Some er..wise words from outside Glasgow Caledonian University this morning. Save the 100! Stop the Cuts!

No worries - given me time to edit my Bandcamp Wishlist (which is extensive)

Latest library read Muriel Spark's 1990 novel Symposium. A dark, v.funny dissection of a North London dinner party with smattering of class struggle, murder and the Scottish national question thrown in. Clever cinematic structure. Worth a read #BookSky #Reading

Ran Alloa Half Marathon today. First HM in 15 years. Happy with time and really enjoyed it . Lovely conditions and scenery #running #Alloa #HalfMarathon

Staff and students on the march around Glasgow Caledonian University this week. SAVE THE 100! STOP THE CUTS. #GCU

Videos from our protest today at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Great (and big) demo at Glasgow Caledonian University today against the cuts. SAVE THE 100!

Yes Sun Ra born in Alabama. Hathaway and Mayfield both born in Chicago a generation after the migration. There was good Gillies Peterson show from Chicago on 6 music few weeks ago. Still on Sounds I think.

It's self written and produced by Hutson which is pretty original for the time - 1973 - though. Other Chicago soul folk like Curtis Mayfield and Donny Hathaway - both of whom Hutson had links to - are probably better examples of the music type.

Obviously the blues with Muddy et al, jazz with Sun-Ra and the house music dance revolution in the 80/90s. Soul music too although I thought it had less of an impact than other US cities as reflected in this album which is quite listenable but forgettable.

I'm currently reading an economic history of the 20th Century by Bradford DeLong (as you do) and he outlines the growth of Chicago from 1870-2010 as an example of US hegemony. I was thinking the significance of the city with 20th century music too.

Yes. Think piece explains why these sites are under particular scrutiny.

Crackdown on overseas students delivers blow to London campus Collapse in enrolment at Glasgow Caledonian University outpost reflects upheaval in sector as ministers curb migration

FT story on the London campus of GCU and the broader crisis in HE. In the week when the Uni announced 100 job losses. Crackdown on overseas students delivers blow to London campus - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT

Sad news I wont engage with the forgotten80s radio show anymore. It has been part of my Sunday night life for years including very difficult times. But reports of the presenter's behaviour to female listeners is shocking and unacceptable. Solidarity with all #forgotten80s

Sorry Fables of the Reconstruction!

Also 1985! Made NME's top 10 albums of the year and there was lot of heavy competition then. Well above Life's Rich Pagent interestingly.

I got into Bob Mould via Sugar which was definitely more on the pop front but this is great. A band on the verge of a new stage (in this case splitting up) so music is transitional. To that extent similar to REM's work pre-Green and Bleach by Nirvana. Engaging listen.

Bad news at my work today. We have fought back redundancies before and we can do it again.

3rd 80s album in a row mind!

A key track is The Sound of the Crowd . First hit from the album and brilliant combination of quite obscure electronica with pop.

It was their 3rd album but was really a re-launch/hostile take over by Edinburgh based svengali Bob Last and Phil Oakey. Bringing in the backing singers and experienced song writers. Album culminates with one of best singles ever with Don't You Want Me. Brilliant!

C'mon this is a slice of pop perfection. Although the HL had some cracking singles after this they never came close in an album format again nor did they really try. Every track stands alone including "Law" but together so powerful. Dug out old vinyl to listen

This is obscure. Difficult to find but not unpleasant sounds. All over the place it seemed in a good way. Also from 1988 and I note they are all wearing suits on cover (not their usual look) This along with title suggests it is meant to be a commentary on the Thatcher/Reaganomics era at its peak?

This is brilliant. I am surprised this 1988 release passed me by at the time and after. Quite sparse but tuneful. Interesting Stipe link as in some ways the musical arrangement reminds me a bit of early REM with string and guitar sound. The wonder of music that something like this can appear.

Latest Library Read. News of the Dead by James Robertson. An ambitious multi-voiced Scottish novel exploring a rural fictional location at different historical periods. A wee bit disjointed and reads like a lockdown work (which if u look at title it really is) #BookSky #Reading #books

Today. It all starts up again today. Listen out 📻for Alison on BBC Woman’s Hour this morning some time after 10am talking all things #spycops.

I was thinking how different this was from the easy listening reggae Holt release (also Jamaican) we listened to but saw that KH produced him early in his career! Just a couple of years before.

This is excellent. Such an innovative sound and decades ahead of its time. Alongside King Tubby who I think developed his dub method independently of KH - took reggae and arguably modern pop in new directions.

Great show Robin.

What a tune! Remember discovering this on free NME CD