Entries from October 2009
October 30, 2009
Starting with the band’s origins in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City; End Of The Century: The Story Of The Ramones gives a fascinating background portrait of the eccentric group of individuals who came together to be one of the most influential punk bands in history.
This documentary about the New York City renegades who made their mark in the mid-1970s with counterculture lyrics and underground performances at rundown joints like CBGB on the Bowery, shows how the band eventually earned recognition, even being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. But it is the insider look at the blue collar upbringing of the band members, and their desire to be part of Manhattan’s burgeoning hard-rock scene, that is most endearing about this particular film.
In candid interviews with Dee Dee Ramone, he tells stories about the group’s total lack of complexity in its earliest days. Going to see contemporary acts like the New York Dolls and Iggy and the Stooges, the Ramones quickly created their own sound and practiced frenetically. When they finally made their debut with an extremely-loud sound, furiously-fast and short songs, and lots of drama such as blatant on-stage arguments, they practically scared away their fans.
The film follows the Ramones’ subsequent rise to punk stardom, providing wild stories about sex, drugs, chaos, and tragedy; however, it is the truly interesting story of the band’s start that will linger in viewers’ minds.
End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones;
Directed by Jim Fields & Michael Gramaglia; 2005
Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8, Pt.9, Pt.10
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October 29, 2009
The latest wax from Mr. Chop titled For Pete’s Sake is a psych-funk and jazz workout of the legendary Pete Rock’s greatest beats. The grooves on this platter blew my fucking mind last nite. So nasty that, at some points, I just started laughing at how insanely filthy it sounded. Check the track “T.R.O.Y” below and pick up the full-length via Stones Throw.
Mr. Chop – “T.R.O.Y.” taken from For Pete’s Sake; Stones Throw 2009
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October 27, 2009
October 25, 2009
Halloween, that holiday that sadly got left behind when I moved to Thailand, is right around the corner. I’ll be doin’ a whole lot of nuthin’ to celebrate the day, but I did put this wax on last nite to get in the mood just a little bit.
It’s the “Halloween” episode from Bob Dylan’s “Theme Time Radio Hour”, perhaps one of the finest, most original radio programs that I’ve ever heard. Second, of course, to “Jazz Classics” hosted by H. Johnson.
If you’ve never given it a listen, then you’ve been missing out for the past couple of years. Use this episode as your introduction or browse the archives for another theme more suitable to to your liking. They’re all gems.
Bob Dylan’s “Theme Time Radio Hour” presents “Halloween”; Oct.25, 2006
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October 24, 2009
October 22, 2009
The Latin Kick blends Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Batucada and Brazilian sounds together to add another classic to the Gerardo Frisina catalog. The set was composed and produced by himself and arranged alongside Enzo Lo Greco. This platter grooves from start to finish and I’ll bet that you’ll be hooked before the playtime reaches one minute.
Gerardo Frisina – The Latin Kick; Schema, 2005
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October 21, 2009
On the shores of Laem Sai, Ao Kung, Phuket, looking towards Koh Bpah Yu, Koh Hae, Koh Ngam and Phang Nga. Beautiful area with quiet surroundings……except when jet airliners come flying directly over the village on a frequent and daily basis.
http://www.thegoldbrick.net/video/aokungplane.flv
(Video dimensions not correct? Right-click to adjust.)
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October 20, 2009
Warm, laid-back, groovy organ riddims from the mighty Jackie Mittoo.
Jackie Mittoo – Macka Fat; Studio One, 1972
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October 17, 2009
Dogora captures the daily routines of the people of Cambodia. It is a street level, non-verbal, documentary, without any explanation. Your imagination must answer any questions you may have.
The film captures the interaction between the people of Cambodia very well with particular attention paid to the children of Cambodia, which proves to be a fascinating subject. The everyday lives of people traveling, sleeping, eating, working and playing are all shown in a natural manner. Sweatshop factories and rubbish dumps are shown, giving a reminder of the poverty found in Cambodia. However, the obvious images of Angkor Wat and other temples are not present. This is clearly a deliberate decision.
The musical score of Dogora was created by Étienne Perruchon. The music was scored before the film was shot and served as inspiration for the director to set the scene and add rhythm to the shot. The score is, surprisingly, not traditionally Eastern, and the choirs and classical music it is comprised of can seem a little misfitting at times. The chants used in the recordings are an invention of the composer, which he called ‘Dogorienne’, this is where Dogora takes its name.
Dogora – Directed by Patrice Leconte; 2004
Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8
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October 15, 2009
Remastered and collected on this set are two LPs originally released in 1978, on the DEB label, as Umoja (Love & Unity) and 20th Century DEB-wise. These recordings, from King Tubby’s studio, feature Dennis Brown – in his role as producer as well as vocalist – and legendary mixing engineer Prince Jammy. Jammy works his subtle magic with twenty of the Crown Prince of Reggae’s superb productions alongside stripped down mixes of rhythms used by Junior Delgado, Lennox Brown and the Tamlins. DEBwise dub in full effect…….
Dennis Brown Presents Prince Jammy – Umoja / 20th Century DEB-wise;
Blood and Fire, 2004 Pt.1, Pt.2
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October 15, 2009
October 13, 2009
A case of confusion at Sri Trang Pub, Samkong, Phuket.
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October 13, 2009
Bpra Pae Nee Loy Rua (Floating Boat Festival) is a bi-annual festival held by the Urak Lawoi and Moken sea gypsy communities throughout various parts of the Andaman Sea. Featured below are the festivities that were held at Laem Tukkae, Koh Sirey, Phuket.
Delicious food, lots of brew, fireworks, games, Thai and Indian music blarin’ on the soundsystem, dancing, more dancing, and, the central part of the festival, a “loy rua” (floating boat) that is sent out to sea, at sunrise, the following day. The boat is used to pay respect to their ancestors and the spirits, and to symbolically float away their misfortunes.
Did a double take on this girl’s shirt. Almost had the conversation concerning the meaning of her shirt, then I opted to avoid a very awkward conversation.
Got too carried away with the soundsystem at Laem Tukkae and forgot to take pictures of the “loy rua” they built. Below are a couple video stills of the “loy rua” from the previous night in Baan Sapam, Phuket.
The next day……
http://thegoldbrick.net/video/Koh%20Sirey01.flv
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October 12, 2009
Some artists are defined by their environment. Some redefine their environment. Still others push the boundaries of convention so fully that their influence is felt around the globe, and across generations. Their music compels us not only to dance but to think, not only to celebrate but to strive, not only to listen but to truly hear.
Fela Kuti, Nigeria’s eminent musical activist; Bob Marley, Jamaica’s emissary of struggle and unity; and Bob Dylan, America’s reluctant Civil Rights song leader, are three such artists. These are “The Messengers.”
J.Period, acclaimed DJ/Producer, and K’Naan, rising Somali-born MC, collaborated on this unique and powerful remix project, paying tribute to the lasting legacy of these musical giants. Weaving Afrobeat, Reggae, Ska, Folk and Rock into this genre-bending musical experience, The Messengers stretches the boundaries of hip hop—and the mixtape genre itself.
Remixing the classic work of Fela, Marley and Dylan, The Messengers captures the timelessness of their sounds and the continued urgency of their messages. The result, as fans have come to expect from J.Period, is like no mixtape you’ve ever heard.
J.Period & K’Naan – The Messengers
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October 10, 2009
