Dean Chalkley

©Dean Chalkley

Recently Dean contributed both photographic and moving image aspects to the Acid Jazz & Other Illicit Grooves touring exhibition .

This popular show looks back to the cultural movement that had its own unique musical blend, fashions and club culture. Emerging in the late 1980's this vibrant scene grew into a world wide phenomenon.

The exhibitions organisers AGMP commissioned Dean to make the series of photographs and also to create a moving image piece that would be screen in the exhibition.

Above is a portrait Dean made of Gilles Peterson, it's a picture from the series of images Dean made that appeared in a publication that accompanied the show.  All the subjects Dean photographed for this project were people important to the development of the scene.

For the film aspect Dean collaborated with Florian Bel at JMNI to make a long form film piece. Running for over an hour and featuring the same subjects as the photographic series the sitters in the film explain how the Acid Jazz movement came about, grew and expanded. This interview film provides an incredible insight into the development of the scene from different perspectives including what and how the music was, the clubs and promotion of events that are nowadays viewed as seminal and crucial, to how dancers expressed themselves and the overall energy that was transmitted.

This is an often over looked scene and these first hand accounts provide an important legacy, memories and reminiscences bringing a personal explanation of what went down.

The whole Acid Jazz & Other Illicit Grooves exhibition brilliantly encapsulates the musical momentum setting the scene through magazine features, photography, artwork and of course the music and musicians that WERE the scene. Touring in locations across the UK during the Spring 2023 the show was not limited to London, much like the original movement  Leeds, Bristol, Luton and Birmingham were important destinations and the organisers of the show planned the tour accordingly.

This bountiful exhibition celebrates 35 years of a movement that has truly stood the test of time, we imagine that there will be more activity around the Acid Jazz topic in the near future especially as the UK is in amongst a significant growth period of new and exciting Jazz action that this scene was certainly a forbearer of.

©Dean Chalkley

Issue date 7th May 2023...Vernon Kay was about to take over from long time host Ken Bruce on the morning slot on BBC Radio 2. To herald the changing of the 'radio' guard on this most popular slot The Observer commissioned Dean to photograph Vernon. 

Ken Bruce had been at the helm of the 9:30 to midday show for 31 years, approximately 8 million listeners tune in, so a big job to step into. Vernon was relaxed about it all though with his experience and warm engaging style he seems like the natural successor, his first day was the 15th May and as we write this post, a week after he took over all the signs are that Radio 2 in the mornings will continue to be a very popular listen indeed. 

Recently The Guardian dedicated a feature to a very exciting scene that bubbled up at the turn of the century. This feature coincides with the launch of a rip roaring new documentary film called 'Meet Me in the Bathroom'. It's a trip down memory back to a time in NYC that gave birth to several important bands...but that's not the end of the story as the feature explains.

'While the documentary Meet Me in the Bathroom focuses on the early 00s indie scene in New York, things were even wilder in the UK,as the prime movers recall fuzzily to Daniel Dylan Wray... 

People such as Mairead Hayden from the Queens of Noise, Dominic Masters, The Others..Gary Powell from The Libertines were also among the interviewees.

The article appeared on Friday 3rd March 2023 pages 6-7 of G2

©Dean Chalkley

©Dean Chalkley

‘In The Morning’ is Carmy Love's most recent single, it arrived just ahead of her recent gig with Sister Cookie at the 100 Club.

©Dean Chalkley

Back in 2011 Dean made a short film called 'Young Souls' it celebrates the sub-culture of Northern Soul. Those who are familiar with Dean's deejaying sessions will know that for years Dean has loved Soul music and especially Northern Soul, he will often play these rare original vinly records out in clubs lighting up the dancefloors with their fast paced intoxicating rhythm and expressive lyrics.

Ace Records are proud to present a short excerpt from the whole Young Souls film that features two tracks from their back catalogue. Originally Dean obtained official permission to use these tracks in the whole production. 12 years later the full length version of Young Souls is off line but here is a taste of what the film is like.

Click here to go to the link

The whole 'Young Souls' body of work was made by Dean in response to a brief set by 125 Magazine.

The publication put the call out for inspired projects that in some way represented ‘Religion’. Dean immediately connected the notion of religion to faith and then to ‘Keeping the Faith’ an expression that captures the devotion and love that people who are into Northern Soul scene have for it. He set out to not only make a series of contemporary photographs showing a group of young people who were into it but also to make a short film, an excerpt from which you can see above.

The full length short film was screened for the first time at the 6T’s anniversary night at the 100 Club in April 2011 and the official premiere took place at the Bethnal Green Working Mens Club on the 14th July 2011, a night that featured the film and photographs from the project, as well as a great party across all the floors of the venue.

Subsequently the film has been screened at many film festivals nationally and internationally collecting awards along the way.

At the time of release Dean Chalkley commented: “I didn’t set out to create the definitive story of Northern Soul, but I did aim to celebrate it. The Photographic aspect is a study focusing on the current burgeoning generation of young people getting into the scene, whereas the film brings the atmosphere and wonder of Northern Soul to life. I didn’t want to recreate the past, but to produce timeless works that illustrate the culture as never before. It is great to show how people dance to Northern Soul, but more importantly how it is a passionate experience and how its fans - young and old -are immersed in it. I have been very careful to exercise the utmost integrity on this project as it is close to my heart.’

The two tracks featured in this excerpt are as follow:

Featured songs:

Is She In Your Town - Curtis Lee 

Anything You Want AKA Any Way You Want It - Jackie Lee 

Please note - in this "Excerpt From Young Souls" the track and artist information is placed over the picture. The full Young Souls short film has this information in the end credits only and not presented over the picture.

©Dean Chalkley / Art Direction Emma Noble

Emma Noble's latest release is an upbeat slice of two-step, it's a foot tapper with an infectious bass line that supports Emma's unique delivery. This track is produced by multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lee, Shaun's drumming can be heard pushing the track along with a deep, grooving, soulful strut.

Break Down The Walls is another co-write from Noble & Corbin, with all their soulful signatures, the pair often incorporate danceable, uplifting and catchy vibrations with a big dollop of 60/70s inspired soul on the top.

Dean has photographed Emma many times in the past whether it's singing live on stage, whilst Emma deejays, for advertising campaigns or for projects. In fact first time Dean met Emma was on the 'Young Souls' Photographic and Film project he directed and photographed (this will be the subject of the next post) Emma was introduced to Dean by one of his friends Elaine Constantine.

This single's visual concept was art directed by Emma herself reflecting the lyrics of the track. Emma explains  ‘Break Down The Walls’ is about trying to push aside those negative thoughts that can sometimes creep in and letting the positive ones lead instead.

Beak Down The Walls will soon be available on vinyl for this and other music by Emma click here

©Dean Chalkley

©Dean Chalkley 

PHONO48 will play a one off live gig as part of The Big AC Records concert at the world famous 100 Club in London on the 24-11-22. They will be on stage at 8pm, Dean will introduce the band then they will play their track 'So Pure'. Phono48 are the musical collective who were born out of the New Perspectives project Dean created recently.  to see the film about the project click here. To visit The Big AC Records website for books and the Phono48 vinyl record click here.

In the past Dean has photographed several of the Big AC Soul Revue members and Kitty Liv too..