RECORDS

-

Popular posts from this blog

Vernon Courtlandt Johnson 's Interview - Art of Skateboarding

-
Image
May 19, 2011 by Matt DeAngelis VC Johnson is the genius behind the graphics that propelled Powell·Peralta into the stratosphere. His iconic images have inspired countless others to not only draw, but in some cases, to begin skating in the first place. An enigmatic figure, he disappeared off of the radar for almost 20 years until starting to work with Pocket Pistols a few years ago, and now back in his rightful place, Powell·Peralta.  MD: So how did skateboard graphics fit into a journey of self exploration? VCJ: They answered to the needs of the soul that chose the body. The soul that inherited, that grabbed the baton in my early 30s had a very different mandate and how it affected the life is fascinating. I can see this in other souls who’ve come to profound turning points in their lives and I’ve shared notes with those souls who have experienced a transformation at the core of being.   I come back to the company interested in a different order and what
▲▲▲ read more

Seo Young-Deok's Sculptures Are Of the Chain

-
Image
No, that's not a typo: Korean artist Seo Young-Deok's latest series of nude sculptures is made entirely from lengths of chain of both the medium-gauge household variety and bicycle chains. The color evokes traditional materials, i.e. bronze, yet the chain imparts a distinct texture even as it constitutes surprisingly detailed human forms, life-size and larger still. If the use of chains seems too easy a metaphor for human reality, Young-Deok transcends any gimmickry with his masterful command of his craft: he achieves a remarkable level of verisimilitude and aesthetic refinement. The bicycle chain sculptures are particularly impressive, as Young-Deok takes advantage of the articulation of the roller chain by creating sculptures in which the links face outward, like scales (above), as well as ones in which the chain appears to be wrapped around a figure (below). The latter variation strikes me as a riff on 3D-printing, where it is possible to discern di
▲▲▲ read more

J Dilla - How humanized a machine

-
Image
Back in October I went to see a Q&A with Amp Fiddler at Amsterdam Dance Event. He talked about introducing J Dilla to the MPC, and played some OG files he received from Dilla decades ago: deconstructing Dilla beats for the—shamelessly small—crowd of 30-ish people. And by way of the iconic Slum Village tracks “Players”, “The Look Of Love” & “Fall In Love”, Amp gave a Dilla for dummies crash course on why his beats sound so musical, warm and full of soul. This new video by Vox made me think of that lecture: J Dilla Beats 101. The video is a 10-minute introduction on how J Dilla humanized the MPC3000. It’s a basic yet good watch on how he didn’t quantize his beats, insights on sampling Gap Mangione, Giorgio Moroder & The Escorts, and extending samples, using track examples such as “E=MC2”, “Fall In Love”, “Lazer Gunne Funke” & The Pharcyde’s “Runnin'”. As drum machine pioneer Roger Linn puts it in the original MPC3000 manual: “(…) In this light,
▲▲▲ read more