Gappy Ranks – Still Rising
July 23, 2010 | 0 Comments
A few months back I had the pleasure of photographing Gappy Ranks – one of the UK’s hottest artists – for his new album, the Peckings-produced “Put The Stereo On” (out 23 August on Greensleeves). The album was initially delayed so I nabbed my favourite photo from the shoot for the cover of his EP, “Rising Out Of The Ghetto” [Above]. Now Tony McDermott (who else?) has finished the album cover, featuring Gappy looking out from the centre of an old-school 7″ sleeve. It also features some of the best UK reggae tunes of recent years – “Heaven In Her Eyes”, “Put The Stereo On” and “Mountain Top”. Maad! If you’re more on a dancehall tip you should pick up the EP, featuring “Stinkin Rich” and “Rising Out Of The Ghetto”.
Interview: Bob James
July 23, 2010 | 0 Comments
Who do Eric B & Rakim’s “Follow The Leader”, De La Soul’s “Keepin’ The Faith” and Ghostface’s “Daytona 500″ all have in common? Bob James, that’s who. The bearded break pianist, who might look like your grandfather, has been one of hip-hop’s most influential artists. Don’t be deceived by his quiet demeanor, Mr James is the bomb ‘ish. Introducing the man who made Run DMC’s “Peter Piper”, Main Source’s “Live At The BBQ” and Onyx’s “Throw Ya Gunz” possible…
Creative Review
July 22, 2010 | 1 Comment
Creative Review have posted a piece on the Stüssy x Greensleeves x Al Fingers project on their blog, including an excerpt from my interview with Greensleeves’ long-time designer, Tony McDermott.
It’s funny, looking at the Greensleeves book now, you’d have no idea what a mission it was to find those 100 album covers to get them photographed. Greensleeves no longer have any of their original LPs in their archive (CDs only), so I had to track them all down from weird and wonderful places. It was a massive mission! Thanks to all the collectors who helped out.
For anyone unfamiliar with Tony McDermott’s work, here is his classic Scientist series, released on Greensleeves between 1980 and 1982. A cricket-themed cover was next in the pipeline after Pac-Man but the series came to an end and it never happened. Apparently Scientist was unhappy because it looked like he had been eaten by Pac-Man for his final Greensleeves release, although at the time it wasn’t known that this would be the last album in the series, with McDermott’s comic strip on the back cover leaving the story “to be continued…” Personally I think Scientist should be honoured to have one of the dopest album cover series of all time!
R.I.P. Sugar Minott (1956—2010)
July 12, 2010 | 0 Comments
July Joints
July 6, 2010 | 0 Comments
- Hold Yuh
GYPTIAN
VP - Find Your Love
DRAKE
Cash Money Records/Universal
- Clarks
VYBZ KARTEL, POPCAAN & GAZA SLIM
Not Nice/Addidjaheim - Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart
ALICIA KEYS
J Records - Alligator
TEGAN & SARA
Vapor/Sire
Interview: Lukie D
July 5, 2010 | 0 Comments
Lukie D, the R Kelly of dancehall, talks to Al Fingers about his early days, Air Supply cover versions, and getting kuff inna di dance.
Vusi The Voice
July 4, 2010 | 0 Comments
South African singer Vusi Mahlasela’s performance of his tune “When You Come Back”, shown on ITV after the Brazil vs Chile game, was sweeeeet. No wonder he’s nicknamed “The Voice” in South Africa. Plus he’s one of Mandela’s favourite artists. Maaad!
Here’s Vusi again at Mandela’s 90th birthday concert in Hyde Park, 2008.
Staying on the sweet voice vibes I’ve put together a new chart – the sweetest voices in reggae music. Disagree with it here.
Sweetest Living Reggae Voices
July 4, 2010 | 0 Comments
- Barrington Levy
- Beres Hammond
- Cocoa Tea
- Sanchez
- Gregory Isaacs (EDIT – RIP GREGORY)
- Sugar Minott (EDIT – RIP SUGAR)
- Horace Andy
- Bob Andy
- Jimmy Cliff
- John Holt
- Ken Boothe
- Gyptian
- Freddie McGregor
- Peetah Morgan
- Lukie D
- Terry Linen
- Wayne Wonder
- Luciano
- Singing Melody
- Scion Success
Teena Marie
July 1, 2010 | 0 Comments
- 80 Blocks From Tiffany's
- Adam Curtis – Century Of The Self
- Adam Curtis – Power Of Nightmares
- Fatsarazzi
- Ghetto Bassquake
- John Pilger – The War On Democracy
- Kate Gibb
- One In The Jungle Archive
- Pinkyvision
- Prism
- Reggaemani
- Rotter & Friends
- Shariff Miller
- Shimmy Shimmy
- Smutlee
- Special Delivery Music
- Style Wars
- Suspect Packages
- Wax Poetics
- Zakee Shariff
