Wednesday, February 25, 2009

My fellow Track bloggers

I truly enjoyed my time at Track Entertainment. Not only did I learn to work the internet, I also met a great group of people. Some of them are also bloggers! Check out their blogs (I'm gonna be interviewing them individually about their internet pursuits at a later date).


treesforbreakfast.com
My boy Derreck Johnson's site will keep you up to date on the new, hot joints in hip hop and r&b. all the heads that declare hip hop dead need to get on TFB and click away.


littlegirlbigappetite
jess lum's tasty blog . great recipes and restaurant reviews from a budding cook.

nycmindmunchies the musings of the coolest cat from central florida i know. mike gallupo is into rock and pop culture. he's got great bands on there.


thatchickfrombk
what can i say about my homegirl diana kost, my bubbala? her blog is laugh out loud funny, in the vein of someecards.com
a lot of what she goes on about is about her cronies, who you feel you already know after reading a couple of posts.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Freshness



Rag and Bone's spring/summer collection highlights the sleeker cuts that are thankfully more prevalent now. There is a definite teddy boy influence here, harkening back to pre-punk England. Be careful when rolling up pants, if the cut is too big at the bottom you can go from looking fashionable to looking like Huck Finn.



These Guess General boots are dope! So dope that I got them in black and brown. Extremely comfortable and with a handy zip-up, you can dress these up and dress them down.



The peeps over at Acrimony are having a sale. Definitely check it out, they have fine wears over there.

Sneaker do's and dont's

I published this article last year on clubplanet.com (shouts to the whole crew, we were definitely a good team). You will NOT believe the amount of vitriol I got because I had the audacity to say the Nike dunk was played out.







Pause! worst of the worst



There's a saying in Spanish, "Sin Palabras," which means without words. Anything that your aunt down in Miami would consider rocking is strictly off limits. The brand Married to the Mob just made me want to get a divorce.




I have never been a fan of the hybrid. Either you are wearing sneakers, or you are wearing shoes. Anything in between is just ugly (I bring this up in the above internet article).




Last year's all-over print trend went over the top. Everyone from the hardest gangster to the oldest grandmother was rocking loud, colorful hoodies and t shirts. For some reason, the peeps at classickicks didn't get the memo that it was time to move on from this. These windbreakers are better suited for wallpapering a kid's room.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Hope poster creator is fraudulent



I have always liked the work of Shepard Fairey, the artist behind the famous Obama poster



and the Obey Andre the Giant campaign. That was until I read about how he basically steals most of his ideas from past artists and gives them no credit whatsover.

Read all about it:

http://www.art-for-a-change.com/Obey/index.htm

You thought rappers created freestyling?




Check these llaneros going at it. Kool Moe Dee and Busy Bee, Jay Z and Nas got nothing on these guys. Musica llanera literally means plains music for those of you who are Spanish deficient. The music employs a harp, guitar, and maracas to tell the tales of the llaneros (basically the cowboys of Colombia and Venezuela). This video highlights the contrapunteo, which is a freestyle battle between 2 copleros (singers of sonnets). Notice how the one that follows the other takes the last line from the other one to start off his flow. All this is off the dome! They diss each other, they boast, all in good fun and great music.

I love musica llanera. The first time I heard it I felt an instrinsic connection to it. Turns out my sister told me that my grandfather on my dad's side lives in los llanos. I am dying to head out there.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Go Postal




Martha Cooper, the photographer responsible for the iconic Subway Art book, keeps on the cusp of graff with her new project, Going Postal. She has turned her attention to sticker art, tags and art done primarily on U.S. Postal Service stickers. Cooper actually goes around New York City with some type of contraption that unsticks the stickers.
On Friday, February 20, the Ad Hoc Gallery will be showing some of the Going Postal series. For more info, www.adhocart.org

Freshness




Is that a spring thaw I'm feeling? Thank god, since my office is right next to the water and it's always colder because of that proximity to it. Non Native has released this fly vest that is very reminiscent of Moncler (without the $1000 price tag). The color is subtle, and goes with almost anything.



Speaking of Moncler, this motorcycle jacket is flavors! I like the French flag detail on the upper chest. What I don't like is the price tag ($900). That's just insane. I'm sure some creative googling will get you a reasonable facsimile.





One of my favorite brands of ALL time has to be Barking Irons. Taking inspiration from the Gangs of New York era, they make incredible t shirts, hoodies, and jewelery (pictured). When I found out that these pieces (2 of many different designs available) are actually crafted from 19th century spoons, I almost fell out of my seat! I could not believe how fresh that @#$$ was. Seriously. How dope is it that these pieces were once used by some family in turn of the century New York? The top one is a woman's bracelet, and the bottom is a man's ring. Check out the "finery" at barkingirons.com


Monday, February 9, 2009

Sunday Shoutin'



A little Tony Humphries spinning Brighter Days



Observations on last night's Sunday Shouting (Louie Vega, Tony Humphries, and David Morales at Webster Hall)

• David redeemed himself for his past musical indiscretions. He KILLED it with Inner City's "Good Life." Really got the crowd going.

• Hope the next one is at a bigger spot, it got crazy hot and packed.

• Mr. Tambourine Man was in attendance. Dude, you must be a great guy and all, but PLEASE!!!! no one asked you to remix the song with your instruments, duke. The songs sound great without the tambourine, or the cowbell. It's like when you go to see El Gran Combo or another band and there's like 57 cats with a clave. There is a dude ON STAGE with a clave, thanks but no thanks. Or maybe El Gran Combo put a listing on craigslist for claves? Whatever it is, PLEASE STOP.

• Louie killed it, but you already knew that.

• Didn't get to hear Tony too much cause it was getting way too packed and hot in there. I'm gonna have to trek to Jersey to experience some Jersey house, the only cool thing about Jersey (sorry, but it's true).

For those of you that can't make it out as often (hi, maggie), check these sites out:


http://deephousepage.com/mixes.php

This is like when Indy found the Ark; IN-CRE-I-BLE! Radio mixes, live sets from the cream of the crop.

http://undergroundnyc.com/classicmixes.asp
More classic house. Very dope! And they all have playlists, so you might find yourself saying, "oh shit! that's my joint." They also have radio mixes


http://www.buzzinfly.com/buzzradio.html

Mixed by Everything but the Girl's Ben Watt. RELAX! He spins deep, no "desert missing the rain" wackness on here. Updated weekly, so it has the new joints.

PODCASTS

Crossfade Radio
Slamming mixes by Frankie Feliciano, The Martinez Brothers, and others.

Blaze Imprints Podcast
Mixed mostly by Kevin Hedge (Louie's partner on Roots at Cielo ... nuff said). There is even a live mix from Cielo on there.

Real Tone Radio Show
Mostly mixes from Djoon, which is a club in Paris that is keeping the light of The Garage, The Loft, Shelter, etc. alive. Mr. V, Alix Alvarez, DJ Spinna, Quentin Harris, Osunlade, need I go on?

Let me know if y'all like my recommendations, and if there are any other ones to add.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Freshness



Y-3 brings it again with some butter designs. I like the way the pure white sole offsets the patent leather.


I'm really feeling raincoats with bright colors on the lining and the hood. I saw this dark blue one with a sublime orange lining and copped it right quick. This one is from Via Snella (0n the right, the jacket on the left is ugly.)

I liked this shirt because Johnny Cash was gangsta. Available at http://www.mattbors.com/shirts.html
Always been a fan of G Shock, and this one had me salivating. It's an Alife/Nas special edition. "Half Time" is embedded on the side of the face (look closely and you can see it), and the strap says "Alife state of mind."





Levi's Fenom line adds nice touches to their iconic brand. These are hard to find, but worth the hassle.





Raf Simons updates the classic aviator shade with his hexagonal take on it. The lens could be a little darker, but its still flavors.

Pause! The worst of the worst


Everyone knows I'm a big Puma head, but these are ridiculous (in a bad way). YO! MTV Raps in Pepto Bismol colors? not! The MC Shan and Big Daddy Kane jump offs they did were dope? These? Nope.


If you see Sonny Crockett skateboarding down Ocean Avenue in Miami, snuff him. Wow, these are bad. Like, really? Who thought espadrilles where ever gonna make a come back? They were ugly then, they are ugly now. And they don't exactly provide the support you need for boarding (had no idea that the fat tongue on skateboard sneakers was more than just a design element).


My redneck cousin in Louisiana called. He wanted his picnic tablecloth back 'cause he was gonna go hunting again.

Big Pun Documentary



I was interviewed for this documentary BET did about Big Pun. Now it's an MTV documentary! Yay corporate synergy.

Unique Clothing Store in the Vill



I was listening to the radio the other day and all of a sudden the unmistakeable piano line from Crystal Waters' "Gypsy Woman" comes on. That disjointed piano line (which always sounded to me like a piano filtered to sound as if it were out of tune) took me straight back to 8th Street in the Village. Unique.

To many of us growing up in New York City, Unique Clothing Store was more than just a store. It was our true introduction to the alternative scene we had just perused through the pages of The Village Voice. It was THE Greenwich Village destination, whether you got off the R train at 8th Street and walked directly there or got off the E or F train at West 4th and walked up to it. The funny thing is, I don't ever really remember really buying any clothes there. It was the place to be seen and the scene first, clothing store second.

The shopfront was lorded over by airbrush artists that could turn an ordinary pair of jeans or denim jacket into a true work of art. When you walked in, you could often find Roger S selling his Egotrip tapes to kids hungry for his eclectic house sound. I'm pretty sure he'd be the first one to tell you that he wouldn't be where he is (international DJ superstar, Ibiza's crown prince) without his time served at Unique slinging tapes with that dope triangle logo.

And then there was the back of the store, which faced Lafayette. First off, most people didn't know the back was open like that. And second of all, you had to be cooler than school to hang out back there. Long hair? check. Stomper shoes? check. T shirt worn over a blazer? Check, check.

Those were great times, where we began to explore fashion (like the big-soled stomper shoes) and when getting into clubs (like Red Zone, The Building, Mars) was never a given because most of us were too young and using fake ID. The prospect of not getting in made actually making it through the velvet ropes a whole lot sweeter, the music a whole lot better.

But all good things come to an end. Rumors that Unique was closing down to be replaced with a PC Richards or some other electronics store monstrosity turned out to be true (I don't even know what the space is now, I kind of pass by there without looking as if to hold on to Unique in some way). Eventually Red Zone closed down, The Building lost its lease, and I don't even want to know what over-priced, eurotrash attracting, people in suits trying to dance with a drink on the dancefloor monstrosity of a club it turned into. The only places that are worth it in the Meatpacking District are Cielo and Apartment. The Unique crew went its separate ways, some of us gravitating towards the even more alternative of the East Village, others reverting back to straight hip hop. But for a short time in our lives, we were all Unique.

The most gangster song EVER




Seriously, picking my favorite Fania All Stars song of all time is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. Impossible. "El Raton" may not be the dopest song to dance to because it's kinda of a slow burner, but it might be the coolest song ever recorded. Ever. This youtube version doesn't do it justice, but it will give you a little taste. Get the version off the CD to get the full madness.

El judio maravilloso Larry Harlow is on piano. This mensch must have some grandfather from Ponce or something because he feels it. He's more Puerto Rican than a couple of people I know. If you don't believe me, check out his album "Salsa." IMO, this is the quintessential salsa album, he freaking named it Salsa. Que cojonudo, pero con todo su derecho. That's how confident this cat was.

Bobby Valentin on bass. People talk about Jaco Pastorious and Flea blah blah blah. Bobby Valentin kicks both their asses. Peep his album "Rompecabezas" to hear why. I had a vinyl of it, and I fucking lost that bad boy. (if anyone's got it on MP3, let me know).
"Rompecabezas" is my second favorite Fania album, and that's because I haven't heard it in a while. Once I get my hands on it again, it might go to number 1.

Orestes Vilato on timbales. Another great musician. Of course, Ray Barreto on congas and Robertito Roena on cowbell ("Ponte Duro" is one of my favorite Fania songs. Roena's bongo solo on there is sick. He had an album with an illustrated cover that was Amazing. Can't remember the name, it's crazy early. If i remember it, i'll let you know. Every time I see someone with one of those corny "More Cowbell" T shirts, I feel like slapping them. but I digress yet again.)

Mira ese coro. Ismael Miranda, otro que se me le olvida el nombre porque esta temprano y no me he tomado el cafe, Hector Lavoe, and Santitos Colon. No pressure, Cheo.

Cheo Feliciano, my second favorite Fania vocalist right next to my numero uno Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. His voice is silk, period.

Anyone know what happened to George Santana, Carlos' brother? He straight kills this song with his guitar solo. "Oye como va" got NOTHING on this. And when the coro impels him with "Eh, Santana," it feels like the gods are talking to me for some reason. The universe has aligned with planet rock, planet bugaloo, planet and the Fania all star systems.