© Words - Matteo Sedazzari
“My strength is as the strength of ten, because my heart is pure.”

As stated by Alfred Lord Tennyson in his poem about the Arthurian legend Sir Galahad. Galahad noted for his chivalry, bravery and virtue, and with his traits, as the legend goes, to be one of only three people to see and touch the Holy Grail. Like a lot of legends and folklore,

© Words Matteo Sedazzari 

The Secret Disco Revolution is an ambitious, well structured, informative and entertaining  documentary made by Toronto born film maker Jamie Kastner.  Kastner has chosen a music genre and movement that in the year 2014 most people take for granted, not in a dismissive way, but the sheer fact that if any famous piece of disco music, such as Thelma Houston’s Don't Leave Me This Way, comes on the radio or at a party,

© Words Matteo Sedazzari
When the album opens up with Steve Marriott  bragging at the start “I've got a new axe, it's gonna make me rock hard man! “, you just know you are about  to enter into a loud, powerful and epic voyage of pure rock ‘n’ roll.  And if you were lucky enough to be in attendance at the Fillmore you certainly got your money’s worth, as you do with this album.   Marriott and the boys play more than just a gig, they give a heroic performance that can now be remembered for the worth that it should.

© Words Matteo Sedazzari

“Why not just live in the moment, especially if it has a good beat?” Goldie Hawn,
Inspiring words from a beautiful woman who achieved international stardom and iconic status in the late  sixties, as a regular in the US hit cult comedy show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, a wacky and satirical sketch show which ran from January 1968 to  March 1973.  A comedy show that seemed to be part of the counter culture revolution

© Words Matteo Sedazzari
November 2013 saw Universal Music re-release all of The Jam’s studio  albums, on viny In the City May 1977, This Is the Modern World November 1977, All Mod Cons November 1978, Setting Sons November 1979, Sound Affects November 1980 and The Gift March 1982 (originally released on Polydor). Six great albums LPS (if we are going to get nostalgic) that have certainly stood the test of time well. Be it the poignant, yet angst, Away from The Numbers (In The City), the rhythmic paranoid and eerie Scrape Away (Sound Affects), or the power pop ballad Carnation (The Gift).  

© Words – Matteo Sedazzari

“Play it fuckin' loud!” Bob Dylan, true words from a great songwriter.  Even though Dylan may not be a direct influence to London veterans, The Fallen Leaves, they certainly do play it fuckin’ loud.  Formed in West London in 2004 by Rob Symmons ( guitar) and Rob Green (vocals), and Paul Myers (bass), all three seasoned performers from the punk and new wave circuit.

© Words Matteo Sedazzari

The origin of the 12” single originated from Jamaica in the late 50’s, and developed further into the sixties with the birth of ska, rocksteady, early reggae and sound systems, where party goers would dance to the beat of home grown talent that was longer than the three minute single. Furthermore, with the birth of disco in the 70’s, with the clubs of New York and such like, soul, funk and r ‘n’ b influenced tunes, in 4/4 time, with the bass pumping the music along, the disco dancers needed the groove to go on forever, beyond conventional airtime. 

© Words Matteo Sedazzari

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains  (directed by Lou Adler, Up in Smoke  and ex owner of Dunhill and Ode record labels) is a marvellous film that captures the trappings of fame, life on the road and general chaos experienced in rock ‘n’ roll.  Released in 1982 although made in 1980, with additional footage shot two years later to offer a more positive ending to same.  It tells the story of an all female punk/new wave band The Fabulous Stains from Pennsylvania.  Looking like sixties group The Shaggs, led by the arrogant and distrustful Corinne “third degree” Burns  played by Diane Lane

© Words Matteo Sedazzari
“You don't get anywhere without effort, do you lad?” Ruxton Towers Reformatory’s Governor - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)

Harsh words of encouragement to young offender Colin Smith, the central character in the above. A young man who finds himself incarcerated, due to a burglary. Smith is a rebellious youth, whose only form of solace is to run long distances, where he feels he is away from the world,

© Words Matteo Sedazzari
It would unfair to say that Nile Rodgers is having a renaissance, as his music has never gone away nor has it aged, be it Sister Sledge or Chic, timeless classics that still enthral and pulsate any dance floor,  regardless of age.  I remember back in my days of clubbing, late eighties to early nighties, that Sister Sledge’s Thinking of You  became a club anthem, the smiles on the dancers faces were truly beautiful,