7th July 2014
New Website Celebrates Leicester’s Black Music History
2Funky Arts has put together a unique website on the history of Black music styles in Leicester, featuring their acclaimed documentary film on the subject.
Their Spectrum project tracks the city’s history of soul, disco, reggae, R&B, gospel, drum ‘n’ bass, hip hop and ‘urban’ music over the last 40 years. It covers singers, bands, DJ’s, sound systems, dancers, musicians and record labels, across music of Black origin.
As well as the film itself, the website includes full length interviews with artists, as well as historical photographs, original footage, sound clips and flyers. Artists interviewed for the film include reggae DJ’s Junior Blues and Skully, singer Carol Leeming, Jazz DJ Tony Minvielle, Producer and entrepreneur DJSS, Classic Groove DJ Collective and soul/ funk band Saquii. Vocalist Bizzi Dixon, who reached the semi-final in BBC1’s The Voice this year, was also featured.
Vijay Mistry, Director of 2Funky Arts said:
“We were unable to include all material in the film, so this website is the perfect platform for all of our exciting discoveries. The breadth of material is testament to the overwhelming public interest in the project.”
Colin Hyde, of East Midlands Oral History Archive, has said of the film:
“It is entertaining, informative and thought provoking and is a great example of how the memories of the people involved in the music business can bring the subject alive for new audiences.”
This is a five year project, building on what we have already, and artists and local music fans are encouraged to continue to submit flyers, photos, press articles, footage and other material reflecting the history of 40 years of Black music in Leicester. Contact Vijay on info@2funkyarts.co.uk for more information.
To visit the website and view the film, please go to: www.spectrumleicester.co.uk
Official Partners: Leicester Arts and Museums Service, East Midlands Oral History Archive, Mainstream Partnership, Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, African Caribbean Centre, African Caribbean Citizens Forum, Embrace Arts, Curve Theatre and HCC.
See also:
Home page for the #news section
Page on #heritage news
New #films