about halfway through it. it’s a good, fast read - there’s not too terribly much that hasn’t been covered, but it’s cool to get a lot of it through questlove’s perspective. he and i are roughly the same age, we definitely had some similar reactions to some of the bigger hip hop releases in history, some taste and style overlap. it runs chronologically (mostly) so i’ll be interested to get his takes on hip hop in the last 5-10 years.
Quite interesting. Don’t know if I wholly agree but some interesting points.
Mmm
Just read that. I don’t agree with a lot of it. I’m more of the opposing position- that it’s constantly in flux- to talk about ‘cultural norms’ is arguably a contradiction in terms and cultural traditions (whether we like it or not) will always be self limiting.
Seems to me like a very conservative/parochial stance to take
Anyone know of any fiction or non fiction (not photo/coffee table though) centred around London nightlife in the 80s, 90s or 00s? Doesnt necessarily have to be about music or clubbing.
Hard to describe what im looking for (and not sure it exists!) so maybe i’ll leave it at that and see if anyone comes up with any suggestions before i try and narrow it down.
Cheers
Bought and read this back in the mid 90s, wish i still had my copy, set in contemporary London, can’t remember much about the plot but music and nightlife plays a central role iirc.
This is a wonderful book, it’ll change the way you think about buildings. It did for me anyway, and I love buildings and help build them, but you don’t need to in order to love this!
There’s stuff on London in the various acid house books - Jane Bussman, Matthew Collins etc but haven’t seen much solely on London. Some articles on DJ history website (e.g. 4 aces)
Terry Farley was working on a book but not sure if the whole thing ever got published @Apiento ?
Terry Farley Before Jack Had A Groove — Test Pressing
Terry-Farley-Book-Sample-Chapter.pdf (testpressing.org)
Check out Michael Bracewell’s Souvenir - I found it a terrific atmospheric read
Fantastic book: really evocative and brought forth memories that had long been buried (in a good way, mind!).
I’d totally forgotten about that. Not sure he ever finished it as it definitely didn’t come out.
Trip City, if you’re after some fiction.
On the buildings tip, I’ve not read this but a friend recommended it to me the other day:
This is a great London novel, can’t recommend it enough (and the foreword is by Andrew Weatherall):
One of the best gigs I’ve ever been to the other night in Glasgow (he’s reviewing Manchester, but even so) . A really special night. Grown men crying at the end, including me!
I’ve just messaged Roual to find out the latest.
It’s been mothballed.
Had this in my library queue. Also skeptical, but also skeptical enough to give it a go.