This American Life Mr. Daisey and The Apple Factory
- Jan 09, 2012
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This American Life's Mr Daisey and The Apple Factory is a frank look behind the scenes of low cost manufacturing and into some of the human rights issues going on in China currently. The reality of low cost manufacturing is imposible to escape. At the very least the show should be an eye opener. Everything has a cost, regardless of if that is monetarily significant. If you haven't already done so, check out WBEZ's This American Life and subscribe to the podcast in itunes. The show is produced weekly, covers a wide array of topics with one central theme, and truely the podcast is one of the things we look forward to most about Monday mornings.
Although this is a shameless plug...We would also like to take a moment to say that we are proudly manufactured in Nashville TN. If you are ever in the area, feel free to drop by our factory to shake the hands that made your bag. We'll likely have a pot of coffee on and might just be listening to This American Life.
-THE BAG MESSENGER
Forty Percent Off Holiday Sale
- Nov 27, 2011
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Its that time of the year again folks and we are in the giving mood. Take 40% off any purchase now through December first with coupon code: holiday2011
Emynd and Kenny Meez Motown Remix Pack
- Aug 24, 2011
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In the mid 1940s Jamaicans finely tuning their radios could pick up weak signals from American coastline cities like New Orleans, as well as broadcasts from American military bases stationed around the island. These American stations were playing popular American music, and unknowingly created a demand for similar sounds on the island of Jamaica.
This exposure to early American R&B and bebop unquestionably influenced the skank and horns of early Jamacian ska, and became the backbone for modern Reggae. Many of these early Ska releases we're interpretations of popular R&B hits, and so it is only natural that some fifty years later we have a proper reversal.
Philadelphia Reggae producer Kenny Meez (Federation Sound System) and producer partner in crime Emynd(Cross Faded Bacon) have taken a slew of Motown hits and made them rocksteady dancefloor ready, complete with mixable intros. Play them everywhere you can...who knows what your influence could spark.
-The Bag Messenger
Emynd & Kenny Meez - Motown Reggae Pack Part 1 by CrossfadedBacon
The End Is Near: A Black Jazz Mix by DJ Froz One
- Aug 22, 2011
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Black Jazz Records was a Jazz label founded in Oakland California by Jazz pianist Gene Russell in the early 70s as an alternative to traditional Jazz. They had a seven year run of releases, the majority of them being funky, spiritual, and criminally slept on. Contributing blogger and avid record nerd Froz 1 lovingly compiled a mix of label highlights, and it is perfect company for the on set of fall. If you see him in the streets buy him a coffee and give him a hug. You owe him at least that.
-THE BAG MESSENGER
Click here for a free download of "The End Is Near"
As a side note, the entire Black Jazz catalogue of master tapes is for sale on Craigslist. You should buy them and reissue them.
Diamond D Interview
- Aug 16, 2011
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When it comes to hip hop or records in general, you would be hard pressed to find anyone much more legendary and at the same time humble than Diamond D. From his beginning in the South Bronx as a DJ for Jazzy Jay, Diamond released a slew of hip hop classics on his own as well as with D.I.T.C, and went on to record and produce grammy nominated hits for The Fugees and Natalie Cole. He took time out of his day to catch up with us about records, his history, and future undertakings. -THE BAG MESSENGER
THE BAG MESSENGER: How did you first get into music? When did records come into the picture for you?
DIAMOND D: I first got into music through my uncles Gary and Kevin, and than started collecting records at eleven years old
THE BAG MESSENGER: How did Ultimate Force come about?
DIAMOND D: We all grew up in the same projects in the South Bronx. Myself, Master Rob, LMD, Show N Tell and Charlie Rock. Eventually it turned into just me and Rob.
THE BAG MESSENGER: What did you learn from your first deal that you were able to bring to Mercury for your solo deal, and than Tommy Boy for the D.I.T.C deal?
DIAMOND D: I learned to KEEP ALL OF YOUR PUBLISHING! I had nothing to do with the Tommy Boy Negotiations
THE BAG MESSENGER: How did D.I.T.C come about? It was you and Lord Finesse to begin with? What kicked things off for the crew?
DIAMOND D: We we're just neighborhood friends who came together. Master Rob and I released "I'm Not Playing", and than Showbiz and I helped produce Lord Finesses' first LP. Than I produced Showbiz & AG and Fat Joe's first singles. Finesse brought in Big L and Buckwild, and than Buckwild brought in O.C
THE BAG MESSENGER: Where were you guys shopping for records? Was it strictly record shows and dealers, or were you making road trips, and hunting down leads?
DIAMOND D: Back than it was all of the above, and really the same rules still apply.
THE BAG MESSENGER: Any favorite finds, or crazy digging related stories?
DIAMOND D: I found a mint copy of Funky Drummer on King Records for $2 in Detroit this year. There are too many digging stories to get into. LOL...one word "Roosevelt"
THE BAG MESSENGER: How was working with the Fugees? How did winning a grammy in 1996 change your life?
DIAMOND D: The grammy brought me more recognition and more money, but my Grammy nomination for Natalie Cole's "Daydreamin" three years ago meant more because it was my song directly, as opposed to me being a part of a Grammy award winning LP.
THE BAG MESSENGER: Has your production setup changed over the years? Are you still using a MPC 2000 XL?
DIAMOND D: I'm using a MOTIF ES8 and MPC 3000. Basic setup...Protools and Logic
THE BAG MESSENGER: How much time are you spending in the studios these days? What are you working on?
DIAMOND D: I'm in the Lab often. I'm working on a new LP, I'm producing with different MCs and I'm also producing a project for an artist out of New Orleans called Big Rec.
THE BAG MESSENGER: You spend a lot of time on the road, what's the key to packing for a tour?
DIAMOND D: Pack light, and leave room for merchandise...and diggin of course.
THE BAG MESSENGER: What are you listening to now?
DIAMOND D: I thought that was big of Kanye and Jay Z to release "Otis" and take hip hop back to the essence. A soul loop and a kick. Raw!
