News
Lil DAVE Another Part Of MJ Vol 2
Yesterday was Michael Jackson’s birthday.His music is ever present, and his influence is beyond words. Celebrating the man and the legacy he left us with should be savored, and not rushed. Certain songs will always remain powerful, but it is possible to burn a record out. Michael isn’t going to make another PYT, and the song isn’t going to stop being good. All that being said, there is a time and a place for everything. Which brings us to this weeks mix, Another Part Of MJ Volume 2, a collection of Remixes and reinterpretations selected and mixed by Lil Dave of Ill Vibe. Sometimes it is important to shed personal history with music to realize its true value, you just might remember what you like about to begin with. On this, what is Michael’s 52nd birthday, lets let his music continue to grow.
-The Bag Messenger
Micah Lindberg Portfolio
Micah Lidberg has a wonderful artist portfolio, full of illustrations, patterns, and hand-rendered type. The artist uses a variety of media, including digital, to produce these incredibly detailed works.
-THE BAG MESSENGER
DJ FORTY FIVAN Brazilian Leisure Mix
Here is the link to DJ FORTY FIVAN’s Brazilian Leisure mix he did for our mixtape contest a few months back. The man has a lot of really great records and put them to work on this one. Enjoy
-THE BAG MESSENGER
KENNY MEEZ (Federation Sound) Interview
Jamaica’s musical history runs deep. It is constantly evolving, shifting in speed, and redefining in sound. Since the 1960’s and the inception of Ska and Rock Steady, the DJ has held a strong hand on the island. With the power to define and spawn new genre’s the DJ with the largest sound system was king. Over time the term sound has been redefined, whittled down, and focused. A large sound no longer just means size. The speakers still rattle and the people still dance, but new sounds are tools carefully tailored for contest, empowered with the power to create or destroy. These new sounds compete for size, the Federation Sound is one of the largest in the world. DJ Kenny Meez founding member of Federation has his hands on the volume with a grin on his face.
-THE BAG MESSENGER
THE BAG MESSENGER: How did you get into DJ culture? When did you get into shopping for records?
KENNY MEEZ: I used to work at armands records on 11th and Filbert here in Philly, and also after the move to chestnut st. Early before working at a record store I would also come into the city on the weekends to shop. We hit Armands, Sound of market (RIP RANDY FLASH) and Funk-O-Mart. I got into DJ culture early on. I would make remixes (what youngsters call mash ups now), press them on wax, and sell them across the country and around the world. I released my first 12 inch in 1995 and then a slew of 7 inches and 12 inches from there.
THE BAG MESSENGER: When did you first get involved with playing Reggae records? Who got you into this? What was life like for you before Reggae?
KENNY MEEZ: I first got involved with reggae after hearing this Beenie Man record called “Stop Live In The Past” (was renamed Memories for the U.S. release). I heard Cosmo Baker play it this one night in NYC and the next day I went out and bought the 12inch. Before reggae I was a Hip Hop djing playing that and R&B (for the ladies).
THE BAG MESSENGER: How did the Federation come about? Can you explain what it is?
KENNY MEEZ: Federation is an American and Jamaica Sound System that was started by Max Glazer and Cypher Sounds and myself. Federation is now Max Glazer, Kenny Meez (me) and Disco D (R.I.P.) in America and Alric & Boyd in Jamaica. A sound system these days is a group of dj’s who come together under one name to promote music. The biggest part of what makes up a sound system is cutting dubplates. We get a custom recording of a song where the artist bigs up our crew (most of my dubs say federation sound and big up all the dj’s in our crew). We have hundreds of these. Most Sound Systems pay upwards of 1,000 us dollars for one song, so you can imagine the investment that is made in just getting started.
THE BAG MESSENGER: What was your first trip to Jamaica like? Any specific memories?
KENNY MEEZ: If your into Jamaican music I would say going to Jamaica is similar what a Muslim does when they make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Its just something you have to do. Often it becomes a regular trip either once a year, or sometimes once a month. I love Jamaica and could tell stories for days! Lets just say my first trip involved voicing dubs with Elephant Man.
THE BAG MESSENGER: How has it been getting involved so deeply in Reggae culture without having direct ties to the island? We’re people always accepting?
KENNY MEEZ: In the beginning I used to question it. Not long into my career I began to grow with the culture, and really felt connected to the place. Eventually I was accepted as a Jamaican and no one really questioned me.
THE BAG MESSENGER: What’s up with Sound Clash? Can you describe how the event goes down?
KENNY MEEZ: Sound Clash is a battle between two or more sound systems. They battle for who has the best dubplates, who can counter act the opposing sounds dubplates, and in many cases they cut dubplates with custom lyrics dissing the opposing sounds. These dubs may only play the night the clash is going on. It’s a big deal.
THE BAG MESSENGER: What’s the clashing scene like? Who are some of your favorite artists to work with?
KENNY MEEZ: AGGRESSIVE! I like working with Chino, Laden, Stephen Mcgregor, Freddie Mcgregor, Big Ship Records, Aidonia, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel and El Feco
THE BAG MESSENGER: When did you first start getting dubplates? How does that process work?
KENNY MEEZ: We started voicing dubs from the start of Federation Sound. Our first artist was capleton. In those days you went into the studio worked out the business with artist (the money), then cut the dub to a dat tape. Usually we split with the instrumental on one track, and vocals on the other track. From there we mix it down and cut the dub to a acetate plate to spin it out.
THE BAG MESSENGER: Who’s really doing it at Sound Clash? What has been big in the past? Who’s hot in dancehall right now?
KENNY MEEZ: Their are always new sounds coming up. Some of the best are King Addias, Bass Odessy, Black Kat, Mighty Crown, Stone Love. I would say Vybz Kartel is hot in the dancehall right now
THE BAG MESSENGER: You travel a lot, whats the key to packing?
KENNY MEEZ: For me its always about simplicity. One bag for clothes etc. and one bag for my computer/mobile studio.
J Rocc A Dusty Crate Mix
Before the internet engulfed the real world and eliminated time and space, this mix was only available in Japan.
-THE BAG MESSENGER
Printer's Marks Colophons
Bruce Black has an enormous collection of scanned colophons from the 1940’s & 50’s on his website. Each of these marks utilizes a limited color palette and overall shape simplicity. I particularly appreciate the “common” aesthetic found in these marks. They weren’t created to be pretentious or high-end, but to appeal to the average reader who is simply looking for entertainment.
-THE BAG MESSENGER
Photos of the Cobble Hill Tote Bag
Here are a few photos of one of the new bags we will be releasing in our next update. The Cobble Hill Tote is a large chamber canvas tote bag with vegetable tanned leather straps and trim, a side pocket for a phone or an Ipod, and a key organizer. Be on the look out for this as well as other new bags from us shortly.
-THE BAG MESSENGER
Eastern European Matchbook Labels
Maraid has quite an array of vintage matchbook labels from Eastern Europe on Flickr. It’s fascinating to see the effects created by the bleeding inks and the unpredictable registration associated with printed materials of this scale.
-THE BAG MESSENGER
Lalie Kavulich Interview
Style is something cultivated through years of experience. It comes naturally to some, others end up starring on “What Not to Wear” or fading into a patina of blurry look-a-likes. For Lalie Kavulich standing out is not an issue. When she isn’t crafting formal wear with the Rhinestone Rembrandt MANUEL, you can find her reconstructing vintage garb for a new clothing line or dancing to James Brown. Sound like the kind of girl you might want to meet? We think so.
DJ PUMP JEEPNEY SOUNDS VOL SIX
We are in the thick of Summer and for me its hard not to feel the urge to travel. Maybe its a hold over from trips at the completion of the school year, or the 100 plus degree heat here in Philadelphia, but I just can’t sit still. Here is a mix for you traveling folks, or those of you with an itch to scratch. JEEPNEY Sounds mixed by Canada’s own DJ PUMP.
-THE BAG MESSENGER
“Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines.[1] They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from WWII and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating. They have become a symbol of Philippine culture”
“Here’s a mix i made in 2007 for Jeepney clothing in Seattle & California area.. I think the original zshare file expired with about 80,000+ downloads (wow!)... Anyway, this was my tribute to late great J Dilla months after he passed. In this mix, you’ll hear 80 mins of real hip hop joints i was feeling at the time mixed with some funk, neo soul and some more rare gems. There’s also a J Dilla tribute mix somewhere in the middle.. Enjoy.”- DJ PUMP
- Boomin In Your Jeepney Intro
- Common – Resurrection (fantastic remix)
- Be Break
- Ahmad Jamal – Ghetto Child
- The Light (dj pump break)
- Lupe Fiasco – Kick Push (handle it version)
- Linda Clifford – Never Gonna Stop
- The Sylvers – Stay Away From Me
- Rottin Razcals – Oh Yeah (be easy mix)
- Slum Village – Get Dis Money (dilla fix)
- J Dilla – Say It! (feat. Ta’Raach & DJ Exile)
- Nicolay – I Love The Way You Love (feat. Darien Brockington)
- Method Man – Method Man (dj pump remix)
- Zhane – Hey Mr. DJ (dj pump version)
- Zhane – Request Line (beatapella)
- Dwele – I think I Love You
- Musiq – ForTheNight
- Q-tip – Official
- Yesterday’s New Quintet – Uno Esta
- Bobbi Humphrey – Uno Esta
- Quantic Soul Orchestra – We Got Soul (rob life remix)
- El Michels Affair – Glaciers of Ice
- Jimi Hendrix – Little Miss Lover
- Sly & The Family Stone – Life Of Fortune & Fame
- The Roots – Game Theory (feat. Malik B)
- Junkyard Band – Sardines
- Pharaoh Monch – Body Baby
- Consequence – Callin Me
- Consequence – The Consequence (feat. Q-tip)
- Jazzy Jeff – Whatever U Want (feat. Little Brother)
- The Free Design – Don’t Turn Away (sharpshooters mix)
- Giorgio Moroder – E=Mc2
- DILLA FOREVER – DJ Pump
- Kanye West On J Dilla
- J Dilla – Dilla’s World (still bangin’ in your jeep)
- The Trammps – Rubber Band
- Kool & The Gang – Fruitman
- Martha Reeves – Sweet Misery
- A Tribe Called Quest – 1nce Again (dj pump BKS remix)
- J Dilla – Won’t Do
- Kanye West – I Still Love H.E.R.
- Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One, Rakim – Classic (dj premier remix)
- Styles P – Testify
- Talib Kweli & Madlib – Happy Home
- Black Milk – So Gone
- Nas feat. Snoop Dogg – Play On Playa
- Marvin Gaye – After The Dance
- Once You Get it Break
- Steve Arrington – Nobody Can Be You
- One Way – Don’t Fight The Feeling
- Zapp – Heartbreaker
- Slum Village – Give This Ni%$a
- Musiq – Miss You
- War – Sing A Happy Song
- Ghostface Killah feat. Amy Winehouse – You Know I’m No Good
- Common /Will I Am – I Have A Dream
- Common – Geto Heaven (dj pump remix)
- Richard Holmes – Onsaya Joy
- Weldon Irvine – We Gettin’ Down
- Incredible Bongo Band – In A Gadda Da Vida
DJ HUDSON INTERVIEW
A few months ago we here at Tucker and Bloom held a contest to find the perfect lazy afternoon mixtape. The DJ with the best mix would receive one of our North To South Messenger bags. We went through a lot of fine mixes before awarding the first place prize to DJ Hudson a.k.a Alex Moitt. We recently caught up with Alex to find out more about his work, his life as a winner, and to see how the North to South bag was working out for him.
Cosmo Baker Feeling Good Mix
Here is your treat for the week, “Feeling Good” by Cosmo Baker. Perfect for those long summer days. Enjoy
-THE BAG MESSENGER
“Often times I’ll wake up in a certain mood and I’ll want to make a mix that will accompany me during the day. This is how the first “Love Break” came about – just a mix for me to listen to in my car during a road trip. Anyway, a few weeks ago, I woke up and it was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, the temperature was just right. It made me think of a certain sound that just means “spring/summer” to me, so before I headed out I made this mix to listen to while I ran around New York. There’s nothing like New York in the springtime.”
- Cosmo
TRACK LIST:
- Benny Golson “I’m Always Dancin’ To The Music”
- Maze feat. Frankie Beverly “Golden Time Of Day”
- Brenda Russell “In The Thick Of It”
- SSO “Faded Lady”
- L.T.D. “Don’t Stop Loving Me”
- Toto “Waiting For Your Love”
- Harvey Mason “Till You Take My Love”
- Eddie Drennon & The BSS Orchestra “Do What You Gotta Do”
- Patrice Rushen “Feels So Real (Won’t Let Go)”
- Brass Construction “Get Up To Get Down”
- Roy Ayers “Love Will Bring Us Back Together”
- Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway “Back Together Again”
- Mtume “Love Lock”
- Bernard Wright “Spinnin’”
- Teena Marie “I Need Your Lovin’”
- Stevie Wonder “Love Light In Flight”
- Karen Silver “Nobody Else”
- James Mason “Sweet Power of Your Embrace”
- Donald Byrd “Love Has Come Around”
- Chaka Kahn “Clouds”
- Coke Escoveo “I Wouldn’t Change A Thing”
- Black Ivory “Mainline”
- Change “A Lover’s Holiday”
- D-Train “Keep On”
- Earth Wind & Fire “Runnin’” (Danny Krivit Remix)
- John Paul Young “Love Is In The Air”
- Norman Connor presents Aquarian Dream “Look Ahead”
- The Isley Brothers “Harvest For The World”
Cosmo Baker with the North To South Messenger bag.