BEATBOXING COPS + JOHN LEGEND'S A DREAM + BEN HARPER'S SUPERGROUP + ELTON'S CHAPEL VISIT

REMEMBER the Police Academy cop with the bendy voice who could mimic anything? I always thought Michael Winslow aka Officer Larvelle Jones was aided by sound effects. Turns out I was wrong – he’s a world famous beatboxer and comedian who can imitate more than 1,000 sounds from recreating Hendrix to the roar of a jet plane. He was also in Spaceballs and voiced a Gremlin – got to be worth leaving your cosy homes for this one. He plays the Jazz Cafe on Dec 8.


(check out the guitar solo at 1.30)

But the best collection of his Police Academy talents can be seen here Officer Larvelle Jones, Police Academy
• More noteable events at the Jazz Cafe include US dreamboat (some might say) John Legend & The Roots on Sunday (Nov 28), Botown – the soul band of Bollywood (curious) (Nov 27) and Ninja Tunes darling The Herbaliser (Nov 3).


• There’s so much to say about Mencap Little Noise Sessions that you’ll have to look online for our full reviews. I just need to remind you they’ve managed to convince the loony Scissor Sisters to play an acoustic set at Bush Hall (Dec 4) and the Pet Shop Boys to headline the Big Noise Session at Hammersmith Apollo, (Dec 8).


• If you don’t recognise Fistful of Mercy in our listings (Dec 3), it’s actually a supergroup of sorts – Ben Harper, Dhani Harrison (son of Beatle George) and troubadour Joseph Arthur –wonder how Koko will cope with all those music heads on one stage.


• Islington’s Union Chapel may be hidden in a quiet Islington terrace but it’s not to be underestimated. The latest coup? Sir Elton John tonight (Thursday).


• Feel like sharing the Christmas spirit? Musicians and choirs are being sought to busk on Hampstead High Street. Email emsmagnus@btinternet.com for info.

THE FLOWERPOT'S DEMISE + LITTLE NOISE SECRETS + CHESNEY HAWKES SAY NO MORE

DESPITE management being “gutted” at shutting down, The Flowerpot’s final night on Sunday was one hell of a party. Shame Camden loses such an important venue in the year Mayor Jonathan Simpson has worked so hard to champion the borough’s musical heritage. Luckily they’re already working on a new home.


• Now’s the time to speculate on which special guests are going to pop up at the Union Chapel’s Mencap Little Noise Sessions. I’m thinking the Pet Shop Boys, who are playing the Big Noise Sessions, may just pop in on Hurts night (Nov 17). Or how about Kylie? She recently recorded a song with Hurts, is she due in the UK around then...Course I’m still hoping to see Paolo Nutini team up with Amy Winehouse. She’s played her fair share of secret gigs lately, so maybe she’ll joins our Scottish Italian darling on Nov 16.



• Atlanta soul artist Anthony David who played the Jazz Cafe last Thursday may have a brief insight into what it's like to be inside the President of the USA's mind. Apparently, he’s on Barak Obama’s iPod (a recommendation from the wife), as well as being cousins with Shawn Stockman of Boys II Men.

• My spies at the Camden Crawl launch party at the Bull and Gate last week have tipped Jon and Jehn as a defo must when planning your crawl route next year. Early bird tickets on sale now.

• Chesney Hawkes played The Luminaire last week – yes he is still going.

• The Constitution on St Pancras Way may be off the beaten track but hey, that’s where you find rough gems. Their sideline in decent gigs is a reasonably-guarded secret, see for yourself next time you're on the hunt for a good unsigned act,