A soundscape of inheritance at Black Music Archive

A unique exhibition in South London features a fascinating map of local musical landmarks

by John M GómezSunday, 26 February 2012

The legacy and influence of black music explored in south London credit: John Clare

The legacy and influence of black music has led to a unique exhibition in South London. The South London Black Music Archive features memorabilia, listening posts, and a fascinating map of local musical landmarks.

Visitors to Peckham Space are invited to trace their own lineage by geographically locating memories of record shops, bars and pirate radio stations that have touched several generations of South Londoners. In exchange visitors are thanked with a copy of a beautifully designed LP – a soundscape of inheritance in which members of the youth mentoring programme Leaders of Tomorrow share songs connected to their own lives.

Although the production of the physical record draws attention to its own status as ephemera, this does not diminish its magic: like the rest of the exhibition it houses the small footprints of anonymous musical lives. But whether etched in vinyl grooves or displayed on the wall, these enriching stories reach out to generations ahead as well as to those behind.

Black Music Archive at Peckham Space until 24 March

The exhibition houses the small footprints of anonymous musical lives

Explore topics

Share this article

more New music

Music Reissues Weekly: Myriam Gendron - Not So Deep As A Well The surprise reappearance of the Canadian stylist’s interpretations of Dorothy Parker’s poems

Album: Shirley Hurt - Shirley Hurt Canadian singer-songwriter’s enigmatic debut

Album: Ghost Woman - Hindsight Is 50/50 Psychedelicists add a bit of va-va-voom to their sound

Album: Trevor Horn - Echoes: Ancient & Modern Downtempo cover versions run the gamut from the bland to the excruciating

Album: Peter Gabriel - I/O Nearly three decades of reflection have produced a likely classic

CMAT, Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow review - an evening of exuberance The Dublin singer's tales of a toxic relationship were transformed into a party

Album: Harp - Albion The exquisite comeback of former Midlake mainstay Tim Smith

This Is The Kit, Barbican review - familiarity and charm A beautifully orchestrated end to a tour

Music Reissues Weekly: Soft Cell - Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret Head-spinning box-set makeover of Marc Almond and Dave Ball’s landmark 1981 debut album

Album: Catrin Finch & Aoife Ni Bhriain - Double You Divine harp-and-violin duets focused on the folklore of bees

Album: Take That - This Life The national treasure trio don't have enough tunes to counteract the bland production

Album: Joe Jackson - Joe Jackson Presents Max Champion in What a Racket! A note perfect music hall pastiche with a potent whiff of modernity

Follow @theartsdesk