Adidas Samba trainers in white

I know from previous features that there are a lot of Adidas Samba fans out there, so retailer Size could have just what you want - an exclusive on the classic trainer in a stylish white leather finish.

As you probably already know, the Samba was originally a football shoe back in 1962 before becoming a street classic, with this reissue still offering that timeless profile, boosted here with that mix of white leather and white mesh for the upper, constrasted with an airforce blue for the sole and branding.

Very smart and certain to be limited in numbers, it retails for £54.99.

Find out more at the Size website

Via Retro To Go

Georgie Fame Mod Classics CD reviewed

It's just hot the shelves, but if you're still unsure about buying the Georgie Fame Mod Classics 1964 - 1966 CD, you might want to check out our review.

If you've missed it previously, let us tell you that this BGP release is designed to complement the previous 'Beat Classics' release, offering up 24 dancefloor-friendly Fame tracks that mix jazz, rhythm and blues and soul, some that have only been available in Japan since their original releases were deleted in the late 60s.

Mark Raison of the excellent Monkey Picks blog has kindly done the review, which is online right now.

Georgie Fame Mod Classics 1964 - 1966 review at Modculture

Retro TV W/C 29th January 2010

Barry Murphy returns once more to trawl the TV and radio guides (so you don't have to), finding anything worth tuning into this week. All listings are for UK terrestrial TV, Freeview and national radio, with the shows running from Friday 29th January to Thursday 4th February 2010.

Highlight of the week

The first of a four-part series Latin Music USA starts on BBC 4 this week (Friday 29th, 9pm. Repeated Sunday 31st, 10pm), revealing the deep musical and social impact of Latin music in the USA. The massive success of Santana's innovative Latin-blues at the Woodstock Festival leads back in time to the first Cuban immigrants arriving, with their Afro-Cuban music, into the States. Using feature film clips, rare archive and location filming, the programme reveals how Afro-Cuban music has impacted - since early last century - on jazz, pop rhythms and dance styles.

From Cuban rumba to New York mambo, Latin music enthralled 1950s America, challenging racial attitudes and changing the stereotypes projected in movies like West Side Story. It influenced Hollywood, TV sitcoms and 60s rock 'n' roll, as the Beatles and many American R&B bands absorbed Latin rhythms into the wider worlds of rock music, fashion and culture. Featuring Carlos Santana, Cachao, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie and the greatest names in Afro-Cuban music.

Kevin Rowland chats in Manchester

I know there are a lot of Dexy's fans out there, so I'm guessing the Close Up event will be of interest for anyone in the Manchester area.

The concept is from writer/DJ Dave Haslam (who actually DJ'd my last Outta Sight club night) - he will be hosting nights where you get up close and personal with musicians, poets, artists and actors discussing their life and work, the first of those being Kevin Rowland, taking place at the Green Room in the city centre.

It takes place on Thursday 11th March, with tickets £9 in advance. Next on the list is Mark E. Smith on Saturday 20th March, which should also be something special. I'm hoping for John Cooper Clarke at a future event, especially if he waxes lyrical about his Twisted Wheel days.

Green Room website

Next Boogaloo Bunker in London

London's Boogaloo Bunker takes place on Friday 5th February and the first Friday of every month thereafter.

Promising to play the best in '60s soul, ska, R&B and associated sounds from Residents Gary and John, the club will also host Brixton's Paul Butterworth, who will be playing some choice cuts from his mammoth ska collection.

Boogaloo Bunker takes place at the The Grand Union, Kentish Town, 53-79 Highgate Road, NW5 1TL, running from 9pm 'til 1am - admission is free.

Boogaloo Bunker on Facebook