Issue 20  |  June 2010

Jazzmo’thology at Bernie Grant Arts Centre

The Bernie Grant Arts Centre (BGAC) will be presenting a fantastic line-up – live on stage! – on December 29, 30 and 31(New Year’s Eve)! Courtney Pine had enjoyed a residency in recent years at another place to close the old year and bring in the new but BGAC became aware of his availability and invited him to perform there instead. Courtney Pine has a distinguished profile in UK Jazz and across the globe. BGAC boasts one of the finest medium-sized performance settings in the capital. The exciting programme will feature not only Courtney Pine and his full band but also Soweto Kinch with band, YolanDa Brown with band and Omar Puente performing music from his first album.

Courtney Pine is a virtuoso and has maintained the high quality of his musicianship and stage performance since hitting the headlines in the early 80’s as founder-member of the Jazz Warriors. Soweto Kinch is another jewel in the crown of since winning the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 2003. His recently-released EP ‘War in a Rack’ illustrates his freestyle jazz hip hop compositions which have become his trademark. YolanDa Brown is becoming the contemporary sound of British Jazz – a gifted saxophonist whose playing is finely tuned to the dynamic energy of her band’s live performance – with a devoted following. Omar Puente is a classically-trained virtuoso on violin who has discovered his unique jazz voice of the Spanish-speaking societies of the Caribbean. As a bonus on New Year’s Eve, there will be a fine selection of music from one of the most respected writers on contemporary jazz in the form of DJ Kevin Legendre.

The audience will consist of music lovers who appreciate and enjoy the art of live performance. The well-attended concerts in the London Jazz Festival last month has shown that there is the demand for quality music in quality settings.

The first two nights (29 and 30 Dec) will be a seated audience to allow everyone to enjoy the superb musicians on stage. The final night is New Year’s Eve with Courtney Pine and his band and Special Guest, Soweto Kinch. How else can you celebrate the arrival of 2010 but by dancing to the music? DJ Kevin Legendre will keep the music flowing until the close at 2.00a.m.

Catering service Blooming Scent will be supplying a pre-concert Champagne Buffet to those wishing to dine out.

More details on Jazzmo’thology, 29, 30 & 30th Dcember at Bernie Grant Arts Centre

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Good Times are back! With Norman Jay

A local West London pub  is not the place where you’d expect to meet a DJ who has received a MBE from the Queen and played for Will Smith, Prince or Bruce Springsteen. And yet, after a few minutes chatting with Norman Jay, the choice of place for this interview becomes obvious. For the pioneering DJ, music needs no pretense, glitz nor glamour. His Good Times NYE party will be a celebration of music and old school partying; a trip to back to the roots of Djing, where anything goes. Read on.

Catch a Vibe: You are often referred to as ‘the people’s DJ’ and ‘the DJs’ DJ’. You’ve played for celebrities and students alike. Why do you think your music appeals to so many different groups of people?
Norman Jay MBE: Well, it’s not just the music, is it? I would like to think that the stuff that I play encourages social interaction. Music breaks down barriers, and that is what I consciously strive to create: an atmosphere that is inclusive, breaks down barriers and, above all, is welcoming. Frankly, for the most part, the type of black music I play has to have those ingredients.

CAV: You’ve received a MBE, had a documentary made about you and you have played around the world. Is there anything left you’d like to achieve?
Norman Jay: There is loads I haven’t achieved yet. But, you know, when I embarked on this path many years ago I didn’t set myself goals, I was never that ambitious, I guess up till recently. When I was growing up, the idea of DJ’ing for a living wasn’t something you would consider doing. I have just been very fortunate, very blessed. It has been for me a series of happy accidents, being at the right place at the right time, being surrounded by the right people doing the right thing. And I’ve guess I’ve always had an instinct for that. I’ve never really followed trends or anything in that way. I am aware, always aware of what’s going on around me, taking influences from things that interest me, but it is never just about music. For me personally, it’s the whole human emotion. It’s music, fashion, art, lifestyle, vibe, attitude. The music is the soundtrack to everyday’s lives. That’s the context in which I view it, love it and appreciate it, and play it.

CAV: You said your life has been a series of happy accidents, but surely along the line you must have thought …
Norman Jay: Yeah, but I can’t describe any other way because I am the first generation of those DJs. There was no rule book, so we made up the rules as we want along.

CAV: About the NYE party: what is it going to be like?
Norman Jay: New Year’s Eve, we’re basically going back to our original warehouse party roots, long before we played the clubs and festivals, we did warehouse parties. Back in those days they were as cheap as chips, people were allowed to bring their own beer, bring their own drink. They were pretty spontaneous affairs, again there were no rules pertaining to music, just anything goes, so it gave me the artistic freedom to play loads of great black records, mix the music up in the original mash-up style. I mean, people are familiar with that now because they’ve got iPods, and it is the randomness of iPods.

CAV: What kind of music will you be playing at the party? What can people expect?
Norman Jay: They’ll expect an eclectic mix of my, and their, favourite stuff. House music – new and classic, loads of drum and bass, hip hop, reggae, original disco, soul, jazz, afro and the occasional pop. If it fits, or goes with the mood, it will go.

CAV: You are known for bringing US acts and DJs to the UK audiences. Is it going to be the same for this NYE party?
Norman Jay: No, we won’t be having any guests or big name draws, celebrity type DJs. The whole ethos of what we are doing this year is back to our roots. We started the original parties in the mid-80s when Britain, London really was in austere times and it is almost like the wheel has turned full circle and we are in hard times now. People don’t have jobs, money is tight and people are picking and choosing carefully where they go and spend their leisure time. In saying that, in my experience, not just in work, but a couple of times over the years, that in relation to London club culture, when the country is going through austere times is when the club culture is at its creative and most exciting best. Yeah, it is basically people sticking up two fingers at their everyday lives and going “You know what, I’m going to go out and enjoy this”, almost partying like it’s their last.

So we kinda tapping into that part, but the wider picture is, at the moment, and it has been for several months and it will continue until this country gets out of recession, that when times are hard people celebrate all things retro, they hark back to better times in their lives, or what they perceive to be a better time in their lives, which is probably why the 80s revival is so massive, the back to ’92 raves have never been bigger. That’s the mood of the nation at the moment, so given that, we felt it was time to bring back the original spirit, show this generation how we started. Long before there was cosy little night clubs with all glitter and lights, and wonderful parties in the field, we were taking over abandoned factories, railway stations, patrol stations, car washes, and I was doing parties at all these sorts of places, so they always had that edge, an air of uncertainty. It was a lot easier to do it in those days. Now everything is heavily regulated. Back then we could take over a space, I would bring in my sound system, my mates would bring in their sculptures and their paintings, put in art installations and we’re off. It wasn’t just music, it was visual stimulates as well. Creative arts and creative things going on.

CAV: For people who have never been to your parties: why should they come? What should they bring?
Norman Jay: They should bring a smile, bring the right kind of attitude, leave the bad one at the door or leave it at home. There is always an edge and excitement, and remember it’s not just music, we are not relaying on hi-tech, in actual fact we are going very low-tech, very low-fi. If you want the glitz and the snob of the West End, don’t come. If you want to stand behind a rope and gawk at a celebrity, don’t come. If you want to live the champagne high life, go to the West End, don’t come. But if you are up for a shared communal experience and an enjoyment of celebration of people and music, then you’re welcome.

CAV: Any plans/big events for 2010?
Norman Jay: I guess we’ve all got plans for 2010. Tomorrow is promised to no one, so, you know, saying that, things we plan to do, we’re conducting this interview here at William IV, Harrow Road. This pub is going to be an unofficial home, headquarters for Good Times [Norman Jay’s soundsystem]. We are going to do three or four sets here. We’ve got one coming up in the end of February. A lot of festivals on the horizon, some in this country, some abroad. I hope to be at Glastonbury for the first time this year as it’s their anniversary as well. And obviously Big Chill. There is a great festival in Antalya, in Turkey which is happening in April, the Sun Splash, I’ll be there for that. I’ll be there for Jazzy B’s Antigua Fest, I think that’s in March/April, There is a great series of international things coming up and I hope to be in South Africa for the World Cup at some stage.

Loads of great music and creative arts, I will also be curating a 80s warehouse party at an event called Vintage down in Goodwood in August. That will be massive and I’m really, really hyped about that, looking forward to doing that.

CAV: You said you life has been a series of lucky events, if things weren’t so lucky, what would you be doing now?
Norman Jay: Not a lot actually. No idea, I mean, no one is going to give me a job now, I’m not going to sell selling insurance I am? Or be an estate agent. I would have probably been, if I wasn’t into music, I would have probably been in fashion, I guess, or something to do with creative arts.

Pics (c) Jerry Barnett. On location at William IV on Harrow Road, NW10
blackandwhitebritain.com

WIN FREE ENTRY FOR 2 PEOPLE at Norman Jay’s NYE Party on Thu 31 Dec

Good Times Warehouse Party, Thu 31 Dec: the complete listing

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Alternative beats with Put Me On It

On a Wednesday afternoon, I meet fresh-faced Amelia Ideh at Market Place, a bar where the young woman holds regular events. Ideh is that rare breed: a female event organiser who understands the power of social media to promote her events and share the music she champions: hip hop, soul, boogie, funk, electro and alternative beats… Her blog Put Me On It has a big fan base and her tweets are followed by more than a 1000 people.  Amelia tells us more about Put Me On It and that all important New Year’s Eve party.

CAV: How did you get into promoting?
Amelia Ideh: I went out a lot [laughs]. I kind of got obsessed with going to live gigs for a while. I went to DJ nights as well. I just met a lot of people through that really.

Catch a Vibe: You seem to be one of very few female promoters.
Amelia Ideh: Yeah, it seems like it but there’s actually quite a lot of female promoters/organisers who are more like behind the scenes. I think a lot of the time they may not be DJ’s. And unless you are behind the decks, nobody knows that you are actually doing anything, unless you work hard at promoting yourself.

CAV: Something that you do really well is putting the name/brand “Put Me On It” out there.
Amelia Ideh: That’s actually recent. I have been promoting for two years and haven’t put my name to things before. I started to realise people didn’t really understand that I was working on stuff and they would show up and go “Oh, is this your event?” I thought I might as well let them know.

You recently won the BBC Urban Music Talent Awards. How did that happen?
Amelia Ideh: I put the info on my blog and was thinking about which artists I knew could apply and a friend of mine who won it a couple of years back got me to apply. It’s amazing but it’s really a long-winded process. It took a couple of months.  [With the funding awarded I’m going to] redevelop the blog. That’s coming in the next couple of months. After that, it’s kind of all about the events. We’ve got exciting stuff coming up next year but I can’t talk about it because I don’t want to jinx it [laughs].

What about your NYE party?
Amelia Ideh: It’s at the Big Chill House. Livin’ Proof is going to be downstairs and they are real kind of jump up hip hop. Upstairs we’ve got Pause with Eric Lau which we’ve been doing for a while at Market Place, but we’re going to charge it up with Eglo.  It’s going to be a really good night. Upstairs is going to be a little bit more mixed in terms of the music that we play. It will be definitely hip hop with loads of soul, electronic stuff, we might jump from Ludacris to Dam Funk, it’s that kind of vibe. Alex Nut is one of my favourite DJ’s in the world so I’m really happy  that he’s going to be there on the night.

CAV: What would you tell people who’ve never attended a Put Me On It event to get them to come for NYE party?
Amelia Ideh: I would tell them that regardless of what kind of music you are listening to, the vibe at my parties is always the same. We might be playing the most obscure, eclectic stuff but it’s always really good. It’s a real party vibe. Whether you know the tune or not, it’s going to make you dance. No matter what you listen to, it doesn’t matter the vibe is there. The people are really lovely and open-minded. It’s all about the music, they don’t care about the fashion. They don’t care about being cool and being seen. They’re literally just there for the music.

CAV: Where would you be if you were not at your own party:
Amelia Ideh: I probably wouldn’t be in England. I’m getting older and to be honest with you, I kind of feel like I’d like to be on a mountain somewhere… Something elemental… Feeling quite connected with the rest of the world, not necessarily in a party.

Pics (c) Denise Arthur, taken on location at Market Place, W1

More info on Livin, Proof / Pause NYE, Thu 31 Dec @ Big Chill House

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Dine and dance with Progressive Entertainment

If you ever get a chance to talk with Irvin Smith, of Progressive Entertainment, don’t ask him about his parties. Progressive Entertainment (PE) do not organise parties, they put together lifestyle events: packages structured to entertain you, either with a live performance (as with Poetry n Motion) or dinner (Spanish Harlem) always followed by a party. This concept originates from the States. Irvin, originally from Virginia, observes that back in 2003/2004 “there was no real vibrant spot here in London for young professionals. If there was something, you had to be a member – it’s when the member club thing was starting. You couldn’t get in unless you were a member. Then you wait in line, you pay a lot of money to go in and then you had no vibe. So we started doing something that had been going on in the StateS for years, something called First Fridays.”

The first Progressive Entertainment night was held at bar/restaurant Manjaro’s in North London. Success quickly followed. Five years on, PE is still going on strong, despite the recession that forced some promoters out of the business. To fight off the credit crunch blues, PE decided to diversify and create more events, each following the bulletpoof formula of entertainment and after-party but offering a new experience: comedy with Funny Business at Cottons, which is an after work mixer with laughs provided by the big names of Black British (Richard Blackwood) and US comedy (Willie Robo); while Think Blu delivered live jazz in the plush surroundings of No 10 in West London.

The last three Progressive Entertainment New Year’s Eve parties were packed and this year should be no different. A mixed crowd of “Americans, Trinidadians and Londoners” will dance the year away to “party music, from funky house to old school r&b and the hottest thing Jay-Z is coming up with”. On other floors there will be soca for a good part of the night and also zouk, the more chilled-out genre from the French West Indies. Mr Smith will be at the door most of the night, to ensure that everyone is having fun. It may not sound like rocket science, but for PE, it’s all about customer satisfaction: “If people leave my event and go and recommend it to their friends, then I’ve done my job”.

Pics © Jerry Barnett
Taken on location at Grace Bar, W1

Details of Progressive Entertainment’s NYE Party + WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE PARTY

Progressive Entertainment website

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Afrobeats at the Africa Centre with Dudu Sarr

Over the past few years, African music has become mainstream, with African stars such as Amadou and Mariam from Mali doing gigs with the likes of Damon Albarn -  the infamous Africa Express gigs in 2008 that started out in Bamako, Mali and stopped at Koko in London. We also fondly remember the Double Cub, a bar/restaurant/art installation in Angel that brought together influences from the West and the Congo.

For Dudu Sarr, music consultant, world music DJ and one of the personalities of the Afro scene in London, African music is not just a fad. Sarr has just launched Motherland Music , an agency that supports up and coming African musicians and helps them achieve their full potential in the international circuit.” The artists on his roster are “Suzanna Owiyo who is Kenya’s number one female artist and a young and very talented guy from Senegal by the name of Carlou D. Both artists are making inroads in the world music circuit. Carlou D’s album will be released in Spring 2010 and Suzanna Oyiwo’s shortly after that. They will both be touring Europe next summer so I am sure you will get a chance to see them.”

Another aspect of Dudu Sarr’s work is to provide corporate entertainment services to companies like UBS. Sarr also travels the world to promote African music and acts as a “programming consultant for a festival like Territorios in Sevilla, Spain. I was also jury member for this year’s Womex which the main industry event for the world music community”.

Dud Sarr’s take on this renewed interest in African music is that “it’s here to stay. The latest trend is part of the fact that the general public is becoming more and more aware of Africa as a whole. South Africa hosting the world cup means that the spotlight will be more than ever on anything African and music is the biggest pull.”

After a 10 year DJ residency at London’s exclusive restaurant Momo, where he’s been organising the highly successful Afrotronic nights, Sarr is starting a new night called Hi Life at the iconic Africa Centre, the first one being the New Year’s Eve party that “promises to be a great night celebrating the vast range of Afro inspired music. The Africa Centre was the launch pad of many African Artists coming to London and the notorious Jazzie B Back to Life sessions so it’s only fit that we hold our Hi Life parties there.” Expect “a round the world music trip” with coupe-decale (Ivory Coast), zouk (French West Indies), ndombolo (the Congo), kuduro (Angola), kwaito (South Africa), hip life (Ghana),  afrobeat (Nigeria & world) soul and r&b.  This inclusive music policy attracts an equally diverse and open-minded crowd:  “We believe in the right mix. Variety is the spice of life. “

More details on Hi Life @ The Africa Centre, Thu 31 Dec 2009

WIN FREE ENTRY FOR 2 PEOPLE! See our COMPETITIONS page for more details

Dudu Sarr on Motherland Music

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Caribbean vibes with Kizomba UK

Salsa seems to have been the dance craze of the past decade, taking London by storm, with classes and parties sprouting all over the capital. Samba, the dance from Brazil, was a strong contender and found home in the Guanabara in Covent Garden. Quietly but steadily, kizomba, a dance originating from Africa, has been making its mark too. And it’s down to the work of passionate people such as Kizomba UK, promoters of Afro-Latin cultural events in London and around the UK.

Kizomba, is “the first dance” two time UK Salsa champion Iris de Brito has learned: “Kizomba is originally from Angola and it is danced with a partner. It’s a mix between semba from Angola and French zouk. When I was growing up only Angolans would dance it, now, Portuguese do it, most Palop countries (African countries that speak Portuguese) and the rest of Europe is catching on”.

Kizomba is also a music genre, a sensuous sound derived from zouk, a music style from the French Caribbean islands. The parties organised by Kizomba UK are an energetic mix of kizomba, livened up with zouk, kuduro (Angola), funana (Cape verde), coupe-decale (Ivory Coast) and r&b. The nights gather “people from everywhere, from Ghana to Malaysia, anyone who enjoys the music is made to feel welcome.” Newcomers can also attend an introduction class before each party, in order to learn the few essential steps that they will be able to practise all night. As the promoters state: “It’s all positive vibes. It’s about feeling good, having a laugh, meeting people. Almost like a massive house party. I think that’s what people like the most at Kizomba UK parties. “

This New Year’s Eve, Kizomba UK are organising a Grand Africa Ball, that should deliver the good vibes and fun atmosphere they are renowned for. JV, Iris and Danilo will be in the crowd, dazzling a few people or two with their skills. Asked where they would be if they were not throwing this NYE bash, they give an answer that matches the spirit of their parties: “Catching good vibes with the rest of Kizomba UK team, our family and closest friends, at home!”

www.kizombauk.com

More details about the Grand African Ball on New Year’s Eve + check our COMPETITIONS page WIN FREE ENTRY for 2 people!
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2009: A Year in Soul Music

The spirit of independent soul music is stronger and louder than ever. Artists who do not fit in the restrictive radio format are breaking through to a hungry soulful public and winning support of fans, media and tastemakers alike. There are five artists that I have personally appreciated this year 2009 and I’d like to share a little of them with you.

Jesse Boykins III – The Beauty Created [Nomadic Music, Nov 08]
At the start of the year 2009 the second offering from one of the hardest working artists in soul music reached our shores (the album was released stateside end of November). At only 23 years old, Jesse Boykins III produced The Beauty Created, a jazzy, reggae, hip hop, salsa-fuelled innovative album. The Beauty retained all the necessary flavourings of the Isley Brothers and stylings of Dwele, but it also introduced Boykins’ wider eclectic tastes. Singles Come To My Room, Amorous, and Itis are outstanding tracks that allow Jesse to merge his differing musical influences – Sizzla Kolonji, Bilal or Donny Hathaway, convincingly. Buy from Amazon

Choklate – To Whom It May Concern [MeMusic, May 09]
The Seattle native with the beautifully sweet infectious tones offered up her sophomore album To Whom It May Concern in 2009. Choklate’s already classic self-titled 2008 albummade people sit up and listen to this musical novice at the time, and she keeps us listening with this second offering. Different to Jesse Boykins III’s music, Choklate’s album is steeped in a hip-hop and r&b framework and unlike her debut, there are more uplifting brat-driven tracks produced by longtime friend Vitamin D. There are a number of outstanding tracks that promote the warm inviting raspy tones of this female vocalist: Pretty, To Whom It May Concern and Hunny’s Running are where Choklate really excels. Dare I say that this album is as sweet as chocolate? Buy from Amazon

Maxwell – Blacksummers’ Night [Columbia, July 09]
Maxwell, the darling of soul music lovers everywhere and one of the pioneers of the nu soul movement returned to the scene after a nine year hiatus with the first of a trilogy of albums called Black Summers’ Night. The album is light years away from his debut album Urban Hang Suite, but sounds still as exciting. After a long time away where he says he “has grown up”, Maxwell has come back with an album that is fresh and cutting-edge if only just a bit short. In just 37 or so minutes, Maxwell serenades us about being devoted, finding new love and having regrets in love. The first track Bad Habit used Maxwell’s signature falsetto to outstanding effect. The sexy down tempo Stop the World is another killer track and a future classic.  It may have taken him a while but I’m sure I’m not alone in saying bring on parts two and three! Buy from Amazon

Ledisi – Turn me Loose [Verve Forecast, August 2009]
After a groundbreaking album in 2007, the excellent Lost And Found, Ledisi returned with a new set Turn Me Loose in 2009. Change is the theme of this album as mentioned in the tracks Everything Changes, the Saadiq produced Love Never Changes and Going Thru Changes. This album does feel like Ledisi has gone through her own motions with production duties by Saadiq, but also Chucky Thompson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis allowing for a more youth orientated feel. The soul singer has also taken on a funkier, rockier punk feel a la Tina Turner which provides a breath of fresh air. Buy from Amazon

Eric Roberson – Music Fan First [Dome Records, August 2009]
Erro aka Eric Roberson is the best known underground independent artist of the moment. He produced his sixth studio album in August stating to all that he is a “Music Fan First”. In this offering, Roberson pays homage to Michael Jackson with the track Celebrate (ft Sy Smith) stating “There’s not an artist out there that can’t say they weren’t influenced by MJ”. With new and exciting intelligent beats to manipulate, and clever lyrics – this album is not to be taken lightly. Erro seems to extract the soul out of many genres and fits them perfectly into his tapestry. There are exceptional tracks on the CD: The Power That Kisses Hold, Wanna Believe It again (ft Wayna) and Bad For Me are just a few of the biggies on this 17 strong album. Buy from Amazon

This list was compiled by D’Nyce of:

SOUL-D-OUT (the live series)

SOUL-D-OUT Monday’s 7pm-9pm & Jumpoff Wednesday’s 7pm-9pm on Bang 103.6FM

* Do you agree with D’Nyce: are these the best soul albums of 2009? Use the form below and share your opinion with us *

Beautiful Books

Our selection of 5 books to offer or expose on your coffee table!

Gentlemen of Bakongo by Daniele Tamagni
“A journey with the Sapeurs of Bakongo, a district of Brazzaville in the Congo, and the true birthplace of Sape: ‘The religion of style’.” SAPE (Society for the Advancement of People of Elegance) is a highly exclusive all male club somewhere between the masons and a cult that emphasises style above all else. Born out of colonial ideals about Parisian elegance and style, today’s Sapeurs are highly respected consultants of style within their community. Organised according to rank, with strict codes of conduct and morality, each the Sapeurs of Bakongo manage to don high end name brand suits to devastating effect. The photos are surreal.  Each looks as though an Oswald Boateng fashion shoot got lost in the Congo. Tamagni has managed to capture the world of the Sapeurs and their aspirations whilst remaining awed and objective. Leaving the reader to consider whether SAPE’s conspicuous consumption is an homage to style or capitalism. Buy on Amazon

Trading Places: The Merchants of Nairobi by Steve Bloom
A book that looks at the bustling marketplaces in the district and slums on the outskirts of Nairobi; the pictures are absorbing and manage to capture the life of the store fronts and the people in them. Each store front is unique and captures the personality of the merchant. Complete with profiles on the stores and interviews with sellers, Trading Places takes the viewer through the markets and the communities that they provide for. Vibrant and seldom seen by tourists, Bloom’s photographs show the mood in areas of Nairobi that are changing and in some places may disappear as larger business drive small sellers out. Buy on Amazon

Black Britain; A Photographic History by Paul Gilroy and Stuart Hall
Written and compiled by two heavyweights of Black British academia. Gilroy and Hall illustrate what we have always known, that black people have been contributing to British culture for centuries. The older images, are particularly captivating especially that of a young black dandy in the early 1900’s complete with top hat and cane who wouldn’t look out of place in Brazzaville. The pictures of the Brixton Riots alongside the everyday pictures of life for black people in England during the 1950s and 60s are moving. More of a documentary of Black British progress over the years than an examination of the variety of the black British experience, this book is an essential item for every classroom and library across the nation. Buy on Amazon

Posing beauty: African American Images from the 1890’s to the Present by Deborah Willis
Reviewed last month by Reshma Madhi, Posing Beauty has a tall order to fill, illustrating how African-Americans from the 1890s onwards re-branded themselves in order to speak out against mainstream society’s negative and exclusionary portrayal of black people. It manages to do this by showing how the personal is political. The book contains shots of the African-American middle class and striking images of the Civil Rights movement stand alongside more quiet and intimate portraits of preachers and families on going to church in their Sunday best. Most importantly it manages to illustrate how ubiquitous black beauty has become in American popular culture and yet still how far it has to go. A beautiful collection of unique photos. Buy on Amazon

Reflex by Emerzy Corbin
‘Why can’t we as a community accept ourselves as we are’. Emerzy Corbin’s book Reflex looks at black female beauty and how black women view themselves. Reflex tries to strip away the two ways in which the black female body is stereotypically seen; as either animalistic and fetishised or absorbed into Eurocentric beauty ideals with the caveats of light skin, straight noses and ‘good’ hair. For Reflex Corbin asked 800 black women to participate in a questionnaire on beauty. Reflex has pictures of normal black women in artistic nude poses, with quotes from the participants and from famous and influential black women surrounding the pictures. Buy on Blurb

Where to buy African and Caribbean art in London

The best galleries, markets and store spaces to source authentic African and Caribbean art in the city.

Tribal Gathering
Tribal Gathering London is effectively one of the few, well established specialist galleries selling African tribal art in London. Founder Bryan Reeves has travelled extensively across Africa for the past twenty years, aiming to provide authentic pieces, such as jewellery, figures, masks and furniture, with a particular focus on the East African Great Lakes region. The store is relocating in January 2010, so visit now to grab last minute bargains on quality pieces.

No 1 Westbourne Grove Mews W11 2RU
020 7221 6650
Notting Hill Gate tube
www.tribalgatheringlondon.com

Portobello Market
While you’re in Notting Hill Gate, have a wander down to Portobello Road Market, where there are African art stalls dotted around, offering a good quality antique piece or two.

Portobello Road, W11 1LU
Notting Hill Gate tube

Guruve
Guruve promotes the cream of contemporary African art and is committed to ethical business, collaborating with local artists in Zimbabwe to sponsor children’s workshops. The company has a particular emphasis on the Shona Art movement (stone sculpture) from Zimbabwe as well as works from The Gambia and Uganda. The website showcases garden sculpture as well as paintings and prints, such as artist Njogu Toray’s kenyeleng series (inspired by a women’s group in The Gambia).

To request a private viewing, visit www.guruve.com

Camden Market
Over at Camden Market, you can stumble upon African art sellers at the Stables Market. Among the specialist stalls are ‘African Heritage Shop’, which offers work originating from the Eastern African region, including authentic handmade batiks (made from delicate banana fibre) from Kenya. Also, there are Ugandan masks at The Bush Hut (stall 425 in the Lower Stables), while African Artifacts provides statues and masks sourced from Cameroon and other West African regions.

Chalk Farm Road NW1
Chalk Farm tube

Art-Arc Collective
The gallery space of Art-Arc Collective has a specialist focus on supporting contemporary and modern visual art from Africa as well as the diaspora. A wide range of paintings and other works are on sale, including a special collection for under £500. Among the artists showcasing include leading Nigerian artists Yinka Adeyemi and Osahenye Kainebi.

11 Hale Wharf, N17 9NF
Tottenham Hale tube
www.artarc-collective.com

Pempampsie
Pempamsie is a collective of four companies in one venue, offering African inspired art work, reflecting both styles from the continent as well as the Caribbean. Paintings and prints from Senegal and The Gambia are on offer at the boutique store in Brixton, alongside contemporary African clothing, jewellery, books and home furnishings.

102 Brixton Hill, SW2
Brixton tube
0208 671 0800

Owen Hargreaves Gallery
Owen Hargreaves Gallery offers more tribal art pieces, which can be viewed at the showroom based in Old Street as well as the Saturday market in Portobello Road (stall 16). Pieces include interior design objects like an Ashanti Tribe stool from Ghana, a weathered ladder from Mali or a rare rustic chair from Ethiopia. Items can be bough online or you can book an appointment to visit the 3000sq ft gallery in Hoxton.

9 Corsham St N1 6DP
Old Street tube
020 7253 2669
www.owenhargreaves.com

Alexandra Galleries
Alexandra Galleries aims to offer art of the African diaspora at affordable prices. Established for over 15 years, the company works closely with artists to offer a variety of visual works. Alongside posters, greeting cards and prints, the online gallery offers originals from artists like Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy MBE as well as Ghanaians’ Jerry Blankson and Benjamin Oppong-Danquah.

020 8249 5807
www.alexandragalleries.com