Our recent trip to Tokyo is better visualized through the lens of Jay Lewis. Check his site for the full update.
I was surprised that I hadn't discovered the Italian design firm Box Due earlier. Some nice editorial and branding work dating back to the 80's.
DSM in London hosts NIGO© and Jun Takashi's classic Nowhere space beginning January 17. (The original Harajuku boutique that launched both of their careers.) Also check Nigo and other new additions like Hiromix over at the Honeyee blog reload.
Seeing the recently released Kim Jones Archive pieces made me a bit sad that he passed up his own line in favor of Dunhill. Available only through Eliminator.
After some delays and a long flight fighting a cold, we're back to ice and snow storms, and rude cab drivers.
Welcome to NYC!
But its all good, because Tokyo was absolutely amazing. Thanks so much to all our old and new friends that made the trip wonderful.
Shuya, you are the don! Seriously. So much style and grace.
Izumi-san, Taro and the Minotaur crew, I look forward to many more collaborations in the coming years.
THE ROOM crew... my extended family in Japan.
Toshio, thanks for saving the night at LeBaron.
Taro, Gaku & Jazzy Sport fam... best shop in Tokyo. Can't wait to go through all the tunes.
Eguchi & Shibuya FM.
Yoshihisa and LOOP crew, thanks for a funnn night.
Tetsuo, it was great to meet you, and I look forward to building.
Mari, see you soon in some part of the world.
Jazzamar, my new friend in Paris.
Sarasa, the hottest female DJ in the area.
Moribe-san, thanks for the dope sneakers.
Hal, meet me at Park Hyatt later?
... and many more.
Here are a few, grainy, iPhone memories. I promise I will get that Ricoh joint over the holidays.
Sony Japan has just released a great new headphone series called the XB (extra bass) in two sizes, the 300 and 700. Thanks for the tip, Toshio.
I've seen and heard a lot of amazing music in the past 2 weeks, but nothing compares to Moodymann in front of thousands of loyal followers. He f****n' destroyed it.
We're going to need a strong leader to pull us through these times. Hopefully he doesn't fall asleep.
So after a year of doing the radio show for Shibuya FM, I finally made it back to actually do one live in session. I certainly have a newfound respect for radio DJ's -- it's not an easy job. Thanks to technology, my regular routine has been programming the show from my home in NYC and sending it through online. Its a lot more time consuming, but far easier than doing it on-the-fly. Thanks to Eguchi-san for guiding me through.
With that said, this show has a different feel. A bit rougher, and you get the pleasure of hearing me yap over the music a bit. Hope you enjoy. (PS- big shouts to Khairi and Ibrahim who I accidentally omitted on air - my boys!).
Listen / Download (MP3, 58 mb)
01 Lars Bartkuhn / Goodbye Dancing Hello God (Sonar Kollektiv)
02 PPP / Ain't No Ifs or Maybes (Ubiquity)
03 PPP / Pigeon Hole (Ubiquity)
04 Jazzanova feat Phonte / So Far From Home (Universal)
05 Showbiz & AG / Experience (DITC)
06 Royce the 5'9 / Shake This (CDR)
07 SA-RA feat Bilal & Georgia / Master Teacher (Freshselects)
08 Kaidi Tatham / These Things Will Pass (Freedom School)
09 Sascha Dive / Deepest America (Moodymann remix) (Ornaments)
10 Shuya Okino feat Diviniti / Sun Will Shine (Geneon)
11 Reel People / It Will Be (Kyoto Jazz Massive remix) (Papa)
12 Afronaught feat Blu & Drastic / Change (CoOp)
13 Alister Johnson feat Sacha Williamson / Blame (CDR)
And much to love to Jay for taking all the great shots... Wait for the motherload to come in a few days.
Who said vinyl was dead? The music industry is definately hurting, but thankfully there is no shortage of good music coming out in Japan. Thanks for the inspiration!
If you happen to be in Amsterdam, I recommend checking the exhbit of Niels Shoe Muelman, originator of 'calligrafitti', at one of my favorite record shops Rush Hour.
Also check this nice video of Niels at work.
I've really been digging the work of Christopher Wool lately...
Supreme recently collaborate with him on some skate decks.
The boys at If You Could are ending the year right with an exhibit of the 2008 Print Series. Check the flicks from the opening here.
You can now buy all 24 prints from the year, including a forward by Adrian Shaughnessy (founder of Intro Design). The last installation of prints come from HelloVon and Mr. Ian Wright (see below).
Photography by Dustin Ross.
Hey Ian, how do you do it?
