FROM JAZZ FUNK & FUSION TO ACID JAZZ: THE HISTORY OF THE UK JAZZ DANCE SCENE

by Mark Cotgrove

FROM JAZZ FUNK & FUSION TO ACID The History Of The UK Jazz Dance Sceneby Mark ‘Snowboy’ Cotgrove(Chaser Publications) From UK Soul Weekenders to Tokyo Jazz Dance sessions, Mark ‘Snowboy’ Cotgrove’s forthcoming book, From Jazz Funk & Fusion to Acid The History Of The UK Jazz Dance Scene has already acquired a mythical status. 'Foreward' by Professor Robert Farris Thompson of Yale University.

Genres: Music

292 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[marzenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cool book for anyone interested in music subcultures from the UK. This may be the only book written about the Jazz Dance scene in England - and most Americans have zero idea this existed. I'm fortunate to have followed Snowboy since his work with Basia and his Latin Section albums, otherwise I wouldn't have either. He has all the receipts, from flyers to accounts of who was where and what violence happened to disperse the scene (yes, violence at Latin Dance clubs!). He never comes off as boring or pedantic, he's a good storyteller that brings the reader in, and his passion for representing all the figures in the scene and telling the lost history really comes through. Yeah, it's not perfectly edited, but after a bit you feel like it's just part of the rhythm of Snowboy's storytelling. These kinds of books are rare. I'm so glad Mark put this all to paper before it was completely lost to history. I hope Straight No Chaser publishes more books about the UK soul jazz and Black music scene.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book for anyone interested in the UK jazz dance scene or its related sub-genres of music, such as jazz, jazz fusion, jazz funk, and acid-jazz.

The book is split into three sections: the first covers the history of UK jazz dance; the second is a huge collection of interviews with influential dancers and DJs from around the country; and the third is a great list of jazz charts from some of the scene's top DJS, including Colin Curtis, Greg Wilson, Chris Bangs, et al.

Some readers will point out there are a few typos and punctuation errors, but I suggest ignoring these. Look at the pictures, enjoy the memories, and appreciate the huge amount of work that has gone into researching and writing this truly fabulous book.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

very enlightening take on the 70/80's jazz (club) dance movement in England