Who February 15, 2021

In the golden age of the British R&B revival, few groups created as much excitement and controversy as the Pretty Things. They came up alongside the Rolling Stones in the early 1960s, but were deemed by critics and fans as wilder and bluesier than even Mick Jagger & co. When long-haired Phil May sang and shook his maracas with manic intensity, audiences and record buyers knew they were in for a wild ride.

“My memories of the Balboa show are filled with adrenaline, wonder and joy,” says the acclaimed and Grammy-nominated acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter TOMMY EMMANUEL about his new digital-only live album TOMMY EMMANUEL–LIVE FROM THE BALBOA THEATRE out February 12 on his label, CGP Sounds. Listen here to the album’s first single “Locomotivation,” released today (February 5), and watch the video here. Pre-save and pre-add the album here.

A quick internet search brings up some extraordinary footage of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry producing a session at the Black Ark. Taken from the film ‘Roots, Rock, Reggae’, directed by Jeremy Marre, the sequence shows Junior Murvin collaborating with members of the Congos and the Heptones on a song improvised on the spot for the film crew. Before the vocals are recorded, the Upsetters lay down the backing track. The musical director of the session is the afro-haired bass player, Boris Gardiner; unusually, it is he who counts in the band to start each take. After a long conversation with Boris a few years back, I asked Lee about his contribution to the Black Ark sound.

A towering musical figure of the 20th century, saxophonist John Coltrane reset the parameters of jazz during his decade as a leader.