Sunday just gone had the pleasure of playing at the Hockley Social Club.  Now very technically speaking I had the pleasure of the great British Legend, BBC radio 5 presenter film maker. Part of that whole BBC machine Don Letts opening up for me.

The award winning film maker, producer, DJ, photographer and artist who has never been part of the machine or ever compromised his integrity ever when it comes to his art.  I am having fun with words here.  Don’t take me too seriously although there are facts in what I say. 

It was a real pleasure to be asked 2 days before the show to close the event.  Really nice to meet Don, who I first met in Birmingham’s hot spot Soya Bean Café over 20 years ago.  ( no he did not remember me and I did not bring it up). 

The day was a celebration of the Cities Sound System history and culture.  When I got into this music thing it was the back end of the height of that culture.  Pre Hip Hop and Dancehall the sound of the city was Reggae and metal. Back then building speakers was the norm and exciting to see and meet people with these giant sound systems.    Particularly makes me think about being around Jazzy Jay in his back garden had a sound system as tall as your house.  His storage unit is almost as big as Hockley full of speakers and gear.. I got it all on videotape, I personally filmed.  

One of my good friends I met through Jazzy known as Superman, he was known for having one of the biggest systems in the BX in the early days of hip hop. 

Quickly speaking to Don I presented him with a selection of our records and copy of my gallery book, Diggers issue 2. 

It’s very easy to get complacent and get use to whats right in front of you, taking one for granted.  I went through a slump and yes I did fall on hard times as many people did after the pandemic.  It never stopped me from creating.  I’m just not hitting my potential.  I know I can do more. 

I really appreciate that both Don and the Exodus Crew (Wolverhampton) all in their late 60’s and early 70s who really gave and presented a great example of true sound system styles. Hosting with the mic too.  These guys have been doing this music thing longer then most people have lived on this planet. 

Just asi said in the pic I posted the day before on IG.  My older brother who was record collecting and writing for magazines when I was playing with Lego. 

The style of music I play is a reflection of me.  I will never and have never compromised that at anytime for anyone.  There are types of music that are real expressions of the artist.  Just as John Coltrane can be compared to Picasso, Donald Byrd, Gerry Garcia are Dhali and Monet.  Great art you have to go to the gallery and spend time with a painting to appreciate it, you listen to an artist or see their shows to appreciate them.  Music and art makes a connection through vibrations, its unseen.  

When I arrived at the venue(which is always way to early) I spoke briefly with the gentlemen from Exodus and they asked me about what I was going to play, I’m not a reggae guy.  I’m going to play something else, I’m going to do me.

When I took to the decks after Don the music spoke to them.  The Exodus guys gave me my respect.  The Vibrations spoke volumes.  Experience has value and its much appreciated when your elders your piers give you their approval and respect.  This don’t work for everyone and what I do may not speak to you, that’s fine.  When it comes to people who are cultured in music and enjoy it, its always nice when real cats acknowledge real cats.  I did make a couple of errors. The Earth cables came loose which was a bit of nightmare if you are using Serato.  My fat fingers are bit awkward for correcting earth cables. 

I was also on duty also as a photographer, now ask your self how many times you see the guy or girl on the turntables and also delivering pics at this level or this standard?.  Not often.  It’s a real challenge as I don’t use auto focus everything I do is very manual.  You will be surprised how much you need someone to be still working in low light, manual using a 85 mm no flash.  I don’t think most people understand how difficult and the level of patience you need as a photographer or even a subject matter to get a good shot.

There is a ways to do things, maybe I’m oldschool, but there is a way to introduce your self and there is a way to introduce others/people.  There is also the right time to introduce people.  I’ve never been shy of that.  Part reason I’m not afraid or feel threatened by someone else getting over.  However I do get pretty annoyed when people who you call them selves your friend say nothing. I don’t like that at all.  

I do wish there was someone out there who would take my picture as I do others.  There is not much out there about me as no thinks the same or has those skills. It’s been important to me for decades to capture the images and stories of those who inspired me.  Recently of the last few years, since the pandemic and through the hockley space its let me meet people who are part of the cities long music legacy.  I have documented images of people who I respected.  On their journey they have put in some real work.  

Big thanks to everyone that was part of the past weekend.