T-Level Makes Small, Manageable Area

When I was a young child bent with furrowed brow over a plastic tub full of my small figurines, building blocks, & miniature military vehicles I realized (in less complicated terms) that I had a penchant for small, manageable areas. Ones I could carefully and repeatedly organize. An afternoon spent shifting contents around to maximize proficiency and productivity brought me immeasurable joy and inner peace.

Things haven’t changed much. My ‘small manageable area’ is now a backpack. The toys are books, a notepad, pen sets, music, camera, phone, & other lifestyle items. & afternoons have still been spent dialing in full utilization of every area of my pack, taking the time  to realize each of its potentials in the ways of efficiency & productivity. I love it, & maybe a little too much. Perhaps this means I suffer from semi-debilitating obsessive compulsive behaviors and shouldn’t be listened to. But for today I will point out that my affinity for efficient, productive organization has led to an enduring love affair with the urban back pack.

The obnoxiously named cushioning design bids goodbye to the days where you sport a clammy sweat rectangle every time you pull off your pack.

Which brings me to this, from the Jansport leather bottom in highschool to the Mash SF x SAGLiFE collaboration I picked up back in March, it has been a long running process of honing in on what makes the perfect pack (for me). So it was a joy (& love at first sight) when I stumbled upon some review for Korean upstart T-Level ‘s Infinity roll-top (pictured). It has taken some of the best aspects of lifestyle cross over bags (à la SAGLiFE skate/bike/snow approach) & added the flexibility of a dedicated travel bag. I put one on order & look forward to making a full review.

Some News From (503)

fine lines

(I regret to inform you that of this week Big Mario’s has raised the price of 40oz OE to $8.00 from $5.00, which was not stated here. -SC)

Portland’s R.S. Delucco has new work over at his blog. I am particularly excited about the 3 additions to Clipse-inspired ‘Keys Open Doors’ series that I ordered prints from back in March. Ricky will be releasing the full series in collaboration with Straight Crushing over @ Catalyst Gallery in December, keep an ear out for details!

More from PDX, the Straight Crushing reviewed Archers was featured on Pitchfork’s Altered Zones this week. Apparently it was a good week, pRIMORDIAL sOUNDS also had this to say about their 7″:

‘The best parts of the 90s are back, and that couldn’t be more evident than on Archers debut 7″. “Brussels Truffles” sounds the way you wish every STP song sounded; torn up and relentless guitars paired with driving bass lines and pounding drums that might as well be punching you in the face. Throw in some time trickery for good measure and the result is some seriously catchy tunes that beg for repeat listens. But whats best about Archers is how fucking psyched they seem to be playing these tunes. This record is destined to have people pounding on their steering wheels and speeding on the highway for years to come.’

Big ups to Portland!

Freddie Gibbs/’Str8 Killa’

Born 2 Roll

 

Freddie Gibbs makes really good hip-hop. In fact, ’82 born Indiana boy is releasing tracks that have more story-telling, truth-speaking, & hard southern rapping than most established artists between here & ’98. Gibbs speaks with honesty and ease of an older artist, perhaps why he gets the ‘revivalist’ tag so often-but I don’t see great beats, honest lyrics, & god-given talent as a throwback, you know?  In 2010 the world of rap seems to be swelling with young guns that are making genre saving rap music, just happens that Gibbs is riding the crest. 

Good news for you is this free EP via XXL will be some of the best new rap you’ve heard in a long time, and at the same time make the blow of Pimp C’s departure from hip-hop just a little bit softer.  

‘My sentiments exactly/these niggas they can’t out-rap me/even if they could they already did/they hip-hop hall of famer’s/don’t run up unless you got/a whole catalogue of bangers‘ -Crushn’ Feeling’s

RIP to ‘The Corner’

A pragmatic & inspired solution to a space that did nothing but add to the depressed & vacant facade of the intersection.

If you haven’t gotten wise to the project taken on by Jenny Asarnow @ the corner of 23rd & Union, you’ve missed your chance. In June of ’09 the dirt lot (kitty corner to now vacant Philly’s Cheesesteak) was transformed into an odd but visually pleasing collection of old doors, reclaimed wood & larger than life pictures of the corner’s regulars-transforming the empty space in to a multi-faceted homage to the neighbourhood, the people, & the possibilities.

'This is a powerful corner' -Saviour Knowledge

The second layer of the project was a true stroke genius, ‘From June-August 2009, The Corner opened up a phone line and asked people to call in, listen to stories, and share their own. Callers left more than 200 messages. Their stories collectively depict a rich and complicated place. Some stories aired on KUOW 94.9 Public Radio and Hollow Earth Radio. You can listen to all the stories on this Web site, where they’ll be preserved permanently.’ So go over to the still-standing website for ‘The Corner‘ & get lost in the stories, songs, & pictures that represent the area.  According to the Seattle Times more than 200 people called & left messages on the hotline. Over 875 called in just to listen, some for more than 20 minutes.

It came to an end last week however when Officer Tim Greely contacted Arasnow claiming they had received multiple messages that the pictures of Anthony Knowles (nickname Saviour Knowledge) was an issue after his recent run in with law for selling crack & carrying a firearm. Arasnow conceded to the wishes of the neighbours Tim Greely had contact with, & the whole display will be coming down August 31st. You’ve got until then to call in to share & listen, 877-R23-UNION (877-723 8646).

In place of the project we can look forward to this. (The writer of the article after the link doesn’t share my opinion, which would be that structures like the proposed encroach on the Central District & do not bode well long term, but the entry does have a good deal of information about the building. Cruise around the rest of the blog if you have a minute.)

On a final note, Jenny Asarnow says: ‘Our hope is that media producers and community groups will find this project useful and will steal our ideas’. I truly hope so. –SC

Monday Morning Banger

Alright, so I have a few things on the docket today, firstly there is a Hip-Hop centric recap of CHBP over at All You Can Eat Hip-Hop with some decent videos & good coverage (I also highly approve of their rating scale) that is worth checking out.

Speaking of all that, J.Pinder made a  decent new track. The ‘Code Red’ EP (hit the link for free download) was feeling a little flat & monotonous after hearing his dope live performance when Freeway was in town. So it was good to hear this track keeping it live with interesting production from Ben Pramuk & some help from local talents Spaceman, Luck One, & Sax G Whiz. Go check it out over @ Larry Mizell Jr.’s blog.

Without further ado, your Monday morning banger. For the maiden voyage I chose UGK’s ‘Take tha Hood Back’ off of their chart-topping Underground Kingz album. (RIP Pimp C!)