The ‘Harlem Hellfighters’
This short BBC video reveals a fascinating piece of hidden history: the all-black US army regiment dubbed “the Harlemn Hellfighters” that fought in World War I. The graphic novel about the black troops – and their return home – looks interesting too.
Chicago’s blues: DJ Rashad obituary
I’ve just woken up to hear the sad new that DJ Rashad has died, aged 35. Born Rashad Harden, DJ Rashad was instrumental in bringing Chicago’s footwork style of dance music to a global audience.
February’s tracks of the month – with a Detroit flavour
This is my top 10 selection of albums for the past month, February 2014.
The Great Sit-Down Strike
The Great Sit-Down Strike of 1936-1937 saw US car and component workers take on the powerful multinational car giant, General Motors.
Amiri Baraka: Soul and Madness
On 29 December 1965, a group of musicians, critics and activists gathered at St Paul the Apostle School in New York to debate the relationship between jazz and revolutionary black nationalism.