A selection of tip-top things we’ve read, watched, and listened to over the past couple of months

First, over on Open Culture, is a piece entitled ‘Stanley Kubrick’s Jazz Photography and The Film He Almost Made About Jazz Under Nazi Rule’ . The title’s probably enough to sell it, isn’t it?

‘I love listening to radio, but sometimes I don’t want to listen to a particular station, genre, or category. Sometimes I want to listen to a time of day.’ For the Paris Review, Seb Emina reflects beautifully on listening to live local radio across timezones.

Whilst we’re on the subject of radio, here are some great recent broadcasts on under-appreciated minimalist New York composer Julius Eastman, the watercolours of Eric Ravilious (ft friends of the river Alexandra Harris and Robert Macfarlane), and the connections between music and language (which was brought to our attention by our pal Tony Crean. Thanks!)

Getty Images, via The Spectator

‘References to crispy pancakes and Rod Stewart’s ‘Hot Legs’ notwithstanding, this fantastic, terrifying novel is phantasmagorical, high-velocity gothic.’ The wonderful Wendy Erskine reviews recent 1970s Belfast-centric David Keenan novel For the Good Times in The Spectator. Wendy’s short stories are well worth a read too.

Tales from the Tangled (River) Bank: Dr Pippa Marland recounts community walks conducted at Lamplighter’s Marsh, a brownfield site in the Bristol suburb of Shirehampton notable for its biodiversity. Featuring a cameo from Tim Dee!

We recently revisited Pinny Grylls’ 2008 film Peter & Ben, a touching and quirky story of how two “black-sheep” form an unusual and enduring bond. Spoiler alert: Ben is actually a sheep.

On BBC One’s River Walks, Sean Fletcher walks the eight miles of the River Lea, considering landmarks of its industrial past – and the river’s future in a rapidly changing London.

And last but not least, we’ve been enjoying the snippets of life – be it botanical or familial – captured on Nina Lyon’s blog. Keep tabs.