My Block

Somewhere along the border of Bed Stuy and Bushwick lies a mysterious radius of blocks.

Who is “The Illz”?

I don’t much about this guy but he’s a breath of fresh air to me right now. Introspective, haunting/philosophical/inspiring rhymes over moody/emotional/experimental beats… right up my musical alley. Especially feeling three of his joints: “The Appreciation”, “Melfi”, and “Dark Side of the Room”. I said enough, give it a listen…

Quick Portraits of Some Family Members

Some quick shots of my nephew and his wifey.

Miracle Violence

Just in time for the holidays.

If you think nowadays hip hop is bland, you’re not alone. Acquire this album and hold it tight because it was built with you in mind. More details to come.

Keane – Nothing In My Way

“The turning tide.. lovers at a great divide”

Yeah I like this. And yeah, I know it’s old but so what. The lyrics are ill, talkin bout how him and wifey split but wife’s acting fly like she’s getting on with her life when he KNOWS that’s she not.  Smooth TRUE shit to sip a drink to. “For a lonely soul, you’re having such a nice time.“.

Plumb – Damaged

“Dreaming comes so easily..”

First time Avi heard this,  it was the background to some shitty offbeat DMX remix back in 2000. Was so struck by the melody and mami’s voice (if you can’t tell by now, I’m easily seduced by a nice female voice) that I had to do the research and find it. Loved the tune ever since.  Much later found out that it has a deeper meaning — the singer was sexually abused as a child…

Archive – Nothing Else

Even though I think this video has 1 or 2 high points to it, the tune is better if you listen to the song for the first time without watching the video.

Aiight so Avi listens to a lot of different types of music, but I’m a sucker for tunes with this type of somber vibe.  For some reason, slow melodic shit activates my hidden super thinking and focusing powers.  But THIS tune in particular speaks to your boy’s soul.  From the trip-hop drum track, to mami’s trance inducing voice, back to the airy strings that kick in at 1:07,  this is MUSIC.  On top of that, how she says “..and I know clipped wings make uneasy flights”  is so damn sexy, I would climb in her mime box and flirt with her. 

Creative Vado HD – Budget HD.

Creative Vado HD (8GB)

Film a lot of phone cam videos in shitty quality? You don’t have to, take my word on this. The VADO is a comes in damn handy. I’ve had one for a few months now, and it’s a sturdy lil machine that shoots in crystal clear 720P HD, holds 8GB and has 3 quality modes. It’s competitor, the FLIP MINO HD cannot touch this in playback of colors, picture clarity, or night shooting, so don’t even bother with that. If you’re skilled enough, you can even shoot a VERY decent music video or even a film with this.  The only drawbacks to the Vado is the software that comes with it (VERY SHITTY), but no problem, you can export your video to be used in any video editor you like. So please, don’t embarass yourself and your friends on youtube with unwatchable phone cam vids again. I only paid $120.00 for mine at www.JR.com.

FC Kahuna – Hayling

I came across this while watching a british film called “Layer Cake” (shout out to E-Piff who put me onto that flick). The vibe is just f’n ill. This is the  4 min version, with the full being 7 Mminutes long.  The only thing im not feeling is the phrase “just be glad to be here“….  Avi is never “just glad to be here“.  Avi looks to go up and beyond here.

Tony Tank ft. Kaedaq – Sick of This

Smooth 2009 track by my Montreal brethren Tony Tank featuring Kaedaq. Promo track for his album, “The Initiate” that was supposed to drop fall 2009. It still hasn’t dropped, but it has some amazing production. Get at Tony Tank @ tonygibran@hotmail.com and let ’em know you want the damn album NOW!