiv Me
It’s been discussed to death but if our best MCs have to make pop tunes to get in the charts, then fair play to them if they are as good as these. And yes, half of Wiley’s ‘Grimewave’ would be top ten material in a fairer world.
Daft pop music (girls):
Estelle feat Kanye West – American Boy
Rihanna – Take A Bow
I baulked at the other half lashing out 20 quid on “Now That’s What I Call Music 70” in a service station but it saved the car journey we were in the midst of and has been the soundtrack to many weekends since.
Righteous Compilations finally giving respect where respect is due:
V/A – An England Story (Soul Jazz)
V/A – This Is Lovers Rock (Greensleeves)
Here’s hoping for more stuff of this calibre in 2009. Especially the historification of UK MCs. And that compilation of Jah Tubbys’ back catalogue I keep praying for.
Reissues that prevented many from going bankrupt:
Aisha – The Creator 7″ (Ariwa)
Martin Campbell – Wicked Rule 10″ (Log On)
Far be it from me to suggest that – between Ringo asking for comments from producers for his UK Dub Top 30 in Woofah, and the mag coming out – some of these long lost tunes finally resurfaced…
2008 grime recommendations
Too much happening with Grime this year for me to provide anything like a proper roundup.
I can’t even say with any honesty that I’ve had a chance to properly check out everything I’ve bought or downloaded. Which is good – an embarrassment of riches instead of slim pickings.
One of my resolutions for 2009 is to try and listen to stuff deeper, rather than amass a bigger and bigger backlog.
Mixtapes
All of these are fully endorsed on the basis of great “killer to filler” ratio:
1) Nasty Jack – Shotta Music
2) Trim – Soulfood 3
3) Wiley – Grimewave
4) Jammer – Are You Dumb 3
5) Dot Rotten – Young Dot RIP
6) Tinchy Stryder – Cloud 9 EP
7) Jammer – Are You Dumb 4
Lots of stuff bubbling under, but the seven above are the ones I keep coming back to again and again. Feel free to kick of a row about my choices and omissions in the comments boxes.
Vinyl
Honorary mention to Logan Sama’s Earth 616 label for keeping grime vinyl alive, but the crown this year goes to one label in my humble opinion:
Silverlink feat Jammer and Badness – The Message is Love (No Hats No Hoods 12″)
Rude Kid – Are You Ready? (No Hats No Hoods 12″)
Ruff Sqwad – RSMD (No Hats No Hoods 12″)
Downloads
Just proper mixes and releases here, there are untold radio shows and other bits to get drowned in:
John Eden + Grievous Angel – Grime in the Dancehall (Blogariddims)
Boy Better Know – Microphone Champion vol 1
Logan Sama – One Away Style
Wiley vol 1 (grimetapes)
D Double E (grimetapes)
igrime vol1 – Logan Sama and Durrty Goodz (Aza T)
2008 reggae roundup
This year has not been great for music coming out of Jamaica in my opinion.
It’s just my personal taste, but I haven’t been feeling the dancehall side of things – lots of autotune and soca-ish dance craze stuff. The Heatwave crew are on top of all that if you’re curious.
Similarly the one drop tunes coming out of yard this year have seemed pretty lightweight – more inspired by the “drop leaf” riddim than booming Studio One basslines.
I have no doubt that things will change again at some point – innovation in Jamaica is given. But in 2008 my attention has been focused on old JA tunes and productions hailing from elsewhere…
The list below is just what I can remember off the top of my head on a hungover afternoon – a lot of it will be familiar to people who have heard me play out this year or checked my mixes (or read the reviews I did in Woofah).
Tunes, in no particular order:
V/A – Roots Garden Showcase vol 1 12″ (Roots Garden, UK) Produced by Manneseh.
Lion Vibes – The Cake Must Slice 10″ (Greensleeves, UK) Produced by Matt “Lion Vibes” Downs.
Peter Hunnigale – Free Soul LP (Peckings/Coxsone UK) Produced by Peckings, riddims by Studio One and Treasure Isle.
V/A – Fade Away riddim 7″s (Heartical, France) Produced by Heartical, riddim by Basque Dub Foundation.
BDF – Ministerio Del Dub riddim 7″s (Heartical, France) Produced by Heartical, riddim by Basque Dub Foundation.
V/A – Police In Helicopter/ Shank I Shek riddims 7″s (Necessary Mayhem, UK) Produced by Curtis “Necessary Mayhem” Lynch.
V/A – Back to Mt Zion riddim 7″s and CD (Charlie’s Records, USA) Produced by McPullish.
V/A – Funk Milk Riddim CD (Muzamba, Brazil) Produced by Digitaldubs.
Macka B – Warrior Style 7″ (Ariwa, UK) Produced by Mad Professor and Joe Ariwa.
Brother Culture – Warning 7″ (All City, Republic of Ireland) Produced by T-Woc, dub by Russ Disciples.
V/A – Vocal Anthology vol 1 CD (M Records, Netherlands) Produced by Twilight Circus.
V/A – Binghi riddim CD (M Records, Netherlands) Produced by Twilight Circus.
Bashes:
I did pretty well this year…
Jah Shaka, Siverspoon, Wembley
Saxon Studio International, Southbank
Unity / Fatman / Coxsone Outernational / Bunny Lee / more, Visions, Dalston
David Rodigan, Shoreditch
the last ever Tighten Up, Islington
Tim “Bilko” Wells in the Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/dec/19/tim-wells-kaiser-chiefs-poet
Denizen of Stoke Newington, reggae obsessive, former Anti-Social Worker , great poet.