Stephen Rickinson

My Recent Work

Black Rhino •

Kamasi Washington - Fearless Movement

In just over a decade, Kamasi Washington's journey through the jazz pantheon has positioned him as a modern torchbearer of the genre.


With Fearless Movement, Washington deepens this narrative, beginning with his 2015 debut, The Epic. It may be his most audacious statement yet, distilling his grandiloquent vision into earthier but no less intricate rhythmic structures.

From The Epic, a sprawling three-hour masterpiece that married jazz's past, present, and future, to the dual narratives of He
Black Rhino •

Nia Archives - Silence is Loud

Nia Archives' debut album, Silence is Loud, is a deep dive into the colorful world of modern jungle, standing out from revivalism in showcasing the genre's vibrant evolution. Since her critical and commercial emergence in 2020, the Leeds-raised multi-disciplinary artist has introduced the genre to a new generation alongside the likes of PinkPantheress and SHERELLE. Silence is Loud is a calling card to her pioneership of this era, fusing her profound songwriting with the genre's deep-rooted tradi
Black Rhino •

Soulful Resonance: Honoring MC Conrad

London's underground scene during the early 1990s saw a barrage of figures emerge from its competitive depths. Still, few would stand the test of time as both talented and revolutionary. One such luminary emerged whose lyrical finesse and soulful resonance would define an entire genre, raising the craft of MC above mere narration.

MC Conrad, born Conrad Edmund Thompson, whose lyrical dexterity and soulful resonance elevated the drum and bass experience to ethereal heights, has left an unforgett
MODERN TIMES REVIEW •

Scrolling into the abyss | Modern Times Review

A 2024 CPH:DOX World Premiere, Can’t Feel Nothing, unveils the unsettling numbness pervading the digital age. Kickstarted by Director David Borenstein’s own struggle with digital addiction and desensitisation (becoming a «screen zombie,» as he calls it), the film is a globe-trotting adventure through the emotional effects of the (still) surprisingly mainstream avenues of the web.

The light that shines on all

The film opens with an image that is all too familiar: a man lies in his bed, illumina
MODERN TIMES REVIEW •

Between mysticism and monotony | Modern Times Review

In a world that is simultaneously becoming both areligious and religiously polarized, Scott Cummings’ Sundance-premiered, CPH:DOX screened documentary, Realm of Satan, offers a rarely seen deep dive into one of its more ridiculed and reviled organizations: the Church of Satan.

An editor for critically acclaimed films like Never Rarely Sometimes Always (Eliza Hittman, 2020), the film marks Cummings’ feature-length directorial debut. It engages with themes of individualism and the celebration of
Black Rhino •

Footsie: Echoes of the sound system legacy in the heart of grime

Traversing the textured landscapes of U.K. urban music, one cannot overlook the profound contributions of Newham's favorite son, Footsie.

A beacon within the grime community, Footsie's artistic and cultural legacies are deeply interwoven with the very fabric of the genre—from its gritty realism to foundational dub roots. On Friday, April 12th, Footsie joins another scene veteran, Bristol's Dubkasm, at the 11th Black Rhino Residency at Control Club.

Born to a lineage steeped in the rich traditi
Black Rhino •

Dubkasm: The cultural cartographers of dub

From their inception in the mid-1990s in Bristol, UK, Digistep and DJ Stryda—the architects behind Dubkasm—are a testament to dub music's enduring legacy and perpetual reinvention.

Now, some 30 years later, the duo joins grime auteur Footsie for a very special performance at the 11th instalment of the Black Rhino Residency series at Control Club on April 12th.

Eminently Bristolian, the city's unique blend of cultural influences—reggae, punk, hip-hop, and electronic music—has imbued Dubkasm's s
MODERN TIMES REVIEW •

CPH:DOX INTER:ACTIVE: Intersections of flesh and code

When CPH:DOX opened its doors for its 21st instalment between 13 and 24 March 2024, it did so, embracing the theme «Body Politics.» Centring on issues ranging from fertility and ableism to discrimination and trauma, the Copenhagen festival delved deep into discussions regarding the body as a site of socio-political conflict. The event probed into inquiries such as: What constitutes the «normal» body, and to what extent has society constructed barriers for those falling outside the so-called «ord
IN-EDIT NETHERLANDS | International Music Document •

Interview: Be the Fool - "Friends never wanted to leave our house because it was so full of life, creativity, and color"

In the 1960s, The Fool, a vibrant artist collective featuring avant-garde artists Barry Finch and Josje Leeger, played a pivotal role in shaping the visual landscape of the era, collaborating closely with icons like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton. Following their parents’ deaths, Jade and Scarlet Finch embark on a journey to unearth the significance of their legacy, traversing from London to Los Angeles and Ibiza to Amsterdam. They retrace their steps to legendary locales and reconn
Control Club •

Artist Profile: Julia Govor

The artistic narrative of Julia Govor, a revered figure within the global underground techno scene, is one of relentless ambition. Born in Abkhazia, Georgia’s tumultuous yet culturally rich backdrop, Govor’s initial foray into music was shaped by a stint singing in a band. This early experience would instill a disciplined approach to music – a trait that would later underpin her exploration of the electronic and techno she currently champions around the world. On Saturday, March 16, Julia Govor
MODERN TIMES REVIEW •

«We aim to accommodate differing opinions and be welcoming towards them, even those critical of our role»

As one of the largest documentary film festivals in the world, CPH:DOX is set to kick off its 21st year, running from 13 – 24 March in Copenhagen. CPH:DOX was founded in 2003 and continues to develop and expand, presenting a programme that ranges from major international film works to new talents, from large-scale theatrical releases to film/video works in the field between cinema and visual art. The program goes beyond traditional boundaries between disciplines and media, offering perspectives
IN-EDIT NETHERLANDS | International Music Document •

Nick Broomfield: "I've avoided doing music documentaries with the authorization of the musician or estate in order to maintain a critical perspective."

During his early school days, Nick Broomfield (Biggie & Tupac, Kurt & Courtney, Marianna & Leonard: Words of Love, Whitney: “Can I Be Me”) encountered Brian Jones, the innovative force behind the Rolling Stones, in a serendipitous train meeting. At this point, Jones was basking in the pinnacle of his fame, commanding global attention, yet his life would tragically end just six years later.

Broomfield would go on to make The Stones and Brian Jones, an unauthorized documentary that delves into th
Control Club •

Artist Profile: REKA

Few electronic music artists blend scientific inquiry’s rigor with sound’s expressive capacity quite like REKA. Characterized by an exploration stretching from techno’s dystopian depths to its most illuminating peaks, REKA’s journey represents intellectual curiosity, auditory artistry, and a conscious awareness of what is important outside the industry. On Friday, March 8th, REKA will celebrate International Women’s Day in Bucharest as CABINET returns to Control Club.

Originally from Spain, REK
Black Rhino •

Kiosk Radio: Tuning into Community

In the heart of Brussels, where grand palaces and embassies paint a picture of historical elegance, a more unassuming yet equally significant landmark exists - a wooden kiosk in Parc Royal, the home of Kiosk Radio. From jazz's smooth rhythms to the avant-garde echoes of experimental music, from the soulful strums of rock to the pulsating beats of electronic, Kiosk Radio weaves a rich tapestry of auditory selections 24/7 via its website and social channels.

The kiosk itself serves as a communal
Black Rhino •

Album Review: Aïsha Devi - Death is Home

In Death is Home, Swiss artist Aïsha Devi intricately weaves nostalgia, provenance, and futurism themes, a continuum from her debut LP Of Matter and Spirit (2015). This, the third album in her discography, advances her personal philosophy by delving deep into reflections on her heritage and enigmatic late father, the Nepalese drummer, B.K. Gurung.

Devi's journey through traumatic experiences of isolation and abuse translates into music that reimagines the club as a site of therapy and healing.
Control Club •

Artist Profile: Nastia

For Anastasiia Oleksandrivna Topolskaia, better known as DJ Nastia, the journey from Donetsk, Ukraine, to a global DJ icon is a narrative of relentless dedication and unquestioned flair. Despite lacking formal musical education, Nastia’s natural charisma and distinctive style have rapidly set her apart from her peers, both in-country and out. No stranger to Romania, Nastia returns to Bucharest for JETLAGGED at Control Club on December 8.

In her Eastern Ukraine region, where she pursued marketin
Black Rhino •

Album Of The Week: André 3000 - New Blue Sun

Seventeen years after his last solo offering, André 3000, one-half of the legendary hip-hop duo OutKast, has re-emerged.

With little fanfare, the Atlanta artist, considered by many as one of the best rappers alive, presents an opus without the anticipated bars and beats but as an ethereal instrumental album, New Blue Sun. This nearly 90-minute journey, spanning eight epic-length tracks, dives deep into a world where traditional musical boundaries dissolve and the unspoken takes center stage. It
Control Club •

Artist Profile: Khidja

Across nearly two decades, Khidja has epitomized cultural fusion and sonic innovation in the contemporary electronic music scene. The famed Romanian electronic music duo composed of Andrei Rusu and Florentin Tudor’s artistic journey originated in the hallways of a German high school and has led them to the global stage through profound evolution, diverse cultural influence, and an everlasting curiosity for musical exploration. Though not in their hometown of Bucharest as often as once, Khidja re
Control Club •

Album Review: shame – Food for Worms (Dead Oceans)

Diving into Food For Worms feels like catching up with an old friend who’s grown up fast—you can still see the youthful glint in their eyes, but their gaze has depth, weaving the untamed spirit of shame’s debut Songs of Praise with the nuanced maturity of Drunk Tank Pink. From the moment Fingers of Steel hits, it’s evident shame is having a heart-to-heart with the world, offering a raw blend of their signature sound with a lyrical maturity. Together, it beckons audiences to their live shows with
Control Club •

Artist Profile: Kontravoid & Kris Baha

Under the moniker Kontravoid, former Crystal Castles percussionist Cam Findlay resurrects the essence of an era steeped in analog synthesis and unfettered electronic experimentation. His work revives the spirit of a lost 1980s tape, weaving a soundscape that flirts with the inventive boldness of Cabaret Voltaire and the pronounced beats of Das Ding, reminiscent of a time when digital had not yet dimmed the analog’s raw buzz.

Following his tenure with Toronto’s Parallels, Findlay donned the unse
MODERN TIMES REVIEW •

Combatting Digital Violence: A Conversation with HateAid | Modern Times Review

DIGITAL VIOLENCE: With a Human Rights Film Festival Berlin workshop on Navigating Digital Aggression for Journalists and Filmmakers, Modern Times Review speaks with representatives of Germany's HateAid - the organisation combatting digital violence.

In a digital age where online platforms/social media have become integral to our daily communications and professional lives, an underbelly often goes unaddressed. To unpack the implications and nuances of violence in the digital world, Modern Times
Black Rhino •

Album of the Week: Brian Eno - Top Boy (OST)

Navigating the aural landscape of Brian Eno's Top Boy (Score from the Original Series) is akin to journeying through the myriad layers of London's constantly in-flux urban topography—a journey through austerity, gentrification, resilience, and complex human conditions. Available across various formats, including digitally and via 2x LP, this collection establishes itself as an essential component of the groundbreaking British series it accompanies.

Brian Eno, a stalwart of ambient music with an
MODERN TIMES REVIEW •

Report: Baltic Sea Docs 2023 | Modern Times Review

BALTIC SEA DOCS: Modern Times Review looks back at the panels, screenings, and presentations that made up the 2023 Baltic Sea Forum for Documentaries.

On the 10th of September, the annual Baltic Sea Docs programme concluded its 27th edition. As part of its broader programme, the Industry-focused Baltic Sea Forum for Documentaries took place from 3 – 8 September and featured several days of screenings, talks, panel discussions and, of course, its flagship pitching session. Modern Times Review wa
MODERN TIMES REVIEW •

Report: B2B Doc Documentary Industry Days 2023 | Modern Times Review

B2B Doc: Modern Times Review looks back at the week of panels and presentations that made up the 2023 B2B Doc Documentary Industry Days programme.

31 August saw the conclusion of the 2023 Baltic to Black Sea Documentary Network (B2B Doc) edition. In an expanded format and in collaboration with the Odesa International Film Festival, this year saw B2B Doc hold its annual pitching workshop in the Baltic Sea city of Gdynia, Poland. This would be the third year I have attended B2B Doc, each now comi
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