Archive for June, 2009
by Modculture 23 June, 2009
One of our favourite retailers (and of course, one of our top five modern-day mod labels) is offering something very special for just one week only – 20 per cent off the entire John Smedley range at the newly-relaunched and improved John Smedley online store.
Yes, 20 per cent off the lot, from the classics to the latest styles, which makes it pretty much the perfect time to top up the collection of lightweight summer knitwear, much of it made from John Smedley’s soft and light Sea Island Cotton to keep you cool when the temperatures rise. Free UK delivery too in case you're wondering.
The offer only runs until this Sunday (28th June), so there isn't much time to hang around. If you want to add to your wardrobe, just enter the offer code JSJ22 at the basket stage of your transaction – your 20 per cent will then be knocked off the price. Follow the link below to visit the shop and check out the range.
John Smedley website
by Modculture 22 June, 2009
One for your diary next month – Mind Yuh Business at the Dex, London SW9.
If you can't make out the flyer above, the night offers a live set from Lack Of Afro, along with DJs Tim K (resident), Ashley Beedle and the always-excellent Mary Boogaloo. Expect a mix of vintage soul, ska, funk, boogaloo and lots lots more.
You'll find the Dex at 467-469 Brixton Road, London SW9, with the night running from 9:00pm – 6:00am. Advance tickets can be purchased for £8 or it's £10 on the door. You can pick up tickets from J B's Records, 36 Hanway St, London W1 and Beamish & McGlue, 461 Norwood Road, London SE27.
Mind Yuh Business on MySpace
by Modculture 22 June, 2009
Fancy cruising round the streets on a vintage-style scooter, but don't want to do further damage to the environment? You need one of these Zepii retro-styled electric scooters.
Obviously being both new and electric, this isn't one for the purists. But if you want something cheap and nippy for getting around town, it might be worth a look. Taking its design inspiration from the vintage Vespas (not to mention some nifty lights and a backrest), the Zepii offers between 50 and 60km of travel from an eight hour charge from your mains, costing around 8p for 40 miles of riding and of course, throwing out absolutely no emissions. Top speed? We don't know, but we suspect you'll not be burning rubber when the lights change.
If you want one, check out the Zepii website for the lowdown, with prices around the £849 mark, which seems pretty reasonable for something that costs peanuts to run. See over for another image of the scoot.
Find out more at the Zepii website
Via Retro To Go
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by Modculture 19 June, 2009
I've been overlooking the reviews of late (purely due to lack of time – hopefully it'll be back on track soon), which is a shame as I really need to get a review of London Street Soul 1988 – 2009 (21 Years of Acid Jazz Records) online.
Released by BGP on 29th June 2009, this is a well though out collection of some of the label's finer moments, skipping many of the obviously tracks in favour or some lesser-known, soulful grooves that the label has produced over the years. So rubbing shoulders with the likes of Paul Weller/Andy Lewis, Mother Earth and the Brand New Heavies are more obscure (but equally worthy acts) like Could Nine, Humble Souls, Sandals and Night Trains.
I've spun it a good few times already and it really does make a great summer soundtrack. Look out for a full review soon, but if you want to pick up a copy, Amazon is doing pre-orders now, priced at a very palatable £10.98.
Find out more at the Amazon website
by Modculture 19 June, 2009
We usually get advanced warning of the various mod-related books that come out, but the first we've heard of I'm One (Trust In Mod) by Horst A. Friedrichs is via a pre-release piece from Amazon.
To be honest, the piece makes the book sound pretty awful, but read between the lines and it sounds much better. Skip most of the text and get to: 'Whether shot in Margate, Scarborough, Brighton, or London, Friedrich's photographs could be right out of 1966 in the way they capture the essence of Mod. This rare collection of stunning images provides a sensitive portrayal of Britain's Mod community from the past decade and a unique insight into the diversity of the contemporary Mod scene.'
So essentially a photobook of the modern-day mod scene. Which sounds just fine by us. We'll try and get a copy for review, but in the meantime, you can pre-order for £16.99 for an August delivery.
Find out more at the Amazon website
by Modculture 19 June, 2009
We loved the Olympus EP-1 Micro Four Thirds camera (that we featured earlier in the week), a mix of high-end technology and old school looks, it's the camera we really want to own this summer. If you want to get up close and personal with one, you can do so at Jessops in central London – and meet David Bailey as an added incentive.
Some versions of the retro-styled camera will be on sale on the night, while others can be pre-ordered so you get one as soon as they land. If you do pre-order, Jessops is apparently giving away a free 'Cross' pen to the first 50. we've no idea what that is but it's apparently worth £300. And of course, you can get tips off the coolest photographer in the history of the world too.
If you can't get to the Jessops New Oxford Street branch on 25th June at 6pm, the full range of EP-1 cameras has just gone online, you can check them out (and prices) via the link below. Alternatively, see over the page for the classic David Bailey Olympus ad from the 1970s – we just couldn't resist putting it up.
Find out more at the Jessops website
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by Modculture 19 June, 2009
By all accounts, the first Soulsville went down well, so it's no surprise to see it returning, this time on Friday 26th June 2009.
The monthly night specialises in Motown, northern, Spector sounds, blue-eyed soul, Stax/Atlantic and funk, running from 7pm until 1am at the Mono Cafe/Bar, King's Court, King Street, Glasgow.
Admission is free and if you want to know more, see above or email here.
by Modculture 19 June, 2009
The Adidas reissue program continues apace, this time with the Adidas Samba trainers in suede.
As you probably know, the Samba was developed as a hard ground football shoe in the 60s, later being used for indoor football and of course, as a casual fashion shoe predominantly in the 70s and 80s. Of course, this latest suede reissue is more casual than sportswear, available in the two bold colour schemes above, each with a vulcanised white rubber sole.
Yours for £50.
Find out more at the Oki-Ni website
Via Retro To Go
by Modculture 17 June, 2009
If you are a fan of 60s cult classic Blow Up, you'll not want to miss the open air screening of the movie in one if its iconic locations, Maryon Park.
A stone's throw from Charlton Athletic's football ground, Maryon Park was the place where David Hemmings' character Thomas snapped Jane (Vanessa Redgrave), as well as where he watched the invisible tennis match. Maryon Park hasn't changed a great deal – even the antique shop is still there (although it no longer sells antiques – or didn't when I last went).
The evening includes a full outdoor showing of Blow Up (starting at 10pm) and there will also be tours of film locations in the Park at 7.30 and 8.45pm, along with a 'swinging sixties disco'. Oh yes – you'll need to being a rug or folding chair too and be over 15 (that's the certificate).
Find out more at the Greenwich Council website
Via Cinedelica
by Modculture 17 June, 2009
No, this isn't something from the archives of Olympus, this is a very modern piece of photographic kit – the Olympus E-P1 Micro Four Thirds camera.
What's that you ask? Well, it's a new type of camera, sitting somewhere between a compact camera and a pro-friendly digital SLR – offering the lightness and portability of the former and the high-end features of the latter. The result is something that offers top-notch images without adding weight to your bag, throwing in some retro style as a much-appreciated added bonus.
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