The MOBOs: 20/08/06

Words by: Too Critical Cynics (The Hobbit & Great Scott)

Kanya King and her Music of Black Origin awards have returned once again. As in the past, the MOBOs attempted to walk the diamond encrusted tightrope between bringing lesser-known hopefuls to commercial attention and decorating the award ceremony with various international megastars. The latter was obviously in the forefront of the organizers mind when they decided to let a seemingly inebriated Coolio join comedy star Gina Yashere in the autocue reading. When the crazy-haired one staggered to the platform, the unmistakable sounds of bejeweled grills hitting the floor and plush folding seats smashing into their upright positions filled the ¾ capacity Royal Albert Hall. A night that was lacking direction and star power more than made up the difference with shock and awe. The stunned faces, regardless of ethnic origin, expressed the same wide-eyed stare following several key announcements, not the least of which included a ban on drinks being brought into the auditorium. It’s astonishing how slowly an un-lubricated pen drizzles unkindly across a page - oh well, at least the One Drop sound of reggae seems to’ve erased all the homophobia paranoia as per the previous years.

The performances were a reasonably balanced recipe of British and American commercial successes; Corinne Bailey Rae and Lemar serving as the two veg to accompany Rihanna and Le Toya’s meat [ahem] de jour. The main bugbear of the ceremony has to be the nominations and their lack of clarity. They were, predictably, as sketchy as a courtroom artists portfolio. How a man [Jay Z] who is allegedly in retirement gets nominated and subsequently wins Best International Male could only be topped by soul artist Anthony Hamilton being nominated for the Best Reggae accolade – only to be beaten by Sean Paul. Could the organizers really not think of any great reggae releases this year? I shouldn’t think Baby Cham or Tony Mattahorn cried themselves to sleep over this obvious lack of awareness. Akala’s surprise victory as Best Hip-Hop was acknowledged with muted applause as well as eye-rolling. Not denying Ms Dynamite’s baby bro’s talent, but in easily the most hotly contested category including Busta Rhymes, Kanye West, Kano and Sway, the decision seemed to be based on locality rather than quality. Fortunately, the evening wasn’t a total loss and highlights have to include soul legend Sam Moore’s performance, the Jazz musicians musical protest outside the venue - due to the MOBOs not recognizing Jazz as being a music of black origin, Rihanna’s shimmying and the punters - complete with raided accoutrement from Kanye, Pharrell, Kool Moe Dee and Liberace with varying degrees of failure.

As ever, it seems that Ms King’s idea of a perfect balance needs to be re-weighed. Wouldn’t a tally of perhaps an unknown American against an unknown Brit sit better on the stomach? At the moment, however, it’s still like an overdose of Andrews – lots of fizz, a few bubbles and pockets of air, followed by watery occurrences and a limp feeling of emptiness. The MOBO Independent Academy of judges seem as though they need a good clear-out.

Just Elemental Music: Episode 22

Just Elemental Music: Episode 22

Just-Elemental-Music-19

Just-Elemental-Music-19

The Just Elemental Music Radio Show: 19 by Richard Bamford on Mixcloud

Britain Smitten. By Richard Bamford

With all the current enforced and somewhat false patriotism and celebration centred around bigging up one privileged family, and my lack of enthusiasm for the upcoming Olympics, I started to question what it is that I do feel proud about the United Kingdom and to call myself British. Clearly, the English language is something to be proud of; it’s beautiful intricacies and word weaving are pretty much the envy of the world. Sure, French sounds sexy and never would the ol’ rocket science cliché be more befitting for the notion of a westerner learning Mandarin. English, though, when used properly, can evoke every emotion and stir the senses in one sentence. Shifting selections of punctuation and pauses can completely change its meaning. I love all forms of communication and languages, but English is something special for me. The thing is, I don’t have to live here to appreciate the language, so what else? Here’s five things that instantly sprang to mind:

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1.) The multiculteralism:

It’s been a long time since the Vickings were here and even longer since the prehistoric Grimaldi African wandered our land. Britain has slow cooked into a rich caserole of many different races, cultures and creeds. When not mared by igorant, racist idiots, it keeps our society fresh, exciting and extraordinary. Let’s not forget the humble curry being the most preferred dish to one and all.



2.) The music:

British music has long been admired, copied and constantly changing.

I think this has been hugely influenced by the fusion of different people and backgrounds.

There’s too many different genres and pigeon-holes to point out, but, Britain is the birthplace of Drum and Bass, Dubstep and Grime, Broken Beat, Lovers Rock, Indie, Folk and Punk.

I’m constantly impressed in its creativity, development and Britishness.



3.) Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, London, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Swansea, Belfast, other major cities are available:

I lived in London for most of my life, but I have visited all the other major cities in the UK. Each one has its own history, architechture, fashion and multiple scenes and styles therein. Live and direct culture is to be had and enjoyed and, considering this island’s minute size, the array of experiences are vast.



4.) The labour loved working class angel that is, The National Health Service:

Slowly being crushed by the government and people who take this for granted. It’s the only true classless system in the United Kingdom. It cannot be prejudiced or snobby. It’s the envy or the world and is something everyone should treasure and look after.



5.) Stiff upper lipped positivness about the Weather:

A bit of a controvertial one, but stick with me on this: Everyone moans about the rain…and contratry to what the government and water companies will have you believe, it does rain a lot. Other parts of the world aren’t gifted with drinking water, healthy crops, lavish countryside and constant supply of food. Don’t get me wrong, I love the sunshine and the summer….when it’s not raining; it puts a smile on the face and an amount of the sun’s rays are actually good for us. Something has to be said for the seasons and I’ve grown to have a fondness for each of them; my favourite two probably being the Spring and the Autumn; mostly because of the huge difference in the season preceeding them and the contrasting colours and temperatures.



Yep, lots to be indignant about over here, but, the bits that are good are very good and do give me a sense of pride. I decided not to mention our various inventions of sporting activities partly because I don’t know much about them but mostly because every other corner of the world seem to whoop our arses at them these days.

My conclusion is, be proud, love nurture and cherish things that are worth it; things that you can freely and eloquently talk about. If you’re unsure, question everything; if you’re positively ecstatic, express it; share it!

JustElementalMusic: Episode 17 by Richard Bamford on Mixcloud

DEFINITION OF DISCO

In November 1975, a breakthrough single and voice emerged that would change a genre and who in the words of Quincy Jones would become ‘…the heartbeat and soundtrack of a decade’. The single was ‘Love to Love you baby’ the creation of Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte and the lady who would go on to be crowned the ‘Queen of Disco’ Donna Summer (born Ladonna Gaines).

It was at the tender age of 10 as she stood in for the vocal lead of her church choir, that Summer is said to have known that one day her voice, far beyond her age and tiny frame, would make her a star.  In subsequent years since her 1975 smash hit, the first of nineteen No.1’s, she would go on to achieve numerous accolades including the first artist to achieve three consecutive double albums to reach No.1 on the US Billboard chart.

Like many musical greats before and since, her career and life were not without controversy, even losing fans, particularly amongst the gay community, for her comments regarding AIDS (which she later denied). Summer also had a well-documented struggle with depression, anxiety and at one time prescription drugs, of which she found salvation in Christianity.

There is no mistaking that she was truly a one off, who did things in her own way and according to Pete Waterman in “Donna time”. Refusing to remain in her “Queen of Disco” box, she was unafraid to experiment and diversify her sound, earning her a string of awards including the first African American women to be nominated for an MTV video award (1984) and first black artist to win a Grammy in the rock category (1980), she would go on to win five Grammys in total - proving without a doubt her reach and influence spanned far beyond the world of sequins and glitter balls.

Since news broke of her tragic loss against her secret battle with cancer, tributes from the great and the good of music have flooded in. Gloria Estefan beautifully encapsulated the sentiment of all who morn her by proclaiming, “Few singers have impacted music and the world like Donna Summer! It’s the end of an era…”

Summer’s unmistakable sound and genre defining hits such as ‘I Feel Love’, said to be a ‘key record in the history of electronic dance music’, completely changing the way that music was perceived, has been sampled by artist as far ranging as Madonna and Whitney Houston to Moloko and David Guetta. As recently as 2011, Summer re-recorded her 1975 debut for fashion brand Diesel’s ‘Lovedose’ advertising campaign.

Just as her family celebrate ‘her extraordinary life and her continued legacy’ so will the world and music fraternity.  Donna Summer defined an era and a genre, her influence and records remains as Elton John put it, “…as good today as they ever did” and for that, she was, is and will always remain the very definition of disco.