And lay the binbag on the ground

Over the last couple of days we’ve been out with more bin bags and the remainder of the seed potatoes so much so there’s no more left to plant. We are still very early with planting (the great Joe Maiden RIP used to say Good Friday was the traditional seed potato planting day) so let’s hope the weather is on our side and if it’s not, we’re hoping the bin bags do their job!

And for no reason at all here’s a gem from Creation Rebel, the title of the classic LP Dub from Creation. First heard here on a tinny transistor radio played by the great John Peel.

The reggae gardening connection

It was nice to be out and about this afternoon after the last couple of years of isolation. Today’s treat was a bus trip to Deptford for the Lewisham Soundsystem Trail. Rather than roam about the various events going on, most of the afternoon was spent in The Albany’s back garden with Dennis Bovell and friends (including the great Gladdy Wax, Dub Vendor All Stars, Pappa Face and Gaffa Blue). Some great tunes, good vibes and sunshine with a community garden as a background. There were some great ideas on show including carrots in plastic dustbins, ingenious stuff.

Things are on fire so to speak  in our garden too, the risk we took with the early planting of the seed potatoes has paid off. There’s flowers a go-go and it’s not even June yet. Now we’ll be waiting for the foliage to die down for some fresher than fresh new potatoes.

And as for those foxgloves, they’re on a triffid-like tip and we’re not going to complain.

And we’re not complaining about this tune either, it’s a nice chilled Sunday evening affair  from Arutani called Wasting Time. Tune in and really drop out to a tune with a Laut & Luise connection.

Dubbing on a Sunday night

A piece of out there dub courtesy of the great Dennis Bovell at the controls called “Coolie” from Sarathy Korwar (Featuring Delhi Sultanate & Prabh Deep). Jazzy vibes, some dubbed out keys and a lovely rhythm section, what more do you want? The Bandcamp “The time has come to open thy heart/wallet” legend comes quicker than you think. The vocal version is tops too: “Cocaine run by the CIA, Opium smuggling run the same way”. Tune!

And talking of the great Blackbeard Bovell… (off the 1980 LP I Wah dub)

And an excellent show from Ross Allen on NTS where Dennis Bovell picks some tunes. It starts with the excellent Bovell produced Riot in Lagos from Ryuichi Sakamoto and it goes from there.

A taste of things to come

Matumbi – Man Sized Rocker (Instrumental) – Matumbi Music Corp

A couple of good things to look forward to if you’re down the big smoke over the next few weeks. The great Dennis “Blackbeard” Bovell will be playing some tunes upstairs at The Ritzy Cinema, Brixton for nothing (how good is that!) as part of David Katz’ Dub Me Always on Wednesday 9th July. More details here at their Facebook page.

dennis bovellBefore then as part of James Lavelle’s Meltdown on Sunday 22nd June there’s a free event down the Southbank called “Sunday Come Down” featuring Don Letts (Not Monty Don), James Lavelle and other top stuff as the day goes on. Let’s hope the weather keeps up. Here’s the line up cribbed from here. I’m sure it’ll change but it gives you clue what to expect.
12 noon – 1.30pm Don Letts
1.30pm – 2.30pm James Lavelle
2.30pm – 3pm Voicelab
3pm – 3.30pm JP Duncan
3.30pm – 4.15pm Jeremy Deller Acid Brass
4.15pm – 5.45pm Horsemeat Disco
5.45pm – 6.45pm James Priestley (Secretsundaze)
6.45pm – 7.15pm James Lavelle

Johnny Clarke – Hold on/King Tubby’s – The Baddest Version – Attack

This Saturday coming (June 14th) there’s a special screening of the Bunny Lee Film “I am the Gorgon” at the BFI, Southbank plus after a Q and A session with the director Diggory Kenrick and the narrator of the film and the legend that is Dennis Alcapone. There’s still a couple of tickets left for £6.50 here. I’m going and if I get a chance I’ll ask Dennis if he’s into gardening!