RIP MICHAEL JACKSON.. Rock With You

I was in Bahrain when I woke up to a text from my friend saying simply 'MJ dead' I sat all morning in my hotel watching footage from all over the world of people's reactions, the police in LA, the Apollo Theatre in Harlem NY, where people had gathered to hold a vigil, listen to Michael's music & dance in the street. it was all a bit nuts. I had separated the Michael Jackson I knew and loved as a kid from the later stranger MJ.








However many scandals and weird stories surrounded him in later life, one cannot deny his huge talent and contribution to music. He broke down barriers racial and musical all over the world and left a musical legacy that few could ever touch.



My thoughts went out to his family who had to give public statements attend the BET Awards and put on a brave face amongst their grief. From watching Jermaine and Latoya on Big Brother here in the UK, they honestly seemed like the nicest & most dignified people. I cannot imagine having to face the press after loosing a family member. Awful for them. RIP Michael.

Ciara's new Video featuring Missy Elliot produced by Danja Hands- wow, good work by stylist & lots of gym by Ciara

I went to the monthly Pool Party @ Shoreditch House on Sunday :)

I went to the monthly pool party at Shoreditch with my friend Connie, No1 S-house member Ximo and the Burberry boys (not some football ICF type crew) they all work at Burberry HQ- if they are into football they would qualify as the most stylish supporters. The pool are was packed, the DJ's were Jodie Harsh & others, one DJ fellow was sporting a fetching flowery one piece costume and gold drop earings. Music was fun although not mixed. The pool was full of buff boys splashing around. Funny funny night out...

Connie & Antonio by the pool

My friend Connie :)

The pool on the roof

Lawrence Watson 'The World Is Yours' Photography Exhibition with Adidas, Redchurch Street, Shoreditch

I was invited to the launch of the Lawrence Watson Photography Exhibition by Adidas a couple of weeks ago (thank you Paola). Adidas jumped at the chance to be involved as part of their 60th Birthday celebrations- the reason being, so many musicians were wearing Adidas by chance in the shots Watson had taken over the past 25yrs of his career.

The exhibition was soooo busy on the night that I couldnt even stand back far enough from the photographs to take photos of the photos !:) (So I went back a second time and had another look around and took photos)
The first thing I on opening night as I jostled through the crowds to even gain entry to the gallery space was a huge print of LL Cool J on stage in front of a giant ghetto blaster.

I knew the picture- of course, this photo was one of my strong memories of hip hop as a kid, I just never knew that this iconic photograph was taken by Lawrence Watson. As I walked around the exhibition I recognised lots of his photographs of musicians and I realised what a prolific artist Watson is. In the early 80s Lawrence Watson took himself off to the US to capture legendary artists, LL, Run DMC, Eric B & Rakim & Public Enemy...pretty much all the music I was listening to as a kid in the UK & certainly some of the music that inspired me to be a DJ. He also and importantly snapped them all before they knew how global hip hop culture was going to become, so their is an innocence to the shots. The fact they are wearing the '3 stripes' is not due to marketing or endorsement deals, but due to artists wanting to be fly- boys & girls :) something Adidas are very proud of.

Lawrence has since gone on to photograph everyone from David Bowie to Funkadelic, Grace Jones, Ian Browne, The Ramones & Isaac Hayes.

This was one of the best and joy inspiring exhibitions I have ever been to. I could identify with all the artists, their music and the pictures were so beautifully taken! From 2 weeks ago I officially became a Lawrence Watson groupie..
www.lawrencewatsonphotography.com
ps: the book is great, I want one! fab coffee table treat

Love this pic of Ian Browne!

Neneh Cherry- loved her style & such a nice lady too

Flava Flav- before the Flava of Love nonsense lol


My Style icons- Funkadelic



Paul Weller- great shot

The ASOS LTD 100 Exhibition 2009, Shoreditch Studios, London

I managed to wangle an invite to the Asos LTD 100 Exhibition last night in London. It was held in a warehouse in Shoreditch last night & the Ltd 100 part is referring to limited edition final pieces from fashion students collections from their final graduate shows, chosen by Asos to showcase talent and then is sold on the Asos website in an auction to the highest bidders. It is a great opportunity to bag yourself a one- off amazing piece of clothing from a future star. Last years pieces sold out in under 2 minutes and this year again the clothes & accessories were really beautiful. There were a couple of amazing bags that I fell in love with and an amazing pair of studded red leather trousers. I saw a few other things I wanted to shove in my handbag right there and then:)including this super cute little wrist bag! I'm in Lust..

I'm sure I wont have a hope in hell of actually getting my hands on any of it as I find ebay auctions stressful enough, but it was nice to look..best of luck to all the graduates. No-one was meant to take pictures, but I gave it a go nevertheless lol The only thing that wasnt that great was the music, the sellection was alright but no attention to order or set building & the mixing was incredibly dubious...when did that become OK!!?
This jacket was great, although my pictures were taken on my phone, so not great. It was very MJ, made from leather with 80s long leather fringes! right up my cul-de-sac


Shout to Dan & Michelle at Super Super Magazine, who we had a funny night out with after :) go out and buy at copy of the mag- it's a great tonic to the recession.

My Coca- Cola Obsession continues...

Thanks to my Bro for buying me the Selfridges 150th Anniversaire Coca- Cola Bottle :) hearts hearts hearts
Im still missing the Sonia Rykiel one tho :(


'open happiness' is soooo right!

One of my favourite singers of all time India on some of my fav DJ's record Masters at Work..I Cant Get No Sleep

Michael McDonald. Legend.

Health Benefits of Beard and Moustache

And now, a quote from Dr. Ruddock, “The beard and the moustache should be permitted to grow as they afford an excellent protection to the delicate organs of the voice of those in whom it is subjected to undue or irregular exercise. After a public address, the tissues in the vicinity of the throat become relaxed and on leaving the place of assembly and entering the open air, inflammatory action commences, and if repeated, chronic affections of the throat and bronchial tubes are often induced; but the unshorn natural respirator, which our Maker intended to be one of the distinguishing features of the male seed, effectively protects these important parts. The hair planted on the human face by the wisdom and goodness of our Creator, has its uses, and we may add, its beauties. Let the young man, therefore, never become a slave to the false and pernicious fashion which compels him to shave off the beard, as it is found contributory to the health, if not the personal improvement, of those who wear it."

Ruddock recommended growth of beard and moustache not only for prevention of sore throat and hoarseness of voice, but for avoiding bronchitis as well.

According to him, the beard and moustache are a .kind of a natural respirator, the shaving off of which is a frequent cause of acute and chronic bronchitis. Can we doubt the wisdom and beneficence of the Creator in giving this ornament to the man, who is so frequently exposed to atmospheric vicissitudes, and withholding it from the woman, who as the keeper at home, requires no such appendage? Hair is an imperfect conductor of both heat and cold and placed round the entrance to the nose and lungs and acts as a blanket, which promotes warmth in cold weather and prevents the dissolving of ice in hot weather. In many instances, the hirsute appendages would protect lawyers, clergymen or other public speakers and singers from the injurious effects of rapid variations of the atmosphere from which professional men so often suffer.

Vintage Donna Summer- Bad Girl, check the glasses. amazing, let alone her pipes

This makes me happy

All The Rage Charity Campaign, concert & photoshoot

I was asked to be involved with a great charity campaign by the people at All The Rage to help awareness of Autism. They are trying to reach young people & raise awareness through music, art and fashion.

There will be an event including US & UK artists & DJ's later in the year.
Funds raised through events will go to Resources for Autism.
More Info here http://www.alltherage.info/

This should be my theme tune..I have enough pairs of them. Tiga 'Shoes' Video

Ema Watson is in the new Burberry Campaign and looks fantastic...

I never used to really be into Burberry until I got a few Burberry pieces. Now I understand that when you are having a bad clothes or hair day, Burberry will come to rescue. Its understated & classic & the pieces are so well made that you cant help fallin love with them once you put them on. Christopher Bailey has brought a rock star edge to the brand over the past few years and the collections are just getting better and better. I loved Aggy as the face of Burberry a couple of yrs ago. I was so- so about Rosie H-W although she is undeniably gorgeous in real life. Now I think I am loving Emma Watson in the role. She looks pretty damn great in these Mario Testino shots, although alot older than her years.

Genius...Slick Rick

Both Myself & my co- producer in my band Statis love Slick Rick. His rapping, his styles and most of all his eyepatch...

I play Brick House whenever I feel the funk, love the styles...

I love this song- I try to work it in a DJ set randomly whenever I feel the funk :)

Big Tune & Rollerskating set to Rare Groove, found this on youtube, wish I could still skate!

I have been doing studio & office ones..so not been posting about gigs too much, but here is some Grace Jones- never a bad thing :)