i’ve been listening to a lot of jazz. it’s taken over my life, and i couldn’t be happier about it. it started with the ipod shuffle to a robert glasper song. made me realize i needed a live show in my life. this was a tuesday night. the first venue i looked up was the jazz standard. how about the robert glasper trio is playing there the following thursday to sunday?

floored.

now i’m experiencing an amazing domino effect. look at robert glasper’s twitter feed, find an interview of his bandmate, trumpeter ambrose akinmusire. fall in love with akin musire’s music. on a youtube search for akinmusire’s “ruby”, i find about a trio called pascal’s triangle, led by pianist pascal le boeuf. looking at pascal’s work, i discover he’s a twin (being a twin, i have a special affinity for them. ). he has two albums with his brother, remy, and they’re both pretty cool. the composition is really interesting and emotive. they’re incredibly talented in their arrangements and playing, especially to only be in their early twenties.

the le boeuf brothers’ first album was house without a door and the video above is the title track. the one below is “wetaskiwin”.

absolutely. friggin. insane. not just these songs, but the album in its entirety.

feel the love.

the concept of mastery always comes to mind when i’m taken by incredible talent that’s obviously been fostered and developed into skill. it inspires me. hobbies and interests should be taken to the level of craft. all of them won’t, but at least one of them must.

i’m starting to read george leonard’s mastery: the keys to success and long-term fulfillment. so far, it’s a pretty good read.

time to practice to perfection.

What is it? In a word, awesome. In a few, The BMW Guggenheim Lab is a mobile laboratory traveling to nine major cities worldwide over six years. Led by international, interdisciplinary teams of emerging talents in the areas of urbanism, architecture, art, design, science, technology, education, and sustainability, the Lab addresses issues of contemporary urban life through programs and public discourse. Its goal is the exploration of new ideas, experimentation, and ultimately the creation of forward-thinking solutions for city life.

It’s a pretty awesome idea and all the events they feature are free, prohibiting no socioeconomic group from attendance. Fun and free is always fantastic. It ends on October 16th, so head over while you can, before it travels to Berlin and Mumbai. In 2013, there will be an exhibition at the Guggenheim before completing two more 3-city cycles.

My music sharing friend, Rodrick, told me about Mara Hruby a while back. I downloaded the album, put it on my iPod and went about my business. Recently, I’ve been giving her EP, From Her Eyes a lot of play. She’s got a pretty voice and does well handling men’s songs. Looking forward to more Mara.

This Van Hunt cover, “Character”, asks a very important question we should all reflect on. Enjoy!

Mara Hruby – “Character”

Once upon a time, I was a health zealot. Whether or not you asked, I’d gladly and immediately inform you of the contents of your food and any health risks they posed. My intention wasn’t to be a zealot; it was to be helpful. I was open and ready for that information and assumed everyone else was, too.

I was wrong.

Over time, I’ve ebbed and flowed with health. It’s prominence rises and falls. Over the course of the last year or so, it’s fallen. I’ve had beef (I thought it was veal), I’ve had pork (I knew it was pork), and I’ve consumed lots and lots of sugar. As of late, however, my attention to health has been on the rise.

It’s not even necessarily what’s present in my diet, so much as what’s been missing: easily digestible, nutrient rich plant-based foods.

Preventative health, mostly based around diet, used to be such a large focus in my life, and over time has dwindled away. But I miss it. I believe in it. I want it back.

That said, last week, I decided to detox by eating raw foods for two weeks. At first, I was super nervous, even tentative about lasting the entire time. By the time the first day arrived, I was mentally prepared and fully committed. On the second day, I realized it was my one year anniversary of moving to New York (sentimental, I know) and decided to, on day three, treat myself to a dinner at the raw restaurant near my house.

Best decision ever. I’m so about to eat lots of raw foods. Not just for the next two weeks, but period. I’m interested in optimal health.

I saw the Forks Over Knives trailer posted above and thought you’d be interested in knowing that optimal health is at the end of your fork.

If health and food politics are of interest to you, you may also like:

• Sucker MDs
• Food, Inc.

Lupe Fiasco – “Beautiful Lasers (2 ways)”

Since before “Kick, Push” hit the scene, I’ve been a big fan. Lupe’s an important artist and an important rapper. Obviously brilliant, he adds another dimension to the idea of who a popular rapper is and what they’re “allowed” to be. He’s not a commercial artist. He’s part of the young, black and gifted who wants to uplift his people, open people’s minds and bear light at the same time. Even in the pain that’s sometimes in his music, you can hear love.

“Beautiful Lasers” is one of the most emotionally honest songs I’ve heard in a really long time. It shatters the facades and probes into heart of things: this world, our selves, private struggles we all have had at one point or another, but won’t voice. I’m always reminding myself and others to be courageous. Vulnerability takes courage, and to create this, Lupe was courageous. Have to respect that.

Lupe is a true product and amalgamation of the black music lineage in the United States, which is a rich progression of music starting with spirituals, then blues, jazz, rock n’ roll, R&B, then hip hop. Although not as apparent on LASERS, which the label was intent on making commercial, his previous albums blend elements of all these genres quite nicely and rather organically. He’s obviously influenced by jazz, and I even like to consider him a ‘jazz rapper’, meaning his music requires the same level of attention as jazz because of its complexities and nuances.

Listen with care!

Lupe Fiasco – “Shining Down” feat. Matthew Santos

Lupe Fiasco – “Ghetto Story” (from the original version of Food & Liquor)

Australian footballer Harry O’Brien is not normal. He proudly subscribes to “no one normal has ever made history.” The more I interact with him, the more I’m inclined to agree that 1) he will make history 2) because he’s not normal. So maybe he’s right.

Harry’s perspective is cloaked in so much wisdom that his age of twenty-three intrigues and pleasantly surprises. With the visibility his profession allows, he’s able to touch many lives. He knows it and understands that to whom much is given, much is required. His “live for hope” motto isn’t a catchy phrase he uses on Twitter or on his site, Harry’s World, he lives it, finishing conversations and emails with it.

Harry is a Burnet Institute Youth Ambassador who engages young people in health issues that concern them. In 2008, he visited the Democratic Republic of Congo and his father’s homeland of Mozambique. Harry owns 20 hectares of land in Kinshasa, which he was asked to develop to support neighboring villages. In response to this request, Harry said, “I’m not 22 yet. One day I know I will have a lot of money, more than I can imagine. It won’t be today, it won’t be tomorrow, but it won’t be too long, and I will be back.”

Sure to have an increasing presence, Harry O’Brien is a person to know and a name to remember. To learn more about this fascinating young man, visit Harry’s World.

Here’s “Razor Tongue” off of his Langue De Rasoir (animated by TMelchishua), reminding us to be careful of the words we choose to use with others. The idea can be extended to how we talk to ourselves. Our words can create, build, destroy, hurt, and heal. Let’s be mindful.

If not, Guys, have you ever told a woman not to change a thing, knowing she’s critical of herself? …and meant it? If so, kudos. I’m sure you know that’s a compliment very easy to welcome. If not, try it and let me know how it goes.

Ladies, have you ever been told you’re perfect just the way you are? No? Press play.

Bilal Salaam – “So What”

On February 2nd, Nneka will release her fourth studio album, Concrete Jungle. Listen and love.

Concrete Jungle is a collection of songs that put the singer/songwriter at the forefront. This album is an offering of love, hope and optimism dedicated to the people of Warri & the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Holding it all together is the emotional focus of her beautiful voice, located in a place somewhere between yearning and rage.

The daughter of a Nigerian father and a German mother, Nneka Egbuna was born in Warri, Oil City in the Delta region of Nigeria at the height of its new found wealth in the mid 70s.

For nineteen years she soaked up the sounds and rhythms of one of the most musical nations on the planet, a country where expressing yourself through song is just a part of everyday life, a country that has music in its very DNA, where the influence of giants like Afrobeat revolutionary Fela Kuti is never far away.

Source: The Official Nneka Site

Here are a few videos of her performances:

Here’s one for basketball and Obama fans. Familiar with Vince Carter’s famous 2000 Olympic dunk on 7′2″ French center Frédéric Weis? According to Wikipedia, “Carter stole the ball, sprinted, took off – legs spread in midair, and hit Weis’s head as he bent over to avoid the collision, before slamming the ball.”  The US took home the gold.  Will Obama?

The illustration was drawn by Ron Ackins.

Hailed as the greatest graphic novel ever, The Watchmen, is set to come to silver screen next spring. I just finished reading the book today…I’m so excited. Next to Batman, Rorsharch has to be one of the greatest fictional detectives. Check out the trailer.

 

 

What’s ridiculously popular yet under-respected at the same time?

Comics.

Reading them will give you a brand new appreciation for illustrators. I can draw basic shapes…expecting anything outside of that is probably going too far. Still, I’ve always wanted to be able to draw well. See…anybody who can hold a pencil can draw, but to do it well is an entirely different story.

One who does it very well is none other than freelance artist Ron Ackins, whose work has been featured in Kicks and XXL magazines, as well as on Nike (soon!) and UndrCrwn tees. Chances are if it was a UndrCrwn shirt you really liked, he did it.

For more of his work and contact information, visit Behance.net/RonAckins. Good…I’m inspired. Not to draw, but to do what I’m good at.

The morning of May 4th was a good one. I heard Little Dragon’s “Test” and was convinced to locate and secure a copy of the album. Shortly thereafter, that goal was met and I was captivated. How could I just be finding out about them? (Well…because I don’t cruise the music circuit in search of new talent like I used to.) They’re really that good.

This Swedish group has perfected a union of jazz, pop, electronica, and hip-hop. Listening to this music, you just know that they take their craft seriously. Note to musicians: make good albums and people will like them. Then, you won’t have to trick your fans or sell your soul. Pretty sweet deal to me.

Below are videos to some of my favorite songs on the ablum. (Yes, I like every song.)

“Test”

“Constant Surprises”

“Twice”

For more music and info, head to their MySpace page.

My last trip to New York provided me with the opportunity to see a film I’ve been interested in seeing for over four months and the opportunity to speak with the subject of the film, biotect Michael Reynolds.  On Tuesday, April 1st at 9 pm est/pst, the Sundance Channel will begin its second season of The Green premiering that film, The Garbage Warrior, which introduces viewers to Reynolds and his brilliant homes, earthships. 

Before watching Garbage Warrior, I was already enthralled with the idea of earthships.  I was certain that I wanted one and became an informal spokesperson for these houses, which are completely self-sustaining.  They produce their own electricity, their own heat, contain and treat both water and sewage, and render the perfect atmosphere for food production.  They’ll survive 30-below-zero winters, earthquakes, and hurricanes.  Seriously, they’re wonderful and necessary.  The film traces Reynold’s journey to getting the Sustainable Development Testing Site Act passed in New Mexico which allows for the testing of sustainable homebuilding technologies. 

After seeing this film, more than ever, I know that I need to get a piece of land and build one of these homes.  I urge you to watch this film, screening on Sundance tonight at 9:40 pm e/p; Friday, April 4th at 10:40 am e/p; and Sunday, April 6th at 3:40 pm e/p.  Garbage Warrior is also available for viewing OnDemand on the Sundance Channel.