Writing for Art UK last year, I featured David Hockney in an article on how drawing is a form of disruption. Gifted, mercurial and absolutely a class-A disruptor, may the great man rest in peace. @artukdotorg.bsky.social artuk.org/discover/sto...

Odd short doc looking at the mighty Jah Shaka through the eyes of an early 2000s Spanish TV channel. Good to hear the great man take the mic, though, as most think he just spun records. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH6G...

My first for The Art Journal looks at how the ICA's 1968 exhibition, Cybernetic Serendipity, set the template for the use of AI in contemporary art. Check it here 👇 www.theartjournal.com/articles/cyb...

I wrote an article on how small and medium-sized music venues can harness AI to their advantage for Live DMA, the European network of national live music associations. Read it here ⤵️ live-dma.eu/magazine/how...

Crucial dub maker recreates a crucial dub album. Following his appearance at this year's Le Guess Who? festival, Scientist is coming to the UK in early 2027.

In light of the critical mauling Jack White is getting for his first solo art exhibition, I wrote something for the New York Observer that looks at whether or not the art rock stars make is worth collecting. Read it here 👇

Incredibly sad to hear from Adrian Sherwood that reggae archivist and the force behind the Blood & Fire label, Steve Barrow, has died. This is a loss that will be felt deeply across the music world.

Ijahman Levi and Earl 'Chinna' Smith 📷 Arlene Green-Bromfield

Bristol massive: Jah Tubbys World System alongside Fatman Sound System at the Trinity Centre on Fri, June 12. Jah Tubbys is celebrating 55 years as a sound system, and has been building sound equipment since 1971.

Legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins passed away yesterday, aged 95. He was the last remaining musician from Art Kane's 1958 photo, A Great Day In Harlem, that captured 58 jazz legends, including Count Basie, Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie.

Italy's Real Rock Records label is reissuing early 90s UK dub album, Earthquake Studio's 'Dub Harder Than Steel'. A rare and sought-after record. realrockrecords.bandcamp.com/merch/rcklp0...

London - a celebration of Sun Ra. Exhibition & music with talks from Thurston Moore & Paul Smith (founder of Blast First) & DJ set by Peter Dennet (Art Yard). 22 May, 18:00. Free Entry.

Absolutely Simon. I still find it surprising when you read the credits to records and Sly and Robbie pop up. Such a talented duo and individuals too.

A good bit of validation if ever there was some. And on days like today god knows it’s needed. Adhering to the adage of ‘what would Weatherall do?’ In these situations is not a bad way to go about living either. Plus, I think that in my music collection his stuff is the most represented.

Really enjoyed writing this one, and am very glad we included Alan Parry and Brian Behlendorf's Intelligent Dance Music List as a definition reference for IDM.

One of my career highlights was when Mr Weatherall played a few of the tracks I produced on his NTS radio show. The man was truly a one-off, and I'm really pleased to know that Disco Pogo are paying tribute with this book. store.discopogo.co/products/a-d...

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 👏