Lens & Words

2011-12-03T22:19:00.001-07:00

'LA, LA'

It's been a while. Still shooting with the Fuji and I'm now armed with a droid. Above is a shot from the HTC of my first time in Los Angeles. Thousands of photographs since the last post.

2011-06-23T19:22:00.001-07:00

dip

-click on image-

Early evening exercise at the Stout field with a desert haze over the mountains.

2011-05-30T22:58:00.003-07:00

'The Sun' (05.28.2011)

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Photograph taken from the Anthony Gap (NM to TX). The sight had several vehicles pulling over to record the sun setting or to take pictures. Probably the most red I'd ever seen the sky in the early evening. (For full view click on the image)*

2011-05-30T00:41:00.002-07:00

'Passing Asarco'

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A photograph from a cell phone sent to me in a text that I really liked. From the direction the vehicle is going based off what you see in the bottom of the photo to how the city's cigarette is most clear and in tact. But not for long. (For full view click on the image)*

2011-05-19T22:38:00.001-07:00

Scarface (1932)

2011-04-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

'Sound Chaser'

Interesting record.

2011-04-17T20:49:00.002-07:00

"National Record Store Day 2011 @ All That Music"

Morning (AM) at All That Music April 16, 2011. Only got to stay for about half an hour, when on any other occasion I would've spent more time. In recognition of National Record Store Day, All that Music had its 4th Annual Sidewalk Sale. With 20 single $1 dollar bills, my goal was to find 20 records I liked, any genre. Even though the boxes had been flipped through by dozens of hands before I got there and while I waited in line, I was confident I'd find something.

2011-03-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

C.Webb of (The Fab Five)

Draft picks 93', the classics.

2011-03-10T00:13:00.000-07:00

"What good is a song, if words don't belong..."

2011-03-09T23:58:00.002-07:00

((Silent Running))

Few weeks back, took the day off from work to get a couple of wisdoms pulled. Afterwards with two bleeding holes behind the right side of my top/bottom teeth, a soaked bloody gauze between, and a numbing painful jawline that could barely move... I kicked back at the house and stumbled across a VH1 Classic channel that was showing 80s videos. One of the videos, "All I Need is a Miracle" came on, but right before the actual song, a brief snippet of one of Mike & the Mechanics other singles was playing, "Silent Running". I thought the track was amazing, one I remember hearing in brief clips years prior. Returning to work the following day, I dropped by the record shop for lunch and went straight to the "M" section and found the debut vinyl above.

2011-02-22T00:08:00.002-07:00

"February 22, 1965 (El Paso Times)"

The El Paso Times, 46 years ago this day. "A fusilade of gunfire cut down the fiery Negro extremist, Malcolm X, as he rose to address a rally Sunday in an upper Manhattan ballroom. At least five men were believed to have sprung the fatal ambush, after lurking amid the ranks of 500 of his disciples."

I was doing some research on El Paso's history one evening at the downtown library when I decided to see what it was that local papers had reported the day after Malcolm was assassinated.

2011-02-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

"Saturday Night After the Movies"

"THE MOVIE ALBUM starring Ramsey Lewis with a large supporting cast of musicians under the direction of Richard Evans is a natural, beautiful production. The source material is drawn from the rich resources of the motion-picture industry's wellspring of screen themes. One movie theme after another in recent years has leaped to incredible heights of popularity. This musical spring tide has been rising with the powerful aid of some magnetically attractive motion-picture music. Certainly the trend of utilizing movies as a vehicle for creative thematic scores offers heavy competition to Broadway musicals which have held a dominant hand as a major outlet for American musical literature."

-Herb Wong, KJAZ

2011-02-03T22:48:00.001-07:00

"OG"

This was the original cover that I discovered Durango Street shuffling through the shelves of Veteran's Park Library during the early 90s. One of my favorite books along with Walter Dean Myers texts. I don't think they revise the content when they release the book with a new cover, or maybe they do? Reading the newer version, it doesn't seem the same. Maybe its the cover. Durango Street, life classic.

2011-01-22T01:17:00.003-07:00

((Yesterday))

1970

One of the latest finds. Was on the clock shuffling through the "W's" for any WAR records I might've missed when I discovered the misplaced Feliciano record above. The cover texture is unique to other records. Feliciano is one of my favorite guitarist and an artist whose records I collect without question. With a career that stretches over 40 years, the search never ends.

2011-01-17T17:58:00.001-07:00

Year 1 ((Mom, Dad, Me))

1981, McConnel Avenue, El Paso, TX*

2011-01-09T00:57:00.002-07:00

"Shoot Your Shot"

Title inspired by James Brown & Jr. Walker & the All-Stars*

For a while now, I've been shooting shots of random basketball goals. Every so often I'll run into one while I got my camera in the most unexpected of places (behind a bank, in an empty lot at a Steak House on the outskirts of town, a broken goal in front of a Baptist church, etc.). These goals been in my life since as long as I could remember. Way back to kindergarten when Coach Carter use to hold up a milk crate and guide our sure misses into the opening, using his knuckles as the backboard. Hear is a link to one of the inspirations behind the title, none other then the late and only, JB: "Maceo, Shoot Your Shot!!" | ((Audio))

2011-01-08T22:12:00.000-07:00

((When You Hear Lou))

This LP has some good tracks: 'I Wish It Were Yesterday', 'Dollar Green', 'Trade Winds', 'There Will be Love', 'Unforgettable' and 'If I Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda'. Plus the line... "We always a day late and a dollar short..." Here is the message on the back of the record by Kenneth Gamble from Gamble & Huff:

One Life to Live

"Life - the most precious gift of all. The chance to experience physical things and spiritual things at the same time. The Creator of life is greater than life. There is no greater treasure than a life of awareness - being aware of the purpose of life. That purpose is to glorify and exault the Creator; to be humble; to be caretakers of the physical condition. We are blessed every day we wake up. To destroy life is a sin; to destroy the earth is a sin.

Just as every snowflake has a different design, so are the patterns of life. There has never been another you, or another me, on this planet before.

We've got one life to live... So let's live it in peace, truth, and harmony.

There's a message in the music."

2011-01-05T13:28:00.003-07:00

"Fallen Angels (20 Years Later)"

My youngest brother just recently finished reading this book that we checked out from Richard Burges Library in NE El Paso. Almost twenty years ago I discovered this text (either at one of the public libraries or the library on Ft. Bliss) but never got around to finishing the book. The cover I recall is posted here. My brother knowing I like chess highlighted the following:

"You play chess?"

"A little, you got a set?"

Walowick went to get his chess set, and Jamal came back in. He had a clipboard and he put it in front of me. He pointed to a figure. It read "3." I looked at the column it was in and it was listed "Confirmed Kills." I looked up at Jamal, but he was already on his way out."

* * *

"Brew came in and put his radio on. He had cupcakes and tossed me one and Walowick one. The radio was playing something about going to San Francisco with flowers in your hair. A nice tune.

We played two games of chess, and I won both of them easily. Walowick didn't seem to mind. His idea was just to capture as many pieces as possible. If it led him to a bad position, he would just lose. I was glad the game wasn't hard. I didn't want anything hard to do."

p. 85-87* (Walter Dean Myers)

2011-01-03T18:28:00.014-07:00

"1 Track @ a Time" | TREK LIFE Interview

((Everything Changed Nothing))

EP: Trek Life, first its an honor getting the chance to exchange question and response especially having had the chance to check you & Oddisee out at NMSU earlier this year... Before we get into the first few questions on the track/album "Everything Changed Nothing", I'd like to go back to the record that introduced me to your work... Price I've Paid. At the time (I believe this was 06'), we received a promo copy at KRUX 91.5 fm NMSU and included it in our rotation... What did this record represent for you as an artist and as a debut... especially in terms of the title Price I've Paid?... After hearing Everything Changed Nothing, I returned to Price I've Paid and felt like these two records compliment each other real well... both unique in their own right but connected by solid production and the message in your verses. How would you describe your perspective at the time after Price I've Paid, as you prepared to go into your next project?

TREK LIFE: Price I've Paid was a serious combination of hunger, life experience and trying to make up for time I felt like I wasted bullshitting with my talent for years being too afraid to shine. We had a serious energy going as good friends hungry to make our way in this business. Everything we did for the record seemed right (lol).

Honestly, I had a direction after Price I've Paid that I was sure I was going. I started a project called Dark Liquor and Blacks which featured some newer producers and was part of my initial idea to drop 3 albums and move on to other ventures in the business. After starting the project it just wasn't coming out the way I wanted it to sound. Some of the music was uninspiring and on top of that Lupe dropped Food and Liquor which made me feel like I'd look like I was biting. Basically I was stuck. I wanted to write albums that actually reflected a person growing through all stages and Oddisee CLEARLY understood what I was trying to do. It took a little while to figure out the musical direction but as soon as the title Everything Changed Nothing came up, we were off and running.

EP: I been a long time fan of Oddisee... Your debut album includes a strong lineup of various producers... On Everything Changed Nothing, Oddisee holds down the production on the entire album... In the spirit of legendary producer/MCs collaborations from the past... I get the sense that timing of this for you as an MC and Oddisee as a producer couldn't have came at a better moment... and I also love what this collab represents in terms of locale, you representin' L.A. and Oddisee out of D.C. Could you give us some background on how this collab developed? And having had the chance to tour with Oddisee in promotion of the record and hearing the feedback... looking at all this now, what are your thoughts on what your work with Oddisee means to Hip Hop?

TREK LIFE: Oddisee and I met through a mutual friend named Brub while Oddisee was in LA on tour with J-Live. We pretty much clicked from the get go and started to plan tours for each other on different sides of the globe. The whole process was like gaining a brother and an I'll producer all at once. I would say that Everything Changed Nothing was born from a whole lot of musical discussions while on tour. We would talk about everything from samples to the business of music for hours during our travels.

I think it's impossible to say what this album means to hip-hop in general, for both of us it'll be a link in a long chain of good music when it's all said and done.

EP: Our focus for this interview ('1 Track @ a Time', track featured in the youtube) is "Everything Changed Nothing", same title as the album... Was it the track that it inspired the album title, or vice versa? In terms of the times, with "Change" being a busy theme today, especially in politics... how do you feel about the title "Everything Changed Nothing" in thinking about what's been going on in this country politically?

TREK LIFE: The title track came up after the album was already in motion. The beat seemed to say it all as soon as I heard it. I wanted to explain my view through a few short stories, I felt like it was the best way to make the title relatable. Oddisee confirmed the idea and we went from it. "Everything Changed Nothing" is my way of showing that through all life's ups, downs and stages really not much changes at all. The core essentials of life remain the same, happiness, taxes, bills, family, or anything else that you may consider part of that list. Politics are much the same, the bottom line is that with all the change that is spoken of so frequently, the core negatives about people don't change, racism, greed, general foolishness... when those things change, then the core essentials of life become easier for "EVERYONE" to get.

EP: Would you also give us some background on the feature/production... Originally, I was going to highlight "Jump Out There", when I first heard the track, I thought the beat was just crazy... On "Everything Changed Nothing" Olivier Daysoul is featured on the hook. In my opinion, the hook can make or break the track, and in this case, Olivier Daysoul shines with the vocal. Please provide some information on this artist and how the decision went down to feature him on this track.

TREK LIFE: Olivier's presence on the album is all because of Oddisee. After recording the album Oddisee went out to London to tighten the sound and do what a producer is supposed to do (lol). Oddisee wrote the hook and had Olivier sing it while he was out there. Olivier is truly one of those artist that is forreal slept on. He's got a lot of dope music out and a whole lot more on the way.

EP: In terms of your writing process going in, the track "Everything Changed Nothing" is a visual series of stories that I interpreted to be about the same person at different stages of their life and in the first the listener watches an individual overcome struggles and eventually through education move up with the goal of investing in the future of their own... For decades, the gift musicians, singers, producers and lyricist have contributed, for many of us turned into an investment that we've used to help us move forward with our day to day. Whether it be the inspiration we take in from a record from the days of old, samples, style, message, or as the track references the business, etc. Who are some of your influences both in your family life and music and how did it in turn shape the output of your lyrics, sound and career.

TREK LIFE: My father and brother are the greatest men to ever walk the earth to me. From day one I wanted to be like them and carry that same strength. My mother and sister are the greatest women to walk the earth to me. They have supported me from minute one. My whole being comes from the love and support of my family. I was introduced to hip-hop by my brother and sister, they were the first people I ever freestyled with. That's probably the reason I never really got into the clique and elitist ways that LA hip hop can have at times. My family is my center. This album was dedicated to my daughter, she's the reason for the title. She's MY everything, but the rest of the world doesn't change at all. Artist that write directly from life experience have inspired me over the years and I think that's what leads me to do these type of albums. I was never really too much of a fan of punchlines, it was those down to earth "put you in the moment" lines that used to get me hyped. I write more along those lines than anything and TRY to write more when I'm inspired to say something than just to finish a lot of songs.

EP: I recall reading a Nas interview where he talked about the problem nowadays with everybody listening to music off some computer speakers, and we've seen that effort nowadays with producers like Dre and the Beats headphones, which intend for the listener to experience the details of the music as it was meant to be heard... What are your thoughts on how music is being received today, in comparison to yesterday? Today how are you most likely to come across someone's music?

TREK LIFE: I can definitely see people losing something by hearing music through little computer speakers. I absolutely CAN NOT listen to an album that way and truly judge it for what it's worth. Even a poor set of headphones aren't really giving it a fair listen. I'm partial to bumping music in the car. That's where I can get a good feel for what I'm listening to and if the trip is long enough I can actually pay attention to what's going on. There's nothing like hearing a dope song for the first time over some bangin' club speakers as well. That's when you screw your face up and say "WHEWW!!! WHAT IS THAT!?" I love it when that happens. Aside from that, studio speakers, they definitely give the best sound, but as far as how the average listener listens, its pretty much a lie. Don't get me wrong, they serve a purpose and you should get the best sound you can in studio monitors, but the average person just can't afford that type of quality. Since people get their music right from their computer I imagine that they listen to it on media devices with small speakers. The beats series of headphones is an awesome idea to give people the best sound.

EP: What is your impression of radio and Hip Hop today? To give credit to where credit is due, what were some radio shows that you heard that you felt were doing it the way it should be done, and what made these stations stand out in your mind? Also, if you had the world's ear at your speaker box for an hour what would a Trek Life playlist look like?

TREK LIFE: People laugh when I say that the wack rappers today are MUCH better than the wack rappers 10 years ago (lol). I like mainstream hip-hop today, I think that hip-hop is out of it's "Glam-Rock" stage and moving more into at least trying to be good. Rap was a cash cow for a lot of people, so the music was suffering from giving exposure to people that never really cared about the music, now at least artist Drake, J.Cole, BoB sound like they care. Soundwaves in LA is as good as it gets for me. Abraham plays dope music and has dope guest. If artist are smart, what they'll do is go through there Saturday night right before their show or make sure to hit up Soundwaves Radio. Since I'm partial to new artist, I would probably play Stik Figa, J.Bizness, Skeem Price, Belvi, Richard Wright, Mr Sober, Cov Original Artist... right now those are the artist I'm into. Radio still plays such a big part in so many artists success, I believe that's its radio's responsibility to feed people new artist as well as old.

EP: You put out a phenomenal record Trek Life, and in selecting a track that I wanted to feature, there were definitely several tracks in mind. Just so people know about the singles, and the tracks that featured videos, please provide additional information/links/youtube to these tracks so that people could check them out (such as "Due West", etc.). Also additional link info for more information on your past and current work, let us know where the readers can find you on the world wide web.

TREK LIFE: Thank you very much, and also thank you for the interview. TrekLifeMusic.com is the very best place to find out anything about Trek Life. Of course there's twitter twitter.com/treklife and Facebook facebook.com/treklifemusic. "Due West" is one of my favorite tracks on the album you can see a Dj Buddy Mini video of it on my youtube page youtube.com/therealtreklife. I'll see everyone in New Mexico again with Oddisee in April!

Peace.

http://twitter.com/treklife
http://treklifemusic.com/
http://facebook.com/treklifemusic

The Representation Show Presents... music selections subtitled ((Tape Decks Rotation)) of Hip Hop & Soul tracks. Audio postings include interview content conducted by EPmijo (EP) aka Lee (repshowhost) aka Brown Hornet. The Representation Show started on KRUX 91.5 fm at New Mexico State University in 2000, broadcasting for 8 years. 1 Track @ a Time is an online broadcast via youtube. More information on the program's history and music will be posted at leehiphopshow.com

1 Track @ a Time YOUTUBE Playlist Link: CLICK HERE

2010-12-29T00:41:00.001-07:00

((Cha-Cha))

Lee Jun Fan Tape

Been looking for an intro, well more thinking about it then looking... Cha-Cha sounds for a tape I'm working on. My hope was to find something specific, even though whatever I was looking for, I'd never heard before (I just assumed that it was out there). Dropped by All That Music and was referred to the 50s section where we found the Cugat LP above. I've delayed working on the tape until I found the right song for the intro... I think this Cugat record has what I need. The final decision will come down to Cugat and some Leopoldo Silos songs I recently discovered.

2010-12-21T01:06:00.002-07:00

12.21.2010 (El Paso Lunar Eclipse)

Shout out to KD for reminding me.

2010-12-06T00:19:00.000-07:00

| El Paso Billboard |

Makes me look everytime. Made a mental note to take a picture but kept forgetting to take the the exit off I-10. Went on a detour early one morning and found a spot to shoot.

2010-12-06T00:04:00.003-07:00

"NMSU vs. UNM"

84-78, Overtime. UNM's front court is no joke. We almost had it. Shout out to Castillo's jump shots. Crowd went wild. UNM advances with only one loss and we're counting them on two hands now.

2010-12-02T22:53:00.001-07:00

"Love Brought You Back"

"Try to make everyday count..." -Natalie Cole

December 1, 2010, saw Natalie Cole interviewed on the Tavis Smiley Show. Found the record above a couple years ago. Today, listened to it for the first time.

2010-11-30T23:22:00.000-07:00

First Course / Second Course

First record with the sides named "First Course" (A) and "Second Course" (B) I've seen. In 2004, to promote the Soul Session program on KRUX 91.5 fm I wrote a piece that was published in The Roundup, NMSU's student newspaper. The clip is linked from the Feliciano cover image. If I could make beats the track I'd sample from this record: "Where Is My Woman", Second Course.

2010-11-29T10:04:00.001-07:00

Playlists | Mixtapes | CDs

leehiphopshow.com Blog Site: click here

2010-11-19T21:16:00.005-07:00

"IIIrd Batallion (1987)"

My father during the Drill Seargent years. Sometimes I'd wake up two hours before my time, 4 a.m. and could hear him getting prepared for the regimented schedule planned ahead. Strict, disciplined & always on time. Some of my favorite gifts I recieved from my Dad were his watches. I knew a few kids that grew up with aspirations to follow their father's into a military career. Since as far back as I can remember, I was most influenced by my father's creativity. When I first started writing, I'd try to copy his penmanship, sketches and signature. On most LPs that he owned, he'd always sign a certain part of the record with his signature style. One of those records, Thriller. I've got a few people I regard as having been influential in my life, but it all started and continues with my father and mother.

2010-11-14T22:11:00.001-07:00

"Seventh Child"

"The book's title resulted from the fact that Uncle Malcolm was a seventh child. In African mythology, and science, it is believed that the seventh child will emerge as a leader of his people. Malcolm also considered seven his favorite number. That's why, when he was head of Temple Seven in Harlem, he named three other temples in New York City 7A, 7B, and 7C. He also noted in his autobiography that "among over eight thousand other seats in Miami's Big Convention Hall [for 1963 Cassius Clay-Sonny Liston championship fight] I received seat number seven. Seven has always been my favorite number. It has followed me throughout my life." (Preface, xii)*

2010-11-13T21:25:00.008-07:00

The Thundercats

Today I finished prints on my first photo shoot with flag football squad, the Thundercats. Shout out to the team, a hilarious group of unique kids with bright futures and a cool lineup of coaches & parents. To the Candelaria fam, much thanks and love.

Wouldn't it be cool if we created trading cards post season from the sport leagues that the kids are involved with and celebrate them for the celebrities that they are? Imagine that.

2010-11-11T22:32:00.001-07:00

"Where Pop Worked"

County Jail (EP, TX)*

2010-11-11T22:24:00.000-07:00

"Melting Pot"

For the cover and Booker T & the MGs*

2010-11-09T23:00:00.004-07:00

Daylight Savings Time (A.M.)

Street light*

2010-11-08T08:08:00.003-07:00

"Feliciano (1968)"

One of the greatest albums I've ever heard.

The story of Jose Feliciano & the Star Spangled Banner: YOUTUBE

2010-11-04T18:31:00.002-07:00

"The Sound of Philadelphia"

On Side Two heard the childhood-familiar Soul Train anthem "TSOP" produced by Kevin Gamble and Leon Huff (1974).

"Take good care of yourself..." -The Three Degrees

2010-11-04T18:19:00.003-07:00

"Chess Everywhere (The Week)"

Was reading a Washington Post article about Tuesday's elections and seen an advertisement for The Week Magazine. The advertisement included two magazine covers, one of them of the illustration included above. Did some searching on google and found out through Ebay that it was an October 2009 issue and shortly after stumbled across illustrator Fred Harper's website. The image above is linked to Harper's www location, check it out.

2010-11-03T23:32:00.001-07:00

"Sun (Hues)"

This evening, I'm walking incline towards Sam's store, saw the Sun, and asked myself:

"How can I not take a picture?" Ran back for my camera.

2010-11-03T23:09:00.000-07:00

"Waxpoetics"

Converse 45' Series*

2010-11-03T23:01:00.006-07:00

"Happy Just To Be Like I Am (Taj Mahal)"

-click on image-

2010-11-02T23:13:00.001-07:00

"I Voted (A.M.)"

-click on image-

2010-11-01T21:55:00.001-07:00

"To Pearl Tso"

"There are two ways of making a good living. One is the result of hard working, and the other, the result of imagination (requires work, too, of course). It is a fact that labor and thrift produce a competence, but fortune, in the sense of wealth, is the reward of the man who can think of something that hasn't been thought of before. In every industry, in every profession, ideas are what America is looking for. Ideas have made America what she is, and one good idea will make a man what he wants to be." ~Bruce Lee*

Letters of the Dragon; Correspondence, 1958-1973*

'To Pearl Tso', September 1962

2010-11-01T21:43:00.001-07:00

"Scene (11.01.2010)"

-click on image to enlarge-

Before the Thundercat shoot.

2010-10-31T21:44:00.008-07:00

"Nolan Ryan - P"

"Proper pitching mechanics improve efficiency, thereby increasing power while decreasing arm strain. Stride length is consistent and comfortable. The knee on the pivot leg drops slightly to drive off the rubber. The throwing elbow, at or above shoulder level, leads the arm. The arm is relaxed to generate maximum speed. The throwing hand continues down and through after release. The pivot leg completes the motion by squaring to the batter." -Pinnacle, 1992*

For the World Series.

I never watched much baseball growing up. Thought it was boring. Since the late 80s I concentrated on Magic & the Lakers, Cunningham & the Eagles and Boxing. However, I loved to collect cards all of kinds. From NBA Hoops, Donruss, Skybox, Topps, Upper Deck, Fleer, Score, the Conlon collection, NFL Pro Set, Wild Cards, the Classic College collection, etc. (even the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle trading cards I picked up at Goodtimes during the early 90s). I kept up with all the players, football, baseball and basketball, often times visiting the local card shop to view the latest Beckett pricing guide. Many names are embedded in my memory even til' this day. Names like Wade Boggs, Ryan Sandberg, Lenny Dykstra, Dave Justice, Sandy Alomar, Jr., George Brett, Ozzie Guillen, etc. I couldn't tell you much about their baseball careers, I just know I had some of their cards.

As far as playing the game on the street, I use to love stickball. Often times when summer broke out, a lot of us kids living in Cooperstown would gather up as many of us as we could and get a stickball game going. Our neighborhood is made up of a bunch of streets and avenues named after hall of fame baseball players. Most of our games went down in the middle of Yogi Berra...the curbs were bases, we used a bat or stick/tennis or racquetball, and the gate surrounding my house was the outfield fence. When my father was younger, him and his late twin brother were deep into baseball. They grew up in the Tri-State area and would frequent the Connie Mac Stadium for Phillies games. They both even had the chance to meet Willie Mays and got his autograph on a baseball glove. A lot of memorabilia that my father and uncle collected, including trading cards, has since been lost. Only an old New York Yankees photograph and an autographed baseball/photograph of the Philadelphia Phillies (1966) is what's left.

For some reason, I started watching baseball this year. Caught the last SF/Phillies game and have been watching the Texas/SF World Series. I learned that Nolan Ryan was president and co-owner of the Rangers when the camera zoomed in on him and his family. Along with players like Cal Ripken, Jr., Roger Clemens, Kirby Puckett, Ricky Henderson, Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey, Jr., Bo Jackson... when I found a Nolan Ryan card, I kept it.

The card above is one of my favorite of Nolan Ryan.

2010-10-31T13:35:00.001-07:00

"El Paso and its sister city across the Rio Grande - Juárez, Mexico - form the world's largest border town, a valley of sinister warrens and glittering high-rises between two mountain ranges divided by a puny culvert called the Rio Grande. The Great River. From the slopes of Mt. Franklin or Mt. Cristo Rey, it doesn't look so great - it looks as though a child could hop it. As an international boundary, the river is an absurd symbol, though a natural one: it is the reason for this place, and what happened here. You can wade it, and for that reason the 1.3 million who live in this poverty-stricken micro citystate have never identified with a common heritage or a negotiated one. They make it up as they go. They appear to go in slow motion, a mile a minute, night and day, creating a smoky delirium in which life is at the same time a bit more precious and a bit less. Some blame a natural tranquilizing agent in the water supply, but others believe it is the attitude of isolation and neglect. There is an almost comic book somnambulism in the people's indifference to the laws of two nations, and in their attitude to time and place. But there is a chilling reality to this culture's fidelity to its own code."

-Gary Cartwright, Cinco Puntos Press

2010-10-31T12:53:00.003-07:00

"1st Photo Shoot"

Scheduled for Monday, November 1, 2010. Individual (5 by 7/wallet size/poster) and team shots (11 by 14). Here is a picture of one of the Thundercats on defense. Photo linked to the Flag Football gallery. Shout out to DJ SA and Young B.

2010-10-26T20:36:00.001-07:00

"14"

Last week's find. 81'.

2010-10-26T16:08:00.003-07:00

2010-2011 (B.C.)

Time to Show and Prove
Picture Source: AP | click here

2010-10-25T23:00:00.002-07:00

Sony Retires the Cassette Walkman After 30 Years

"After retiring the floppy disk in March, Sony has halted the manufacture and distribution of another now-obsolete technology: the cassette Walkman, the first low-cost, portable music player."

CNN: click here

2010-10-25T22:55:00.002-07:00

"Bars (1 Pull-Up @ a Time)"

2010-10-21T23:01:00.004-07:00

"Marble Man vs. El Paso"

Contesting a parking citation. Had 1 minute left and still got a ticket.

2010-10-20T23:05:00.001-07:00

"1977"

For the storm I escaped this evening.

2010-10-19T22:08:00.001-07:00

"It's a Scrapbook"

"It's a scrapbook."

"Yeah. I'm going to let you look at it, Lonnie," he said. "I don't want you to say nothing to nobody about it, you understand?"

"I ain't mouthy," I said. "You don't want nobody to know about your scrapbook, ain't nobody going to know."

"You're right about one thing," he said. "It is scrap. That's my life you got there in your hands. Scraps. Pieces of things stuck in an old book that nobody knows about."

I opened the book, and it was like one of those old black-and-white movies you see on television sometime. The pictures were almost all cut from newspapers, and were turning yellow. They were all about basketball games.

"This you?" I asked. "Spider Jones?"

(p. 57)

2010-10-19T21:41:00.003-07:00

"Three (3) Photographs"

Got the chance to check out an exhibit @ UTEP. Snapped several shots of specific sections in each of the photographs. A photo of a photo. In this image, there are three cameras involved. The image is linked to the exhibit online.

2010-10-19T20:40:00.004-07:00

"Sun Rises in the East"

2010-10-17T22:36:00.002-07:00

"Track (P.M.)"

Stout, El Paso, TX*

2010-10-09T21:44:00.004-07:00

"Banana Clip Instrumentals"

A classic collection of beats and cool memory of working radio and discovering new music every week. Our station recieved a few Algorithm & Dave Ghetto vinyl/cds from Counter Flow Recordings. The sounds create a clear picture of the time. The Algorithm records were one of the most creative and dope I'd heard. Volume 1 & 2?

2010-10-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

"1988 (12')"

Microphones to big screens. Is Will Smith the most acclaimed rapper/actor? I'd say yes. The record above is this week's find. When my father got back from his Army duties out at the U.A.E. he brought back a ton of cassettes, several of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.

2010-10-07T23:19:00.008-07:00

"NBA 2K11 Review"

Remember Double Dribble on NES? 5 on 5 and automated dunk scenes? Simple fun. When NBA Live (Sega Genesis) hit, I can’t remember thinking about expectations beyond that. I recall spending most game time on NBA Live and EA Sports Coach K College Basketball. Classics.

Consoles have changed quick ever since. From the Genesis to Sega Saturn (for me), then PS1, PS2, PS3 and if you Google… coming soon PS4. Each upgrade distributing its own impressive titles. Since the era of Sega Genesis, I stayed a fan of EA Sports with a disappointing exception every now and then.

Fast forward to October 2010, three years after picking up NBA Live (PS3) titles like clockwork. October 5th was the release date, with a new name, NBA Elite and the addition of a new NBA Jam. NBA Jam was the first basketball game I owned when I first bought a Genesis, inspired by Arcade time. October 5th though, I discover NBA Elite gets pushed back to spring 2011! Half way into the NBA season?! A clerk confirmed today that the shelf life is April. Crazy.

Expecting the worst, I figured I’d do some searches online and go with basketball’s next best. Google directed all traffic to NBA 2K11, with much hype. Some reviewers considered it the best b-ball game ever. And with Air Jordan on the cover the press is a match made in NBA hell.

My review of NBA 2K11 starts now. And I’ll keep it short. I couldn’t bother playing past the opening, a Chicago Bulls throwback. Afterwards I tried a versus option (Boston & L.A.) against my brother that lasted 2 quarters. The game play doesn’t hold an X button to Live ’10. Each and every player is awkwardly blocked, reminiscent of NBA Konami before Y2K. The controls slide players up the court and during zoom-ins most player expressions are lifeless zombie stares into multiple dynasty modes.

EA Sports, what happened?

2010-10-06T12:34:00.006-07:00

"Soul Brothers"

With some musicians, I became a fan of their music by way of film. As mentioned in a previous post for example, my discovery of Sam Cooke through the song "A Change is Gonna Come" in Malcolm X. With the Isley Brothers, it was a scene from the Hughes Brothers film Menace II Society that started my Isley collection (prior to hearing the "Between the Sheets" sample for B.I.G.'s debut). The scene where Caine confronts Chauncy for messing with his girl Ronnie played by Jada Pinkett Smith ("For the Love of You" playing in the background). As I made my way through the Isley Brothers' catalogue over the years, I found certain songs that I was able to trace back to other scenes and Hip Hop samples that would inadvertently lead me towards what I would like most about their soulful sound.

Not too long ago I visited a Sams Store to purchase a few things and made my way to the photography counter to avoid the long lines. As the clerk rang up my items, I could hear the Isley Brother's on the television behind me, a live version of "Who's that Lady" on Soul Train. I asked, "...Is this on tv?" Turned out, a DVD of 3 discs were being sold, stacked next to the big screen. The DVDs included Soul Train performances from Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Aretha Franklin, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, The Isley Brothers and many others.

I picked up a copy.

2010-09-30T23:43:00.007-07:00

"Sittin' on Chrome"
Masta Ace, I.N.C.
1995

"That music is the answer... And it goes on..." (repeat) | 'Da Answer' (track 13)*

At the last home football game (Aggie Stadium) me and the soulVerse crew had a discussion about albums we don't skip through, Hip Hop classics. Ready to Die by B.I.G. was thrown out there... Pac albums were debated... Illmatic was mentioned... I think Pidi mentioned Em... I said Let's Get Free by dead prez & Scars and Memories by Grimm ... Soul on Ice by Ras... Jus mentioned Ghostface's Supreme Clientele. And we discussed the Wu's 90's catalog... some early Kast records, QB records, Dre's debut, etc.

On my day off this week, I recieved Sittin' on Chrome by Masta Ace. I had to re-order this album after giving it away some years before. Been ridin' to it for the past couple days. Opening rotation, no skips.

2010-09-29T21:27:00.004-07:00

"A Change in Time (NYC)"
Photograph by Jamel Shabazz*

CLICK HERE to view an interview I conducted for Hip Hop Alumni (HHA) with photographer Jamel Shabazz, author of several photography texts including A Time Before Crack and Seconds of My Life. The interview is titled 'The Kingdom, Brooklyn, 1981'... Much respect to Jamel Shabazz!

Jamel Shabazz Interview: CLICK HERE

Hip Hop Alumni.com

2010-09-26T17:59:00.006-07:00

"Celebrating Victory with the King of Soul"

This week, I'll be checking out the Sam Cooke album above. It was Cooke's last album released within his lifetime and features one of my favorite songs, 'A Change is Gonna Come'. I first heard this song in 1992, at 11 years old, in the company of my brother's godfather and his son (my friend) at the premier of the Spike Lee film Malcolm X in an El Paso theatre.

Today, I was reading the Muhammad Ali Handbook by Dave Zirin and arrived to a chapter titled 'Celebrating victory with the King of Soul'... Here is a quote, "After the fight (vs. Sonny Liston in Miami), Clay (Cassius X) had nowhere to go because his promoters, not expecting a victory, didn't plan for a victory celebration. Instead he went back to Malcolm X's hotel to eat vanilla ice cream with Malcolm, Sam Cooke, and football great and political activist Jim Brown." ...Imagine that.

On March 13, 2004, I broadcasted a program called A Session of Malcolm X, which I also subtitled, A Session of Sam Cooke on KRUX 91.5 fm (NMSU). Throughout the two hour broadcast, rotation included speeches by Malcolm X, and various musicians including some of my favorite songs from Sam Cooke, 'A Change is Gonna Come', 'Peace in the Valley', 'Chain Gang', 'Wonderful World', 'Mean Old World' & 'End of My Journey'. It was what I considered at the time, my most accomplished moment on air.

2010-09-26T12:59:00.007-07:00

"Wu Tang Forever (Ciudad Juárez 06')"

-Click on image to enlarge-

"Those same twelve notes have been here since the beginning. The combinations may be almost infinite, but it all has the same basic limited foundation. Whether it's being sampled or not, it's the repitition."

-The RZA, Tao of Wu

Digital Culture, Art in the Age of Ones and Zeros

2010-09-24T21:45:00.000-07:00

"Avoid things that die easy,
and get your own soul ready to die well..." -Gordon Parks

2010-09-24T21:38:00.000-07:00

"Flag Football"

Season (1)

Working on a highlight video for a good friend of his son's 1st season on the flag football team. The image above is linked to a larger picture. Shout to Young S.A.

2010-09-21T22:04:00.001-07:00

"Rotation" (Phonographs)

2010-09-17T21:46:00.002-07:00

"Voices Behind Walls.org"

"When I write I bid farewell to myself

I leave most of what I know behind and wander through the landscape

of language..." ~Jimmy Santiago Baca*

Quote from Arts, Literacy and the Classroom Community Video: click here*

2010-09-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

"Sunset (El Paso)"

"Picture me rollin'..." -2Pac

2010-09-17T20:25:00.009-07:00

"The Aggie"

One night away from the Battle of i-10... NMSU vs. UTEP. Last week I bet on PHI, and lost a few crispy 1's. This week the stakes are higher. Picture above is linked to a day time shot from my Blackberry of the Aggie's season opener against San Diego. So far, 0-1, NMSU.

2010-09-16T17:22:00.026-07:00

"Two for One (Gato & Corea)"

-Latin Connection-

An incredible record. I think I found the sample of a track I hadn't heard in years from an MC & producer I met while at KRUX 91.5 fm. The track is "Latin Connection" on Gato's Ruby, Ruby 77' LP. The MC & producer is Good 4 Nothin', which consisted of an MC by the name of Chase Millions and the producer Benneli. I can't remember the name of their track (and I don't know if I might have the production confused since Chase made music with a few others). Chase & Benneli created a dope collection of tracks in Las Cruces, New Mexico while I was on air. I recall Benneli adding on to the base line of one of my favorite Barry White songs and looping the audio for a talk over. Listening to "Latin Connection" off the Gato record a couple days ago, the music sounded crazy familiar. I kept replaying the track thinking if I played it enough times, I'd remember. At first, I thought it might've been a sample used by Ghost, Pun, Technique, or some artist I'd randomly heard back when downloading off of Soul Seek. Didn't think I'd remember til' it occured to me who it was... Chase & Benneli. A lot of those tracks I was rotating during the early millenium have since been lost, but if I find the cassette recording of an interview we did at KRUX I'll post it up. There's not much online about the "Latin Connection" song which also (to my suprise) features Marvin Gaye on the credits.

When I bought this record a few months ago, I thought it was a double Gato vinyl. I didn't get around to listening to it til' now. Instead, the extra record was by Chick Corea, 78', titled Secret Agent.

2010-09-13T20:37:00.002-07:00

"Heaven or Hell" (12')

All-time favorite track from a member of the Wu-Tang Clan.

2010-09-12T23:00:00.002-07:00

"Godfather"

It doesn't seem so long ago until you see how old these kids are now. My brother (far left) in an Atlanta Falcons jersey, our younger brother's Godfather (middle), and the godfather's daughter (right).

2010-09-12T22:48:00.004-07:00

"The Pacific"

My younger brother had to tend to a family emergency in California with his wife. It was his first time Far West and he took a camera that my father gave to him. He returned and showed me pictures he took along the way. The bird shot is linked to another picture of the Pacific. Amongst the three of us brothers, he's the first to step foot on an ocean shore. And the bird above is missing one.

2010-09-12T20:05:00.007-07:00

"Just Like Music, Just Like Cover"

I was raised between Michael Jackson's Thriller and Marvin Gaye's Midnight Love LPs. So I always pick up their records if I'm lucky enough to find, especially if it predates 80'. I recall listening to some radio station in northern New Mexico a few years ago and hearing a song that sounded like an extended, hook-only, version of Marvin Gaye's "Turn on Some Music". At first I thought it was the instrumental version of Erick Sermon's "Just Like Music" that sample covered the Marvin original. But having heard alternate versions ever since, I have yet to re-discover the track I know I heard that day... "Turn on Some Music, Turn on Some Music, Turn on Some Music, Turn on Some Music"... it went on forever.

Anyway, a few months ago, I'm flipping through a crate at a thrift and noticed the Marvin Gaye record above. I don't have any Marvin LPs before 1971's What's Going On, so I was hype. However, I slide the cover out the bin and could feel that it was vinyl-less. No music, just a cover. I ended up getting the Marvin cover for free though and have it posted on my office wall.

2010-09-10T23:28:00.002-07:00

'Chess Lessons'

"In the end, the best strategy, the best tactic you can have in chess is the same one you should use in life: Never give up. Never let them count you out. That's how the greats play, right down to the last move. That's one more reason why chess is like a swordfight. It's to the death. You should play it that way, like you should live your life, as a game with mortal stakes. A game you play right down to the last move."

-The RZA (p. 49) | The Tao of Wu

2010-09-08T16:47:00.003-07:00

"1978"

Today's find. Richard Pryor talks "Discipline"

2010-09-08T16:32:00.004-07:00

"Loving You Through Music"

((Side 1 | Track 5))

Cool production. The cover caught a co-worker by suprise since the album title is the same name as her daughter. I've had this record for quite some time but have only listened to it once. Sounds good the second time around. On the record sleeve in fine print it says, "(*In the Bronx, in Manhattan, in Brooklyn too)"

2010-09-06T20:09:00.004-07:00

"Doña Ana County"

-Voices Behind Walls Newsletter No. 11-

2010 Newsletter | Voices Behind Walls.org: CLICK HERE

2010-09-05T22:06:00.002-07:00

"Hayden Valley"

An incredible photo from the files of Hurricane D who recently shared her gallery of pics from a trip she took with family and friends through the lands of Montana (Yellowstone).

2010-09-05T21:57:00.003-07:00

"Operation Poisoned Pawns"

-Chess Everywhere-

"Federal Prosecutors said the indictment is a part of a six-year investigation they dubbed "Operation Poisoned Pawns."

From an article titled 'Public Corruption: Feds Allege Bribery, Kickbacks': SOURCE*

2010-09-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

"Tales from the Darkside"

Another shot from Jus' roadtrip. Was checking out the photographs from his laptop gallery and this one caught my eye cause of a television show it reminded me of from the 80s. Tales from the Darkside: YOUTUBE*

2010-09-05T13:08:00.009-07:00

"Ximenace Photography"

Last October (2009), I was checking out the El Paso Times and saw an article titled "El Paso-style Loteria: Photographer Rick Jimenez Carrasco Comes Up With Winning Idea"... Growing up visiting my Abuelita's house in the Felipe Angeles Colonia (Cd. Juarez), I'd find Loteria cards scattered throughout the home, mostly on the kitchen table. I never learned how to play but was always mesmerized by the images on the cards. The article details how Carrasco, a photographer from El Paso, shot images in El Paso and Juarez that matched the images included in the Loteria cards.

In August (2010), I was looking for a place that would be able to print out a 2 1/2 by 4 photograph of my mother, brother and I for a frame I purchased for my Mom's birthday (August 22nd). I visited Walgreens, but they were unable to print out the size. I visited the Sams on Pellicano, but their Kodak computers ran out of paper and were down. Finally, the day before my Mother's birthday I went by the Sams next to the Cielo Vista Mall. It was a bit of a wait, and while I waited, I noticed this amazing poster-size photograph of a night-time shot in El Paso. I asked the individual who was waiting on a few more prints about the details of the shot and he turned out to be Rick Jimenez Carrasco from the El Paso Times article I read about the year before! I didn't realize this until about ten minutes into our conversation when he passed me his card which displayed the loteria images I immediately recognized. Being as interested in photography as I am, it was cool for such a random series of events and being on the last hour of purchasing my Mother's gift, to be able to meet a photographer representing the area I was born and raised in and who's work I had a lot of respect for.

Above I've linked the image to his website and to view pictures from his Loteria collection, you can check them out here: Ricky Carrasco's | Loteria' El Paso Shout out to Carrasco for representing the scenes and people of El Paso and Cd. Juarez for the beauty that it is.

2010-08-26T18:39:00.001-07:00

"Chess Everywhere"

Been playing a chess match vs. a co-worker for the past few months, a move every other day. During this time chess has been showing up here and there. One example, is her fall semester text for Advertising Strategy.

2010-08-24T22:20:00.005-07:00

"1 Track @ a Time" | IRON LYON Interview
((Hold That))

EP: What’s the background of your alias, Iron Lyon?

IRON LYON: I've gone by the alias "Iron Lyon" since I was 13, name was inspired by a few things: first of all my last name is Lyons, second my mother was a huge Bob Marley fan and she put me on to Marley's song titled "iron. lion, zion" which also carried a message I could relate to, and 3rd, depending on how you pronounce it, it sounds like "I aint lyin" which is code I live by in my music. Strictly truth.

EP: Discuss the inspiration behind your debut album 'Time Capsule' and it's influence on future projects?

IRON LYON: I was inspired to record my debut LP 'Time Capsule' when a fellow emcee & friend named Leftist was killed in a hit and run and at his memorial there were copies of his debut album titled 'Whats Left'. This made me realize that you never know when your time is up and that if I was to pass away I would want to leave a tangible piece of myself behind. I had always wanted to record an album but had mostly done open mics, showcase and freestyle battles to this point. I began writing and recording the album 'Time Capsule' without a clue as to what would come of it, only a hope that people would dig it up at some point. I felt that just making the music would be a success in itself and no matter what came of it I was creating an artifact that will still exist when I'm gone. I wasn't working with much of a budget and didn't have a team in place so I knew it wasn't going to get much promotion however recently with some help from a few friends and some persistence people are starting to take notice.

I have an EP called 'The Foundation EP' coming out in September on Fat Beats Records, a full length dropping in the near future as well titled 'From The Ground Up' and I'm currently finishing up an LP called 'Worldwide' featuring collaborations with producers and mc's from other countries. If you read the titles in order you can see the progression of where I'm trying to take the music.

EP: Who was behind the production on the track 'Hold That'? "So long I've spent waiting for the right moment..." quoting your first line which I feel definitely speaks to that concept of a time capsule and seizing the right time... How do you feel about the message of this track and the current state of music? What are your thoughts on how its being consumed today, as compared to how you approach the music as a listener now that you're on the other side of working to market your album... You also reference CL...

IRON LYON: "Hold That" was produced by my long time friend Madsol Desar. Originally I had heard of him from production he had done w/ Ed OG & Talib Kweli and when we met in 2000 we spoke about doing a track together but it didnt happen til much later. When he sent me the track it instantly put me in a zone and I wrote it in one sitting. I called him up and spit it for him and he liked it so I hit the studio and recorded it. The track is about staying true to your calling and doing what comes naturally rather than conform to what everyone else is doing around you. These days the market is so saturated that it's difficult to get people to take the time to listen even if you give your music away for free. The only way to remain positive on such an uphill path for me is to see success as relative and keep the love of the music in the forefront. If I worried about record sales all day I wouldn't enjoy the craft and at the end of the day I'd rather make a record that truly moves 1 person than sell a million records that get forgotten overnight. I can say that I've paid my dues as both a DJ and an MC for almost 15 years but that doesn't mean music owes me anything. It has already introduced me to tons of amazing people, helped me to survive mentally, emotionally and financially and given me a means to tell my story and make a mark. Fame or no fame, I was here, I put my all into my passion and I didn't sell my soul. The CL reference "I got a love like CL Smooth did" was to a song called "Got a Love" which was one of the first Pete Rock & CL Smooth singles that I bought as a teenager.

EP: For people that are interested in checking out your debut album, ‘Time Capsule’ what links do they need to visit, and where else can they find more information on your music?

IRON LYON: You can download the album free and listen to upcoming releases on my bandcamp site: CLICK HERE & on 2dopeboyz.com: CLICK HERE & you can support and buy it on itunes or order physical copy from fatbeats.com: CLICK HERE

Also i keep my twitter and facebook updated:

twitter.com/djironlyon

facebook.com/ironlyon1

1 Track @ a Time YOUTUBE Playlist Link: CLICK HERE

2010-08-24T17:30:00.007-07:00

"E.R.A."

Outtakes of WAR's recordings late 70s/early 80s. My favorite group of all time. It wasn't until recently that I discovered this LP and listened. I love Jazz...WAR Jazz, even more. One of the tracks is titled "A Pattern of Time".

2010-08-22T23:27:00.006-07:00

"Queen Luz"

It's my Mom's birthday, August 22, 2010.

This track is dedicated to Queen Luz, always: AUDIO*

2010-08-19T17:28:00.014-07:00

"The Show is Over"

Soul Session outro right here. Classic debut from Evelyn 'Champagne' King. She was discovered singing "A Change is Gonna Come" (Sam Cooke) while vacuum cleaning at Philly International Records.

"You have to live life to know it..." -Champagne

Here's Champagne King in 82', the sounds of my first years:
| 'Love Come Down' | YOUTUBE*

2010-08-16T18:19:00.003-07:00

"The Truth (Kansas Years)"

The 08' Championship for Pierce & the Celtics was unlike any other I'd ever seen. They smashed the East in 2010. Out of revenge for the Finals I was giving my best in NBA Live (PS3) vs. my younger brothers' Magic and Laker picks but lost in double elimination. This afternoon ran a search on The Truth. Above is a video from his alma mater. As they do @ Slam Online 'For Old Time's Sake'.

2010-08-16T17:41:00.006-07:00

"From Darkness to Light"

A part of my interest in photography is inspired by the shots of family and friends (past and present). The photograph above is courtesy of Jus aka B.Gravity (Hov) (shots taken cross country).

2010-08-12T17:10:00.003-07:00

"Peddlin' Music on the Side"

"Peddlin' music on the side

Trying to find a place in the Top 100

Peddlin' music on the side

Praying fortune

Will let me ride

I got a little job, don't earn much money

They said my future would be bright

But it looks far from sunny

I sing my songs in shady places

Trying to impress a crowd

with unimpressed faces

Working hard trying to build a name

Peddlin' music is a mighty tough game

Don't wanna be no prince of sound

Just wanna decent life for the love I found

(That's why I'm)

Peddlin' music on the side

Trying to find a place in the Top 100

Peddlin' music on the side

Praying fortune

Will let me ride

The woman I love and some day wanna marry

She deserves something better

Than just another load to carry

Love is beautiful but it needs support

Without security the trip is short

(That's why I'm)

Peddlin' music on the side

Trying to find a place in the Top 100

Peddlin' music on the side

Praying fortune

Will let me ride..."

-Lamont Dozier (1977)

2010-08-11T21:55:00.001-07:00

Who's Still Listening to Vinyl?

CNN Report by Carly Costello: click here

2010-08-10T23:13:00.007-07:00

"My Vinyl Weighs a Ton"

HipHopDX Interview w/ DJ Danny Dann the Beat Mann: click here

2010-08-10T17:01:00.008-07:00

"More Than Words Can Say"

One of my all time favorite LP covers featuring WAR/The Lowrider Band harmonica musician, Lee Oskar. The Art Direction is credited to Ron Coro, illustration by Joe Garnett and concept by Lee Oskar. All seven tracks are 100%. Check out Jimmie Spheeris story on restoring one of Coro's cover designs (click here). I recall the landscape of a dream I had as a kid taking the form of Weather Report's Black Market LP cover art. Not too long ago, Waxpoetics released a text titled Cover Story, Album Cover Art and are soon to release Cover Story, Volume Two: Odd, Obscure, and Outrageous Album Art. More information is available at waxpoetics.com ..."Every album cover tells a story."

2010-08-09T22:49:00.006-07:00

"Orangutan"

2010-08-05T23:19:00.006-07:00

"Nick Moir's Story"

Sydney Morning Herald Post Photos 1440

Video: click here

2010-08-05T17:03:00.006-07:00

"Shining Stars"

I've been around records since my born day through my mother and father and been a collector on my own for almost a decade now. I dug for records more so when I was doing radio in between 2000 and 2008, but lately, I've had the chance to get away on a lunch break or annual leave to shuffle through crates, cardboard boxes and the shelves of Goodwills, the Salvation Army, Thrift Stores, garage/estate sales, and what's become one of my favorite stops, All That Music in EP, TX. It's where I found the Manhattans record above, the cover catching my eye with all the flying LPs. I'm not much about collecting for value or rarity and with a taste for various genres, its opened up the chance to collect just about anything wherever I go including LPS, .45s, cassettes, & used CDs. In my opinion there is no documentation like the soul of music. As a collector, listener & fan of many of these artist, the process never gets old. Walking into a store, flipping through the top lining of unique LP covers, stopping at that one record you've never seen before, studying the details of the cover, the credits, and your imagination running with the titles of songs, some you're familiar with, others you know you've never heard.

From time to time, I like to post album covers. Just cause.

2010-07-10T22:28:00.004-07:00

"S200EXR (2010)"

A new era of photography. Upgraded my digital camera after five years with S5200. Posts will include shots from the new Fuji lens.

2010-06-20T21:12:00.007-07:00

"Basketball in the Barrio (2010)"

2010-05-27T23:19:00.004-07:00

"Boxing"

2010-05-02T21:43:00.010-07:00

"Trek Life, Oddisee & a Fuji-Cam"

2010's Open Stage headline at NMSU. Been a fan of Oddisee's music since hearing DJ Jazzy Jeff's The Magnificent in 02'. Caught a listen of Trek Life's album during my time at KRUX 91.5 fm. Talked to them both for a sec before the show and Oddisee asked what kind of camera I was holding. Turns out he also works a Fuji-Cam. Props to two great MCs. Below are clips of more video, photography and a soulVerse gallery.

YouTube & Photos: click here

2010-03-22T20:52:00.001-07:00

"...giving the sense that the lenses were only part of a clever disguise, that the eyes need no help, that they suddenly see everything." -Robert Penn Warren

From Malcolm X; As They Knew Him
Section Titled: 'Chickens, Snakes & Duck Eggs' (p. 149)*
by David Gallen