Modculture News

Motown Definitive Performances DVD

There's been plenty of cheap and nasty Motown DVDs in the past, but Universal has just released one that might be worthy of your cash - Motown Definitive Performances - the DVD.

Described as presenting '18 classic classic television performances', it uses original footage from between 1965 and 1972, including the likes of The Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye, Martha and the Vandellas, The Four Tops, The Supremes and Stevie wonder to name just 7 of the 18 acts present (including a couple of less obvious names too, like he Contours and Brenda Holloway).

All are here with remastered audio for the modern era, along with a host of extras, including a Berry Gordy 'Teen Town' interview, vintage interviews with the acts themselves, footage of the 'Motown Picnic' and a round-up of news and events from 1959, the year that brought us Motown. You can pick it up now from Amazon, priced at £9.98. Look out for a review here soon.

Find out more about the DVD at Amazon

Boogaloo Bunker in north London

We've mentioned it before, but if you're in the area, you might want to make a note in your diary about Boogaloo Bunker.

Boogaloo Bunker will be shaking its pert tail for the third time on Friday 4th December and the first Friday of each month thereafter. Gary and Andy will be spinning the very best in 60s soul, ska and R&B with perhaps a touch of mod rock and Two Tone thrown in. Expect guest DJs and cult movies too.

It all takes place at The Grand Union Kentish Town, 53-79 Highgate Road, London NW5 1TL from 9pm til late - admission is £4 on the door.

Boogaloo Bunker on Facebook

New band: Deep Street Soul

Looking for some rough, funk Hammond-driven soul? Deep Street Soul might have what you're looking for.

Out of Australia, the band have been together since 2006, but have just released their debut album on Freestyle Records this week, which you can sample on the Freestyle site or on the band's MySpace site.

If you listen to just one song, make sure it's the band's cover of MC5's Kick Out The Jams - excellent stuff. The self-titled album is available from Amazon, priced at £8.98.

More on the CD at Amazon.co.uk

Spotify playlist: School For Cool

Very much liking this Spotify playlist via the Modculture forums - School For Cool.

Compiled by Slim Jenkins, it's a collection of 15 laid back grooves, everything from Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Quartet through to Serge Gainsbourg and Barry Adamson. Perfect for a relaxing evening indoors.

Check it out via the link, just as long as you're signed up to Spotify.

School For Cool playlist at Spotify

Fifi Babydoll 60s-style dress

US retro brand Heartbreaker are best known for their fifties styles for women, but their 60s reproduction pieces are as accomplished as the best brands. This Fifi Babydoll Dress is a perfect piece of vintage styled clothing that doesn't put a foot wrong.

The babydoll style instantly sets this squarely in the mod sphere, and plenty of the detailing gives it that uniquely mid-sixties British look. A houndstooth print in sharp monochrome black and white is set off perfectly by black trim at the collar and high empire line. A sleeveless cut, a-line shape and high neckline complete the effortlessly retro look.

Get it online from PinUp Girl Clothing for $82.

Find out more from the website

Via Retro To Go

Retro TV W/C 20th November 2009

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 20th November to Thursday 26th November 2009.

Highlight of the week

Another disappointing listing this week I'm afraid, not much here to highlight. Channel 4's 3-D season continues with The Greatest Ever 3-D Moments (Saturday 21st, 9.20pm. Repeated Sunday 22nd, 11.10pm), so dig out your spectacles and get set for a quick run through the most memorable 3-D moments of cinema, television and pop. Ranging from the spectacular to the weird and wacky, the top ten takes in works from the pioneering days of the 1950s through to the technological marvels of the present day. Clips from Creature of the Black Lagoon, Jaws 3-D and Doctor Who are interspersed with interviews with the cast and crew of the ten best moments.

Other than that, there's a late night repeat for the Paul Weller documentary Paul Weller: into Tomorrow (BBC 4. Friday 20th, 12.40am) followed by BBC4 Sessions: Paul Weller (Friday 20th, 2.10am).

Friday 20th November

TV

The Queen in 3-D (1/2) - Channel 4. 8.00pm - 9.00pm
In 1953 two cameramen, Bob Angell and Arthur Wooster, filmed a 3-D colour newsreel they called Royal Review. The reel featured footage of Elizabeth II before and after her Coronation, and included her journey to Westminster Abbey on 2 June. She was also filmed attending events, as well as taking a trip down the Thames on the royal barge. As part of a nostalgia project, the pair shoot new 3-D footage of the Queen today, using state-of-the-art video cameras.

The Queen in 3-D (2/2) - Channel 4. 9.00pm - 10.00pm
In this second part images reveal not only more of the Queen, but also of the nation in postwar times. As much of industrial Britain is rebuilt, footage of huge chemical plants and vast machines for turning farmland into coal mines is captured. Adding a touch of glamour, the Queen Mother is filmed going on holiday by flying boat to Madeira.

Film: Friday the 13th Part III (3-D) (1982) - Channel 4. 10.00pm - 11.55pm
Horror sequel. Hockey-masked killer Jason Voorhees rises from the grave to wreak a bloody revenge, starting with another attack on the ill-fated holidaymakers at Camp Crystal Lake. Part of Channel 4's 3-D season.

Paul Weller: into Tomorrow - BBC 4. 12.40am - 2.10am
The Lennon and McCartney of the Grange Hill age was how music icon Paul Weller was once described. This intimate biography, told by Weller and those who know him, features rare and previously unseen phots and archive footage. It charts his upbringing in Woking, his early years with the Jam, the creation of the Style Council, his insecurity, his return to popularity in the early 1990s, and his view on where he finds himself now. Contributors include Weller's parents, Bruce Foxton, Boy George, Mick Talbot, Steve White, ex-wife Dee C Lee and Noel Gallagher.

Film: Don't Look Now (1973) - ITV 1. 1.10am - 3.00am
Atmospheric supernatural thriller starring Donald Sutherland. Following the drowning of their daughter, John and Laura Baxter go to Venice where they meet a woman who claims to be able to communicate with the dead child, and are soon drawn towards a mysterious and forbidding fate.

Film: Patrick (1978) - BBC 2. 2.10am - 3.10am
Australian thriller starring Robert Thompson as the comatose Patrick who develops a passion for nurse Susan Penhaligon which leads to a series of increasingly malevolent telekinetic happenings.

BBC4 Sessions: Paul Weller - BBC 4. 2.10am - 3.10am
Includes songs from 22 Dreams, along with some classics from the solo and Jam era. Special guests include Eliza Carthy, Graham Coxon and Oasis guitarist Gem Archer.

Saturday 21st November

TV

The Greatest Ever 3-D Moments - Channel 4. 9.20pm - 10.20pm
Dig out your spectacles and get set for a quick run through the most memorable 3-D moments of cinema, television and pop. Ranging from the spectacular to the weird and wacky, the top ten takes in works from the pioneering days of the 1950s through to the technological marvels of the present day. Clips from Creature of the Black Lagoon, Jaws 3-D and Doctor Who are interspersed with interviews with the cast and crew of the ten best moments.

The Thick of it (5/8) - BBC 2. 10.10pm - 10.40pm
New. Series Three. Nichola Murray and shadow minister Peter Mannion take part in a Radio 5 Live debate on Richard Bacon's late-night phone-in, but when breaking news makes things very difficult for the politicians, Malcolm and the Opposition PR guru Stewart Pearson are swift to respond.

Film: Friday the 13th Part III (3-D) (1982) - Channel 4. 10.20pm - 12.10am
Horror sequel. Hockey-masked killer Jason Voorhees rises from the grave to wreak a bloody revenge, starting with another attack on the ill-fated holidaymakers at Camp Crystal Lake. Part of Channel 4's 3-D season.

The Unseen Spike Milligan - More4. 11.25pm - 12.30am
An intimate insight into the life of the troubled comedy legend.

Film: Dracula (1979) - Channel 4. 1.35am - 3.30am
Horror starring Frank Langella and Laurence Olivier. A wolf-like creature flees a storm-struck ship off the Yorkshire coast before vanishing into the night. The next day, an unlisted survivor is found in a cave.

Radio

Sounds of the 60s - BBC Radio 2. 8.00am - 10.00am
Brian Matthew spins two hours of hits, B -sides and album tracks.

The Funk and Soul Show - BBC 6 Music. 6.00pm - 9.00pm
3 hours of funk, soul and blues presented by Craig Charles.

Sunday 22nd November

TV

Derren Brown Presents the 3-D Magic Spectacular - Channel 4. 10.00pm - 11.10pm
The host presents some of Britain's leading performers as they dazzle audiences with some amazing trickery, plus archive 3-D footage of some of the world's greatest magic tricks.

Channel 4. 11.10pm - 12.10am
The Greatest Ever 3-D Moments - Dig out your spectacles and get set for a quick run through the most memorable 3-D moments of cinema, television and pop. Ranging from the spectacular to the weird and wacky, the top ten takes in works from the pioneering days of the 1950s through to the technological marvels of the present day. Clips from Creature of the Black Lagoon, Jaws 3-D and Doctor Who are interspersed with interviews with the cast and crew of the ten best moments.

Storyville: Hi Society - the Wonderful World of Nicky Haslam - BBC 4. 12.15am - 1.15am
Documentary providing a look at the life of Nicky Haslam, the renowned socialite whose popularity with royalty and rock stars has helped him become one of the most successful interior designers.

Monday 23rd November

TV

Gracie! - BBC 4. 9.00pm - 10.20pm
New. Jane Horrocks stars as Gracie Fields in this romantic drama about the singer from Rochdale who, in the 1930s, became the nation's darling, reflecting the spirit of the age.

Tuesday 24th November

TV

The Sweeney - ITV 4. 8.00pm - 9.00pm
The Flying Squad trails a jewel thief who impersonates a policeman to carry out a heist.

Auf Wiedershen, Pet - ITV 4. 9.00pm - 11.10pm
Double bill of the classic comedy drama. A new face joins the gang.

Imagine... Dame Shirley Bassey: the Girl from Tiger Bay - BBC 1. 10.35pm - 11.35pm
A profile of the Welsh singer on the release of an album of songs composed for her by, among others, Gary Barlow, Rufus Wainwright and KT Tunstall.

Dame Shirley Bassey: Electric Proms - BBC 4. 11.35 pm - 12.35am
The Welsh diva celebrates 50 years in showbusiness with a special performance at London's Roundhouse, featuring classic songs from her repertoire as well as tracks from her new album The Performance.

Duets: The Andy Williams Show - BBC 4. 12.35am - 1.35am
A selection of the veteran performer's duets recorded during his decade-long run as host of a weekly variety show on the American network NBC. Featuring Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, Judy Garland and Ray Charles.

Wednesday 25th November

TV

Film: Carry on Dick (1974) - Channel 4. 1.40pm - 3.25pm
Saucy comedy starring Sid James. In Georgian England all travellers are fair game to highwayman Dick Turpin. The Bow Street runners are at their wits end: little do they know that Dick has the most ingenious of disguises.

Flight of the Conchords (7/12) - BBC 4. 10.00pm - 10.30pm
Series one. Bret and Jermaine go to war with a fruit vendor.

Thursday 26th November

TV

Film: The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) - Channel 4. 1.25pm - 3.25pm
Stylish romantic crime caper starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. Millionaire Thomas Crown plans an ingenious bank robbery and finds himself drawn into a battle of wits with top insurance investigator Vicky Anderson.

The Professionals - ITV 4. 7.00pm - 8.00pm
A "ghost" with a vendetta causes chaos.

Gracie! - BBC 4. 10.00pm - 11.20pm
Jane Horrocks stars as Gracie Fields in this romantic drama about the singer from Rochdale who, in the 1930s, became the nation's darling, reflecting the spirit of the age.

The Thick of it (5/8) - BBC 4. 11.20pm - 11.50pm
Series Three. Nichola Murray and shadow minister Peter Mannion take part in a Radio 5 Live debate on Richard Bacon's late-night phone-in, but when breaking news makes things very difficult for the politicians, Malcolm and the Opposition PR guru Stewart Pearson are swift to respond.

NUTS NYE party in London

Another contender for your cash as you see out the old year and see in the new, the New Untouchables Nutty New Years Party.

Taking place on 31st December (obviously) at The Venue on Great Portland Street, there's three rooms of music running through the night, everything from northern and club soul through to freakbeat garage and psych.

Full details are in our events section, tickets are £15 advance, £20 on the door.

NUTS NYE party details at Modculture

Fred Perry v Stussy range

Fred Perry has been playing away again, this time with US streetwear label Stussy to produce a range of FP gear with a twist.

The range includes six limited edition styles,including a slim-fit Fred Perry shirt styled in a Stussy check, a re-worked tennis bomber jacket, a heritage slim-fit, buttoned-down collar shirt and a leather and check Varsity jacket with tipped collar and cuffs. It's apparently 'the definition of modernist’, according to Nick Bower, Creative Director at Stussy,

It all should be in the stores around February 2010, priced up from the standard range, that's for sure. More over the page.

Fred Perry website

Via High Snobiety

Pretty Green parka gets premium finish

I'm not sure about Liam Gallagher's Pretty Green label. At one point, we got invited down to see the collection, then that invite seemed to be rescinded, followed by our requests for advance images being ignored. Which worries me slightly - and leaves us having to give our opinions on the new range based on the small shots that are now available on the Pretty Green site. That includes this Green Label parka and the Black Label parka.

As we have no background on either, we just have to take them as we see them - a 'premium' take and a variation on the original parka from the range, the Green Label version is made from a shower-resistant cotton that's said to have a 'deep, rich colour' and detailing that includes internal storm cuffs inside the sleeves. The higher-end Black Label (pictured here in Ivory finish) is made of what's described as a 'canvas and metal composite fabric.

According to the sales blurb, they're ideal for the '21st century mod'. One that's minted anyway - the Green Label version goes for £275, while the Black Label parka sells for a jaw-dropping £450. Both are available to order from 18th November 2009 - and as a bonus, neither seem to have that awful oversized logo on the arm.

Find out more at the Pretty Green website

Fleur De Lys book now available

We've not yet seen a finished copy, but the early reviews have been very positive about Circles: The Strange Story of the Fleur De Lys, Britain's Forgotten Soul Band by Paul Anderson and Damian Jones. If that's enough for you, the book is now available to buy.

If you missed our earlier articles, this Acid Jazz-published book looks at one of the great unsung mod bands of the 60s, charting the Southampton band's journey from soul hopefuls through to mod/freakbeat legends - their cover of The Who's 'Circles' and their own 'Mud In Your Eye' will set you back well over £600.

Authors Paul Anderson and Damian Jones have interviewed every surviving member to tell the band's story, taking some bigger names too, including Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Aretha Franklin and The Who. Amazon has the 128-page book in stock, priced at £12.34.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Linen Mini Dress by You

The approach to winter is probably not the best time to go looking for a linen dress, but when it's this cute and retro it's worth snapping up. This Linen Mini Dress by You is a chic little sixties inspired number rarely found on the high street.

With a well cut a-line shape, complete with a feminine waist accent and capped sleeves, the shape is perfect for a mid sixties style. A mini hemline is offset by a high neckline, while interest is added by the contrast tabbed collar, pockets and a rouched neck detail.

Get this online from New Look's Boutique brands section for £30.

Find out more from the website

Via Retro To Go

Goodbye links, hello FAQs

Modculture has been around almost 10 years in its current form and during that time, we've changed things around, swapped things around and added numerous new bits and pieces. Which is what we'll be doing again in the coming weeks.

Our links section is looking a bit tired and the popular sites section has been hijacked by certain retailers. With that in mind, the links section is going. In its place will be a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, effectively a Q&A covering all the most commonly-asked questions to the site and on the forum.

The section should build up over time and will include some links to sites - if they're appropriate to an answer. If there's anything you think should be included, let us know. Otherwise we'll rely on the things that most often hit the inbox.

eBay watch: Philips 22GF record player

While the 50s and 60s gave us Dansettes (and the various copies), the 1970s saw plastic enter the fray, offering more space age, lightweight designs for portable record players. The Philips 22GF 423 record player is one such example and indeed a rare one, which you can bid for on eBay right now.

It's a really cool, slimline. fold-out player, complete with built-in handle, the option to power with batteries and mains, three playback speeds, tone and volume controls and of course, a built-in speaker.

Condition is described as 'very good', but you'll have to pay postage from Germany (unless you live there) and get the mains sorted out for your own country. Price? Just £13.50 right now, with 9 days still to go.

More images and full description at the eBay website

Leica M7 Hermes Edition camera

Not out soon enough to make our best 60s-style cameras list, the Leica M7 Hermes Edition camera would certainly have been a contender, although a ridiculously high price would certainly have gone against it.

This ultra-stylish limited edition of the classic 35mm rangefinder system camera is limited to just 100 units of each of the two colour combos - the orange above and a more laid back brown for the calfskin leather - each individually numbered for authenticity.

For the technical amongst you, if offers up a Leica SUMMILUX-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. wide-angle lens, a matching classic round lens hood and a LEICAVIT M rapid winder, along with a real leather carrying strap matched to the colour of the camera and a linen-covered, silk-lined box. £8,850 is the price of this baby. If that's not scared you off, head on down to your local authorised Leica dealers and the Leica Store in Mayfair from December.

Leica website

Via Retro To Go

Spotify playlist: Back to the Basement

Following on from his excellent Down in the Basement playlist, Sulli has come up with another gem of a Spotify playlist - Back to the Basement.

32 tracks, covering staple mod territory of vintage Latin, jazz, R&B and soul once more, some you'll know, some that will be new to you. And perfect for livening up a dull afternoon at work.

Check it out via the link, just as long as you have a Spotify account. Sadly, I've no invites left if you haven't - it might be worth asking on Twitter or Facebook for one.

Back to the Basement Spotify playlist

100 Club 6TS All-nighter - November

If a night of rare vintage soul appeals to you during this wet and windy November, you can always get yourself down to the 6TS All-nighter, which as ever, takes place at the 100 Club, 100 Oxford Street, London.

The date this month is Saturday November 28th, with Butch and Ady Croasdell joined by Alan Paterson and Joel Maslin.

It runs from 10pm until 6am, full details at the 6TS website

Find out more at the 6TS website

Italian Job drive-in screening

We don't have many drive-in screenings in the UK, so just for that, it might be worth checking out the Pinewood Studios drive-in screenings. But make sure you book for Friday 4th December, that's when the original 1969 Italian Job, starring Michael Caine, is on the large screen.

Over the next few weeks, you and your friends (a maximum of four per car) can turn up and watch a selection of films on a massive screen at Pinewood Studios, specifically their Paddock Lock area - the outdoor filming area for the iconic studios.

Tickets per car are charged at £35 (standard), £55 (VIP, including premium parking and service). You can get refreshments on the night, but there's no alcohol - not even for the passengers. Booking details and more information at the website.

Italian Job drive-in screening

Dictionary of Hipster Slang reissued

We featured the original of this way back in 2006 on Retro To Go, since when a second editon has been and gone, leaving us with a 3rd edition of Straight From The Fridge, Dad by Max Decharne, the dictionary of hipster slang.

It's still the same concept - thousands of examples of hipster slang drawn from pulp novels, classic noir and exploitation films, blues, country and rock'n'roll lyrics and other trashy sources from the 1920s to the 1960s. Only now there's more of it - from bug spray to goof syrup, from lupara sickness to a juice jolt. Not only that, the increased size of the book means more trashy images - a ten-fold increase on the previous release, photos, book covers, musicians and hip characters of their day, they're all here and more.

It's available online now, priced at £14.44.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Via Retro To Go