October 25, 2011

Funk Against Fascism

By djsherlockohms

Back in the dark days of the early Seventies, spurred on by the like of Enoch Powells “Rivers of Blood” speech, the National Front and associated far Right groups were on the rise, and were generally making life miserable for any immigrants in the vicinity.

Rock Against Racism, founded in 1976, was punk music’s attempt to raise awareness of the issue, and to counter the brainwashing of young people by, well, a bunch of jack booted thugs. They organised series of  huge marches and multi-cultural gigs, supported by the luminaries of the day, such as  The Clash, Buzzcocks, Steel Pulse, X-Ray Spex,  Stiff Little Fingers, Aswad and Elvis Costello, to persuade people to turn their back on the fascists and embrace the melting pot of modern Britain.

In 2002, driven by the rise in activity of the National Front and BNP, the Anti-Nazi League and Unite Against Fascism relaunched the concept, this time called “Love Music, Hate Racism“, and carrying forward the founders of Rock Against Racism ideas, in that modern music is influenced by many cultures and traditions, and that it can be used to bring different kinds of people together. The modern run of gigs have been supported by Ms Dynamite, Hard -Fi, Akala, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Estelle,  Lethal Bizzle, Roll Deep Crew and Basement Jaxx amongst a horde of others.

Right, so why the history lesson?

If you’re a regular to this blog (and if you’re not, why not?) you’ll know I’m hugely into Nu-Funk/Ghetto Funk & Breakbeat music. Many of the ‘names’ of the scene, including Fort Knox Five, Ewan Hoozami, Hero No 7, Johnny Pluse, tOTaLcULt, BadboE  are doing their bit, and have got together a bunch of exclusive tracks for an album called ‘Funk Against Fascism‘ to support Love Music, Hate Racism. Every penny of the artists’ and label’s royalties will go directly to the charity, and will help them in their work supporting anti-racist and anti-fascist activity.

The tracks can be previewed here, and are getting an exclusive play on Space Invader Radio here from 8pm GMT tonight.

“No other charity celebrates cultural differences like ‘Love Music, Hate Racism‘ and no other music genre revels in sonic diversity more than the breaks scene. It’s a match made in heaven.”

The album is launched on November 4th, and is available on Junodownload  for the princely sum of seven and a half quid. Go and get involved

About djsherlockohms

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Obsessive music nerd for since his formative years, Sherlock Ohms finally pulled his finger out and started inflicting his collection of Funk, Soul, Hip-hop, Reggae, Breaks, Beats and random ephemera on the unwitting public in mid-2008. Since then he's graced the airwaves of Big Chill FM and Purple Radio, the stages of the Festinho festival, and the DJ booths of the UK fluffing for the likes of DJ Moneyshot, Boca 45 and Ugly Duckling. Whether it's early morning chilled wig outs, or eclectic party starting beat fests there's a reason they call him 'No Shit Sherlock' View all posts by djsherlockohms
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