Monkey: Journey to the West

This pretty much had me on the edge of my hypothetical chair...i mean seriously, its fuckin amazing.
As of now, chances are pretty slim i'll see it any time soon, so the soundtrack will have to do.

The Monkey: The Journey to the West

Monkey: Journey to the West is a stage adaptation of the 16th Century Chinese novel Journey to the West, by Wu Cheng'en. It was conceived and created by the Chinese actor and director Chen Shi-zheng, together with the British musician Damon Albarn and British artist Jamie Hewlett. However, the original idea came from Jean-Luc Choplin, head of the Chatelet Theatre in Paris[citation needed].
The production received its world premiere as the opening show of the inaugural Manchester International Festival, on June 28, 2007 at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, where it ran until July 7. It was subsequently staged at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris between September 26 and October 13 2007. The production received its U.S. premiere at the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, SC in May 2008. A further run was planned for the Berlin Staatsoper in July 2008, but instead took place at the London Royal Opera House.
Billed as a "circus opera", the show is Hewlett and Albarn's first major collaboration since Gorillaz. Albarn composed the musical score while Hewlett designed the visual concept, set and costumes. The adaptation for stage has been written by Shi-zheng, who also directs the production. Dramaturgy is by David Greenspan. The show features Chinese singers and 70 Chinese acrobats and martial artists. The orchestra put together for the production includes members of the UK Chinese Music Ensemble (led by Cheng Yu), Demon Strings and Sense of Sound.

Whats the Science

Man...I'm beginning to vaguely understand the language of male/female interaction. Being older, i'm aware of a certain dialogue that takes place between two consenting adults, a sexual banter synonymous with politics in the dictionary definition of the word.

We engage in conversations using our wits to insinuate our desires whether they be physical or emotional. I think that this understanding only reveals itself with maturity, as youngins we say whatever we want not necessarily meaning it to get that ass,
like babies learning how to walk. As we grow socially, you learn this dormant scientific method of "Flirting." It is not what i say now but how i deliver it, and for the most part it is honest and whole hearted. So, by no means am i embracing a player lifestyle or even player techniques, i am definitely a one man woman, I'm just being coherent and willing to exercise and participate in this particular dialogue......as often as possible.

Carlos Nino plays J-Dilla

I came across this little gem a few months ago. It's Carlos Nino's (Ammoncontact, Build an Ark ) orchestral version of the late J-Dilla's production of Common's Nag Champa(the original to jog that memory) from the album Like Water For Chocolate. It's almost unrecognizable on the first listen, but the shear magic of the track serves as proof. I love this tune. It takes me back to elementary school.......with the plastic chairs and fat pencils, enjoying snacks and watching the original Parent Trap........word up.

The Slow Churn of the Art Wheel

I started a drawing yesterday to follow through with an idea i had. The conditions were prime, twas a perfect sunny mid-day. My roommates were out for the day and i was completely alone with my thoughts. I was working on a plane of about 24x30, larger than any drawing i had completed in the past with the exception of a large Marley reproduction. Although its partially incomplete, i have mixed feelings. Again present are the feelings of inadequacies in skill and extreme self-criticism. I enjoy it because its a catalyst for works to come but im still frustrated because i think it displays my limits. In class there were works i thought were crap but thrilled my instructors. Maybe its a personal vice i have to over come. I am determined not to be discouraged and continue to relay my messages through my work in my own style.

Chill way Out: The Sea and Cake

The Sea and Cake.....sounds like the recipe for a case of the bubble guts, but in actuality, its a band one would most likely enjoy chillin by the sea and having a slice of cake. The chilled out melodies and harmonies allow the mind to drift naturally into a state of extreme bliss. The strong jazz overtones create a mid-day atmosphere prime for creation and inspiration.

The band was formed in the mid-nineties in Chicago, Illinois from the dissolution of two previous bands, The Coctails and Shrimp Boat. The Sea and Cake consists of Sam Prekop (vocals, guitar), Archer Prewitt (guitar, piano, vocals), John McEntire (percussion, drums, some synthesizer) and Eric Claridge (bass, synthesizer). With over eight album releases to date under their belt, time has only seasoned the chill down sound prominent in the majority of the releases. My attention was captured with Car Alarm (2008)and subsequently Everybody and Oui. The Earlier Releases tend to rely on synths and drum programs, but towards the late nineties the sound embraced the softer more organic approach
Sam's Vocals are subtle, and breeze over the tracks like a summer wind, never too intrusive or overbearing. The perfect music for long drives, studio soundtracks or a trip to the beach with a fat blunt (if you're into that kinda thing).
If i had to make a musical comparison...think a mature version of Tahiti 80, but judge for yourself!

click to listen

The Sea and Cake-Car Alarm 2008

Password: nodata.tv

The Death of the SB Dunk

The Nike dunk SB(skateboard) appealed to many because of its low profile form, styling, and its collectible quality. It was/is an alternative to the Air Force One, a shoe that represented everything that was wrong with modern Hip-Hop Culture, it was big, bulky, and all too basic. Those who thrived in alternative/skate culture used the dunk model as an identifier for the [separatist] group. Enter the Hypebeast, what developed as a cult following has erupted into a full-on manic craze. I too was guilty of the hype, spending the most I've ever spent on a pair of shoes in my life ($180 for the Reese Forbes).

Now i feel like too many people are up on it. Its mega popular to have a pair of SBs, as well as the sentiments that owning a pair will get you some sort of automatic clout in suburban society. It's disappointing to see a twelve year old boy rockin' the Sbs (he undoubtedly camped out to get, after asking random people where they purchased thiers) without knowing the history of the line. I'm over it, perhaps I'm getting old....condemning anything representing change, or maybe its just a desire to continue the forward thought even in footwear and fashion.