I normally publish a post about the latest brilliant crime thriller by my talented friend Cara Hunter when I’ve returned from the launch party. But these (I write this in Sepember 2021) are not normal times. The Whole Truth, the fifth in her remarkable Oxford-set DI Fawley series, was released without a launch in January, … Continue reading
Swansea Jazz Club is back
I was delighted to learn that Swansea Jazz Club is back in action! Artistic director Dave Cottle has revived the club after the COVID-19 hiatus, with a busy autumn (2021) programme, featuring many top UK jazz artists. Dave has been presenting live jazz in the city for 25 years, including the Swansea International Jazz Festival … Continue reading
Short films project finds success in competitions
A series of short screenplays, known as The Annalium Project (featured in this blog earlier this year), has been finding success in international competitions. The project’s creator (my pal) Robert Lancey had been hoping to have started filming the first film ‘Sssss’ by now, but the continuing COVID-19 pandemic has kept that on hold until … Continue reading
A jazz-fusion opus in the key of ‘i’
Billed as ‘music like you have never heard before’, pianist Anders Helmerson leads bassist Lukasz Chula and drummer Juan Meija as the Anders Helmerson Trio to present ‘the world’s first opus in the key of i’. To my unsophisticated ears, the lead track at least is a glorious mix of piano-led jazz fusion with elements of prog rock, though … Continue reading
Dragon Knight – ‘gritty fantasy epic’ from a house of horror
A new film about medieval knights, the supernatural, and a dragon was always going to interest me. When it comes from a studio specialising in horror, then it interests me even more. And this is the case with Dragon Knight. Scottish genre house Hex Studios are the people behind the project, having previously given us … Continue reading
Live debut for Sarah Moule’s new album
Live in-person performances have been a rarity lately, so I was delighted to hear that Sarah Moule will be appearing at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho later this month. The gig on Wednesday 30th June marks the premiere of her new album Stormy Emotions, which I reviewed earlier this year. She will be performing with … Continue reading
Reflecting on Mrs Noah via Zoom
An updated version of the Noah’s Ark story told with an environmental message and a feminist twist live via Zoom! That describes the recent production of Mrs Noah Fights Back! from Untamed Productions. It was an ambitious project, but it worked brilliantly, and I thoroughly enjoyed the performance I saw [April 17]. I asked Poppy … Continue reading
‘Visions of Beulah’ – short film explores reality and meaning
When artist Mari reveals to her PhD student boyfriend that she can hear his thoughts, he decides he must think in images to maintain balance. As he opens himself up to imagination and memory, his world loses its characteristic rationale. That’s the intriguing premise of the forthcoming short film by Thomas Riordan, Visions of Beulah. Continue reading
Mrs Noah Fights Back – with music, jokes, and a serious message
A community of actors, formed in lockdown, is presenting an online production with jokes, music, and a serious message about the environment. Mrs Noah Fights Back! is an environmentally reimagined Noah’s Ark – with a feminist twist, which was originally performed as a piece of street theatre. Continue reading
Inventive touches for a new video on the ‘Magic’ of love
The latest R&B video from my transatlantic friends and near-namesakes at True Weltch Media was recently released (or ‘dropped’ as I need to start saying). Magic is a romantic song, featuring a trio of New Jersey artists – two of whom I’ve featured before, Jo Rivers and Mytus, along with Raq, all from the city … Continue reading