lack of convention

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics

Spike Lee has a new documentary currently on HBO it’s called ‘If God Is Willing and da Creek Dont Rise’ He revisits New Orleans Five Years after his award-winning documentary on Hurricane Katrina. He also takes time out to investigate the awful tragedy that is widely known as the BP disaster. You ought a “Do The Right Thing” and check it out.

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PROPA!

NEW YORK DIRECTORS EDITION

SIDNEY LUMET

ok. technically he’s from philly,but the guy made dog day afternoon, network and serpico. he’s as new york as the other two guys come on!!

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Album of the Day
For me ‘The Clash’ are the only internationally successful band that approached their material from a London Perspective. The Rolling Stones embraced American Culture with Gusto. The Who did the same. Sure the Kinks wrote Waterloo Sunset but their London is a mythical one. An ideal of an old England, One that I was never a part of and only read about in text books. The Clash embraced my city and all its many colors and influences and I love em for that. Always entertaining. Doggedly political. Punk intelligensia..That’s why they earned the label “The Only Band That mattered”. London Calling is their most celebrated album.

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PROPA!

NEW YORK DIRECTORS EDITION

PART 2

SPIKE LEE

so good i mention him twice in one blog. consistent, provocative and he’s also the guy that made ‘do the right thing’ one of the greatest movies of all time.

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Film of the Day
Like many Jean Luc Godard films I find it hard to pinpoint exactly what it is about ‘Pierrot Le Fou’that makes this movie special. Maybe it’s the absence of a script combined with great casting and a free spirited lack of convention that makes me habitually revisit this film every couple of months. Jean Paul Belmondo is disillusioned with domesticity. He joins forces with Anna Karina and they set off on a romantic romp through sixties France. Oh Yeah, they murder a few people and sing a few songs while they’re at it.

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PROPA!

NEW YORK DIRECTORS EDITION

PART 2

he hasn’t made a film that i havent liked. with the exception of ‘scoop’, that other film with larry david and ‘melinda melinda‘.  but for a guy with a career going on 30 plus years. that’s amazing..

i must admit

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics
I have to write about this upcoming Arthur remake with Russell Brand. I knew it was coming but shoved it to the back of my mind as if ignoring it would make it go away. But its going to happen and I’m forced to deal with it. Under much self-analysis. I came to the conclusion that I have such acute feelings toward this project because Arthur is mine! It was my favorite movie as a child and it stuck with me throughout my adult years. Very few people cared or appreciated my love for this film. Eyebrows were raised during many a drunken debate when I included it in my top twenty and that was fine with me. I just dug the flick a no pretense romp of a film with great dialogue filled with many a quotable line. Riches to rags to riches again. Dudley Moore, what was there not to like. Regardless of all this the film connoisseurs remained indifferent. Now once this film comes out every Tom Dick and Harriet is going to be like “oh. did you hear they’re finally doing a remake of Arthur. I love that movie. You know the one with Dudley Moore”. Not sure where i’m going with this write up, just had to vent…

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ARTISTS WHO CAN GET AWAY WITH WHATEVER THEY WANT CAUSE THEY’RE EXPRESSING THEIR CREATIVITY

PART 1

LEE SCRATCH PERRY

this mad genius was sampling cows mooing, baby’s crying and cars tooting way before hip hop was invented

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Album of the Day
Bjork is not to be tampered with. She’s in an exclusive club. Artists who can never convincingly pull off a bad record cause no matter how weird or bizarre they get I give em a free pass cause they’re “expressing their creativity”. “Pushing the boundaries.” “Going against the grain”. So in effect their music falls into two categories. There’s the material that I can comprehend and then there’s the stuff that I don’t quite understand. But it’s genius.. I think? There are a few other privileged artists who can claim immunity based on creativity. (check my propa segment) but they’re few and far between so…Don’t mess with Bjork! Homogenic may be my favorite album of hers but as i said it’s all good.

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ARTISTS WHO CAN GET AWAY WITH WHATEVER THEY WANT CAUSE THEY’RE EXPRESSING THEIR CREATIVITY

PART 2

NINA SIMONE

that voice. that attitude. the high priestess of soul elevated many a mediocre song to cult status

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Film of the Day
John Travolta did his thing in Get Shorty. I mean he’d already solidified his status with ‘Saturday Night Fever’ ‘Grease’ (Yes Grease) and of course ‘Pulp Fiction’ but his portrayal of Chilli Palmer is the perfect showcase for Travolta’s movie star attributes. He deserves every bit of praise he gets and I’ll even excuse the fact that he hasn’t made a decent movie since. Though I must admit ‘Swordfish’ does have its moments.

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ARTISTS WHO CAN GET AWAY WITH WHATEVER THEY WANT CAUSE THEY’RE EXPRESSING THEIR CREATIVITY

PART 3

THE DOORS

was he a drunk masquerading as a poet or a poet masquerading as a drunk? do I own all their albums. yes!

still vibing

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics

Sometimes I just need to unwind and let the trials of life wash over me. How do I unwind? Listening to Stanley Turrentine relaxes me. Visiting a gallery helps. Watching ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape’ puts me in a warm trance like state but what really helps ease the stress is fanning through boring photography books. Not boring as in disinteresting just boring in the sense that the subject matter is repetitive and not on first glance particularly engaging. Martin Parr’s ‘Boring Postcards’ springs to mind. Crap Cars by Richard Porter is another one that quenches my thirst. I just added Gotz Diergarten’s ‘Photographs’ to my collection. Great Prints of er.. Everyday buildings and stuff…

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PROPA!

STEVE MCQUEEN

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Film Topics
I love ‘Bound’ It’s like a classic film noir minus the hammy acting with a few sex scenes thrown in for good measure. The mobs’ money’s come up missing and Joe Pantaliano refuses to be the fall guy. He cottons on to Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly’s sneaky plan to bounce with his well-earned blood money and pursues his brand of mob justice to the bitter end. I once cornered Joey Pants and grilled him about this movie. He was a real gent, very forthcoming and didn’t wince once at this maniacal cinephile hassling him for every specific detail about a movie he had made a decade prior. Pre Matrix Wachowski brothers. Act like you know!

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PROPA!

QUINCY JONES

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Album of the Day
I go through phases when I get really bored with music. It usually lasts about two months and it yields results. I try to get into genres I know nothing about. I do my research then start to compile albums fussing over my new-found artists like they’re a new pet of some sort. I had a spell earlier this year. My playlists were getting repetitive so I dove headfirst into seventies brazilian funk. New Orleans rap and French sixties cocktail music. It cured my blues. Around 2001 I had a similar spell and decided to get into white female singer songwriters. Some of it was pretty good. a lot of it sucked. i remember Joni Mitchell’s Blue being something special, but everybody knows that’s a classic album. how many of you are still vibing to Fiona Apple’s Tidal. I am..

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PROPA!

CHOW YUN FAT

a constant barrage

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics

The guys way off in the distance ( I only had a point and shoot on me sorry!) are Chuck D and Flavor Flav of the legendary rap group Public Enemy. The song they’re performing is ‘Welcome To The Terrordome’ arguably the greatest hip hop track of all time from one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time ‘Fear Of A Black Planet’. I say arguably because there’s at least three or four tracks off their prior album ‘It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back‘ that compete with ‘Terrordome’ for top honors. Public Enemy should be in the lower digits of anybody’s all time list. Politically relevant, musically progressive. Rebels without a pause.

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R.I.P

ONE OF THE GREAT ALL TIME VOCALISTS

ABBIE LINCOLN

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songs I’m listening to

(right now at this very moment)

part 1

LOSE MY MIND – YOUNG JEEZY (FEAT PLIES)

is there anything more addictive than that beat?

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R.I.P

ONE OF THE GREAT ALL TIME JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHERS

HERMAN LEONARD

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Film of the Day

Airplane is my all time funniest movie. totally ridiculous from beginning to end. There. Now you have two reasons to go see it.

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songs I’m listening to

(right now at this very moment)

part 2

LEE FIELDS – LADIES

I don’t know much about this guy but this song is sooo..tuff!!

Album of the Day
When you start a blog people always have suggestions. My downtown crowd are like “you should review more rock albums. My Jamaican massive holla. “Where’s the reggae” My London crew are always reminding me to keep it London or it’s a constant barrage of “bang out the hip hop reviews geez”! Very few friends ever mention jazz but when they do I try to adhere to their wishes as they form a sometimes silent minority amongst my unofficial advisors. Therefore…‘Woody Shaw’. ‘Stepping Stones‘ A must have jazz album from this late great trumpet titan. Now. That wasn’t so bad…

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songs I’m listening to

(right now at this very moment

part 3

M.I.A. BELIEVER

horrible album. wicked tune!!

totally committed

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics
I tend to go out quite a bit. I don’t usually write about events I’ve been to cause to be honest a lot of them turn out to be not that interesting and there’s so many I went here and did this blog types out there that I tend to shy away from those type of articles..With that in mind. I did see Sean Lennon give a private performance of a few tracks from his GOASTT project at the Barking Irons Show room down on Bowery Street. GOASTT stands for Ghost Of a Saber Tooth Tiger. It was a solid acoustic set filled with witty remarks and Tom Waitsian ( I made that word up) jiving.. A very good night indeed

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with the US Open around the corner I thought it only right that I include a special tennis edition of Propa! This issue is dedicated to those players who inspired me to spend my hard-earned cash on sporting gear so I.. like them.. could look Propa!

PROPA

PT1

ARTHUR ASHE

he carried himself like a gentleman off court and dressed like a propa! gent on it. vintage fitted official USA tennis top. arthur also rocked the big square tinted sunglasses way before the hip hoppers jumped on it. what a dude.

Album Of The Day

A long time ago I was convinced that Soul To Soul Club Classics Vol 1 was the greatest album ever to come out of the UK.  I cannot stand by that statement any more but it’s testament to how much this album affected me as a kid. It was so damn funky. I’d go the parties, grow the dreads. I knew the dances. I had a bit part in one of the music video’s. Totally committed. ‘Fair Play’ ‘Back To Life’ ‘Keep on Moving‘ three of the greatest songs to ever leave the UK. I’ll stand by that definitely.

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PROPA

PT2

BJORN BORG & JOHN MCENROE

too much star power here. peep the classic fila top on bjorg, not to be outdone mac is sporting the blue and red tacchini top. unsurpassed elegance. i’m sure bjorn is wearing his diadora gold stripe sneakers and john has to be wearing his blue and white nike wimbledon’s aka “mcenroe’s”. yes!!

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Film of the Day

I like The Royal Tenenbaums more than Rushmore (Most Wes Anderson enthusiasts tend to disagree) He hit his creative peak with this story about a family of over achievers wrestling with the pressures of adulthood. It manages to leave me howling with laughter and emotionally attached at the same time, hard for any film maker to accomplish. Haven’t quite felt the same about Wes since. Decent soundtrack…

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PROPA

PART 3

ILIE NASTASE

he won a couple of grand slams and he was definitely a funny guy both on and off court.but the truth is he’s really a part of this segment cause he lent his name to one of my favorite sneakers of all time.

an overlooked experiment

Shot Topics

It recently dawned on me. (It may seem obvious to you but its news to me) that people do actually sit and read my blog and  sometimes make purchases based on my enthusiasm for a particular artist. Mainly photographers. This reality was made abundantly clear after my last blog when I received numerous emails from people who had purchased the Bruce Davidson outside inside deluxe book. In the past I’ve had people say they gained an appreciation for Henri Cartier Bresson or Helen Levitt and i’ve been receiving inquiries as to who Werner Bischof is. Martin Parr and so on. So with that in mind i’m gonna list three of my go to photography books right below this self-indulgent paragraph.

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PROPA! PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK

PART 1

JOSH CHEUSE. ROCKERS GALORE

you guys know how much i love music. so just imagine how many music photography books i have. this is my favorite. genius..

Film of the Day
Once Upon A Time In The West has my favorite opening sequence of all time. Ok. ‘Shaft’ ranks up there. As does ‘Boogie Nights’. But neither of those mentioned has the sheer intensity and grit of that infamous first ten minutes. With that said this film is so much more than the sum of its opening components. I wont get into the story cause it’s long and sprawling. Needless to say there’s good guys and bad guys and an oh so terrifying Henry Fonda as the evil blue-eyed gang leader. Sergio Leone directs. This film is a must.

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PROPA! PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK

PART 2

ROBERT POLIDORI. HAVANA

really beautiful book. a lesson in composition, print and so much more. a desert island book for me.

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Album of the Day
Fidgety beats, catchy baselines.Subterranean vocals. ‘Cardiology’ by’ Recloose’ is an overlooked experiment in technofunk and it still gets a well deserved spin whenever I bless the decks. It absorbs you. Lures you in. Whenever i hit the beach i play this album. Something about the languid vocals and neat arrangements makes me feel all at one with nature. i know I’m veering off track but this album doesn’t. Go cop it.

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PROPA! PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK

PART 2

EIKOH HOSOE. KAMAITACHI

Eikoh is the man and you should have this book. its mysterious, sensual, dramatic and Japanese. What more dya want?

showcasing the eye

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics
Sometimes you have a favorite photographer and you forget he’s one of your favorite photographers cause their so good that it’s as if there’s nothing to critique so you barely acknowledge their existence taking their art for granted. Helen Levitt springs to mind as does Werner Bischof. But neither of those two have just released a big fat juicy book chronicling decades of their work Bruce Davidson has and ‘outside inside’ is absolutely terrific. A catalogue of work stretching for decades showcasing the eye of one of the most truly gifted guys in the game. My mate Stewart asked why I hadn’t written anything on Davidson since I was “such a fan” so here’s to you Stu and by the way. If anyone has a first edition copy of Bruce Davidson’s book Subway that their willing to part with for a reasonable price.. Gimme a shout!

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SPECIAL JAZZ EDITION OF PROPA!

(with additional quotes from the late great Guru of Gang Starr)

PROPA!

PART 1

CHARLIE MINGUS

“SUCH NIMBLE FINGERS”

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Film of The Day
It took me ages to get around to watching Hustle and Flow. I think I saw it the last weekend of it’s release. I thought to myself who wants to see a story about a pimp wanting to make it as a rapper. It’s beyond cliche. People kept recommending it. I finally saw it. The script was so humane and gripping that I was immediately immersed in this hood story for the masses. Quality script indeed but lets face facts. Terence Howard put in one of the best performances of the last decade. He managed to humanise a character that a lesser actor could easily have turned into a monster. Top film in my book. Not a weak scene to be found and to be honest everyone delivers in this film not just good old Terence. For me a film has to be a decade old to be labeled a classic because time is the great equaliser and all that but Hustle and Flow is my exception to the rule. bonafide classic.. Nuff said..

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PROPA!

PART 2

MAX ROACH

“CYMBALS TALKING”

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Album of the Day

I usually don’t like my reggae mixed with anything but…More reggae.. so kudos to Grace. She definitely came through on this one. Island Life Reggae, funk, dance, pop. It all blends seamlessly in this retro masterpiece of artsy pop. Ok. there’s that dodgy Eurp dance track but hey 9 out of 10 ain’t bad.

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PROPA!

PART 3

THELONIUS MONK

“THE MELODIOUS FUNK OF THELONIUS MONK”

a bit too hectic

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics

The guy working these patrons into a frenzy is an artist by the name of Janka Nabay. I made a rare trip out to Williamsburg Saturday night to witness the hype and was humbly impressed it seems like Complex beats and sparse production is the corner-stone of his sound which is generally refered to as Bubu music. Not very well-known outside of West Africa. a very kind friend put me on to a track of his called ‘Eh Congo’ a couple months ago and I’ve been tracking his career ever since. He has a vocal style that is part rap, part spitfire singing with repetitive English phrases thrown in for good measure. Definitely my kinda vibe but my wife was like Nah.. A bit too hectic for her taste. Umm. Speaking of things my wife doesn’t like. Check Below…

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Things my wife doesn’t like

part 1

my infatuation with white sneakers

fair enough I hardly wear them but any guy will tell you. it’s about the having not the needing.

in my wife’s defense i hasten to add that she in fact does own many white sneakers and has this particular pair of sneakers but with the red logo.

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Film of the Day
For some reason I can never get into Kubrick’s films upon first viewing. I check em out. Leave the theater feeling numb and disaffected. think back to a couple of interesting scenes but as a whole I’m always like. Why was that scene so long? or why is it so monotone.” Too artsy” or something to that effect.Usually a couple of years pass and I’ll be at a party someplace talking about how I never got that Kubrick film because of such and such and then the host (who happens to be a kubrick fan. Bear with me) will be like “but you need to understand” blahzay blah. He’ll rifle through his film collection lend me the movie. I’ll take it begrudgingly knowing that I have to watch it cause he was kind enough to lend it to me. I give it a second try and voila.. It becomes my favorite movie ever. Always happens. The exception is this film which I loved from the first moment I clapped my eyes on it. Full Metal Jacket..

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things my wife doesn’t like

part 2

Jadakiss

Jada says “his flow is obnoxious” my wife tends to agree. Me.. I find it intoxicating

What is it about this album. Keith Sweat is by no means a great singer. I stopped listening to ‘New Jack Swing’ years ago and that sweater he wears on the cover makes me nauseous, but I have to give it up to the guy. ‘Make It Last Forever‘ is one of my favorite RnB albums of all time. Keith sweats extraordinary swagger. A young Teddy Riley at the controls orchestrating those smooth jams. Jumping off the success of this album they both went on to achieve great success but truth be told they could have retired after this gem knowing that their place in RnB history was assured and on solid ground.

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things my wife doesn’t like

part 3

cashew nuts

come on! who doesn’t like cashew nuts..

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the next great thing

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics

I’ve always had a fascination with Ron Galella. One of the original and certainly the most famous paparazzo. He had his jaw smashed by Brando was sued by Jackie Kennedy. Traveled the world in pursuit of Liz Taylor and had the grace to sign my copy of his book. Smash His Camera. A documentary. Release date. July 30th

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GOOD ALBUM CREEPY COVER

PART 1

Dennis Brown / Wolf & Leopards

a great album by the legendary crown prince of reggae but i must admit that as a child it gave me nightmares!

Film of the Day
60’s French Cinema wasn’t all about Godard and Truffaut. With all the hoopla surrounding these two titans of “new wave cinema” many a classy flick has fallen through the cracks One of these films is ‘classic tous risques’ a ripping study of a doomed criminal. Facing a death sentence he goes on the lam with his wife, kids and best mate. The wife and mate get popped by the police. He desperately reaches out to his old buddies in crime but quickly realises it’s every man for himself as they desperately make excuses as to why they can’t help him out. They decide to hire Jean Paul Belmondo (of Breathless fame) to help him escape and hence the real drama and vengeance ensues. Top draw movie.

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GOOD ALBUM CREEPY COVER

PART 2

The Billy Cobham George Duke Band / Live In Europe

george duke and billy cobham doing it live. cool. now what’s with the creepiest cover of all time guys?

Album of the Day

There was a time in the late nineties when it seemed like everyone was talking about that Esthero album. ‘Breath from Another’ and then the talk stopped… I guess peoples attention switched to the next great thing. Understandable. Well I want to inspire a revival cause I never really got over this album. It has continued to bang from my speakers over the years and it still get’s me humming and grooving as I go about my everyday business. It’s the ‘exile on main street’ of trip hop. No filler. Just classic jams for you to enjoy. What’s messing with that?!

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GOOD ALBUM CREEPY COVER

PART 2

My Morning Jacket / It Still Moves

I love this album but the cover creeps me out. I think it’s a me thing. I guess I have bear issues.

a healthy dose

http://magicpie.smugmug.com/

Shot Topics

Wow. Progress…

		First Black Politician Elected In Russia
	NOVOZAVIDOVO, Russia — People in this Russian town used to stare at Jean Gregoire Sagbo because they had never seen a black man. Now they…

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PROPA!

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Film of the Day

I’ve always had a soft spot for Harrison Ford. The ordinary guy faced with extraordinary circumstances. No one does it better than Ford (except maybe Denzel) I thought Blade Runner was ahead of its time when I saw it on bootleg oh so many years ago and It’s still head and shoulders above many of the sci-fi flicks that it’s influenced over the years. The special effects are riveting but it’s the concept that does it for me. Robots living amongst us, almost impossible to detect, a duplication so precise that at times even they can’t tell if they’re robot or human. I usually don’t have much time for sci-fi but I always try and make time for this eighties essential Blade Runner..

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PROPA!

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Album of the Day
I picked this compilation up for 3 pounds in London last year (actually it was Cambridge but close enough) and besides my old apartment that was in a prime Brooklyn location and rent stabilized it is arguably one of the best deals i’ve ever had. Mantronix was like the Timbaland of his day. His day being the mid eighties to early nineties with a brief comeback in the mid nineties. Mantronix. ‘that’s my beat’ is a compilation of some of his favorite tracks from his prime. If you like to kick it real old skool this is a healthy dose of the genesis of what we now call Hip- Hop. Yes indeed.

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PROPA!