Kubrick as photographer

Apparently, acclaimed director Stanley Kubrick spent some time as a photographer during the 1940s, including shooting for Look. His eye for composition shines bright. Likewise, there may be some influences that would reappear later.

This guy shares a striking similarity to Dr. Strangelove

I found this via Jungle Gym Magazine, check out the link to see more photos and get the back story.

Arabesque

I stumbled across this on Netflix yesterday, but haven't watched it yet.

I've been busy re-organizing my digital music library - the coming of the new year seemed like a good opportunity to take a stab at a long overdue task. There'll be some good stuff on the way though. Until then, Happy New Year.

Adrian Younge

 Adrain Younge made hip hop in the late 90s, then he decided to learn how to play real instruments. A decade later, he's dropping this jam-tastic EP on Wax Poetics. You know it's gotta be funky. "1969 Organ" is definitely rocking your world if you enjoyed the Heliocentrics or Karl Hector and have a penchant for - you guessed it - psychedelic organ riffs! You need this in your life. Merry Christmas.
  Adrian Younge Presents Venice Dawn (EP) by Wax Poetics

151 Feva Gang

This right hurr is a Georgia Peach of a party anthem.


Found this via @Noz's Best Rap of 2011 list.

Video: ESKMO "Color Dropping"

Here's a real cool video for ESKMO's "Color Dropping," a track off his debut LP that manages to be both glitchy and stompy. The design and texture of his sound is incredible and the video does a nice job of emphasizing that with the visuals.


ESKMO just got back from a European tour that landed him in Greece at the same time the austerity measures were being passed and rioting was starting. Catch his first hand account of the experience here.

Bullits x Jay Electronica

I have no back story on this. A friend posted it to Facebook and I was like whoah. Sort of a post-Ziggy Stardust era David Bowie feel to the musical backdrop, then Jay comes in around 1:40 to lay a few methodical bars - like DOOM on Screw sans pitch drop.

Flux Pavillion x Doctor P

Whoah. This track and this video are both badass. Superbadass. The synth work is monstrous.


You can head over to Circus Records and get a free mixtape from them in exchange for signing up for their email list.

Jon Hopkins

 Had the pleasure of catching Jon Hopkins play a set at MoogFest in 2010, and it was mind-bending. This track off his 2009 album, Insides, is a bass crunching masterpiece. If you've never heard of him, but have ever enjoyed Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, and similar innovators of IDM, then you should definitely check out more of his stuff.
  Jon Hopkins - Insides by Jon Hopkins

A Day in the Death of Donny B

I stumbled across this while searching the new public domain channel available via Roku. It might be hard to believe but the government paid for this film to be made in 1969. For an anti-drug film, it's surprisingly not-cheesy. It's shot documentary style, including footage of Donny B (the film's junkie namesake) going about his day, and interviews with friends and community members. The soundtrack, this looping, psychedelic lament is courtesy of Harry Holt.

Major Lazer "Original Don"

Major Lazer just tweeted the debut of their new video and it is ridiculous. Whoever thought of this is either a sociopathic auteur strung out on some magical drug that the rest of us jerks don't even know about yet, or a genius. Judging by the fact that after 301 views, there were 51 dislikes (15%), I guess not everyone agrees, but the Parisians rioted after the debut of Stravinksy's "Rite of Spring," so that's the risk you run for making "art." Prepare for suburb-sploitation chock full of samurai weapons and an amusing Diplo cameo. Oh yeah, and the track is dope too.

DTMD x Oddisee

Mello Music is offering up this tune for free as of today. Tune your ears into a smooth soul chop courtesy of Dunc (the 1st D in DTMD) and the lyrical stylings of Toine and Oddisee. The DMV is putting out some serious hip hop the last couple years.

Mwahaha x Odd Nosdam

 When I think of Oakland, I usually think of Hieroglyphics or Too $hort, not crazy psychedelic rock. But, I guess SF is just across the bridge, and rent is crazy, so if you're a scrappy young band, Oakland is probably a sensible destination. Regardless of my personal associations with the Bay Area, Mwahaha (think villainous laughter) wants to claim a place in my heart and my playlist. Their self-titled album is out today (listen/purchase via their Bandcamp page), and it's really good. If you like obscure 60s sounds, and maybe had a penchant for TV on the Radio before they got softer than Drake's stuffed animal collection, then you need this in your life. It's not for the faint of heart.


Also, in honor of the album coming out, Bay Area left-field/glitch-hop producer Odd Nosdam gives one of their tunes a once over and the results are niiiice. Check out the remix here, or [right click + save as] if you wanna keep a copy.

"A Woman Will Do Wrong"

I stumbled across this song on a dollar bin oldies compilation, and it resurfaced a couple months ago while playing records at home one night. Powerful soul courtesy of Helene Smith. This joint will give you goosebumps.

Roots Manuva x Falty DL

I've been seeing Falty DL's name attached to a lot of projects lately. He had a remix on Take's Only Mountain remix album that might have been the first place I remember seeing him. Here he gives a low-key-but-sub-y backdrop to Roots Manuva's "Here We Go Again."

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Some more far out Japanese electronic music from the early 80s. Thanks "Related Video" box on YouTube.

Haruomi Hosono

The internet is full of magic. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If it weren't magic, how could it allow me to stumble across this Japanese electro gem from 1982 while on a search for the (completely unrelated) soundtrack for Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973).


If anyone has a copy of the Bee Girls soundtrack (if it even exists), give me a shout. I'm on a mission to find it.

Video: Speak Easy "Crane Kick Flow"

ATL visual artist/MC Sean Fahie aka Speak Easy just wrapped up this video for the single off his recent LP Coronas, Condoms and Cigarettes: A Musical Guide to Awesome Living. The man raps about what he knows. We co-curated an art show called Fresh Produce at the Indigo Sky Community Gallery as part of the 2011 Savannah Urban Arts Festival. The crazy part is he makes art as good as he flows. For a general overview of his style, check the intro to the video, it could double as his Tao. Shout out to Danny! on the beat - keeping it super smooth.

Little Ann "Sweep It Out in the Shed"

Some stone cold soul found via a recommendation from one of my favorite denizens of dance, Ms. Sugar Britches.

An oldie but a goodie

Go ahead and marinate on this Bay-area classic: