Sweet Soul Mix

Monday, September 21, 2009

Mixes like these make you realize just how much incredible music is out there. I haven’t gotten into 45s too much, but this mix definitely tips me in that direction. The theme here is simple: sweet soul music. Thanks to Hammertime for putting this one together.

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Record Porn: African Cover Art

Friday, September 18, 2009

Over the past year or so I’ve become seriously obsessed with African music, in part to the number of blogs dedicated to the music, but also to the number of compilations and reissues that are starting to pop up. Aside from the music, which I will cover in another post and D.I.A. mix, the cover art is something I find particularly striking. Imagining this stuff being done without a computer makes it all that more impressive. Great use of colors, type, illustration, layout….and although the cut and paste techniques are literally cut and pasted, it still contributes to an African aesthetic that in many ways was ahead of its time. Anyways, here’s some record porn for you to feast your eyes on while I start to put together a mix that’s every bit as impressive as the art.

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The Wu-Note Project

Monday, September 14, 2009

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Wu-Tang album covers are amongst some of the most classic in hip hop, but Logan Walters is giving them a run for their money with his Wu-Note Project. Reid Miles was the Art Director for Blue Note from 1956 to 1965 and is responsible for some of the most timeless cover designs to grace any record sleeve. Often using half tones, sharp geometric shapes, Swiss inspired design aesthetics and big, bold typography, Miles’ impact on design is immense. As an homage to Reid, Logan has decided to recreate all of the seminal Wu-Tang album covers with a Blue Note flavor. Bobby Digital and Liquid Swords are two of my favorites, but I must say Walters has done a great job capturing the bold simplicity of Blue Note design. I’ve included some examples of classic Blue Note album covers for those that aren’t too familiar with them, followed by some of Walters’ work. He continues to release new covers on his flickr page as he completes them so be sure to check that periodically.

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Alphabet Prints

Saturday, September 12, 2009

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The alphabet poster I had up in my room growing up wasn’t half as cool as these. Today, it doesn’t seem to be a kid thing anymore as I’ve noticed a sudden spike in popularity amongst graphic designers finding creative ways to interpret their ABCs. Here are a bunch that I’ve found over the past year that have caught my eye. I really love Petit Collage’s interpretation, so much in fact that I”ve been tempted on many occasions to preemptively buy it for my first child. They have three color ways: a neutral, and a pink or blue option. Here are some more cool prints.

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by Alex Lucas

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by Morning Breath

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by Decoy Lab

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by Burlesque of North America

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by Letterfest

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by Sycamore Street Press


DJ Quik – Criminally Slept On

Thursday, September 3, 2009

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Matthew Africa was kind and talented enough to put together this mix of the sorely underrated DJ Quik. Besides Dre, I don’t think anyone else has had a bigger impact on the sound of LA rap over the past 20 years, yet he remains criminally slept on. These 39 tracks give a great overview of the man’s career that is certainly far from over. You can read more at Matthew Africa’s blog and download his mix which comes highly recommended. Great Labor Day weekend listening right here. Enjoy.

Tracklisting

1. America’z Most Complete Artist
2. Sweet Black Pussy
3. Loked Out Hood
4. Get At Me
5. Down, Down, Down feat. Suga Free
6. Tonite
7. Pitch In On A Party
8. I Don’t Wanna Party wit U
9. We Still Party
10. Let’s Get Down (Tony Toni Toné)
11. Let Me Know (Hi-C)
12. Up ‘N Da Club (2nd II None)
13. Hand In Hand
14. Black Mercedes feat. Nate Dogg
15. Do I Love Her? feat. Suga Free
16. Don’t Walk Away feat. Suga Free
17. Safe + Sound
18. You’z A Ganxta
19. Dollaz + Sense
20. U Ain’t Fresh! feat. Erick Sermon
21. Til Jesus Comes
22. Tha Truth Is… (Mausberg)
23. Trouble RMX
24. Jus Lyke Compton
25. Trust No Bitch (Penthouse Players Clique)
26. Born & Raised In Compton
27. Summer Breeze
28. So Many Wayz
29. 50 Ways feat. Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men
30. Speed
31. Sex Crymee
32. Ni**az Still Trippin’ feat. Hi-C
33. Smoke II Much (Fixxers)
34. So Good (Fixxers)
35. Can You Work Wit Dat (Fixxers)
36. I Got That Feelin’
37. Me Wanna Rip Your Girl
38. Chocolate Lover feat. Sexy Leroy & the Chocolate Lovelitez
39. One On 1 feat. El DeBarge


Jay-Z Rhapsody Commercial

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

This is one of the best commercials I’ve seen in a long time. You have to be familiar with Jay-Z’s albums, or at least most of them to get the concept, but it’s a great, simple idea executed perfectly.

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