THE WORLD IS READY

ANDY WARHOLS GREATEST ALBUM COVERS

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:41:00 +0000

Andy Warhol may be most famous for silk-screening soup cans, making boring home movies and getting shot, but some of the late artist's most popular work probably resides in your record collection. Warhol's iconic images grace no less than 50 album covers, ranging from obscure jazz and spoken-word titles to seminal pop albums by the Velvet Underground, the Rolling Stones, Diana Ross, the Smiths and Aretha Franklin. To celebrate the "Warhol Live" retrospective that opens Saturday and runs through May 17 at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, we have a look at some of his finest forays into the LP rack.

The Joe Newman Octet: "I'm Still Swinging"
(1956) While Warhol's quirky ink drawings started appearing on classical and world-music albums as early as 1949, it wasn't until he started getting commissioned jazz covers for Count Basie and Artie Shaw that his sly sensibility came to the surface. This one, for trumpet soloist Joe Newman, contains one of Warhol's earliest attempts at collage art, even if it was done simply to please the suits at RCA, who were used to seeing their musicians' pictures on album sleeves.

Kenny Burrell: "Blue Lights, Volumes 1 and 2"
(1958) With this two-volume Blue Note set by guitarist Kenny Burrell, Warhol finally broke away from simply drawing close-ups of musicians and their instruments and delivered a piece of art as evocative as the music inside. Among the curves and dips, it also reveled in his long-running fetish for high heels.

"The Velvet Underground & Nico"
(1967) Warhol's biggest artistic statement in the music world echoed the Campbell's soup cans that made him famous. He once again takes an ordinary item from the grocery store and blows it up bigger than life with dramatic results. On first printings, fans who followed the instructions to "peel slowly and see" by removing the banana-skin sticker were rewarded with an image of the fruit inside. Better still, while the cover prominently featured Warhol's name, there was no mention of the band anywhere, which could explain why, before it became recognized as such a coveted piece of rock history, the album sold just 5,000 copies.

The Rolling Stones: "Sticky Fingers"
(1971) Probably Warhol's most problematic album cover, in that 1) Each copy contained an actual zipper attached to the front that basically killed any other record that touched it in the record store racks; and 2) The crotch area featured is especially well defined, causing several store owners to refuse to carry the album. Never mind the underwear shot inside. Either way, combined with the raunchy music it helped the Stones reinvent their image from hapless Altamont burnouts to sexually charged rock demigods.

Diana Ross: "Silk Electric"
(1982) Even though he made her get dressed up in head-to-toe gold lame for the Polaroid session at his New York studio, the Factory, Warhol ended up using a close-up of Ross' face for the final product. More important, it was produced in the style that would define the covers of Warhol's Interview magazine and most of his subsequent work through the '80s with the high-contrast silk-screen images, vivid background colors and signature bright red lips. You can get your own knockoff on just about any street corner at Fisherman's Wharf.

The Smiths: "The Smiths"
(1984) Warhol didn't actually design this cover for the influential British band's debut album, but the image of actor Joe Dallesandro (rumored to be the same model on the cover of the Stones' "Sticky Fingers") was taken from his 1968 film, "Flesh." It was one of the better releases Warhol's name was associated with during the decade, as he indiscriminately embraced everyone from tank-top-wearing FM rocker Billy Squier (he created the cover for 1982's "Emotions in Motion") to British one-hit-wonders Curiosity Killed the Cat, for whom he directed a music video shortly before his death.

SOURCE: SF CHRONICLE

THE SATORIALIST + LUNCH FOR 25

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:06:00 +0000

Founder/blogger/photographer Scott Schuman began The Sartorialist with the idea of creating a two-way dialogue about the world of fashion and its relationship to daily life. In addition to the blog, Schuman’s work has been featured in GQ, Vogue Italia, Vogue Paris, and Interview; for GQ, Schuman shot and edited his own page for over three years. Schuman has appeared in national ad campaigns for The Gap and Verizon, and collaborated with Kiehl’s on an exclusively commissioned product and campaign surrounding Father’s Day. Nespresso, DKNY Jeans, Gant, OVS, Crate & Barrel, and Absolut have all commissioned ad campaigns. Burberry, meanwhile, tapped Schuman to shoot the groundbreaking social media-cum-advertising “Art of the Trench” project. In 2009 Penguin published an anthology of his images that has sold well over 100,000 copies to date and been translated into languages from English to Korean. Its limited-run Bespoke Edition sold out in less than three months. His work resides in the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. http://www.thesartorialist.com/

LIANNE LA HAVAS + LOST & FOUND

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:06:00 +0000

Last night, UK starlet Lianne La Havas rocked NYC at Mercury Lounge, performing a soulful array of beautiful selections accompanied by a 3-piece band (Drums, Keys, Bass). Fan favorites, Lost & Found, Tease Me, Gone, Age, Forget and No Room For Doubt were just a few of the songs that were masterfully performed. Lianne voice is easy and effortlessly sexy, similar to Lauryn Hill. She delivers tons of emotion spirited by a passion for music and love, both gained and lost. Her songs are unconventional to mainstream formats. There are no catchy hooks or gimmicky catchphrases. Lianne is refreshingly simple, in a great way. Her music a guitar and a mic, matched with a great smile and charming personality makes her a wonder to watch.

La Havas' EP Lost & Found was released on 21 October on the Labour of Love label and featured Willy Masonon the opening track, "No Room For Doubt". In October 2011, La Havas released a live EP, Live From LA, which was made available for free download on her website.

La Havas made her television debut on 21 October 2011, broadcast of BBC's Later...with Jools Holland, a programme that also featured Wisconsin folk band Bon Iver. On 25 October 2011, it was announced that La Havas would tour in support of Bon Iver on the band's December 2011 North American tour. La Havas' official debut single, Lost & Found will be released in the UK on April 30, 2012. Her debut album, Is Your Love Big Enough will be released on July 9, 2012 in the UK on Warner Brothers.

http://www.liannelahavas.com/

https://twitter.com/liannelahavas

QUANTIC + ALICE RUSSELL + COMBO BARBARO = I'LL KEEP MY LIGHT IN MY WINDOW

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:46:00 +0000

SOULFUL X SEXY X SUMMER

Quantic and Alice Russell finally get back together for their upcoming opus titled "Look Around the Corner"with collaborator, Combo Barbaro. Made by B+, both video and audio for this mini documentary were captured at a direct to disc recording session in The Carvery Studios, Hackney, London, in August 2011 during the London Riots.

The album version of this track is on the new Quantic & Alice Russell LP 'Look Around The Corner' out 3rd April in the USA, 2nd April in the rest of the world.

"I'll Keep My Light In My Window" is one of Russell's all-time favourite songs which has scarcely sounded better than in this current incarnation, on which she exercises her famed powers as a classic soul vocalist.

The "Look Around The Corner" single is out now.

http://www.quanticandalice.com
http://www.mochilla.com
http://www.tru-thoughts.co.uk

ESPERANZA SPALDING + CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:52:00 +0000

At age 25, Esperanza has a musical wisdom that belies her years and this is evident from her latest solo offering, ‘Chamber Music Society’, released on August 17, 2010. Heavy with classical and chamber influences, interspersed with world music jazz and folk, the album finds Spalding backed by drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and pianist Leo Genovese. The project has been inspired by the classical training of her younger years and has enabled her to create a modern chamber music group that combines the spontaneity and intrigue of improvisation with sweet and angular string trio arrangements. Spalding’s voice provides an angelic counterbalance to her rich bass and the album is further blessed by guest vocalist Milton Nascimento.

STALLEY PRESENTS: LINCOLN WAY NIGHTS

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:00:00 +0000

EASILY THE BEST ALBUM I HAVE HEARD FRONT TO BACK OUTSIDE OF KANYE WEST SINCE JAY-Z'S BLUEPRINT 3.

LINCOLN WAY NIGHTS: DOWNLOAD HERE

STRETCH ARMSTRONG & BOBBITO: BLACK THOUGHT, COMMON, NORE & PHAROAH MONCH

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:16:00 +0000

From 1990 to 1998 the Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show ruled the underground hip-hop scene on WKCR. It featured exclusive demo tapes and in-studio freestyles from many then-unsigned artists such as Nas, Big Pun, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Cam'ron, DMX, Wu-Tang Clan, Big L, Fugees, Talib Kweli and Notorious B.I.G. who later found great success on major record labels.

This clip highlights freestyle verses from Black Thought (Roots), Pharoah Monch, NORE (Capone & Noreaga) & Common. Classic material right here! N'Joy

Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito WKCR

NERD: RARITIES

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:58:00 +0000

A few overlooked Neptune's gems that flew way under the radar. Listen/DL all three below. N'Joy

Pharrell: Big White Spaceship

Pharrell: Backseat Love (Demo)

NERD: Perfect Defect

MOS DEF + JAPAN = FRESH

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:10:00 +0000

Mos Def takes us on an all access seven-day tour of Japan while he performs his latest album "The Ecstatic" to packed venues in Tokyo and Osaka. During that week, he hits up the Harajuku fashion district, whoops it up at a sumo wrestling match, and gets a personal tour of the Tokyo Giants stadium from his friend and baseball phenom Mark Kroon. Then, he brilliantly ties it all together by divulging the history of great thinkers known as "ecstatics," showing that he is clearly one of the most insightful people in hip-hop.

ATWOOD-FERGUSON + F.LOTUS & DILLA

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:54:00 +0000

KENDRICK LAMAR: VANITY SLAVE Pt.2 ft. GUCCI MANE

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:22:00 +0000

Vanity Slave pt.2 ft. Gucci Mane

KANYE WEST: STREETLIGHTS (VIDEO)

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 22:10:00 +0000

Directed by: Javier Longobardo, Spain - www.javierlongobardo.com - http://www.behance.net/javilongobardo

JUNGLE BROTHERS/ATCQ DOCUMENTARY

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:34:00 +0000

SOFI GREEN: BEWARE!

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 03:23:00 +0000

Sofi Green has been making the rounds in A&R's ears for the past year or so. No one could put their finger on what box to put her in because there IS no box other than her own. "No father to her style" in the words of ODB. Stay tuned to this superstar on the rise...Sofi Green is about to change the game. N'Joy

SOFI GREEN: BEWARE! from The Avant-Garde

THE NU WEST

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:00:00 +0000

THE GAME : PURPLE & PATRON MIXTAPE (DJ & NO DJ LINKS)

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 23:33:00 +0000

I have never been a GAME fan but this mixtape is major. Seriously, he's given away 29 major productions for free, hosted by DJ Skee & Funkmaster Flex. The producer list is super deep—Neptunes, RZA, Dr. Dre—and the guest list is staggering—Snoop, Wayne, Ross, Wiz (twice), Boosie, Bun B, Ashanti and more. Check out the stream before the DL. Please say thank you with a comment and N'Joy

Heart Breaker (Feat. Rev. Burke) (Produced By the RZA)

Soo Woo (Feat. Lil Wayne) (Produced By Bink)

I Just Want To F_ck (Produced By Denaun Porter)

The Ocean (Feat. Dre) (Produced By Dr. Dre & Che Vicious)

PART 1 w/DJ: DL HERE
PART 2 w/DJ: DL HERE

PART 1 NO/DJ: DL HERE
PART 2 NO/DJ: DL HERE

STALLEY: SLAPP ft. Rashad

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:34:00 +0000

Another jewel from the Creative Control team. Video directed by Coodie & Chike. N'Joy

Stalley: Slapp ft. Rashad

D'ANGELO: VOODOO OUTTAKES

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:11:00 +0000

With winter upon us i'm feeling a bit nostalgic so I decided to pullout the OG hard drive and drop some unheard D'Angelo thangs for your listening pleasure. I'm hearing the new album will soon be completed. Until then let this hold you over. NJoy

D'Angelo ft. Q-Tip: Ghetto Music

D'Angelo: Bullshit

D'Angelo: 1'000 Deaths

CLICK HERE: THE LOVE

STALLEY: MAD STALLEY - THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 20:46:00 +0000

Hailing from the football incubator Massillon, Ohio Stalley secured a basketball scholarship to Michigan University. One injury later and a b-plan in hand he tossed aside athletics for the rap game. Stalley's next play was to move closer to the birthplace of the music he loved...NYC! He’s already toured as an opening act for Mos Def and released a mixtape with fellow Ohio native Terry Urban. He’s currently working with GFCnewyork, most known for their involvement with Mickey Factz, to further his career. For his second mixtape, MadStalley: The Autobiography, he gives you his life story over re-imagined Madlib productions.

LINK 1: "Hercules" LINK 2: MIXTAPE

STALLEY: Hercules

LINK 1: THE LOVE
LINK 2: THE LOVE

KANYE WEST & JAY Z: THAT'S MY BITCH (MP3)

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Kanye West & Jay-Z: Thats My Bitch (Prod. by Q-Tip) (Demo)

CLICK HERE FOR: THE LOVE

DJ DEREK: THE RUDEST SELECTOR

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:03:00 +0000

Derek was born & raised in Bristol, & during the late 50's & early 60's fell in love with the music & culture of the West Indian immigrants moving to Britain. He picked up the lingo by hanging around in barber shops & listening, & picked up the groove by buying & selling reggae records around the country.

Now in his late 60's Derek tours the country armed only with a backpack full of killer tunes, his bus pass & an unquenchable thirst for real ale. I had an opportunity to meet Derek a few years ago. His passion for music is inspiring...driven purely out of love. He he reminds me of what my hours upon hours of discovering and sharing music truly mean. Derek is quite simply the freshest DJ I have ever met.

DJ Derek pt. 1 from Grand Finale on Vimeo.

DJ Derek pt. 2 from Grand Finale on Vimeo.

J COLE: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (MIXTAPE )

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:01:00 +0000

CLICK HERE FOR: THE LOVE

DECODED: JAY-Z IN CONVERSATION w/CORNEL WEST (VIDEO)

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:28:00 +0000

KANYE WEST: CHAIN HEAVY ft. TALIB KWELI & CONSEQUENCE

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:18:00 +0000

Q-TIP ON THE DRUMS!

Kanye West: Chain Heavy ft. Talib Kweli & Consequence (Prod. By Q-Tip)

JAY ELECTRONICA: SHINY SUIT THEORY ft. JAY-Z & THE DREAM

noreply@blogger.com (AG-90) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:10:00 +0000

Shouts to DJ Soul & Jay Electronica for the mp3.

Jay Electronica: Shiny Suit Theory feat. Jay Z & The Dream