Song of the Day: “You Called and Told Me” – Jeff Redd
Halle Berry brokethrough in the 1991 film Strictly Business with the help of the hit soundtrack single “You Called and Told Me” and its video. Jeff Redd is today a little-known ’90s leftover whereas Halle’s an Oscar-toting superstar… guess it worked for her. Jeff’s still having trouble booking the local saloon.
Posted in song of the day
(It’s fall already? Oy.) Found my winter scarf! The cashmere/silk blend graphic looks like it could be the emblem for The Avengers with its bowler hat and crossing umbrellas. Call it ‘Hackett for Ralph Fiennes’.
Posted in fashion
I’m always looking to expand my hefty ring collection with funky shapes, ethnic details, and chilly glow, and with the help of Boucheron’s former creative director, Solange Azagury, it’s uber easy. That is, if I had the $1,500 to $40,000 to shell out on any one item from her solo line. She opened her first retail store on Madison this past June and has seen great success even in such a cloud-filled retailscape. Have a peek at some of the rings I’ve been eyeing.
Posted in fashion
World Premiere: “Baby By Me” – 50 Cent (Feat. Ne-Yo)
50 bought Polow‘s best new beat. The thing is it’s another one of his “Ayo Technology” jokes. 50 can really only kill people – surely not have them. This time, he partners with a phony Ne-Yo (singing about playing in that thang) hook to play daddy. But I really don’t need to hear 50 rap about his inches, it’s Polow‘s farting, gushing, and squirting background that’s the molten.
Posted in musicology
People have been asking me (as if I had open contact with the man), what’s happened to Hov? Jay’s latest disc is crap – a disappointment to say the least. Although, so was his last one. But his last one [The Black Album] was some of his greatest work and spawned one of the most imperial mash-ups of all-time [The Grey Album]: so, in giving him that, dissecting the only semi-Hov-caliber tracks on the new album should be easy. The two singles thus far do use some pretty researched stuff – hear the Kanye-helmed “Run This Town,” for instance – it’s got Greek rock band The 4 Levels of Existence’s “Someday In Athens.” “D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)” loops around with a 1970 indie jazz courtesy of No I.D.
“Run This Town” =
“D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)” =
Posted in track anatomy
Probably my favorite foreign fashion glossy helps to close the decade off in style. “In celebration of this decade in fashion AnOther Magazine has paired the most influential designers with fashion’s finest accomplices; the actresses, models, musicians and muses who inspire with their sense of style and the power of their image. The fashion houses granted AnOther Magazine personal access to their archives and the fashion editors carefully paired each icon with a look by one designer from the past 10 years. Two portfolios by Craig McDean and Hedi Slimane were co-ordinated over 18 months, with shoots in Paris, London, New York and Los Angeles, involving thousands of conversations between hundreds of people around the world.” – AnOther Magazine
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Jackson Moad. You know? The recent Parsons grad with the insane shoe and accessory portfolio! Steven Klein’s latest shoot featured in Vogue Hommes Japan (below) sports a rather similar appeal to Jackson’s senior IDC thesis piece. S&M in this case means sadism & masochism, not Smoke & Mirrors. Take a peek at some pics of his thesis here. And Mr. Klein, for next time — the name’s Jackson Moad.
Posted in fashion
In her first-ever interview since Michael’s passing, music icon Janet Jackson sits down with Harper’s Bazaar to confirm she’s done with JD (Jermaine Dupri), not taking custody of MJ’s kids, and has a movie, album, and book in the works (all planned out before her brother’s death – don’t worry). It’s no publicity stunt this time. She’s been thrown back into the spotlight for obvious reasons and it’s her timing that so resonates with her modestly poignant persona. While LaToya and Jermaine have been accused of publicity-humping the situation, Janet’s taken her time to heal. As she states in the exclusive article, her tonic is her work and finds that the only way to tackle her grief is by keeping busy. Free from what many fans saw as her ultimate decline (JD’s presence in her work and love life), Janet seems positioned for a life after love. Her creativity’s always flourished when times have been tough (The Velvet Rope, anyone?). She will return to the stage this Sunday to open the MTV VMA’s with a special, eagerly-awaited Michael Jackson tribute. Of all her siblings, Janet has forever been the most subdued. It’s in times of trauma that displays people’s innermost inklings and it’s in her shielded response to the loss that’s cemented her as the most real of her clan. I’m happy she’s decided to open up so cordially. Everyone’s been asking — what’s Janet’s take? Now you have it. Wishing my girl all the best. The issue hits stands September 22, 2009.
Posted in fashion, musicology
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Imagine filming your hair grow for one year. This video by Christoph Rehage documents just that and more during his yearlong trek (’07-’08) through China. Pretty gnarly.
Posted in ish
Song of the Day: “I’m So Into You” – SWV
I’m assuming that since the “pro.nails” post is still seated at the top of the blog’s most read, it won’t bother having SWV become a repeat offender. Their debut album, It’s About Time, entered the ring back in 1992, boasting early production credits/backing vocals from a young Pharrell Williams (of The Neptunes) and a lucky duet with Michael Jackson (“Right Here/Human Nature”). “I’m So Into You” is of the sister’s cheekier cuts. Post-New Jack era, their deep, sensual soul captivated pop, R&B, and adult contemporary listeners with “Weak”, but it’s songs like “Into You” (and their affinity for acrylics) that’s gained the Oakland natives their true following.
Posted in song of the day
My good friend Chase Cohl’s feather headdress line, littledoe, has just added 60′s-era Janis hats to its roster. With a middle finger up to traditional fashion seasons and trends, littledoe offers ephemeral-free headpieces and floppy felt hats year round for the most serious folk-chicer. Think Chris Robinson meets Sacagawea.
Posted in fashion
One MC. One DJ. Last year’s best hip-hop album – hands down. Released on the little-known Raw Poetix label, The Only Color That Matters Is Green combines Pacewon’s Rakim-esque flow with beatsmith Green’s accompanying concrete rhythms. On “Children Sing” (below), Green splits children’s choir chants into unrecognizably colorful sonic collages of adolescent “ooh’s” and “ahh’s.” Pacewon graces Green’s symphonic street backdrops with unpretentious ease. Paying no mind to current hip-hop’s confused state of autotune and Grey Goose, Pacewon & Mr. Green achieve heights with their homegrown sound. Forget the mainstream, these dudes are the closest we’ll get to forgetting Flo-Rida ever happened. Hear it here first:
1 “Four Quarters” – White collar, blue collar. I holler. You holler. Let’s get together. Four quarters make a dollar. Middle America’s Confucius raps on Billy Bob Thornton, Wall Street, and food stamps.
2 “So Straight” – Fruits, vegetables, champagne and OJ. Sounds good to me.
Posted in artist spotlite
MUST HAVE this hooded wool cocoon jacket by The Row.
Number one stunner.
Posted in fashion
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World Premiere: “End of Your World (Mama’s Back)” – J*Davey
This group just finished their stint performing with Prince and are in the midst of mixing their major label debut which features this track.
“With a diverse array of influences, eclectic twosome J*Davey — female vocalist Jack Davey and producer Brook D’Leau — deliberately evade the narrow categories of what urban music should sound like, not to mention that they defy normal conventions of pop music. Drawing equally from neo-soul, new wave, funk, and hip-hop, their melting pot of electronic soul and dance have made music-goers try to classify them somewhere between neo-soulstress Erykah Badu and new wave punks Talking Heads.” – Cyril Cordor
Just call them the “black Eurythmics.”
Posted in musicology
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Posted in track anatomy
Song of the Day: “All Through The Night” – Escort
It’s not your imagination (and surely it’s not Weezer), the mups did just say I’m about to pop. They’ve been edited into singing Escort’s disco-drenched “All Through The Night” through piecing together various retro Muppet Show clips. I pretty much have been watching this video every day for a year and still haven’t gotten enough.
Posted in song of the day
I’m not a fan of Calvin’s music per se, but I am a fan of his humanthesizer innovation. Those babes in conductible ink sure know how to clap.
Posted in ish, musicology
I’m in love with Bela Borsodi‘s still-lifes featured everywhere from Another Magazine to The New York Times. I’m for any photographer who eases the eye into seeing life differently. Borsodi’s portfolio does just that with wit, breathing new life into the otherwise mundane [still-life] medium.
Posted in fashion
I’ve always known Natalie Portman and I had certain things in common: we’re both Jews, were brought up in suburbs, look like the opposite sex, and now.. she admits to being a hip-hop hag! We must really share genes. Check out her latest chat with Jake Gyllenhaal in this month’s Interview where she admits to liking Carvel over Baskin-Robbins and enjoying nothing more than some good ol’ dirty rap. Don’t believe me? Proof is here.
Posted in ish, musicology
Song of the Day: “Nobody” – Keith Sweat
Keith Sweat’s greatest hits compilation satisfies even the toughest of quiet storm connoisseurs. His nasally voice has the ability to lay down the finest of broads without cost of wine or dine. He’ll wind her weave off, open up her negligee, and pour candle wax down the small of her back without any effort on your part. Nobody can do it like Sweat.
Posted in song of the day
Speaking of “chain.male,” peep Greek designer Ioannis Dimitrousis’ most recent collection “Untitled” and gawk with me. It’s as if he took my Burberry Prorsum spike bracelet and melded it into a chainmail dress. Insane.
Posted in fashion
I’m ecstatic to see Steven Meisel’s been peeping Smoke & Mirrors… Take a look at this month’s Vogue Italia covers and tell me he wasn’t under the Dickens influence I plug non-stop. The Oliver-inspired cover looks pop in performance. Undeniably Twist-ed, the models don worn-out top hats, raggedy knapsacks, torn burlap gloves and a mismatched mentality exemplified within the storybook’s pickpocket spirit. Tip your hat to the original homeless chic-er, Fagin, who inspires my every day.
Posted in fashion
The secret to a happy lifestyle… Herr’s Blossoming Onion Flavored Crisps
Posted in ish
Song of the Day, Pt. 1: “Groove Thang” – Zhane
It’s almost Friday (a.k.a. the end of my back-to-school week) which means it’s time to pump some Zhane classix. It must be that knock that so evokes the early 90′s house party vibe… or their ridiculously manicured hairdo’s a la House Party? Either-or, Zhane has that uncanny ability to transport whomever back to ’94 when things seemed just a wee bit groovier.
Song of the Day, Pt. 2: “Hey Mr. DJ” – Zhane
Posted in song of the day
Peep Chanel Fiole’s Chanel Concept Car from her thesis at Hong-Ik University in South Korea, courtesy of CarDesign.
Posted in fashion
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World Premiere: “Illustrious” – Triple C’s
If the Three Six post wasn’t enough hilarity for your week then hit up Triple C’s latest vid, where cooked lobster and Rick Ross’ titties make up for the back-to-school rush. Turn that frown upside down.
Posted in musicology
The Maria Blaisse spread from this past August’s issue of Dazed and Confused looks anise flavored.
Posted in fashion
Capes are the shit. They always have been. Always will be. That is – if you know how to fly (which I do). Why else would you wear one really? Every superhero has one, the Papa rocks one, the Count, and look – so does Irina in Dazed! (They all fly as hell) I’m telling you, try one sometime and you’ll be glad you did.
“I-R-I-N-A” – Ryan Leslie
Posted in fashion, fashion focus
Soles are old. Chains be the thang.
Chain Heels designed by fellow Swedes, Tove Jansson and Per Emanuelsson.
Posted in fashion
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