7.7.05

4 years ago today the 7/7 London bombings took place on London’s public transport system during rush hour in the morning.

The 4 British Muslim suicide bombers killed 52 people and injured 700.

Take a moment today to remember those who lost their lives and give thought to their friends and family.

To coincide with the fourth anniversary of the bombings, a special memorial in Hyde Park will be officially unveiled today. The memorial consists of 52 stainless steel pillars – one for each victim – and the pillars are grouped into four clusters, to symbolise the four locations of the attacks: Tavistock Square, Edgware Road, Kings Cross and Aldgate.

For more info, head over to The Guardian.

Tradition In Transition

Quantic’s new album with his Combo Barbaro drops in July – be sure to cop it.

My man Steve has done a fresh illustration to coincide with the album launch. Click to ENLARGE.

You can peep my review in issue 40 of Notion magazine HERE, and for more fly illustration visit Steve’s blog Vizcom HERE.

Notion 40

NOTION 40 is out NOW. Go cop for killer features on Goldie, Panamanian sounds and all things art, music and fashion.

Some reviews I have published in the issue:

DJ Vadim – U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun

Savath & Savalas – La Llama

Quantic & His Combo Barbaro – Tradition In Transition (click to enlarge)

RIP MJ.

Food For The Brain.

So, this is something I’ve been working on with my man Steve.

The idea’s been kicking around for a while, but we couldn’t really get stuck into it as I was going to South America for 2 months. Since I’ve been back, it’s been ON.

I can’t really say too much at the moment, but for now, just check out the link.

WWW.BRAINERMAGAZINE.COM

Boom.

REED PAGES.

It’s sad, but printed publications are dying all around us.

Hip-Hop Connection decided to go digital a couple of months back. Plan B, probably one of the most respected underground music mags, revealed it was to fold after its final issue this month in June.

That’s why when a new print magazine comes on the block, it’s BIG news. And right now, Staple Design have proudly announced the launch of their new magazine REED PAGES. Covering all contemporary culture has to offer, you can expect the magazine to be informative, pithily written, and above all, beautifully designed.

Reed Pages will be available from select stores around the world very soon – keep an eye out for it and support! Until then, peep the mag online HERE.

Can’t wait to get my hands on this!

Via Staple Blog

Diversity Is Key.

Essex street dance crew Diversity just CANED Britain’s Got Talent in the final. Peep the routine:

Transformers WHAT!

Hot competition came from rival North London crew Flawless:

Look closely and you’ll see Flawless are technically more sound. They pop. They lock. They seem to have a good grasp of other styles like waving, tutting and boogaloo. AND they have solid b-boy foundations.

All in all though, Diversity deserved to win. The choreography was tongue-in-cheek, fresh, and explosive, and they ooze that super b-boy crew mentality that boasts charismatic showmanship, innovation and team spirit. Plus, they clearly need the exposure a lot more; Flawless are already well established performers who’ve worked with the likes of Madonna, Sugababes and Estelle. Just check out their Myspace

Forget Susan Boyle and the over-bloated hype surrounding her.

Whattup Diversity? Huge props.

DJ Vadim @ Rhythm Factory

That’s right folks, Daddy Vad is officially back with a brand new album entitled ‘U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun’.

His album launch party went down last Thursday at Rhythm Factory in Whitechapel – a dutty, dutty venue. With random sofas plonked in odd places around the main room.

As you probably know, Vadim was diagnosed with ocular melanoma – cancer of the eye – last year. Fortunately, he had a successful operation, the tumour was removed, and he got to work on his latest long player after a good, solid recovery. The Russian beat maestro has always had a special place in the underground hip-hop community, and that night the Rhythm Factory bubbled over with love for the DJ. People were beaming with happiness to see him back behind the turntables. Me included.

Don’t worry, he didn’t disappoint. From the get go the venue was immersed in his trademark sensibilities, guaranteed to jack that body. Kicking off with the storming UK remix of album-starter ‘Soldier’, the set took on a new jack swing tinge with a killer cover of Blackstreet’s ‘No Diggity’, before genre-morphing into electronic soul with a rendtition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’.

Of course, an album launch party isn’t an album launch party without showcasing tracks from the album in question, and a plethora of new songs were performed – the best of which was undoubtedly ‘Saturday’ featuring new Chi-town emcee Pugz Atomz. Buy the album and listen to that track – you’ll love it.

Dude on the ones and twos.

Pugz Atomz and Sabira Jade on guest and hype duties.

Youngblood Brass Band @ Cargo

So, last Wednesday I went to see Oregon’s Youngblood Brass Band. I’d heard a couple of their records before; ‘Unlearn’ and their latest LP ‘Is That A Riot?’ are essential listening for sure.

But nothing, and I mean nothing, prepared me for what I was about to witness at Cargo that night. Even their sheer numbers were astounding. From the moment all nine of the band walked on stage, I was in awe. 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 3 drummers (one of which was lyricist Skogen), a sousaphonist and a saxophonist. They barely managed to squeeze on stage.

The place was packed out, and they don’t even have a new record coming out. These guys are underground mavericks with a loyal following, and it’s easy to see why. On record, their music oozes killer beats, sharp instrumentation and an overwhelming sense of fun, all bound together by a potent blend of that traditional, feel-good, New Orleans brass band sound and a decidedly punk ethos.

Live, it’s all amped up three-fold. I danced for daaaaaaaaays.

Check out the Sousaphone wrapped around Bentley!

And the crowd goes wild.

Particularly fresh was the group’s rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Pastime Paradise’.  Oh, and when they played ‘Brooklyn’ from ‘Center:Level:Roar’, Cargo erupted. And erupted. And carried on erupting. Incredible.

Hit up Youngblood’s myspace HERE, and go cop some of their records.

Fly photography courtesy of Prema, you can peep her myspace here.

Live Long, Prosper, And Rock Fly Footwear.

Staple Design keeps knocking them for 6.

To celebrate the forthcoming release of J.J. Abrams’ highly anticipated reboot of the Star Trek franchise TODAY, Staple hooked up with Airwalk to release an exclusive Trek-inspired shoe.

As usual, lots of intricate, thoughtful details abound. Only 130 pairs produced. Available NOW from Reed Space NYC.

More info at Jeff’s blog here.