Bill Nelson - On a Blue Wing (1986)

If you like eighties electropop but can't stand the synths and cosmic wackiness for more than thirty minutes then I'd recommend Bill Nelson's On a Blue Wing (also called Getting the Holy Ghost Across in the U.K.). He captures the mood well but maintains a nice calm throughout. With his smooth voice, heavy emphasis on horns, and light smattering of synthesizer, this amalgamation of goodness makes for a beautiful album. It's really beyond my wildest dreams. Thanks, Bill.

On a Blue Wing (1986, Portrait/CBS)

1. Suvasini

2. Contemplation

3. Wildest Dreams

4. Lost in Your Mystery

5. The Hidden Flame

6. Rise Like A Fountain

7. Heart and Soul

8. Living for the Spangled Moment

9. Because of You

10. Pansophia

Download here.

BLESS

No. 28: Fat Knit Hammock

What do I say about BLESS? Honestly, I've been trying to figure out their "thing" for awhile now and I'll have to admit that I don't get it. 

Desiree Heiss and Ines Kaag met back in 1993 in Paris and formed BLESS in 1995, posting ads all over Berlin and Vienna of their newly formed label. Eventually their name caught wind and by 1996 they were advertising in i-D magazine, self service, and purple magazine.

No. 31: Hairhoody

A highly conceptual label, the duo finds obscure and random ideas/themes-- anything from hotel amenities (No. 20) to the act of "covering" (No. 21) to "privacy" (No. 22) to using electrical cables and adaptors to make jewelry (No. 26) and creates products/exhibitions centered around them. They often bring in guest artists to help materialize their visions.

From beautiful yet strange mobiles to towel scarves to cute sweaters, these two do it all. Their interpretations of everyday necessities and luxuries would make anyone chuckle a bit, and you'll see why when you check out the site. Much of it, it seems, is abstractly thought out and well executed, but with elements of levity and  innocence, as well.

No. 30: Coiffglasses Horses

Mid-terms, therefore I will be studying.

I'm going away this weekend. These are the books I'm bringing with me to study. Want to catch up on the American slavery experience? Or learn about the biotechnology of our agriculture? Check these out, then!

Oh, and here's a little treat for you (and a preview of what's to come on FUTUREMILK). See you on Monday.

Update: Check out a mix I made here.

Madlib's Beat Konducta Vol. 5-6

Beat Konducta Vol. 5: Dil Cosby Suite

Beat Konducta Vol. 6: Dil Withers Suite

Volumes 5-6 are Madlib and J.Rocc's tribute to the late J Dilla (d. 2006).  Already released on digital, will be released on vinyl soon and on CD in early 2009.

If you've heard volumes 1-4 and are interested in getting a little sample of 5-6 email me!

Colin Powell Endorses Obama

"I've watched Mr. Obama during this seven week period and he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiousity, depth of knowledge, and an approach to looking at problems like this: picking a vice president that, I think, is ready to be president on day one and also in not just jumping in and changing everyday, but showing intellectual vigor. I think that he has a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well. I also believe that on the Republican side, over the last seven weeks the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower. Mr. Obama at the same time has given us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people. He's crossing lines-- ethnic lines, racial lines, and generational lines. He's thinking that all villages have values, all towns have values, not just small towns have values..."

Well spoken coming from a staunch Republican.

"The past is what bond us. The future leads us."

Tinted lens. Plastic arms. Temple length: 110 mm. Lens height: 41 mm. Hinge to hinge: 135 mm. Made in Italy.

Banded Sunglasses @ eLuxury, $545.00

(via JJJJound, via FUTUREMILK)

Morgan Geist - Double Night Time

Morgan Geist's first release in ten years; Jeremy Greenspan (Junior Boys) shows up as guest singer on a few tracks. Many of these tracks have been circulating for awhile now such as Most of All and Lullaby (DJ Kicks, vinyls, and such...) but have been edited and are compiled onto one LP for your convenience. Get your hands on it because it's THE SHIT.

Double Night Time (Environ, 2008)

1. Detroit

2. The Shore

3. Nocebo

4. Most of All

5. Skyblue Pink

6. Ruthless City

7. Palace Knife

8. City of Smoke and Flame

9. Lullaby

Download here.

Elvis Presley - Tomorrow Night (1954)

Recorded in 1954 at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, with Scotty Moore on guitar and written by Sam Coslow and Will Grosz. To my pleasant surprise, this is what Elvis sounded like before he adapted his more popular boogie-bluesy style (which was stolen from a fellow Sun Records artist). Beautiful.

Thanks, Jeffrey.

Bến Thành Market... District 1, Saigon

Everything you could ever want or need.

Bến Thành Market... District 1, Saigon

You get lost in it.

New Releases

I'm sure this is not new news to anybody, but Pitchforkmedia has posted an extensive list of upcoming new Fall 2008 releases, check it out!