Photographer Pogus Ceasar gives Richard McComb a tour of black music in Birmingham over the past 25 years – Legends through a lens
The colour scheme is stark, unyielding, the white studio space flooded with sunlight from the overhead windows on this early spring morning.
Black and white photographs, framed in black, hang from the walls. There are no fancy, bawdy colour flourishes here. Welcome to the monochrome world of photographer Pogus Caesar.
When I walk into the room – actually, there are two – there is no one else about. But I am not alone, far from it. Similarly there is no sound, no audible chatter. And yet the place is ringing with voices, thumping with drums and bass, buzzing with a cacophony of rhythm and melody, roaring with visceral pleasure.
It is said every picture tells a story but in the case of the 37 images displayed inside Fazeley Studios, Digbeth, they also sing a song. The pictures capture some of the biggest global stars of soul music, R & B and reggae, many of them taken during performances and visits to Birmingham. The collection represents an unrivalled record of the city’s black music experience of the past 25 years. Birmingham may never rival Detroit’s Sweet Sound of Motown, or Kingston, Jamaica, but the city has given a stage to their legendary sons and daughters.
The pictures spark different associations for each individual visitor to the show, titled Muzik Kinda Sweet. Looking at some of them, it is hard not to hear an act’s trademark hit playing in your head. The eye is caught by rapper MC Hammer, wiggling in those ridiculous sequined balloon pants, during a show at the NEC. I defy you not to hear: “Can’t touch this.†Jazzie B, of Soul II Soul fame, is kicking back at Pebble Mill studios in 1999, giving the peace sign: “Back to life, back to reality…â€
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Top photographer Pogus Caesar pulled off a brilliant show at Fazeley Studios, the opening night had in excess of 700 people attending the venue, there was fashion shows, dj’s live sets with lots of beautiful people in attendance.The exhibition space was vast and the framed black and white prints were superb. For many years Caesar has documented world class legends such as Stevie Wonder, Grace Jones and jimmy Cliff, his collection also hosts rap royalty Jay-Z and reggae stars Lee Scratch Perry and Augustus Pablo. Caesar uses the most basic equipment an old battered Canon Sureshot camera and achieves amazing results.
All in, this was a fantastic exhibition which highlighted the many international artists who have visited and performed in Birmingham.
Pogus Caesar's exhibition was fantastic! It was like walking into my own record collection. Photo after photo displayed in a stark white gallery, paying homage to black music legends like Dennis Brown, Lee Scratch Perry and an awesome Grace Jones staring right into Caesar's lens.
Muzik Kinda Sweet for real!!!
Yes an exceptional show, all the better for seeing black music royalty in one space. Interestingly many of the pics were taken in Caesar's hometown of Birmingham
So fascinating to know that reggae supremos such as Delroy Wilson, The Wailers. Black Uhuru, Dennis Brown walked the streets of UK's second city. On the word up/// apparently there's plans to publish Muzik Kinda Sweet in book form, due out at some point. Join the line now.
Pogus Caesar talks about his work and influences. Inspiring!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBtL1eLSkcY