51 for 50 – 2008

The albums in this list generally fall into one of two categories; those that contain music that sum up in some way events contemporary to their release (from when I was 16 or so onwards, for the most part), and those that sum up a particular period of my life but I came to late.Seventh … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 2008

51 for 50 – 2006

Coldcut have been a huge part of my musical lIfe, through their performances (playing the Black Beauty theme during a set at Tribal Gathering, four deck wizardry at the 333 in Hoxton, and an amazing night at the Imperial Gardens in the late 1990s are particular fond memories), their recorded music and also the huge … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 2006

51 for 50 – 2005

After the turmoil of 2004, 2005 quiet frankly got weirder. I started the new job working in management training and as a result found myself commuting great distances to stand up in front of groups of complete strangers to talk about things that I may or may not have had any particular knowledge. Was this … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 2005

51 for 50 – 2004

2004 was a really weird year. After eight years at the BBC, I came to realise that I needed a change. I needed to get out before I was institutionalised (even harder that I had a familial relationship with Aunty Beeb because it was where my parents had both worked and met in the 1960s). … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 2004

Weeknote 493: End of term

This week I have learned: if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck...the football stuff is getting nerve wracking.without a massive shindig every year in Barcelona, some companies' business models start to look a bit threadbare.I'm still hiring - 5 days to go...buildings are living, socio-technical systems.a new angle on thinking about … Continue reading Weeknote 493: End of term

51 for 50 – 2003

Ms Jackson was the song that got me into OutKast, but by the time they got to Speakboxxx/The Love Below they hit the big time with the single Hey Ya!, radio friendly pop with the wonderful "Shake it like a Polaroid picture" which immediately makes it seem like decades ago, and deeply, deeply dark lyrics … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 2003