In The Bins

Reading and collecting comics is a tradition that I've had since a kid and even though I've stopped and started over the years I still find myself being pulled in for interesting new titles. With all of the going through records, making phone calls, sending emails and handling business it's not often that I get a free moment to sit and read but while on a plane or relaxing at the hotel in another country or before and after gigs I try to play catch up and zone out for an hour or so.

There's been a nice amount of titles being released lately that aren't the typical "superhero" types but more period pieces that I've been diggin up lately. Here's a few that you should definitely check out when your searching the bins.

Dark Shadows was a classic Vampire TV series that ran from 1966 to 1971 with a total of 1,225 episodes. For all the beat diggers out there your probably only familiar with this title because DJ Premier sampled from the Dark Shadows soundtrack.

I've always been a fan of the Spaghetti Western and World War II film genres so Helldorado and Operation Broken Wings both were no brainers to check out.



Flash Gordon was a title that I just picked up today, the first thing that attracted this issue to me was the cover art, I've always loved fantasy art so I had to scoop it for that alone. But after reading it, this will most definitely be on my monthly list to pick up.



The 5th and final issue to the Red Skull limited series finally dropped today, I've been waiting 5 months to read the storyline in one shot. As usual the cover art was what attracted me to this series, it was something about the propaganda style posters that they used which I hope will set the tone for this story.

Still The Greatest

There isn't much left to be said about this truly unique individual that hasn't already been said.

Happy Birthday to the greatest to ever do it, Lee Jun-fan aka Bruce Lee.

The Box of World Travels

If it's one thing that I really like is design and packaging on items, and a boxset done right can really be a make or break for me. I'm not a designer but Hot Peas and Butta visual artist The Elroy Jenkins is and I've picked up alot of his attention to detail when it comes to designing. It's not always about being functional for me, but sometimes it's about the interests and just being cool in its own way.

I guess this example is the equivalent of people buying refrigerator magnets.



Before the days of ‘Your name on a grain of rice” and ‘I heart…’ t-shirts, travellers collected souvenir labels. Attached to your oversized hard luggage, everyone knew where you’d spent your summers, meaning you didn’t even have to brag about it to your fellow passengers. Louis Vuitton’s nephew Gaston-Louis collected over 3,000 of them before his death in 1970. The company has recreated some prize examples for this boxset of 30 postcards, see more at LV.

Mountain Burger

While in Thun Switzerland I had to stop at my favorite burger spot there called Morris. I always get the same thing, the Club Burger, simple and plain!

Keeping You In Thun

Back from a long weekend in Switzerland, what more can be said that I haven't already said about this beautiful place?!

All It Takes Is One Sheet

As a collector of many things like toys, records, comic books and everything nostalgic I spread my money across the board to indulge in buying the things that keep me young. While most fellow DJ's spend tons of money on records off the wall (which I also do) I still believe that art is always the better investment. Of course bragging to fellow diggers about a record you just scored which eventually makes it's way hidden in a dusty crate is great but having a piece of art framed, positioned and displayed on your wall reminds you of what you spent your hard earned dollar on. My comic book collection is just as deep as my crates but seeing this makes me want to pour my money in extra heavy to retire on it later.

Original comic art from key 1980s-era comics has been hot for several years. It’s considered an important, peak era for comics (think Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, etc) and the people who grew up reading comics during that time are entering their prime earning years. It is no longer uncommon for even panel pages from the most important material of this era to push into the 5-figure range — or beyond. Bleeding Cool told you just last year about a Dave Gibbons Watchmen page 1 going for $33,460, and the stunning world-record result of $448,125 for a Frank Miller splash page from Dark Knight Returns followed a few months later.

And while art from the classic early-1980s X-Men run has long demanded strong prices as well, today’s result has surprised even seasoned observers: A single page from Uncanny X-Men #137, the classic Death of Phoenix issue by Chris Claremont, John Byrne, and Terry Austin has just hammered for $65,725 at Heritage Auctions.

A Dying Art - The Swordsmith

I recently had a conversation with someone about dying crafts and the people who carried them out, such as Watchmakers, Shoe repairers and even Suitmakers but I never thought about the Swordsmith. In this day and age I'm sure most are made by machine but there's nothing like getting it made by a human to give you that flawless yet flawed feel. I wish the youth would learn from these guys and carry on tradition.

One of Japan's last remaining swordsmiths, Korehira Watanabe has honed his craft for 40 years while attempting to recreate the mythical Koto sword.

Handmade Portraits: The Sword Maker from Etsy on Vimeo.

The Title Says It All

This is a great video that captures the amazing title work of the legendary Saul Bass. If your into film, titles, video etc then be sure to check out Saul's new book which was recently released as well.

The Title Design of Saul Bass from Ian Albinson on Vimeo.

Swiss Burger

Before heading to the Lido Club in Lausanne to do Hot Peas and Butta the owner of the club heard that I was a burger connoisseur and wanted to take me out to sample the cities best. After five minute walk from the club we arrived at a small and pretty packed pub full of beer drinkers and burger lovers. After returning to the club to eat I was pleasantly surprised, this was one damn tasty burger! The quality of beef was incredible and flavorful with very little seasoning needed and the bun was amazing. Definitely worth a return visit!

7 Deez!

When it comes to the terms Bboy and Hip Hop there seems to be a separation in the elements but whenever I travel to Switzerland to hangout with the 7$ Crew they remind me of how a real crew represents Hip Hop and how alot of others are just a crew of break dancers that focus strictly on competitions. 7$ keeps the essence of this culture alive and has members that are bboys & writers (Kid Kash, Serval and Ryos)and even the homie Bill who is a bboy who actually has a funky band called Kind & Kinky Zoo that releases limited edition 7". 7$ is a crew of talented individuals in general and in life! Salute

Hot Peas and Switzerland

Had a great time in Switzerland two weeks ago while doing Hot Peas and Butta. Shouts to DJ C.T.B for organizing the night and making sure everything went off well. Looking forward to returning once again.

It's In The View

I'm many things but I'm no photographer nor do I own the new trendy Canon and Nikon camera's like everyone else but on a recent trip to Rhode Island I decided to snap this shot while riding Amtrak through New York. I just liked the view, that's all.

Smash Burger

Last week before heading out to Switzerland I decided to enjoy me a Smash Burger while waiting at Newark airport for my flight. I gotta give it to Smash Burger for being a chain but still serving up a quality burger. The only thing that I didn't like was the mustard was a little overpowering on the taste of beef which I prefer to taste, but all and all a great choice to start my travels.

Within Darkness Hides "DOOM"

When it comes to exclusives you know I'm all about it, there's nothing better than having that something special that very few others can posses. We'll here it is!

This four poster collection designed by Mars Five was created to assist in a tribute (DOOMSTRAVAGANZA) to the illest villian: MF DOOM. Hand drawn and digitally colored, the 4 one of a kind posters were raffled off for free to pay homage to the music DOOM and friends have consistantly and classically served up over the years.

DOOMSTRAVAGANZA (a proclaimed annual event) took place this year on Wednesday, October 40th (November 9th) with Deejay Ambush at the helm and R&B group L&S debuting their mixtape DOOM for Dummies which featured the duo's vocals set to well known MF DOOM soundscapes.

Originally thought to have been an 4 part series only, it's been announced there is a fifth one of a kind and unseen mystery poster being auctioned on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190599726122

See more of Mars Five's design work at: www.m5ill.tumblr.com

11.11.11 (Limited Edition T Shirt)

It's been a minute since we've hit you with a new t shirt design and since the original image that was used for the 3yr anniversary has been getting so much love from people who have purchased prints or visited us at New York Comic Con we've decided to give you another option to displaying that original art. We've decided to do a limited run of 100 shirts just for those hungry individuals but with one catch, they will only be available for 48 hours starting at 12am est on 11/11/11.

The first 10 people that send us a picture with them rocking this limited edition tee will receive a Hot Peas and Butta funky goodness pack from us. But remember you have to be one of the first 10 to receive this bonus!



To Order:
http://hotpeasandbutta.spreadshirt.com/

Second Sundae at Silk City

This Sunday Lee Jones and Dirty bring you something different to the lineup called Second Sundae. Second Sundae will will be holding a monthly dance competition from 8pm until 11pm and then it's party time from 11am to 2am, it's that simple. Nothing too complicated and should be alot of fun! Of course I'll be on the decks the entire night spinning Funk, Soul and House complimentary buffet and Stoli Vodka after the competition as well. Win win situation.

Flexi With Correct Technique

One of the things that I love about traveling is returning home to see what the postman has delivered in my absence. Usually there are boxes stacked by the door of records, toys, bills, magazines and other goodies, just like Christmas. When I arrived home from Switzerland there was one particular package that stood out the most which of course was the one sitting on top. After opening to my surprise was a copy of the limited edition Slice of Spice x Lord Finesse Flexi Disc!!

For those that have been following the trails of Slice of Spice then you know they've been putting out some really cool sh*t but a flexi?! Yes, they actually took it there and did something a little different than the normal promo 7". If you haven't gotten one by now then your probably shit out of luck with scoring one but I'm sure you'll catch one on the secondary market for $300 somewhere in the future!



Be sure to check out future Slice of Spice releases.
http://slice-of-spice.com/

First Things First

After a long flight from Switzerland to New York yesterday I met up with Elroy Jenkins to not only discuss some Hot Peas and Butta business but to most importantly have a great burger! I feel like I haven't had one in a while but I did enjoy one 3 days prior in Lausanne so this was sort of a welcome home treat for myself.

Smokin' Joe

Rest in peace to Philly's Smokin' Joe Frazier, one of the greatest boxing legends and first person to hand Muhammad Ali his first defeat. Frazier died after a long fight with cancer at the age of 67 and just like with everything else, they just don't make them like they used to.

It's Gotta Be The View

Good morning Switzerland! Always great to wake up in the city of Lausanne looking out the windows to the Alps.

The Only Line That Matters

The Market-Frankfurt Blue Line. Home sweet home.

Find Out What's Behind The Red Door

Fresh off the Switzerland trip, Hot Peas & Butta returns home to the East Coast and is ready to give the masses a much needed dose of soulful, funky music.

This time we are classing it up a bit and bringing the premier all 45 and rare footage dance party to Tillman’s. We are doing this in true Madame Zenobia fashion, so come and see what lies behind “The Red Door”.

Skeme Richards (Philly, Rock Steady Crew) and Dj Amir (NY, Kon & Amir) spinning funk, soul, disco, and rare groove on all 45s all night long.

We are keeping it free and funky on a Friday night, so come dapper, and ready to get down. Drinks are proper, and the food is on point (“The Mack” is the truth.)

Check out the venue and the menu at Tillmans.com