How many saxophonists can you name without having to google them? I’ve got Johnny Dankworth, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Courtney Pine, Branford Marsalis, Clarence Clemons, Tim Cappello and… Kenny G (*shivers*). These days, saxophonists are not exactly household names – I only know some of the more obscure players because they play with other artists I admire.

So what do they all have in common? They are all male, except for Kenny G, who we all know as a space alien sent here to ruin music for all of humanity. Continue reading YOLANDA BROWN reminds Soho that she’s one of the greats →

It is rare to see an artist perform who exceeds all expectations and preconceptions, but that is exactly what I had the pleasure of witnessing on Saturday night at Cadogan Hall.

At 19, TANITA TIKARAM released internationally acclaimed album “Ancient Heart” which sold over 4 million copies and was one of those albums that defined part of my youth. I should add that I never actually owned a copy, but the singles were widely played and for many friends the album was a favourite Continue reading TANITA TIKARAM – from good tradition to great legend →

In 1984, I was 16 when THE BLOW MONKEYS released their debut album “Limping for a Generation.”  Their second album “Animal Magic” was released in 1986 and it is these two albums that make up the two sets tonight.  To be honest, The Blow Monkeys barely registered in my musical aesthetic at that time.  I was listening more to bands like Van Halen, Prince and Big Country (and latterly, Iggy Pop, The Cult and Peter Gabriel).  The Blow Monkeys always seemed a bit too slick and safe, but I suspect this had more to do with my wanting to distance myself from fashion clones who did like them than the actual band itself. Continue reading Digging the scene with THE BLOW MONKEYS 30 years on →

So how did you spend the last few hours of the 13^th Baktun? Given the likelihood of the impending destruction of the Earth, I chose to kick start this season of Festivus a little early at London’s Scala and there is nothing that expresses this better than zombies.

If you are not aware of the works of EMMA-LEE MOSS and TIM WHEELER, both are recording artists in their own right. Continue reading Mistletoe and zombies with EMMY THE GREAT & TIM WHEELER →