Issue 14  |  March 2010

Precious

1987, Harlem, New York. Precious  is a 16-year-old teenager living a life few of us could imagine. Overweight and illiterate, Precious suffers constant physical and mental abuse from her mother and is routinely raped by her father. Expelled from school, Precious enrols in a special programme where a literacy teacher gives her hope.

(2009/US/Dir: Lee Daniels / With: Gabourey Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mo’Nique)

Rox

Rough Trade Records’ fast rising and hotly tipped new signing Rox will be performing around the release of her single My Baby Left Me.
taken from her hotly anticipated debut album Memoirs, set to be released in June. My Baby Left Me is produced by Al Shux, who produced and co-wrote the current smash Empire State Of Mind for Jay-Z & Alica Keys.

Read our interview with Rox

Last Holiday

(2006) Queen Latifah stars as a woman who, diagnosed with a fatal illness, throws caution to the wind and embarks on a spending spree with her favourite chef (Gérard Depardieu).

University of Dub

University of Dub presents Roots Dance International. Presenting for the first time, from Bristol Negus Melody With Full Crew/ Alongside North London Rasta Chanters Entebbe Sound Ras P, Asher and Princesses and/ The mighty Aba-Shanti-I Earth Rocker Sound of Jah Lightning and Thunder.

African Writers’ Evening

… “where Africa speaks and the world listens”. Hosted by Nii Ayikwei Parkes. With: Lola Jaye, author of While You Were Dreaming, as well Gitta Sumner and Biram Mboob, two writers featured in the anthology  Dreams, Miracles and Jazz.

Zena Edwards and Polar Bear

When music meets poetry. A cool collaboration between eclectic jazz outfit Polar Bear and Spoken word artist Zena Edwards. Her previous one-woman shows include Security and Broken Words.

My Last Five Girlfriends

Naomie Harris co-stars in this British comedy about a Man who loves back at his last five relationships.  She plays Gemma the last of Duncan’s five girlfriends.

Blessed Souls Open Mic

Monthly open mic night that has been running successfully for two years. Hosted by Adelaide Mackenzie with the MAC Band (Jerry Logan, Mark Crawford & Chris Thompson).

Jose James

José James returns with a moodier, edgier and more sensual sound, drawing inspiration from the worldwide underground. His debut LP ‘The Dreamer’ (released in 2007 on Brownswood Recordings.)  Since The Dreamer José has performed in over 30 countries and José is keen to stress the way that this global community has shaped his new album ‘BLACKMAGIC’. Collaborative input coming from such luminaries as Flying Lotus, Benga and Moodyman.

Tony Kofi Trio

Award-winning saxophonist Tony Kofi is one of the finest players on the UK scene. His new trio project features