http://youtu.be/9dZW1C3neao

The LP, produced by Russel Simons, Vincent F Bell, Kurtis Blow, and a than you credit for Rick Rubin, only has a couple of electro R&B tracks. The rest of the songs are in a late 60s sweet soul style, which is kind of odd next to the early gangsta aesthetic of In the Rain.

In addition to a couple of soul LPs, I picked up a bunch of 80s rap 12″s. Some record stores under price the early rap stuff, especially out here on the west coast. Dealers out on the east coast all run in the same collector/record show circuit and can figure out what’s collectable. Picked up a couple of Freddy Fresh 2 star joints (see Rap Records), including this one from the LA Dream Team.

Espresso + ground beans for the week, roasted yesterday.

Untitled Rough Mix

one of my favorites

February plays host to tributes throughout the world, as fans of all stripes come out to celebrate the man and his eternal music. I recently visited one of a series of tribute events in Los Angeles. Illa Jay, House Shoes, J Rocc, and Madlib all were there to reminisce and smile at the memories we all shared.

I hit the bar. Madlib orders a Martini next to me. I finger at the bartender and order two shots – Tequila. And two waters, tap, please. After reminding Julie of the tragic story of the famed producer (she’s been to her fair share of Dilla related events), we concurred that it was necessary to drink in his honor.

Turning to Madlib, I ask him what J Dilla’s drink was. He leans in. Hawaiin punch. I can’t believe it, but somehow I can. Motioning, he tells me how J Dilla preferred to smoke. It all made sense. Marijuana is the link that ties all of the hall-of-fame musicians together.

So this February, if you can’t make it to a tribute jam on your block, throw on some Champion Sound, and smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, for Jay Dee.

(legal disclaimer: I make no representation of what Madlib, aka Otis Jackson Jr., actually said or meant in any conversation with me. I’m a fan, and I’m not trying to blow up spots, slander, or defame his reputation as a serious,  professional artist)

On a recent trip to little Tokyo in LA, I came to Kinokuniya bookstore.

A great store that caters to the Japenese community in the area. They had a huge selection of Japanese language books, DVDs, CDs, and magazines. My favorite part of the store, though, were the shelves dedicated to Japanese office supplies. They had all kinds of interesting notebooks, stationary, and writing instruments and even som Muji-like items. Non-branded, aluminum pencil holders, card cases, and even some cool soft sided laptop and camera bags. I ended up picking up a few things, including my office holiday party gift – an aluminum pencil case, with six imported Mitsubishi Hi-Uni pencils, some of the finest pencils you can buy, so I hear. And at about $3 a pencil, much more expensive than I ever realized a pencil could be.

In school I always used pencils, starting with “My First Ticonderoga” oversized and triangular pencils in preschool. I liked the smoothness of writing and the erasbility, and being leff handed, came to appreciate the silvery graphite that would accumulate on the back of my finger after a long day of jotting notes and ideas. I resisted pens sucessfully until I entered the working world, where nobody uses pencils, and the supply room is stocked with low grade “No. 2″ pencils, and there’s not a sharpener in sight. Now with my burgening collection of classic wood case pencils, German made sharpeners, and plastic erasers, I’ve made the switch back, hopefully for good. 

To me, it’s about the details that spice up everday life. Taking something ordinary and overlooked and elevating it to something beautiful and inspired, yet useful and efficient. That’s what design is about at the most basic level. Now when I hit that Monday morning staff meeting, I won’t be just another drone gripping a Bic Stic.

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