Here’s some hot underground from London Town that’s been hiding in my bag and it’s just what you need to raise Latin spirits in the bleak mid-winter.
Following their highly acclaimed national tour and appearances at Glastonbury and on Later with Jools Holland, Jerry Dammers’ Spatial AKA Orchestra return to play a London date at the Barbican. Continue reading Jerry Dammers’ Spatial A.K.A Orchestra – Barbican, 18 November 2011
Check it out live
In keeping with its own traditions and reflecting the ethos of the Festival, Ronnie Scott’s presents a ten day diary of special collaborations, emerging talent and established stars from across the generations and continents, as well as the ubiquitous festival after-hours hang. Continue reading London Jazz Festival 2011 at Ronnie Scott’s
Floridita has revived its live music policy and kicked it off with Cuban maestro Chucho Valdes. Diners get the views but giggers get the moves and the ambiance along the edges of this restaurant-based venue in bustling Soho. Continue reading Chucho Valdes – Floridita, London (Live)
At five tracks ’5ive’, the second in a set of releases from the West London-based Jazz Re:freshed promoters/label, is woefully short but it is a timely reminder of the sheer talent of Mr Kaidi Tatham. Continue reading 5ive – Kaidi Tatham (Jazz Re:freshed)

When Benji B’s Deviation returned to Cable, top of the ‘wants list’ to play was Brainfeeder’s Martyn with some cuts from his new album and here’s a preview couple on a single.
Paul Bradshaw’s blog features a plea to everyone to help out labels like Brownswood, Soul Jazz, Ninja Tunes and Warp after the Sony distribution centre was burned down in the recent London riots. Buy a digital download from these labels while they get themselves back on track. Check out Ancienttofuture for some ideas.
We spoke to Amira Kheir about life, origins, destinations and love. Her debut album View from Somewhere is a stunning set infused with many influences but anchored in the sounds and identity of her parents’ homeland Sudan.
Continue reading Amira Kheir – Music between the spaces and places

The 02 London Mela – Europe’s largest outdoor Asian festival – returns to Gunnersbury Park, Ealing, on Sunday 4 September. Last year’s Mela attracted a record-breaking 92,000 people, and this year the festival is set to be even bigger and better than ever, with nine zones including The Main Stage, Mix Tent, BBC Introducing, The Classical stage, Community & Kids zone, Outdoor arts and ‘In conversation with’, not to mention the food markets and funfair.
Continue reading 02 London Mela – Sunday 4 September 2011
Check it out live
There’s big competition in the trendy and hip brass band section and I’m not talking Grimethorpe! Here’s the latest and the best, the debut album by the Hackney Colliery Band.
Continue reading Hackney Colliery Band – Hackney Colliery Band
‘The Malian Hip Hop prodigy honouring the African youth’ profiled by his international manager and one of his biggest fans Marie-Agnes Beau Continue reading Amkoullel – The Fula Child

Good Times is 30! How much fun can you possibly have after 30 years? Well on the evidence of the latest compilation by King of Choppers himself, Norman Jay MBE, the answer is lots – get you’re Good Times today. Continue reading Norman Jay MBE Presents – Good Times 30th Anniversary
Owiny Sigoma Band // Album Teaser by Brownswood
Musicians of a former time may have headed off to the crossroads in the hope of making a deal with the devil to supercharge their musical offerings but these days the crossroads must be mighty empty as everyone is in Africa. Owiny Sigoma is the result of five Londoners meeting Luo musicians in Nairobi and coming out with some heavy beats.
Continue reading Owiny Sigoma Band
Check it out live

The Roots are coming
The Roots make a welcome return to London for their first headline show in 2 years. On the cusp of celebrating 25 years of shape shifting Hip Hop creativity that has delivered to a devoted global community nine eclectic albums driven by bold musical concepts, unique collaborations, and profound lyrical themes that one critic defined as “cold eyed Hip Hop existentialism”, Philadelphia’s favourite politically motivated hip hop/funk/jazz collective will be taking the stage at London’s most iconic entertainment venue, the HMV Hammersmith Apollo. Continue reading The Roots in London on 19 August, 2011









