Millions of listeners worldwide switched on to the BBC's World Service each week to listen to Charlie Gillett's World of Music show. For those who loved world music there was no one quite like Gillett.
The Lancashire-born radio presenter was a champion of the genre with an encyclopaedic knowledge and a ready enthusiasm. His tastes were incredibly diverse: a track from the latest album of some obscure Cajun band from South Louisiana would be followed by funked-up versions of classic 1950s Rembetika tunes by two Greek blues brothers who took their name from a popular aubergine dish.
He was authoritative, eternally curious and his stamp of approval usually guaranteed a spike in sales for the bands he played.
Of the "world" musicians whom he promoted through his show, Youssou N'Dour and the Portuguese fado singer Mariza are perhaps the best known. He was also responsible for launching Dire Straits, after playing Sultans of Swing, a track from their demo album, way back in the 1970s: by the time the song had played out, London's A&R men were clamouring on the telephone for details of the band.
After a degree in engineering at Cambridge and a short spell in the US, Gillett settled with his wife in London, becoming a regular and recognisable voice on the radio. His programme, Honky Tonk - aired for the first time in March 1972 - was essential listening over the next six years for those whose musical tastes extended beyond the mainstream.
He played the "roots" of pop music - R&B, soul, gospel - alongside whatever contemporary offerings complemented the sound. Muddy Waters, Ry Cooder, Bonnie Raitt and others were among the many guests who featured on his show.
The 1970s was perhaps Gillett's most productive decade. Together with his dentist, Gordon Nelki, he formed a partnership that led the two men to manage the band Kilburn and the High Roads, whose singer was Ian Dury.
Subsequently, they started a label and publishing company, Oval Music, and their successes included Lene Lovich's Lucky Number and Paul Hardcastle's 19. He later acted as a music consultant to advertising agencies and film companies, selecting songs for many campaigns including Levis jeans.
"Popular music" was the subject of Gillett's thesis at Columbia University, where he studied in the late 1960s: at the time it was a topic considered most unacceptable for academic study.
But Gillett persevered, and the thesis evolved into a book after his return to London. Published to acclaim in 1970, The Sound of the City became the definitive history of rock'n'roll, tracing its origins in vocal groups, jump blues and southern pop gospel, and showing how the various elements cohered to form a musical movement.
In 1979, Gillett moved from BBC Radio London to Capital, the city's commercial station, and began to feature music from around the world. In 1983 he was sacked, but public demand led to his reinstatement, and he remained with the station until 1990. His World Service series was launched in 1999, and he was featured regularly as a presenter of Radio 3's World on 3.
Although he was the antithesis of the slick DJ, Gillett's audiences forgave his somewhat stilted style of presenting as his passion for the music he played was obvious and he excelled in coaxing the most compelling live performances from his studio guests.
Charlie Gillett was born on February 20, 1942, and died on March 17. He is survived by his wife Buffy, their daughters Suzy and Jody and son Ivan.
* The National
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
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Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km
Price: from Dh362,500
On sale: now
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
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Credits
Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
