Music legends on display at Birmingham exhibition

Mar 21 2009 by Andy Richards, Birmingham Mail

PICTURES of some of the biggest starts of soul music, R & B and reggae are featured in a new exhibition by famous Birmingham photographer Pogus Ceasar.

Nearly 40 images are on show inside Fazeley Studios in Digbeth – an unrivalled record of Birmingham’s black music experience of the past 25 years.

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 sequined balloon pants, during a show at the NEC.

Jazzie B, of Soul II Soul fame, is kicking back at Pebble Mill studios in 1999, giving the peace sign. Funkmeisters Cameo, codpieces and all, are seen strutting at the Odeon Cinema in 1986.

“Every picture sings,” said Pogus. “When I look at them, I hear songs. I like to think that everyone who comes in here has a memory of the artist they are looking at.”

Pogus, who was born in St Kitts but grew up in Birmingham, has had a varied career in presenting on television as well as producing and directing, focusing on black culture and music in particular. His work, and reputation, has given him access to the big names featured in Muzik Kinda Sweet (the title is a play on the language of his West Indian heritage).

The most recent photo in the show, taken of Grace Jones straddling a fan’s shoulders, his head nestling between her thighs, was taken from the front stalls at Symphony Hall.

Like all of Pogus’s work, it was taken with his trusted Canon Sure Shot Auto Focus, yours for less than £20 on eBay although Pogus reckons he paid about £7.

Muzik Kinda Sweet is at Fazeley Studios, Fazeley Street, Digbeth, until April 3.