We're back in Tokyo next week for some gigs and inspiration.
Friday night we'll be joining DJs Ike, Kazz, Hisaco, and TaKE for the 5th anniversary of their party 'Righthere' at Club LOOP. I've been hearing amazing things about LOOP, so I'm excited to check it out.
Saturday, we're back at the THE ROOM with our brothers Shuya Okino and Yukihiro Fukotomi for 'The Crossing'. One of the best clubs on the planet for what we do. Presented by Extra Freedom.
We'll also be transmitting live on Shibuya FM on Friday Dec 5 from 11-12 pm. Please tune in.
I look forward to seeing all the crew, especially the Minotaur folks!
Arkitip goes from strength to strength, enlisting the legendary Peter Saville for their latest issue.
An aptly titled new album from one of the most underrated musicians on the planet. Everything that Kaidi Tatham touches sounds good to me, and this is no exception. Dropping December 13 via Japan's Freedom School. Here's a taste...
One of my favorite NY shops, Nom De Guerre, releases another season of military inspired designs. The folks at WeAreTheMarket caught up with the owners for a chat.
Also check the new online shop from another NY boutique, Odin, featuring designers like Band of Outsiders, Engineered Garments and Robert Geller.
Its been said before, but man, Jose Parla's work is just amazing. I think he's really figured out the way to transition the pure street aesthetic onto 'canvas'. Check his first solo NYC show, surprisingly, at Christina Grajales Gallery until December 20.
Terence Koh's work is kinda crazy, but you have to be fascinated by his new show curated by Julian Schnabel's 23 year old son Vito at the space of Olivier Sarkozy (half-brother to French president), in the former space of the great and late photographer, Richard Avedon.
KAWS is back on display at the Gering & Lopez Gallery with a bunch of new work.
As well as the new sleeve for Kanye.
Check out the pop-up art space Meet Waradise on the Lower East Side for the next few weeks.
For those in London, check out Edge08 at the London Jazz Festival from November 14-23.
My man Paul Bradshaw is keeping the Chaser vibe alive via 10 days of music, film and photography. Highlights include the exhibition of Peter Williams' classic music photography, live performances by Robert Glasper Trio and Steve Williamson, and Another Sunday Afternoon a Dingwalls- revisiting the classic Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge session at the original Camden venue. Looks great.
My sister came up big (thanks!) at the Ft Greene Flea Market, scoring two copies of this Picasso issue of Ralph Ginzburg and Herb Lubalin's Avant Garde magazine. Only lasting 16 issues, from '68 to '71, Avant Garde was amazing on so many levels-- not only for the design, but for its radical content. It also spawned the very famous typeface of the same name by Mr. Lubalin.
There's a lot of good things to share this month, so I made a supa-extended web version of the show. Check out the Dam Funk interview thanks to Akihiro, and a big shout to Just One for the accappella style intro... We're live and direct from the Shibuya FM studio in Tokyo next month. Stay tuned.
Listen / Download (MP3, 77 mg)
01 Q-Tip feat. D'Angelo / I Believe (Motown)
02 Illa J / DFTF (Instrumental) (Delicious Vinyl)
03 Kid Sublime feat Camp Lo / Rappin' Blak (Dopeness Galore)
04 Diamond D / I'll Be Alright (Babygrande)
05 Waxolutionists feat Hygher Baby / Flashlights (Sunshine)
06 The Big Payback & Reggie B / New Worlds (Circulations)
07 Dam Funk / 10 West (Stones Throw) + interview
08 Dego feat. Ferraz / So Right (2000 Black)
09 Jazzanova / Look What You're Doing to Me (Universal)
10 Deetron feat Just One / Let's Get Over It (Phlash Edgit) (CDR)
11 Fudge Fingas / Ghost House (Prime Numbers)
12 Busy People / Someday (Isoul8 remix) (Sunshine)
13 Reel People feat Omar / Outta Love (IG Culture refit) (Papa)
14 Da Lata / It's Not Over (Faze Action remix) (Papa) +
15 Dick Dickler / The Tapes (Max Trax) +
16 John Beltran / Your Love (CDR)
17 Kindred Spirits Ensemble / Shining Liberation (KS) +
This is one limited edition item that might actually be worth it.
I had to make the quick trip up to Chicago to celebrate Obama's victory in Grant Park with hundreds of thousands of people. The streets were literally covered for as far as you could see. All over the country and world, we've seen similar excitement. Truly a monumental point in history.
The design team behind the magazine of the same name launch a new website. Great work.
Obama, visualized by Ian Wright. As Spike Lee said, appropriately quoting Nina Simone, "Its a new dawn. Its a new day". Amazing.
Here are a couple of Jay Lew shots from our last party... it was all about the DJ.
Thanks to Has, Gino Grasso and Trus'me.
This week I met up with Alex Bec. He's former student of my friend Ian, and is also behind the very cool print series, If You Could. He recently set up his own studio with partner Will Hudson in London. Good luck to you guys!
One of the foremost American critics on design, Steven Heller, weighs in on his favorite political buttons of 2008.
Boogie is alive and well on the West Coast. Gotta check this party...
My buddy Brian tipped me off to a new magazine that he's working on with Tank Design in NY. I'm especially digging the website, nice work.
