Respect to Hot Press for running this new interview with the reggae master Horace Andy www.hotpress.com/music/horace...

Lubaina Himid representing the UK at this year's Venice Biennale gives me a chance to post the interview I did with her in 2022 for (another) defunct platform. It's on my Medium site here 👇 medium.com/@SimonCoates...

Happy birthday to the Royal Festival Hall, which opened it's doors 75 years ago today as part of the Festival of Britain. To mark the anniversary we asked people to share their memories of the festival, and I rescued a few more from our archives too... www.southbankcentre.co.uk/magazine/mem...

We’re proud to launch the third and final volume in our Echoes for Palestine series on Bandcamp Friday - every penny you donate today by buying the album goes to the charity Hope and Play and their amazing work with children in Palestine & Gaza. 🇵🇸❤️🖤💚 citiesandmemory.bandcamp.com/album/echoes...

We would love to know what you think of Art UK 💭 This survey will take 15 minutes to complete, and your responses will help us focus our work on your needs 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GSLW9T2 You will also have a chance to win one of twenty £25 Amazon vouchers. Thank you!

In honour of the Oxford English Dictionary recently adding the Caribbean phrase "carry-go-bring-come" (meaning gossip), here's Justin Hinds and the Dominoes ⤵️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5_G...

Today is #InternationalJazzDay, so why not have a look at the article I wrote for @discogsofficial.bsky.social about the rich world of Japanese jazz? 👇https://www.discogs.com/digs/music/essential-japanese-jazz-records

If you don't believe Vaporwave, exists you won't need to watch this documentary about the genre 👇https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kNqw7UdENg

Kicking back against those who said reggae fans couldn't afford to go on a cruise, this is a neat documentary about how Damien Marley's Jamrock Reggae Cruise took off and kept going youtu.be/ya_xhY3ID54?...

In 2022 I wrote about the 20th anniversary of Boards of Canada's second album, Geogaddi, for the late, lamented website, The New Voice, going deep into the conspiracy theories the set spawned. The site is gone but luckily I uploaded the story to my Medium site here ⤵️ medium.com/@SimonCoates...

The new Boards of Canada album is called 'Inferno' and comes out on May 29th boardsofcanada.com

Limited signed edition of Stewart Lee's new book available here... www.waterstones.com/book/pea-gre...

I'm on the lookout for new experimental, interesting and avant-garde albums to review from anywhere in the world. And I mean anywhere - the more interesting the location, the better. I can't promise anything, but please loop me in just in case.

"The role of the company mascot is changing. Once passive characters, they are now provocateurs with all the psychological manipulation and mood swings of social media influencers." I wrote about what happens when mascots go rogue for City AM mag. Read it here ⤵️ www.cityam.com/the-cult-of-...

Interesting new CD boxset from the Cherry Red label that reminds us of the crossovers between punk and dub in the 1970s @cherryredrecords.bsky.social www.cherryred.co.uk/various-arti...

Sad to hear Ernie Smith has just died. Released in 1974, his 'Duppy Gunman' track is an utter classic. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lG7...

Just dropped, if you're going to watch the video for the Massive Attack / Tom Waits song 'Boots on the Ground', watch it to the end. Please. www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-57...

It's been three years since Jah Shaka left us. Many treasured memories of Shaka dances at The Rocket, The Dub Club, Jackie's and others. Sorely missed.

Massive Attack AND Tom Waits? What the what? djmag.com/news/massive...

Leaving Jet Star one afternoon, I passed a scruffy Ford Capri. Who was sitting inside but the Cool Ruler. He looked at me, smiled and nodded. Doubt that's in this book, though... ttps://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/entertainment/gregory-isaacs-story-comes-to-life-in-new-biography-the-cool-ruler/

Well, I didn't like it......I LOVED it!!! It has been added to my Shenandoah playlist ❤️

This was beautiful, thank you!

I interviewed Shariful Islam when I wrote about Dhaka's experimental music scene for The Wire mag. This is his brand new track, and I defy you not to like it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6TS...

The death of a genuine superstar and pioneer. RIP Asha Bhosle. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The feature documentary about legendary Alabama-born singer and musician Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton hits UK cinemas soon. Trailer here 👇 www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYVm...

👀 theneedledrop.com/news/mysteri...

Kiddus I in the studio recording the 'Graduation In Zion' track in the 1978 film, 'Rockers'. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIC5...

www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best... @bluenoterecords.bsky.social @bluenotevinylspnrs.bsky.social @allaboutjazz.bsky.social @knkx.org @wbgojazz.bsky.social

Spendid afternoon spent in the company of Wild Billy Childish & CTMF at London's premier music venue, The Lexington. Punk rock, rock'n'roll, rockabilly and some (probably libellous) anecdotes. Excellent.

My latest for City AM looks at the story behind Southbank Centre's Undercroft Skate Park in London and the forthcoming 'Skate 50' exhibition that celebrates its enduring importance. Have a look here 👇 www.cityam.com/the-inside-s...

still one of the best live bands out there

Classic!

"Gyal a fly all the way from Paris And a tell me how she 'fraid of Chuck Norris She no waan man to thump and box and kick" - Merciless 'Mavis' (1995) www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-d5...

well deserved 👏

Alongside Peaches, Darryl Jenifer from Bad Brains, The Hives and others, I've been on New York's East Village Radio lately. My two-hour show (as Ubu Kung) is now on Mixcloud and available for listening anytime - tracklist below, listen here ➡️ www.mixcloud.com/EastVillageR...

👇

Just a reminder that it’s All-Day-Breakfast Week at Strategic Tape Reserve, so when you come buy a tape in-person at the reserve, that will come with a free breakfast of either yogurt & fruit or toast with off-brand nutella, at ANY time of day during valid opening hours. Just this week.

Back on the radio after around 5 years, it's great to link up with old friend Arthur Kurzmin to take over his show for New York's East Village Radio station. My one-off, Ubu Kung mix broadcasts today at 10AM New York time and 2PM London time. Listen online here > eastvillageradio.com/indexevr/

Outsider art? Folk art? Does it matter? A joyous exhibition of work by the late, self-taught artist Beryl Cook at The Box in Plymouth. Very welcome in these dark times. Go if you can.

My article about South Korea's 4B Movement is still the most-read activism piece on Dua Lipa's Service95 site. Go here to find out why Korean women have had enough of toxic male culture 👇 www.service95.com/4b-movement-...

Join us at 10pm tomorrow on @resonancefm.bsky.social for our February show - an hour of the finest new experimental/unusual music including Matilde Meireles, Zone Null & KMRU. stream.resonance.fm/resonance, 104.4FM in Central London, DAB Greater London & nationally on Radioplayer.

Including right now!

"I hope it teaches others that institutions don’t only come from wealth or prestige." My latest for the New York Observer is an interview with artist Marques Redd, a custodian of the Redd family art collection, one of the world's most important assemblages of Black art. observer.com/2026/02/art-...

On now until 9AM, Daniel Kitson’s breakfast show on @resonancefm.bsky.social runs daily (7AM - 9AM) until Feb 22 to highlight the radio station's Annual Fundraiser. Details of the fundraiser here 👇 fundraiser.resonance.fm

My latest for The Wire magazine is a review of the Dub Dystopia Vol.1 set out of Manila curated by Camille Banzon. Manila really is making things happen right now; a vibrant, intersupportive music scene that's on the up. Check out Dub Dystopia Vol.1 on Bandcamp here > lnkd.in/eifQh2Kp

Excellent write up by @simonjcoates.bsky.social 15 Essential IDM Albums: 1992-Present share.google/ShCbWys7F5Ih...

The excellent new Prince Far I mural in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica, created by Junior Moore of The Tamlins

In which Paul and Steve Hanley talk to the mighty Adrian Sherwood about his work with The Fall and some of the other incredible projects he's been involved with over the years. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFQ8...

Courtesy of the mighty Dennis Bovell

⏰ Just 10 more days to see the excellent Secret Maps exhibition at London's @britishlibrary.bsky.social. Read my review of the show for Trebuchet magazine here 👇 www.trebuchet-magazine.com/secret-maps-...