Egon of Stones Throw records has been posting his Funk Archaeology on NPR Music. I have been following this series and its staggeringly good. His latest post is about Indian Psych. I don’t know too much about Indian music but is a genre I really like. Cheers Egon, look forward to the Psych Funk Sa-Re-Ga! album.

See Egon’s Funk Archaeology here.

Etta James has to be my favourite Soul/R&B singer. Her voice really grabs a hold of you. Her first record Wallflower reached #1 in the R&B chart in 1955. She then signed to chess records in the 60s, where Leonard Chess saw the potential of her crossover to the pop industry. Etta’s music then acquired orchestral arrangements like At Last from 1961, which blows me away every time.

About a month ago I cycled to Devon from London, stopping off at Bath for a few nights on my way. I needed something to put on my bike that would hold my gear, I wasn’t going to use a backpack again. It was a mission to find something for my bike that looked good and held plenty. And because it is carbon I couldn’t have panniers. A mate told me about Carradice who have been making cycle bags for 70 years. Above is the saddlebag I bought and it was amazing, cycled the whole 200 miles with no problems at all. The bag is big enough to put a small tent in too, can’t wait to use for camping trips next summer.

See the range here.

Herne Hill Velodrome is the oldest track in Britain, it was built for the 1948 Olympic Cycling Championships. It is in danger of being destroyed. This track is a great asset to London and is in constant use, it can’t be closed down. Sign up to show your support here.