Get Involved blog

Renowned photographer, friend, and fellow Shing-A-Ling DJ, Dean Chalkley’s current exhibition, The New Faces, is running until 29 April at The Book Club on Leonard Street in London…

The New Faces is a collection of images Chalkley took late last year of a group of young Mods who he first encountered at his monthly DJ night, Shake!, at The Boogaloo pub in Highgate. Intrigued by their sharp dressing and enviable dancing skills, Chalkley suggested he immortalise their look and attitude on celluloid and invited them to come to a studio shoot. “These guys are the antithesis of the all too common don’t-give-a-fuck attitude of some young adults,” explains Chalkley. “They’re bright young folk who take a real pride in how they present themselves and they’re really into their music - mainly late 50s and early 60s rhythm and blues. They’re actually from varied backgrounds and different parts of the country – but their shared passion for music, dancing and looking sharp brings them together. And you should see them dance!”

To see a super selection of images from the show - check out the preview I posted on Creative Review’s blog yesterday by clicking here.

The New Faces runs until 29 April at The Book Club, 100 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4RH

See more of Dean Chalkley’s work at deanchalkley.com

Al Simmons, Slim Green and The Cats From Fresno - Old Folks Boogie

I first heard this killer blues number on a tape made by the late great Roger Eagle for my good pal “Boogaloo” Bill Sykes. Damn those tapes Roger did were good - massive thanks, Bill, for sharing some with me. Anyhoo, the label that this is on, Dig, was set up and run by Johnny Otis (Get Involved hero of the highest order) in the mid 50s and this is one of the later (and best known) releases on the label. It’s from 1957 and is the flip-side of Sid Maiden’s Hand Me Down Baby. Shit, it’s good…