Special (for you): Stones Throw in NYC

There's something to be said about being @ a show in NYC. Anything and everything can happen. This summer, I got see that 1st hand. So when I got a txt from my man JS telling me that the Stones Throw tour stop in NY would have a very special guest, I started to sulk. Toronto 0, NYC 2. We missed out on Aloe, Guilty, J Rocc and MED only to have more salt by hearing that Erykah Badu showed her pretty little southern belle self in @ the NY show and did new joints (Madlib beats)? Yea, I'm bummed.
I then got an AIM from NY and LAX pals minutes apart with a link to shots of the show.
Turns out the were taken by my man Mel D Cole form around way. Met him a few years back and just kept running into this dude. Good work dude, and where's your dad from again?? wowsers.

Stunning as they are, am obliged to share em.
You can find the shots from the show, along w/ the rest of his work here: Village Slum dot com, or click the image below to get to the site.
Enjoy these sights...



....and now the sound.

MED (Medaphoar) had this banger he did w/ a Badu sample on the hook. Ran this incessantly when it 1st dropped. No indication that they performed this but, enjoy it nonetheless.

MED feat E. Badu (Madlib produced)

Funky Drummer: Karriem Riggins

I still recall separate Common and Kweli tours coming thru Toronto and cats were always linedup after the show outside the green rooms trying to who knows what. I would always ask: Where's Karriem?? Trying to holla @ him real quick and talk about this BBE record + the Riggins produced Club Banger feat Dwele was one of my fave joints EVER. Although that BBE record never took place, he was picked up by Stones Throw for this Supreme Team project and was immediately thrust in the spotlight. How could you not when your partner's the excentric Madlib...
So the 2K8 Bounce Tour came and went, and the highlight was a Supreme Team set which included a drum solo by the diocese of Detroit, Karriem Riggins.

I wish Karriem would put out a instrumental record and/or some breaks. Now's the time since cats are really checking for him. In any case, I'm happy to see him get some of that overdue attention. Top of all that, he's got style, and certainly the most out of anyone @ Stones Throw. I'll never forget seeing him in some hi-cut Y-3s I'd been looking for.. Argh! Anyhow, really looking fwd to that Supreme Team record.
In the interim, here's a sample. Enjoy.

Take the Red Pill Neo (Post King)

I should have done the same - is all I thought to myself reading these same words as they mysteriously appeared on my phone. As much as the weather was starting to take a turn for the worst and it got pretty cold, Friday night started well.
Headed over to LoKi for quick drink and shout to Soul Shack and Soul on Ice for the love. Caught up w/ TR Gunna who was riding shot gun that night - heels + fishnets and all. ;)
To quote NIN:

It was a downward spiral from there.

Catching up w/ King Britt and hearing about his coming projects was amazing. He also added he was settling in Philly for a while as the touring was starting to wear his patience thin. Well, I sorta get it. But the Grey Goose bottle service was eventually offered and well, I obliged. The real problems started @ bottle #2. Simply put, after chaperoning Gunna back to her yard, I somehow made it home as well, unwisely by myself.
As I recall (what little I do):
woke @ 8
stepped out.
went back home.
Popped the blue pills but nothing. Man.



and in bed for all day light and most of eve.


I'll spare you the deets, but this mirrored the now famous Bird and Tangerine episodes. Yuck.
I 1nce again will udergo a voluntary detox.
Shouts to TRG, Dapper D, JonJon, Diamantes, iVana (London, eh??) and King of course... Had a blast!

ASG Test

right click here fi download.

Excess Access: Tools Pt3

In some of my previous posts, the extolment of accessories has been very black on white (or light grey on black here). I will forever consider them key in completing habiliments. But who said that accessories are only for a get up?? Many of you know that I have more recently, and with much melancholy, moved from QB. So I now have had a place of my own to embellish and bedeck - 2 floors.
I've had a little while to get things done, but I've sat back and done absolutely nothing. In some part due to a now postponed move, but mostly due to indecision and some apathy. I will let you in on my theme though: Wi-Fi & Wood. Or, Tech & Teak. A smooth amalgam of new technology and ageless design. Regardless, I have slowly amassed assembly parts for this amelioration and will start to document some of these upgrades. Beyoncé, I'm listening (She is kinda hot). So, would you know that I snagged my inaugural item: simple floor mat. They just came in and could not help but take one home w/ me:

I was looking @ a few floor mats previously and will still get them, but how could I not start it all off with something like this??

Say wrd.

I more recently wanted to also get back to a digital display based timepiece, and after getting an email from my man BeeDub @ Nixon, I trotted over by the dwntwn showroom to browse thru some samples. Bam. Nixon Connect.


Been keeping an eye open out for this one for a minute. I even went looking as we opened the cabinet up. After rawking analog watches for so long, this digital readout's been a fresh change. Butterfly clasp as always, 37 time zones and some good old fashion electroluminescence aka Indiglo. I find digitals to have this interesting strictness and discipline about them. Such irony that I would own one. I may have it on for kicks this weekend. See you Friday @ 22h30.

H!

The King And I

This will be the start of a busy week. I should be concluding things up @ work which I am desperately looking fwd to despite the fact that it's been fun of late. Seriously. It's that time of year where I take long road trips w/ some good uninterrupted music. It promotes clarity. Ha.
But the week's end (and I say this as the week as yet to even start) brings a litany of lavish nights, starting with one of my most anticipated:


My man King Britt is in town to bring us some of that sulty, soft red glow, sweet susurrus, Hotel Victor bizness. Toronto chapter of IML checking in King. I'll be in my best accoutrements, and my worst comportment. Ladies, your Fave Ex BF™ will be there to take your mind off worthless worries and share splendid spirits (double entendre).



Whilst I was Barcelona bound via London this summer, King hits me like "Dude, I'm in Paris for a gig. Come thru. I got you." ARGH! I tried to make the dots connect. No dice. 2wo weeks ago, whilst LA bound and stranded in Philly, I again hit up the Pharoah of Philadelphia himself, and he then tells me that he's having a birthday party the monday night. Again, I was a hair away from confirming plans, but work was hollering with a cut throat deadline. Man. No luck. But it's all love. Good look King. Let's break bread when you're here. Looking fwd to it.

King Britt @ Ultra Supper Club
Friday, November 30, 2007 at 10:00pm
Ultra Supper Club
314 Queen St. W., Toronto.

Say wrd.

H!

A River Still Runs: Nokia N82

Been a while since i covered anything mobile phone related since the iPhone was unlocked, but the world is still turning (to the unknowing of some). The fact that of the matter is that the iPhone is still pound for pound the best offer out there as a mobile: features vs price is what I will use to determine that. Used properly, it will absolutely enrich one's experience. But, I still love Nokia and what they are doing on the consumer electronic end of things. They still have one of the best GUIs and likely the best features period. Just over a week ago, they added to the famed N Series lineup by introducing the N82.



Although the candy bar shape was traditionally the biggest bore, it has quietly become the de facto standard - much like sage advice from a patriarch: it's just right. After skipping over the N82's simple but classic design, you start to look @ what has made Nokia the leading mobile computing device manufacturer: the guts. The interface is still the best out of the known telco manufacturers. The S60 operating system is still the standard if you ask me. So, if you are accustomed to that, this N82 should present no real surprises esp if you know the multimedia feature set that all N Series offer. But, where the mobiles have been forced to distinguished themselves is imaging: cameras. The digital pic has become the axis of the expansive social networking lifestyle. Want proof?? Go to any live performance and look @ all the phones that are pulled out when the headliner takes the stage. Hours later that same footage is going to Youtube, Fickr, FaceBook and various blogs around the net. So, with a 5 megapixel camera, powerful Xenon flash and Carl Zeiss optics, the Nokia N82 delivers remarkably vivid photograph as well as some near DVD quality video.



You're then able to share all of the pics and video via WiFi connectivity to upload to your fave sites. One thing that I have been all over since it was in beta form is navigation and GPS for the mobiles. For a traveler, there is nothing better. The built in GPS will set you straight whether you are from deep Mississauga getting lost downtown, or traveling in EU and finding your way around Barcelona or London like I did this summer.



So if you're looking for a multimedia mobile optimized for photography, navigation and internet connectivity, this N82 is certainly for you. With the tools to discover the places and moments worth capturing, and the capabilities to capture and share them instantaneously, the Nokia N82 will offer photography enthusiasts an enhanced camera experience - and you'll still get to have some casual txt ™. ;)

Here are some pix of the Nokia N82


Created with this.

Heralds Of Change

So a few weeks ago, my man Nik T of CRCL RSRCH hits me up like "Dude, Blk Btlz needs to come thru Rock it w/ Circle Research".

BET.

I had been looking for an outlet sans stifling sound restrictions of one of my fave spots. I was sitting all this new music to run, and you know your boy's a scholar in that Low End Theory. Your boy has been looking to play that new sh*t, as I described before, there's a void that needs to be filled. Helrald of Change?? Not per se, but trying to shape that landscape. I'm just a few parts away. My new laptop is on it's way and I just have to get my hands on a midi controller...

Regardless, JonJon, El Gringo Spliff, George Jefferson and your man Paul Wall came through on the strength to play that far out sh*t.





Shouts to all who came as we were cursed with the season's 1st official snowfall, and i was almost handcuffed by this work deadline. But it happened. Xmas bshment is on it's way. Planning as we speak.

H!

Bounce (C'mon)! Bounce (C'mon)!

I wish I could get out of this rut I'm in. No really it's just been in an exceptionally busy 3-4 months. But I think that I'm finally over it. I will say that mymanhenri.com is still in beta form. I plan to do lots to it over December and get ready for what will be a busy new year. That's almost certain.

In the mean time, the next few weeks will be hella busy. Trying to stay up after that super hectic sched that was RBMA - I feel like I still have trace amounts of it in my blood, which is likely why I have some nights in. Oh yea.. it's cold out now as well. Anyhow, most know that I did LAX a few weeks past. So I hit the Stones Throw launch of the 2K Bounce tour. Went for a few reasons, meetings and greetings, but mostly to see the lineup as it was meant to be: PBW, Madlib, J-Rocc, Percee P, Guilty Simpson, Aloe Blacc, K. Riggins and Supreme Team etc...

As you might know, Dec 1 is the Toronto tour stop for this show (Shouts to Nasty Nav). This show is still a must by all means. J-Rocc and Madlib. Period. Anyhow, here are some clips from the LA gig.



Ahhh... That quixotic Madlib. Here he is doing the robot. This was so classic.



MED with that live sh*t.





If you're a fan of the music, make sure you make it out. Rumors have been flying about some of the merch including some tour exclusives, like Perseverance instrumentals. Count me in dude.

It all takes place Dec 1 @ the Opera House.


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See you there....

H!

(Broad) Casting Couch

Man.

I love my Macs. Plural indeed. Got a Black MacBook aka Blkbk, a Mac Mini plugged to a 42" Plasma, and I just bought a new Blkbk last week. Got a deal. Good Look Bro. Going to get back into music in more ways than one, so I needed to get gangster w/ OSX x Serato.

I love OSX and I speak it's qualities all the time, and have seen the whole world around me jump ship. I was iChatting with a newer user last night:
my girl Hana! Hawllah!

Broadcasting live from the comfort of her couch, heeeeeeeeeere's Hana!

*click below*



Had not seen her since my running (up) of the bills this summer in Barcelona, SPA. I f*cking love that place. Anyhow, I had blast on this 4 way w/ her, Ab and Leslie. It's always nice to catch up to cats man. And iChatAV is the vehicle best used for that. Say Wrd.
Now, go get your iChat on!

Hizzla.

To LAX with Love: Top Shoppin

So indeed, LA was the site of some needed time to decompress. After getting over the rush @ the BUF Airport (which i will still endorse despite the recent influx of Canadian passengers), I was able to make my way to LA - notwithstanding a massive layover in Philadelphia.
Although I had planned to not shop @ all, I was unable to resist the nectars of the shopping fruits. So, I picked up a few things. Well, I was also showered w/ some love:
Shouts to my man Nick Diamond who had not seen inna hot min. After surprising him @ his Diamond Supply Co shop on Fairfax, he immediately blessed me with the Diamond Life tee in both colors as well as the Diamond x DVS joints w/ the tee to match. DAMN.

Por Vida dude. for real.
I then walked over to see my mellow, my man Ty G from HVW8 who I had not seen in like a min as well, possibly since Feb of 07 @ Magic. Anyhow, after buying a sought after DVD, he then blessed me w/ some goodies as well: Some sick tees including a HVW8 x Parra and a lim ed 45. Good Look dude.
I then made my way over to Melrose simply to catch up w/ Marc.
I had been clowned for having a real elastic for a wallet, so I made some changes.

Never had great luck w/ wallets. Lost my last 2 including this fresh Paul Frank one... I like this one though.
After visiting Union to say peace to my man, made my way down to American Rag. Sh*t. I got sucked in. After trying them on, I had to buy some Nudies - Thin Finn no doubt. Again, my last pair were the Slim Jim Tubes and they had served me very well. Was due for a new pair. I must say, these fit me kinda sweet TR Gunna.
I had to exercise restraint as the woes of the US dollar were just way too tempting. On top of that, I had plenty more to do out in LAX....

Untitled

Where are the haters?? click above and read on.

Dolla Dolla Bill Y'all

I'm certain that from the meteorologically mediocre coastal Vancouver to the frigid and frosty French language Québec, Canadians are buzzing about the strong dollar. In fact, they art most likely revving their engines.

This AM, I set off on a long overdue trip out (LRG + RBMA took place back to back so I was really here). As per usual, I made my tckt purchase, departing out of Buff for some monstrous savings. Made it pass the border w/ no issues and then made to the airport w/ 40 mins to spare. @ the Buffalo airport, that's an eternity + 1 day.

Can someone pls explain wtf this was then??

I missed my flight, and in the painstakingly slow line, these 2 gents started to discuss the cause of the sudden surge in sightseers.

This blasted bird! Yep, the now Almighty Loonie.

I now find myself sitting here for hours in Philly airport wishing IML Principal King Britt was around (but he's in NY - shouts to King) as I have a 6+ hr layover. WTF?!?! All over a bird??
I have long professed the virtues of flying out of Buffalo, I just suddenly feel that ppl actually listened. :( So now, my date w/LA is postponed for a few more hours, messing up the rest of my weekend. Rendez vous from Northridge to Costa Mesa, all have to be resched'ed. Sux.

¡Jesus!

I'm so upset. I think that I'm gonna go buy a watch... Ha! I should complain not. I'm still making it out west. Below is a picture of Buffalo Airport prkn lot taken this AM. Believe it.



Lemme close this one out w/ a Saukrates classic: Money Or Love. Dolla Dolla Bill Y'all

Hizzla.

LDN Calling

[ring ring]

Call display: +011447943572057. Look familiar??

That was my mobile number in London this past summer. Man o man did I have a blast. But also paid for it. That b£asted pound! Plans are fully in the works to head back out there. Too much to experience. Again, not sure why I waited this long, but consider this bridging the gap. Don't get me wrong, cuz I love yyz. Love it. I look fwd to heading back home after every trip. But the RBMA has given me a taste of what I've be missing. I liken it to having sundried tomatoes for the 1st time.

Mucho Sabor

So, LDN calls. For a number of reasons, it dials me up. For one, it's seemingly the European axis. As such, I am currently planning my next EU tour of duty around it (thank you Ryanair and Easyjet). Avoid LHR and do LGW. The latter is just not as busy and I have heard some living nightmares about Heathrow - long ass layovers, taxying for immeasurable amounts of time... argh! 2, and most importantly, the events they host are just top bill. Were it not for some late planning, I would be @ this below bshmnt:



Are you kidding?? Dego, Benji B (below) and Flying Lotus?? This is what I'm talking about. A triumvirate all worthy of top billing. The RedBull Music Academy brought some of the greatest talent into yyz, but a quasi calmness has seemingly set in, as if I had awaken from a delightful dream. Some have yet to wake from that same dream in the UK. Benji B an Dego, long time bad men have nothing to prove to anyone.



Shooting star Flying Lotus however has been on a meteoric rise. His Worship of Winnekta is one of the chosen few that I venerate as key holders of the new sound, what I like to call that blacktronica. More on him soon...



In any case, the music is setting the bearings of my magnetic compass. Who's down to ride? The winds are blowing... Oh yea. Don't forget your passport.

Deepest Debt

Indeed. Much debt is owed in so many ways. 1st apologies must go to my physical being. Since late August and esp in the last 5 weeks, I have forced my body thru some of the most torturous sleep deprivation. So, when Sunday Oct 28th finally came, atonement and reparations were in order.



I then owe an apology to anyone who even tried to pass thru The Newest Era™. Seemingly, nothing's been gwanning here - though the absolute opposite was the fact, and really too much was on the plate. I'll be sure to get into that very soon.
Lastly, the deepest debt out to RedBull Canada and the Music Academy. The winds of change have been blowing since Sept 21st, and my sail has been up for it. A massive thank you. A separate post will follow full of shots...



In any case, the grind continues. Back @ work.

Against The Grain

The RBMA tales continue.... Never considered myself the benchmark for good music, or the litmus test for the next sound, but I have for years been leaning left of center. Since the early days of me as a college radio as a listener (and later a programmer), listening to Elorius Kane from Ottawa's CKCU. He 1nce ran a show that exposed me to tons of experimental - music that back then no category. It still struggles to find a grouping to this day. But I knew that I loved it. Anyhow, this one's for Samiyam & Hudson Mohawke aka HudMo.



I had been always a fan of the boom and the bap, but I've now added the blip. Seriously. Love it. My man 6L6 said it most frankly: "I wanna do that glitchy sh*t."

My man, Dr. Who Dat got his own thoughts, and I do feel you my dude. You're making that early call and I see it. But I love it still - and you got hella bangers too. So, this one is for one of the funnest showcases yet @ the RBMA07 here in Toronto. Had a blast dudes. Let's do it again. In fact, I hear you will tonight @ The Drake. I'm stoked. Let's take it upstream guys and well against the grain.

Music pls.

Six Six Six

Is it really the # of the beast?? Well, I would argue that over a few times, and I love Bruce Dickinson on top of that (when he had long hair).

SO, BLK BTLZ have a surprise show tonight @ the Beacs. Your boy's bday was yesterday and I wanted to blow it all out and go hard. Then work got real busy. So I had to keep it low key. So, I'm taking it to the Beacs and just makin it real fam like. So, if i ever borrowed money from you, that's cuz I consider you fam. So come thru. If I ever dated your sister? That's just cuz I love you too. So come thru. If I ever chopped your cousin, that's just cuz she was watching me all night. So come thru, and let your cuz know to bring the v-neck I left over there.

Haha. Just playing. I already got my v-neck.

In anycase, I will be playing some bangers that night despite having a hell of a time playing last night w/ Serato. WOW. +, I just realized that I was AS rusty as Jordan on his return. So lemme take that last comment back. No better than J, more like just as bad. But i'll be working on that. Best believe. So until then, come toast w/ your Fave Ex Boyfriend™!

So, here it is:

BLK BTLZ present
The 666 Bday Event for
My Man Henri aka Your Fave Ex Boyfriend™
Wednesday October 10th, @ The Beaconsfield - 1154 Queen St West
Soundtrack by the Mighty BLK BTLZ (JR, DD, RC, HB)

Come one, come all.

Better than Jordan

After some years of contemplating a return, I will essentially make it official: Your Fave Ex Boyfriend™ is back! I will dust off the needles and come out of retirement to take another stab @ the 12s. Been a while but I forever missed playing out. Much of this is due to my most recent stint as a member of the Red Bull Music Academy. It's been so motivating. Considering that I have constant access to music I love, why the hell not.
In any case, DJs need not to worry as I'm not here to cut the pie that much thinner. The majority are out playing the same and I'm going in a place seldom occupied if @ all. Where's that?? Well, come check me out Tuesday Oct 9th @ the Red Bull Music Academy Festival Hub located @ 394 Queen St West from 5-7pm. Will be a blast. RBMA will be screening tees for free. Might be rusty, but this will be the 1st of many nights to come.

Hope to see you there. Info below, but you can also check out the the FaceBook event.



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El Matador

¡Ole!



Out the frying plantain, into the bunning fire! This has been the autumn of austerity, season of stress, epoch of exertion. But all has somehow equated and likened to a labour of love. Rolling with the good people of the Red Bull Music Academy. Say what?? You mean that drink?

Indeed, they essentially are the ones who fund a prestigious music camp. A sort of retreat for the budding maestro that is run @ an allegro tempo. 60 participants are picked from a pool of 2500 applicants.

In anycase, it's been 1 week @ the RBMA and 1 year's worth of priceless experiences. Ppl from all over the world and their music in tow. This had been much more than a guiding light. I now contemplate getting back into it as my fervor for the fortissimo has been germinating seeing all these participants from varied music lineage.

But the reality is, with all the speakers that have been and are coming for this event, how could I not??



We just hosted Tadd Mullinix aka world famous Dabrye, Primo passed thru to speak wise words of wisdom. We've been in the company of Chairman Mao, Georgia Anne Muldrow w/ co-hort Dudley Perkins as well as many others. Coming up?? Well, I can't say as I am sworn to secrecy, but lovers of all things of what I qualify as verdad will be in heaven.

Make sure to come out and support some of these budding artists during the showcases. More to come. But pls be patient, jusy getting accustomed to these long hours...

H!

¡ NO CAMBIO !

That's right. NO CHANGE. I thought that I would say it in the unofficial US language, Spanish.



Sometime today or last night, the Canadian Dollar made the last little bit of way to reach the holy grail: Par w/ the US Dollar. How crazy is that? Exchange euphoria! So, what is your immediate plan??

Touch Screen Is The New Black

I recall being @ MacWorld in San Fran this past January and all were waiting for the doors to open so they could take a look @ the world's most anticipated phone - ever: The iPhone.

A few weeks ago, the 2nd biggest event took place online: The news that the iPhone had been unlocked! Well, it's now in my hands.

So I made the move during my recent trip to Las Vegas. So it's now official: Yes. Yes. Yes and Yes.

Yes, I have the iPhone baby. I was a Mac supporter when it wasn't cool and was being ridiculed. So, why stop now?



Yes, it is unlocked and was done so by my own bare hands (and BlkBook and software too). Yes that does say Rogers Wireless down below...



Yes, I have YouTube unlocked an running. Beware to those who buy from eBay: make sure that they have unlocked the YT functionality. It's not always the case or cleary detailed.

And yes,. You can see it when u see me next.

Touch screen is the new black, and who ever thinks it's not has not tried or used an iPhone yet, and is simply hating. In fact, most know that I am a Cupertino fan as much as I am a Finnish river buff. But even Nokia had to tilt their cap to the iPhone. In fact, they have a prototype of a Nokia branded iPhone-like device (some like to call that biting around these parts). Hell, they even put out a promo the phone. See below.



Coming soon near you. ;)

In any case, Apple has once again made history. They just recently sold their millionth phone in 74 days. And all that was before the unlock hack. How fast wll they sell their next million?? Be assured that with good supply, they'll do that in 1/2 the time. Friends online had commented on how the Buffalo Apple Store was a zoo. This one dude bought 10 phones in one shot. wowsers.

So, this one's for the ppl @ 1 Infinite Loop. Good look.

BTW, I've been hard @ work. Nothing posted for last month. Whip was cracking, Glad to be back.

Say wrd.

H!

Chicken & Waffles: I'm So Down

So, when I was in LA in Jan of this year, before heading down to San Diego for ASR, my man Diz, El Gigante and Nick Diamond of the Diamond Supply Co fame all hit Roscoe's Chicken n Waffles - the original location as I was told. Being West Indian, it was a concept that I could not grasp. Chicken N Waffles?? What the hell is that all about?? Anyhow, when in Rome, do as Italians. So I ordered a waffle and a piece of fried chicken. Lemme tell you that i had the sweetest sleep on the way to San Diego. Wow.

Anyhow, California consul of style, Fresh Jive have released a set of tees in honor of this American dietary staple. Most notably, the campaign promoting this collection also features a short video starring adult movie star Pinky. Not really in touch with the new school as I grew up with girl guides like Purple Passion, Vanessa Del Rio and Angel Kelly. But this Pinky chick is nuts.



I have my sources, but word is that I might even buck up with she when I'm out in LV in the next few weeks. Look for some new pix to come up. In fact, the night that I am supposed to see her might be one of the best nights in LV, since I partied w/ Waajeed a few years back. Shouts to my man Ty G!

You know I couldn't chat about the video and not post it.

WARNING - I will not be held responsible for any disciplinary action taken against you when this video plays whilst your work hours. You know that you're already in hot water for spending most of your day on Facebook. So the disclaimer reads as follows:

Be Bloodclawt Careful.

Ok. Now x2 click the space below (x2 click to stop it too).



BTW, Fresh Jive is selling tees. Did you forget?? You can find them @ any of the several fine Fresh Jive boutiques near you, say like LiveStock.

Here are the tees:


Created with this.

Out.

Detroit 2 LA: House Shoes x HVW8

My man Ty G has been burning up putting out a sick podcast. He just started it recently and has had some heavyweight (pun intended) cats come thru: Daz-I-Kue, Black Spade and a few others. Most recently, vol.17 was touched by the newest LA resident but forever Detroit rider DJ House Shoes.



This Michigan magistrate has been down with the D before cats knew what was happening. Having seen the Dilla movement from it's infancy, he forever carries the torch and spreads that Detroit doctorine @ each able opportunity.

This newest HVW8 podcast was no exception.

Enough.

Pls get down w/ my man Ty G's podcast. If you got iTunes, you can subscribe to his podcast by clicking here.

You can also just download the entire podcast by right clicking here.

Tracklist is as follows:

House Shoes - Castles (CDR)*D
Guilty Simpson - For the D (CDR)*D
Jay Electronica - Victory is in My Clutches (CDR)
Pete Rock/Slum Village - Gangsta Boogie *D
Blu - No Greater Love (Sound in Color)
Kev Brown - Random Joint (LowBudget)
Waajeed - Proud (Bling 47)*D
House Shoes - Newports (CDR)*D
Dabrye feat. Guily Simpson - Special (Black Milk rmx) (CDR)*D
Quelle - Special Ingredient (CDR)*D
Qeulle w/ Denmark Vesey - Deal Widdit (CDR)*D
Snowman Jack - Street Corner Music (CDR)*D
M.O.P. - Sharks
Marv Won - Back Like I Never Left (CDR)*D
House Shoes - Dorothy's Look (CDR)*D
Marv Won - Happy Birthday (CDR)*D
14 KT - Gee Whiz (CDR)*D
Black Milk - Get Down (CDR)*D
House Shoes - It's On (CDR)*D
Phat Kat - True Story Pt.II (Look)*D
Waajeed - Dusk (Bling 47)*D
Jay Dee - Fresh for 98 (CDR)*D
Illa Jay - Me and My Brother (CDR)*D
J Dilla w/ Ta'Raach - Say It! (Operation Unknown)*D
Guilty Simpson - Get Bitches, Get Rides (Stones Throw)*D
Phat Kat - My Old Label (Look)*D
14 KT - Without Dilla (CDR)*D
Robert Glasper - J Dillalude (Blue note)
D'Angelo - Fantastic (CDR)
Erykah Badu - Didn't Cha Know

(*D reps Detroit to the fullest, as if you didn't know...)

You can also stream it down here if you're @ work. You know that had to happen. say wrd. Click Play. Enjoy.

More Beyonce, Less Britney: Kweli in Toronto, Aug 30th 2007.

More schools, Less prisons
More freestyle, Less written
More serious shit, Less kiddin
More history, Less mystery
More Beyonce, Less Britney!

More or Less - Talib Kweli

Fa sho Kweli!



SO Kweli is back in Toronto on Thursday Aug 30th 2007 @ the Phoenix. I think the last time he came to Toronto, he was scheduled to shoot his video for More Or Less. He also wanted to rawk a small show on a last second's notice. So the good ppl @ REMG whipped one up real good @ the Reverb, and it resulted in a Sept 2006 show that was phenomenal. Peep the footage below (again, shot with the Nokia N90).



This is gonna be a hot.

Kweli got a deep catalog now, and he's got some certified bangers - even though there are some that I never hear any longer (like 2000 seasons--> love that joint!). Looking fwd to this show, in fact I am trying to make it back in time from Sin City to make it (as well as get some real work done).

Do yourself a solid, and make it out to this show. You'll get to see how some emcees really put it down.

More Dilla Dawg, less wack sh*t,
More Jack Davey, less fake chicks,
More multi cultural, less segregation,
More broken beat, more inspiration.
More hair picks, less colored contacts,
More indie labels, less funny contracts
More partying, less lineups,
More originals, less mash-ups
More Madlib, more Liberation EP
More James Brown, Less Elvis Presley
More Spike Lee, less minstrel shows
More College Radio, less FLOW.

Freestyle - My Man Henri.

I'll never be able to write rhymes, let alone rap. My career's a wrap though. This took me like, all day to script - and it's still not tight. LOL.

Anyhow, I thougth that you should @ least get a sight & sound of the original work of art that is the "More or Less" vid by Hi-Tek and Kweli. As I mentioned, shot in Toronto. Styled by GetJanet, and features some TBG (aka Too Black Guys), rawked by none other than Talib himself. Say wrd.

See you @ the show on the 30th, and enjoy.



H!

Memento: Cuba 2006

Thirty is the new twenty playa. So we've been made aware of by a mid to late thirty something dude who needed to validate his craving and desire to screw a twenty something chick. All good. Wouldn't have said anything anyhow Sean. Do u, and her whilst you're @ it. I just ask that you hit me w/ the juicy deets in the AM. Sh*t, I can listen all day. ;) Does she have another sister?? I'm not even that mad @ the House of Dereon rags... Lies. I am.



So, on my new twenty something-ith bday, I was treated to a last second trip to Cuba. How kind was that?? ;) Cuba is a place that I long admired for several reason, but essentially all things culturally tied: the music, the sun, the food and the dearest language that is Spanish. We arrived late one Friday night, and left the following Monday as it landed on a Thanksgiving weekend (Give thx).

As much as I stayed on the resort in Varadero, I got to ride a scooter along the Northern Coast - long side the Gulf Of Mexico.



¡Mira, Mira! What a wonderful site indeed.

I ate well, was basking in the sun, had some great fun and even bought some art in a mercado cubano. I met some Haitians there ironically, and I also met a very interesting retired Cuban teacher called Armando. Click below.



All of this came rushing back in memory as some friends of mine are off to Cuba for a week. Given the op, you should do the same. Do your best to leave the resort as much as possible. You'll be exposed to so much more. And it's not even all that hard to get around.

In any case, I tracked down the photos I took. All of them as well as the video are courtesy of the Nokia N90 imaging phone. If you ever have the chance to get your hands on one, it will replace quite a few things on your digital tool belt. And they sync well w/ Macs now as well. ;) Email me, and I'll show you more.

Enjoy the pix, and book your trip.

H! aka Enrique Pandillero


Created with this.

Sound & Color: Caribana 2007

Dear Bana

pls look @ this post as more of a kind of mea cupla, displiceo. Earlier this year, anyone who asked or cared to listen would have heard me tell them how I was looking fwd to leaving town as I thought I couldn't handle the associated commotion of Toronto's and the West Indies' pride and joy: Caribana 2007. I just thought I had seen enough, heard enough, jumped enough and ate enough. I could not be any more further from the truth.



Already, I am a fan of Sound & Color, and you had it all. So how could I not be around for this? Already, I'm more impassioned w/ the sun than Icarus himself. The sun was @ it's shiniest, the sky was clearer than the beaches in the most celebrated West Indians beaches, the JBLs and Cerwin Vegas were booming and the colors were bold.



I 1nce again speak of my ppl w/ more pride than Common's new single. ;) I had such a blast. Hope you did to. Enjoy some of these photos and videos.

I'll see you next year dear. ;) I got that spare room for you. Can't wait.

Hizzla.



How could we have Bana w/o a little slackness?



Ok. Just trying some new photo interface. Enjoy the pix.


coded with this.

Memento: Dinner w/ Jose Parla.

My thoughts and writing can be so unfocused and nebulous @ times, I started to think that I was Guy Pearce in that great piece of cinematography, Memento. I have so much that I've not shared that I have decided to create a thread dedicated to older events that I loved, and I've yet to discuss.



Sometime in 2006, I was in NY on my way to a Giant Step & Jazzanova party @ Cielo in the meat packing district. @ the start of the night, we went and saw a film about graph writers/artists. It featured many of the greats, who also happened to be in attendance, such as Haze.
That night, I also met a Cuban artist who goes by José Parlá.
We went on to party all together that same night. He was a hella cool and genuine dude - and I got to practice some Spanish.
FFWD to 2007 and my UK trip. I heard he was in London for a show that he had w/ Futura @ Elms Lesters Painting Rooms. I somehow end up on the phone w/ my girl Jazzi who then put José on the line!

¡Platanos!

We all end up hooking up w/ friends in the infamous Brick Lane in London for some great Indian food.
All in all, a great time was had and I post this only to highlight the strength and love in friendships. Nothing more true and pure. Besides, I owe you dinner JP! ;) On me next time.



Shouts to my boy José and Jazzi. If you have the op, pls feel free to check out José's work online. Below is quite possibly one of my fave pieces

click for larger image:


Hizzla.out.