Delon Jessop’s cultural highlights
Delon Jessop grew up in Bedfordshire and is of Caribbean heritage. He is an actor, writer and voiceover artist. Having trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama he has gone on to work in television and on stage. Delon is currently working at the BBC as a continuity announcer.
Book: Multitudes: How Crowds Made The Modern World
With a longstanding interest in crowd psychology, it was inevitable that I would soon come across Dan Hancock’s book Multitudes: How Crowds Made The Modern World (2024). Hancock brilliantly examines what philosophers, police and politicians tell us about crowds and how this is often built on outdated theory. From fanatic football fans to committed dance floor ravers, Hancock weaves a compelling argument while exploring these communities. You won’t think the same way about crowds after reading this book.
Album: Arthur Verocai (1972)
I’m not lying when I say Arthur Verocai’s eponymous debut album gets played at home at least twice a week, cover to cover. I was fortunate to see him perform last year at the Barbican Centre in London, further solidifying my belief that this is one of the greatest albums to come out of Brazil. The ten-track LP comes in at a brief twenty-nine minutes but what Verocai achieves in that time is nothing short of captivating. It’s hard to reduce this album into one musical genre as it slides between Jazz, Latin funk and soul, all whilst feeling like it could double as a film score.
TV: Landman
If you need more evidence that American writer, director and actor Taylor Sheridan is the real deal, you needn’t look any further. Landman is the latest Sheridan series to grace the small screen. The show follows a crisis executive, Tommy Norris, played by Billy Bob Thornton, who navigates the increasingly dangerous oil rigging business deep in West Texas. The show is smart, fast-paced and littered with amazing one-liners. Each character is written with care and attention, with Sheridan drawing our focus onto the reliance on oil and the long-term effects this has on our communities and those who prop up this lucrative enterprise.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14186672/
Restaurant: Troy Bar
I’m almost reluctant to write about my local Caribbean spot, lest it become overrun with people, however, Troy Bar in Hoxton, East London is something of an institution. With a concise menu of Jerk Chicken, Curry Goat, Grilled Fish or Curry Chicken, Troy Bar isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. However, what it does, it does well. With large portions and quick service, this is a place I have spent many a lunchtime. Not only does it serve the best Caribbean food in East London but, come evening, the tables are moved back, and the floor is cleared for local Jazz musicians to jam and test out new material.
@Troybarofficial
Poetry night: Adult Entertainment.
Adult entertainment has quickly become a regular in my social calendar. Hosted by the dub poet and musician, James Messiah, the poetry night is held in the cosy upstairs room at The Haggerston Pub, East London. The bi-monthly event is curated by Messiah and features performances from new and established poets, musicians, and DJs. Arrive early and prepare to occupy any patch of floor as the room often reaches capacity quickly.
@adultsentertained @jamesmessiah
A favourite WritersMosaic writer:
Gary Younge has been a favourite writer of mine well before I was even aware I was reading him. His articles were often circulated in my friendship group with each of us expressing admiration for his wordplay, brevity and accessibility, all while addressing some of the harder-hitting subjects of the day.