February 9, 2010
The first of a two-part series, Dta Wan Awk Jer Dta Wan Dtok: Cha Bap Nueng showcases lost 45s, dating from the 60s and 70s, that have been unearthed here in The Land of Smiles. This session features sounds ranging from Luk-Thueng, roots-funk grooves from Isaan to Morlam-influenced arrangements played on the phin, khaen and sor to offbeat-disco dance scorchers to who knows what is coming out of my speaker. Thick horn lines, traditional percussion and string elements, deep bass lines, and intriguing vocals. The tunes are originals, covers, and adapted covers that were formed by the hybrid of Western-influenced sounds and instrumentation, and the native, traditional sounds of Thailand.
Top Rankin’ Hi-Fi – Dta Wan Awk Jer Dta Wan Dtok: Cha Bap Nueng, 2010
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E, Navigate The Vault, Top Rankin' Hi-Fi : Drop a Line »
January 27, 2010
Grabbed lunch earlier this week at Laem Pakarang (Cape Coral). Chill spot that is about five minutes from my house in Kuk Kak, Phang Nga. Relaxed at the small restaurant at the end of the tree line. Interesting to walk around that area since the entire cape is covered with rocks and dead coral. Here’s a glimpse of what you’d see there.
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E : Drop a Line »
January 6, 2010
Tsunami memorial, at the 813 Marine police boat in Bang Niang, Phang Nga, held on December 26th, 2009 to mark the 5th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami.
http://www.thegoldbrick.net/video/tsunamimemorial.flv
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E, Film Reels : Drop a Line »
December 26, 2009
In remembrance of all the lives lost, five years ago from today, here in Khao Lak, Phang Nga, Thailand and its surrounding areas, and in all the affected regions throughout the World.
In the years since that day, this area has recovered tremendously and there is really only a small handful of visible reminders that can presently be found. A true testament to the strength of the communities that reside here in Phang Nga.
The slideshow below presents three photographs from the same vantage point and serves to show the magnitude of this catastrophic event. The first, taken on December 14th, 2009, shows the Khao Lak coastline in its usual state at this time of the year. The second, a video still from December 26th at 10:24 am, a few minutes before the tsunami hit, shows the incredibly-low tide which exposed a shoreline of rocks that are all normally submerged. The third, another video still from 10:27 am, shows the tsunami hitting Khao Lak. The scale is unfathomable.
Map-assembled flyover, using these IKONOS-satellite images, showing complete devastation along a 40-km stretch of the Phang Nga coastline from Thap Lamu to Baan Nam Khem.
http://www.thegoldbrick.net/video/khaolakflyover.flv
The 2008 tsunami memorial ceremony held in Bang Niang, Khao Lak at the site of the 813 Marine Police Boat which was swept 2km inland.
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E : Drop a Line »
December 13, 2009
Tru Thoughts camp announced some releases scheduled for 2010. The Skeletons’, a side-project of Nostalgia 77 brainchild Ben Lamdin, debut album Smile and Quantic presenta Flowering Inferno’s sophomore effort titled Borojó el Original. Counting the days…
The U.S. Dollar Bill x Freemasonry. Bet you don’t know the connection. Check Eye of the Phoenix: Secrets of the Dollar Bill for an intriguing investigation.
Bonobo’s first-single, “The Keeper“, off his forthcoming, currently-untitled album has been out for a short while, but perhaps you overlooked it. Pick it up here and view the video below. No doubts that the full-length will be just as stellar as his previous output.
Upgraded to Firefox 3.5.5. Some nice features in the new release, however they could have warned me that “Clear all private data without asking” was checked as a default. Upon closing, my quick access to searches and sites I’ve been using for months and months are all gone. Ugh.
No Brasil.org did the monumental task of compiling all of the albums from Richard Dimery’s “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die” book. Not all of them are choice in my book (e.g. Scissor Sisters is included, but The Abyssinians Satta Massagana is not), but there’s way more than enough essentials laced throughout to keep you occupied for a helluva long time.
It had been a few years since I watched The Spook Who Sat by the Door, but I revisited it a few weeks ago. The story of the first black CIA operative who later drops out to train the inner city men of Chicago, then spreads the knowledge to other major cities in the US, and then launches an all-out assault against the fucking system. Brilliant cinema. I downloaded my copy, but apparently you can just stream it over at Google video.
Oliver Nelson is providing the soundtrack to my writing and compiling with his stellar The Blues and the Abstract Truth. Mellow vibes.
Oliver Nelson – The Blues and The Abstract Truth; Impulse, 1961
Flippin’ through Banksy’s “Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall” the other night. Awesome stuff.
New Thai slang I learned this week. “Nong chai rong hai” which literally translates into “My little brother needs to cry”, but actually means you’re goin’ to take a piss.
Congrats to the Yellow Jackets on being ACC Champs. Sucks about the loss to the Dawgs this year, but we’re BCS bound to Miami and, well, they’re off to Shreveport. Sting ‘em at the Orange Bowl!
A repost from a few years ago just for the hell of it. Hilarious album covers.
Dillon x Paten Locke. Studies in Hunger. Food for thought. Food for the soul. Food for the body. Food for your ears and mind. Dine on the Mega Mix before you get the main course.
Until recently, I never knew that Hepcat’s “Marcus Garvey” was originally written and performed by Bongoman Byfield and appeared on the flipside of The Skatalites “Guns of Navarone” 45 released by Island in 1965. Interesting find, to me at least. Check both versions.
The Skatalites are playing in Pattaya and the Wailers are playing on Koh Phangan this coming week. Top-class vibes in the Land of Smiles. Pissed that I won’t be attending either one, but life goes on.
Just my luck. Decided I’d try to get the time away from work to make the trip up to Koh Phangan for the Wailers x Job2Do show. Called my friend up to get the location details and whatnot. Turns out it’s canceled. Damn! Would’ve been sweet.
Looks like rainy season has finally finished up for this year. On the agenda, spending more time viewing the horizon below.
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E, Not That, Not This : 2 Comments »
December 6, 2009
A case of confusion in Phang Nga Town.
J.C. Security doing a stellar job of suppressing crime in the streets of Phang Nga Town.
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E : Drop a Line »
November 24, 2009
Found this Tokay gecko when I went into my bathroom the other evening. The smaller House geckos are around (and inside) my house every day, but these larger, more colorful ones only come by every now and then. Amazing creatures and, after reading up on them today, vicious biters too!
Still hoping to see the 25-cm (10-inch) Tokay gecko, that I saw a few months ago, again. It crossed my path while I was taking a shower and ate one of the House geckos! After freaking out, staring at it, and then trying to quickly get my camera; it had disappeared into the night and it was too late. Incredibly vivid colors on that one!
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E, Not That, Not This : Drop a Line »
November 16, 2009
Choice cuts inna punk-ska fashion picked up along the way from here and there throughout The Land of Smiles. I’ve been rockin’ out to this one for a while now, hope you dig it too. Rudeboys and rudegirls…Luak Man Kun!
Top Rankin’ Hi-Fi – Luak Man Kun; 2009
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E, Navigate The Vault, Top Rankin' Hi-Fi : Drop a Line »
November 10, 2009
A case of confusion in Baan Dtah Sae, Trang
The royal flag of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej commemorating his 80th birthday (left), H.M. King Chulalongkorn and Luang Paw Ri Sut Toh (above center), and a door emblazoned with a swastika (center). I understand that this is the mirror image of the the one used on the Nazi flag and there are various meanings for this symbol, but……what was your first impression of this picture? Yeah, me too.
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E : 1 Comment »
November 2, 2009
This evening is the full-moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar which means it is Loy Krathong Day throughout Thailand. It’s called the “Festival of Light” since the skies will be filled with “khom loy” (floating lanterns) and the waters will be filled with “krathong” (decorative vessels crafted from banana trees). Happy Loy Krathong Day!
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E : Drop a Line »
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.)
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E, Not That, Not This : Drop a Line »
October 13, 2009
A case of confusion at Sri Trang Pub, Samkong, Phuket.
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E : 1 Comment »
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
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E : Drop a Line »
October 1, 2009
The outer rings of Typhoon Ketsana have been dowsing this area in recent days with heavier-than-normal showers. Nothing compared to the devastation it caused in parts of Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Wishing the residents there all the best during their recovery.
A 7.6-magnitude undersea earthquake off the coast of Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia resulted in tsunami warnings yesterday evening here in Khao Lak and along the Western shores of Thailand. Luckily, after a few hours, they were revoked when the seas showed no signs of tsunami activity. Whew!
While writing this, another 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck 200 km (125 miles) southeast of Padang. While it’s obvious that the seas don’t change instantaneously, it’s still somewhat unnerving as I’m sitting 150 meters (0.10 miles) from the shore as I write this.
Typhoons in the South China Sea, a tsunami in the Western Pacific Ocean, and earthquakes in the Eastern Indian Ocean on the border of the Andaman Sea. Mother Nature is unleashing on this area right now.
Moving on to more lighthearted fare and what I had originally jotted down before the above events occurred.
OPIV has been gettin’ frequent spins lately. While browsin’ the Web, I came across a couple pics I had never seen before. Too bad Lint either has his back to the camera or is outta frame in them. Hedgecore!
Found this Madlib and J Dilla post (…there are links in the comments also) on We’ve Got The Jazz about one week too late. Got about 80% of the wax already, but I’d kill to get some of those CDRs that I’m missing. Fuck.
Rumor has it that Mighty Mos might be featured on the upcoming Madvillain LP. Check these videos (Session #1 & Session #2), courtesy of Frolab, of him droppin’ DOOM rhymes.
Stones Throw is most definitely hella dope. Then again, sometimes they drop shit that I totally don’t feel and totally don’t understand….i.e. Folerio and Computer Bagel.
The Bangkok Post has to be the only newspaper in the World that has the thinnest edition of the week on a Sunday. Every other day is filled with great sections and content. Come Sunday, it’s one section of World and Thai news and a special sports insert. Puzzling.
When is that Distant Relatives joint droppin’. Goddamn that snippet track is filthy. I need more. Way fucking more.
P.U.T.S. are dropping a their seventh album, titled Carried Away, on October 13th. Last year’s Fun DMC was in heavy rotation along with the Funner Than Leather mixtape. Check the first 12″ off the album, “Trippin’ at the Disco” b/w “DQMOT”. Word!
The Avett Brothers latest effort, I and Love and You, is available at Starbucks (or here for free). If you would have told me that five years ago when I was having drinks with them, in a shitty karaoke bar, after their show at a renovated Baptist church in Dahlonega, Georgia, then I would’ve told you that you were insane. Crazy times for the boys. Still wish that album cover was different though. Ugh.
Miles Tackett and crew drop more stellar grooves on the new Breakestra album, Dusk Till Dawn. Didn’t expect anything otherwise.
For all the people super excited about Spike Jonze’s screen adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s “Where The Wild Things Are” coming out in a couple weeks, here’s the original soundtrack from Karen O and the Kids to get you psyched.
This video always cracks me up. Classic.
It had been a long time since I browsed the Overheard in New York website. Used to love reading the dialogues there a few years back. Some of them are hilarious. Looks like they started something new with “Wednesday One-Liners”. I happen to prefer the conversation style. Dig through the archives for a good laugh.
Check this shot via Khun Ree. Killer Mike, spittin’ a rhyme, and Dres tha Beatnik, sportin’ Esperanza threads, at Lenny’s in Atlanta, Georgia. Wicked nice.
It’s October. Yeah already. Geez. Well, that means one thing, to me at least, here throughout Southern Thailand. Vegetarian Festival!
If I lived in the ATL, I’d be hittin’ up the A3C Festival this weekend to check out P.U.T.S., Rakim, Black Sheep, J-Live (!), Collective Efforts, B.o.B., Kidz in the Hall, Blue Scholars, and Psyche Origami among many others in East Atlanta. Then I’d be checkin’ out Mayer Hawthorne at The Drunken Unicorn on the 6th. Then I’d be vibin’ out to Brownout and Lloyd’s Rocksteady Revue at The EARL on the 10th. Yo fellas, it’d be hella nice to be chillin’ with everyone back on the homefront. Miss ya guys. Jing Jing. Guidance.
Find Similar Posts in 8°72'31"N, 98°26'47"E, Not That, Not This : Drop a Line »
September 24, 2009
