the end of the century [again]

Top 3 books.
Hiphop files .photographs 1979-1984.martha cooper.
" a visual journey of the birth of an artform. Beautiful photos and commentary from the original activist be hind subway art. Check out ALL CITY in dublin for a
copy. This is essential".

Cant stop wont stop. jeff chang.
" Intensely researched breakdown of the evolving conditions that come together for the scenario that is hip hop. The chapters on bambatta in the 70s and the L.A
riots of the 90s are mike davis influnced socio-cultural writing of the highest order"

John Peel margrave of the marshes.john and sheila peel
" The biography of a hugely influentuial D.J. This book was finished after peels death by his wife and family. A great story of an uncompromising individual who received death threats in the 70s as he began to introduce Jamaican and African music on mainstream radio. I got into hiphop and reggae from tapes of his shows and remember him playing mantronix before a tape of a session in a pub in kerry in 1986. With his death a whole attitude died as well according to sheila peel . What if archives of all his shows could be webcast on a dedicated station?? That would be good!

In the absence of anything "NEW"' this year music wise,
I submit a list of 5 Rock breakbeat records bought second hand in limerick  since january.
Dragon attack......QUEEN
Disco strangler...EAGLES
Flesh for fantasy.BILLY IDOL
Thug......................ZZ TOP
Convention prevention..TEN YEARS AFTER.

Two music related political moments that stood out.
Geldof still going on about doing everyone a favour by not incuding african bands on the main live 8 stage.  Surely the attitude of marginilisation that perpetrates
the"them and us'' aid mentality is worthy of debate.
Placing Elton john and pete moss for conscience raisement over anything from Africa was first world perfection as we stand today.
On a smaller stage ... The limerick event guide "interviewed" a "top" dublin dj in this weeks issue. They couldnt print the name of his villan of the year as the dj remarked that a similar answer by "someone else" prevented them entry to the usa when Bushs stormtroopers read it! ...Dougal!!! Dreams!.. Reality!!

Paul Tarpey