So it turns out that next to no music from 1975 has permeated into my consciousness. Certainly no albums. The year before Punk, when Rick Wakeman was doing concept albums about King Arthur, I'd like to think it's because of my good taste. But there were generally acclaimed great albums by Led Zepplin, Patti Smith, … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 1975
The godfather of rap? Possibly. Gil Scott Heron set the mould for bombastic, political rhyme that would be followed years later by the likes of Public Enemy. But alongside the polemic, there was also the tender. Songs like Lady Day and John Coltrane and When You Are Who You Are are simply great pop songs. … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 1974
Well, that's been quite a year. At the beginning of 2019 I was continuing my adventures with Stamp. As the year draws to a close, I'm starting to understand the course of my adventures with RHP. The transition from free-range consultant back into full-time employee has been a welcome one. I've made some great relationships … Continue reading Weeknote 465: Yearnote 2019
The first artist on this list that I’ve actually seen perform live, Herbie Hancock first came into my field of musical view from his crossover hit Rockit in my hip hop-obsessed early teens. In my twenties, occasionally getting the chance to DJ chill out rooms at the hard house nights that friends ran in Camden, … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 1973
This week I have learned: the callous, psychopathic nature of the way in which multi-national corporates can drop their relationship with a long-term member of staff on a whim. that my interest in UK politics has now basically come to an end, if only to protect my own sanity. that cumulative "quick fixes" can exponentially … Continue reading Weeknote 464: End of the line
None of these early 1970s albums are ones that I actually remember from the time. If I know my mum, most of what I would have been hearing would have been Radio 1. I came across Nick Drake on a compilation album I picked up in the late 1990s and became somewhat captivated by his … Continue reading 51 for 51 – 1972
This week I have learned: The haka, whilst standing pitch side at Twickenham That decarbonisation is a systems-thinking challenge That the problems always sit at the boundaries That a constantly crashing PC really buggers up a great interview That I've pretty much given up on both football and politics Next week: a statement of intent … Continue reading Weeknote 463 – Twickers
Let's get the funk outta here. Yeah. I'm a middle-class kid, brought up in Watford. That sort of talk is incongruous really, isn't it? There's a Riot Going On is wonky, dirty, grimy funk. Soul music emerging out of the excesses of the hippy '60s. And Family Affair sonically one of the cosiest songs ever … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 1971
This week I have learned: going "off wish list" is possible, but an emotional roller-coaster getting people to get out and see other people in other organisations who have done things that you need to do is a cracking approach (I hope) the ideas I had a few years ago about Homeopathic IT I think … Continue reading Weeknote 462: 50th year
Yesterday I began my 50th year on the planet. So today I am beginning a new project, building on a thing I did as I approached the milestone of 40. Every week for the next 51 weeks I'll be picking one album from each of the calendar years I've been around. The albums will mean … Continue reading 51 for 50 – 1970
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