Eye:

David Toop – Ocean of Sound (I confess I skimmed this, but it’s damn fine even if the more classical ‘trad’ avant garde isn’t your bag)

Polly Toynbee – Hard Work (sort of “povery porn” – Polly goes to live on the minimum wage on a Council Estate and is shocked to find that people don’t spend a hundred quid in restaurants. Actually that’s a bit harsh – she does her stint and there is some alright analysis and some good stats)

Jon Savage – England’s Dreaming (pistols, talcy malcy. Great so far, but then everyone has already read this, no? Teds in Stamford Hill / outrage / 50s retro. Nicking guitars from Rod Stewart / 70s London pro-situs. Sorted).

Ear:

Elephant Man – Higher Level
Trinity – Shantytown Determination
Yabby You – Deliver Me From My Enemies
v/a – London is the Place for Me (Trinidadian Calypso in London 1950-1956)
v/a – Pure Urban Essentials