Both of the events that I went to last night were brilliant examples of how empowered individuals drive original and feisty ideas into the public sphere: and in really different ways.
Mykaell Riley has been developing the Bass Culture project for years; over that time he has forged many relationships with important protagonists in Black British music, and the level of research and trust that he has built up between different music communities across the UK is evident here at this comprehensive exhibition. Many of the women attending were drawn straight away to the photographs and research on women Sound System operators and DJs (DJ Cameo standing in front of her photo). This is such a good exhibition: go if you can. It's at 35 Marylebone Road in the huge basement area, which is dramatic enough in itself. I had a brief chat with Mykaell, and caught up with Jacqueline Springer and Jasmine Taylor too.
Afterwards I headed on to The Black Heart in Camden for Sarah Vista's album launch. What a gal! I met her and her band at Drew Morrison's album launch. London has so many layers and so many scenes, it's quite incredible.
Sarah is a feisty cowgirl, supported by a band that includes Jeff Meads on guitar and pedal steel, and Emma Goss on stand-up bass. The room was packed, and a very appreciative-looking Alan Davies was standing close to the front. The music was amazing: sadly I took only one not very good photograph as I couldn't get close enough. Brilliant gig you lot, and the most stylish audience that I've seen for a long time. The Harlem Cowgirl with a cowboy shirt, hoop earrings and a big Afro won the audience prize hands down, but actually the band themselves won the prize for the best attire in the room.
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