Alphabet Pony
I can’t get enough of Alphabet Pony. Check out the latest two tracks, Clones and Atoms. Simply amazing.
NiT GriT
Danny Beall, aka NitGrit is From San Jose, Cali and makes some of the filthiest dubstep around. Still relatively unknown despite a barrage of huge tracks and stunning remixes of Prituri Se Planinata by Stellamara and DJ Shadow’s Building Steam With a Grain of Salt (below). He released his first album (self-titled) in Jan this year. Big things to come from this guy. Check him out on Soundcloud
♪ Katy B
This song has been stuck in my head for a while now. Katy B’s first release – Katy on a mission. Produced by Benga
And here is her latest offering, entitled Louder. Produced by Zinc.
♪ Broove
This song comes from Broove, an artist from Latvia with only a few pieces in his musical repertoire. Ellipse is by far his standout piece, combining drum and bass elements with classical piano to great effect.
♪ Lil Wayne – I am not Human EP
Photo via datzhott.com
Lil Wayne is in Jail. He found himself caged some time in March and is out in November. But that won’t stop his presence the billboards, his forthcoming album Carter IV is generating some serious hype in the hip hop community. To keep fans happy an EP entitled I am not Human is set to drop on his birthday, September 27th and should provide a taste for the ensuing LP.
The first single off the 45 spinner is called Right above it and featuring Drake:
Urbanears
Everyone loves music. It has become an integral part of life. You listen to music when you work, when you play, when you’re not doing anything. So it makes sense to make a solid investment in some sound candy for your ears.
Innovation in the headphone market is typically in the department of sound quality, and rightly so. There are of course noticeable exceptions, with companies like skull candy fusing style and function and pushing boundaries in standard design. But there are gaps. Big ones. Urbanears (one word) are the new kids on the block, addressing the need for innovation and redefining the concept of the headphone, bringing fresh design and innovative features to the masses.
Outlined below are some exciting points spearheading the urban ears philosophy for the phones:
- Material feel. The headphones are designed to feel more like a piece of clothing. The band and cord and are both constructed of fabric. The material tag demonstrates the brands attention to detail.
- Hands free. Integrated microphone to allow you to pause and talk. An amazing feature for Iphone aficionados. (Compatible also with Nokia / HTC / Blackberry)
- Colour. Available in 14 different sexy block shades. The palette is varied with every season, so there are always new colours to chose from.
- Fully folding. Big space saver.
- Zound plug. A socket that allows a friend to plug in and enjoy whatever you’re listening to. Why do all headphones not have this feature?
Although in this case the focus is on aesthetics, the comfort and form are secondary to the sound quality, which is the purpose of the product. The Plattan’s are loaded with 40mm handmade drivers providing a sound which is both rich and punchy, but does lack some of the big bass of more expensive models.
The Urbanear Plattan’s are relatively inexpensive, well packaged, clean, and available in a spectrum of crisp colours. Add to the mix a decent sound delivery and unique comfort and function features and it all adds up to an impressive product. These musical delights hail from Sweden (Stockholm specifically, in fact the models are named after districts in the city), and are now stocked across Europe. Coming soon to ears near you.
I’ve looked at the flagship DJ style Plattan headphones here, although they also do a basic model and some in-ears. Check them on urbanears
Footpatrol – Open
The store is finally open. And they’ve gone to town on the space. They have crafted wooden “shed”, giving the place a warm feel and unique look. The one off structure floats within the store and is constructed of recycled scaffold board and black steel. Looks amazing.
Images courtesy of footpatrol.co.uk.
Old Spice – Personal marketing to the extreme.
The recent batch of Old Spice commercials have really refreshed the brand’s image. Here’s the original from earlier in the year in case you missed it:
Following on from the huge success of the video and producing more equally entertaining ads featuring the awesome Isaiah Mustafa, Old Spice have gone further than any marketing campaign I’ve ever seen. Over the last couple of days, the Old Spice youtube channel has upload around 200 videos, personally replying to people who have commented on the original commericials. And these aren’t your standard thank you replies either, they are well scripted dialogues, shot in the same manner as the real commericals. It shows an incredible effort on behalf of Old Spice marketing team (and commitment from Isiah himself).
All of the responses can be seen on the Old Spice youtube channel. Click on RESPONSES on the right.
Footpatrol – The Rebirth.
It came to my attention earlier this year that Foot Patrol was planning a relaunch.
Much to my disappointment Foot Patrol closed its doors back in 2008. It was hidden away in St Annes court with no sign or really any indication that the shop was actually there. A touch of a button outside though, and the doors slid open. Inside was adorned with cages, each displaying rare trainers of some kind. This was a destination for the sneaker connoisseur who was after something a little different. High end collabs, discontinued models, regional exclusives, this is where you could cop them. It was in fact the location for the fabled london dunk release (all 200 pairs stocked one day unannounced). The pairs that do occasionally pop up on ebay typically fetch a cool thousand or so.
So, it’s reopening its doors, albeit in a new location (Berwick street, Soho) and like always, there is a catch. Its now owned by JD sports.However, all is not lost, JD, unbeknown to most are also owners of cult sneaker chain SIZE?. It is adding Footpatrol to its current footwear portfolio by placing it as the cherry on top. It will remain exclusive and potentially act as a test pond for new models that could eventually filter down to SIZE?.
Either way, I’m happy its back and will be paying a visit for the launch, which if the hype is right, is sometime this month.
The .CO era
Are there any .com domains left? I for one have spent countless hours trawling the providers looking for something that vaguely represents the brand I am trying to build . It seems that in order to secure something of relevance, your brand or service has to be either a unique combination of letters or an unlikely combination of words (googlewhack anyone?). This problem is somewhat alleviated with the presence of country level domains such as .co.uk (UK), .de (Germany) and recently .eu (Europe) but nothing quite matches the online presence of a .com domain.
Well, that may all be about to change thanks to a country more commonly associated with cartels than cyberspace. At the end of last year Colombia decided to deregulate their own country level extension, making .CO available for registration worldwide. Arcelandia S.A. and Neustar, Inc have joined forces to administer its introduction, which will take place in three key stages: Sunrise, Landrush and general release.
They wouldn’t be the first of course. Other countries have ventured down similar routes, a notable example being Syria who released the .sy extension, attracting a whole host of domains with “cutesy” names. It was never taken seriously. The Columbian conterpart, however, holds considerably more promise. .CO is immediately associated with the words COmpany, COrporate, COmmerse and has already caused quite a stir. The big names are in, with over half of the top 500 global brands already registered. Twitter has got in on the game by securing t.co, a super simple web address which signifies the importance and indeed the shift to shorter domain names. It is particularly apt that Twitter, a service that operates in a world defined by 140 characters is leading this front. Will facebook follow suit and register f.co?
Further media hype was generated when on July 10th an auction hosted by sedo.com and .COinternet saw e.co sell for a record $81’000. “The e.CO auction not only marks the very first .CO domain auction in the industry, but signifies a new era for Internet users as it opens so many new doors for just about anyone looking to expand their brand online” remarked Kathy Nielsen, director of sales at Sedo.com.
The Sunrise phase gave a chance for trademark holders to register the key domains and finished on June 10th. This was followed by Landrush, designed to give companies a chance to obtain the domains they really want (at an inflated price of course). The Landrush phase was supposed to come to an end today. However, due to the overwealming number of applications, it has now been extended till July 16th. If there are multiple registrations for a paricular domain, it will go to the highest bidder.
On the 20th July 2010, the .CO domain opens to general availability and will operate on a first come, first serve basis. This is the real chance for upcoming brands to register the name they’ve been dreaming of and give them the slice of internet pie they’ve been craving. As always though, some will also see this as another business opportunity. Queue cybersquatters buying up every decent domain and throwing them straight back on the market at hugely inflated prices. Still, at least it gives new businesses and entrepreneurs a chance at the domain they actually want, rather than the .com scraps. With the .co extension comes a sense of something different, a globally recognizable extension for the purpose of brand promotion and development. It has been predicted that in 5 years, it will become second to .com behind .net. My advice is act quick and get your name on the pre-order.
More information can be found at cointernet.co
Jordan XI “Space Jam”
On the 23rd of December, the Jordan XI ”Space Jam” is getting a re-release. Black Upper with Patent styling, Blue Jumpman and the ice sole. Minimal and sexy. The holy grail of Jordans.
A brief background: The Shoes were first seen in Space Jam in 1996 on the feet of big Mike. Cue Four years of massive hype before the Retro Release in 2000. Quantities were limited. They sold. Fast. Now they’re back, with 9 years of extra build up, resulting in one of the biggest Jordan releases of the decade.
There has been much speculation over whether the Space Jams will be Quick Strike or General release and to how many pairs will be at the ready. General consensus is that the number available will vary between stores but that almost all stores will get at least a pair in each size. Expect lines around the Block for these bad boys. They will undoubtedly sell out again and will be on ebay before you can say Wilt Chamberlin. Unless of course, that is, Nike decide to bring it big for Xmas and stock the stores. Not something they have been adverse to recently, much to the frustration of the Jordan aficionados and connoisseurs.
Either way, this is an insane release, one that has caused me to massively re-think my abstinence from the “kicks game”. If these were a limited quick strike there would be no doubt and I would be broken from three years clean. However, as with recent Jordan general releases, the thought of bumping into someone else down Carnaby rocking the same pair does detract slightly from the appeal.
Casio EX-FS10: Slow Motion Golf
Golf is an obsession for millions and now an Olympic sport. The intricacies, delicacies and finer details of the game is what sets it apart and makes it one of the most loved and hated sports in the world. Golf is a rough sea of changing hope and fortune, a game of highs and lows, alterations and frustrations. At the centre of this sporting mosaic lies the swing. The way the club moves through the air determines everything from whether or not the ball feels like a rock or marshmallow on impact to its resulting trajectory and indeed, its destination. Every golfer dreams of the perfect swing, of hitting that monster drive, of playing that perfect approach. Coaching is essential for improvement; and even the best players in the world receive regular support. However, lessons can be expensive and sometimes self-analysis can be an easier and more rewarding option. Recording and watching your swing is a crucial first step and seeing it properly for the first time is akin to hearing to the sound of your own voice. The next step is to compare your swing to one that works and who better to look to for guidance than those that swing a club for a living? For years I have compared my swing to that of a certain Mr Eldrick Woods, believed by many to have the greatest golf swing of all time.
Before the days of high speed Internet, when classic dial up was the pinnacle of technology, I subscribed to the Golf digest website. There, amongst the plethora of help articles, were frame-by-frame visual maps of all of the top golfer’s swings. It was basic, but strangely rewarding despite having to wait 15 minutes for the pictures to load. Since the advent of high speed Internet and video upload sites, it has become relatively easy to find clips of almost any professional golfer online. In seconds you can access fast loading, high quality streams of your favourite player on youtube. To add to this, advances in camera technology have meant golf swings can be captured at extremely high frame rates. For instance, BBC golf coverage now makes regular use of its ARRI Tornado camera, which operates at 1000 frames per second (fps). The combination of this technology and broadband means that professional golfer’s swings can be analysed online and in detail by anyone. Below is some stunning high-speed camera footage of Tiger captured by Nike with a Phantom V5:
Armed with Tiger’s footage, it should be easy to compare the differences with my own. Unfortunately for amateur golfers like me, capturing my own swing in such detail is a rather expensive affair. High-speed cameras such as the Phantom typically cost in excess of $10,000. Not exactly a small time investment and a factor that has kept high-speed filming firmly planted on the professional side of the line. However, that could be all about to change. No longer will high-speed footage be a privilege reserved only for those who get special passes at tour events and wear funny green caps. A new Casio range of cameras delivers rapid frame exchange at a price that doesn’t require you to sell your Pings and get a second mortgage.
The EXILM High speed range delivers high-speed filming to the masses. The new EX FS-10, EX FH-20 and EX-F1 are all capable of shooting slow-motion (which is really high-speed) video at at least 1000 fps, putting them on par with much larger, pricier commercial systems such as the Phantom. No tripod is needed and they work well in a variety of light conditions so you can leave the high-powered halogens at home. Casio’s flagship high-speed camera, the EX-F1 can shoot 1200 fps at a resolution of 336 x 96 and 300 fps (an industry standard for high speed golf analysis), at a respectable 512 x 384. This particular camera is already being employed in commercial applications such as crash dummy design due to its relative low cost to performance ratio.
The cameras are already available for purchase in the US. However, most interesting is the recent announcement of the addition of some virtual golf pro firmware to a new version of the EX FS-10. Casio clearly understand the impact their cameras are going to have on the golfing market. The firmware will allow the posture and swing plane of the player to be analysed in tandem with the high-speed video modes. In video review, corrective positions for key body parts such as the head and elbow as well as adjustments in spine angle are suggested in an attempt to improve general swing technique. This means that as well as being able to see what your swing looks like in glorious slow motion and compare it to Tiger’s; you can get advice on how to improve it, straight from the camera.
How exactly the feedback is given will be an essential component to the success of the product. As the general population is being targeted the information needs to be easy to understand and interpret without requiring expert knowledge on the golf swing. However, the system could also potentially be an affordable way for golf professionals to implement high-speed camera analysis into lessons.
But how effective is the camera at capturing high-speed footage? A crucial aspect is the resolution as this is typically what is most affected by an increase in frame rate. According to Casio, at 1000fps the resolution of the EX-FS10 is 224 x 56. To put this is perspective here is an image of the same size:
The Resolution of the EX-FS10 at 1000 fps
It is clear that at this resolution, it is not really possible to capture the entire swing, rendering the accompanying software somewhat useless at the maximum frame rate. Having said that, at 210 fps, which is still quite high, the resolution is 480 x 360, which is not terrible considering the camera does not require a tripod or any additional specialist equipment. This is most likely the frame rate for which the firmware update is intended and at which it will be most effective.
It is interesting this technology has been implemented by Casio, not generally considered one of the front runners and more known for their retro digital watches and school calculators than innovative digital cameras. I would have thought this technology would have come from Sony or Canon. One of the big boys. The high-speed capability paired with the virtual pro feature comes as a surprise, and a very pleasant one. It is important to note that this technology has been implemented in a consumer product rather than at the top end of the EX line, meaning it is going to be available to the average golfer. Sadly the firmware will initially only be made available in Japan. This is possibly to test the waters before the all-important US golf market is targeted. Not that the firmware itself is essential. You can download a whole host of swing analysis software online, with features exceeding those to be implemented in the EX-FS10. What sets the Casio firmware apart is the ability to analyse on the go, which makes it ideal for swing tweaks on the course or at the driving range. The release of cameras with such high-speed capabilities highlights the sharp rise we are seeing in imaging technology. For instance, at the top end of the scale, the latest Phantom V710 allows for a 7520fps capture at full resolution (1280x 800). At an equivalent resolution to the 1000fps on the Casio Ex-FX10, the Phantom can capture an astonishing 288,800 fps. It is only a matter of time before some of this high speed filming prowess further trickles down to the consumer market.
The new Casio EX-FS10 with Virtual pro firmware will be released in Japan on November 26th 2009, with an RRP of around $350. I have a feeling we are going to be seeing a lot more slow motion golf swings on youtube very soon.
Update: this piece was featured on engineeringsport.co.uk here:
http://engineeringsport.co.uk/2009/11/24/casio-ex-fx10-slow-motion-golf/
Frankmusik
Frankmusik (real name Vincent Frank) is one of the new kids on the block, bringing a refreshing retro electropop sound to the music table. In 2008 he was listed in the BBC’s Sound of 2009 after creating buzz with his song “3 little words”.
The same year, he travelled round the UK as part of his Live and Lost Tour. The idea was that he could travel between gigs with only the help of his fans. He went from Loch Ness to Camden, for the launch of his single “Better Off as Two”. I was luckily enough to attend the event as a plus 1 for Amy, who had taken Frankmusik from Birmingham to Norwich. The Launch Party at Dingwalls was high energy and Vince was very dynamic on stage. He showed great confidence and seemed very at ease with the crowd as he guided them through the electro-ballads that had gained him such an avid fanbase. Main support was from Starsmith, who played a great live remix of Kings of Leons Sex on Fire.
In August this year, he released his debut album, Complete Me to critical acclaim. He has since seen the album make it to the number 13 spot in the album charts and three of his singles have made it into the UK top 40.
His latest tour sees him playing all over the country throughout November. His stop at the Plug in Sheffield was just as high octane as in Camden, but the support from Killa Kela added something extra to the occasion. As arguably one of the World’s most gifted beatboxers, he demonstrated skills well and above those first brought to the spotlight by Rahzel with “If your Mother Only Knew”. His performance of “Milkshake” by Kelis with beats, tune and lyrics blew the crowd away.
When Frankmusik took to the stage he delivered his electro sounds with soul and conviction and worked the crowd with regular and intimate interaction. Vince has some beat boxing ability of his own (he used to be called Mr Mouth), and he used this talent to good effect during a “technical issues” moment to keep the crowd interested. He demonstrated once again with an intense and energetic performance that Frankmusik means business.
Here is a selection of photos from the event:
Vitalic – Flashmob
Pascal Arbez, aka Vitalic is back with a new album, a follow up to his debut in 2005, Ok Cowboy. His live version of OK Cowboy, Vlive, showcased a vibrant collection of electro to rival Daft Punk, who are often cited as one of his major musical inspirations.
His latest track medley, entitled Flashmob (released on September 27th 09), is sure to be another classic. Here is the video for poison lips, one of the songs from the new album, directed beautifully by Julien Levy.
Adidas Predator X
The new predator is here! Now in its 10th installment, the predator is one of adidas’ defining and most iconic products. Since its introduction in 1994 it has been the boot of choice for some of the world’s best football players. One of these players was legend Zinedine Zidane, who has played a part in the development of the new Predator X.
The new boot is constructed from TAURUS calf skin leather, a move away from the K (Kangaroo) leather traditionally used on predators. Adidas have employed an asymmetrical lace system to increase the size of the strike zone, into which a large rubber-silicon predator element with a high coefficient of friction is integrated in order to improve control of the ball.
Powerspine technology, as previously seen in adidas goalkeeper gloves (fingersave) has been used in the sole of the boot, replacing the Powerpulse system. Essentially the Powerspine is an structure which can only flex in one direction. This means that in general movement such as running where the foot requires flexibility the structure can bend, but when going the other way as during a shot, the elements of the Powerspine structure lock together, increasing the overall stiffness and therefore the energy transfer to the ball for more shot power.
Following the launch of the boot on Monday, this weekend will see the debut of the boots in the Premier league by key adidas players. They are due to go on general sale mid November and are available to pre-order now with an RRP of around £135.
Nikon 85mm Macro
An 85mm macro from Nikon - get closer.
Nikon has recently announced the release of a new lens, the AF-S DX MICRO NIKKOR 85MM F/3.5G VR
Firstly, it its worth pointing out that by micro, Nikon actually mean macro. It is a strange terminology not generally adopted by other manufacturers and initially led me to believe that Nikon did not in fact produce a modern macro lens.
Luckily, this is not the case and Nikon have finally decided to add a DX macro to the line up. The lens features a built in Silent wave AF-S motor for fast autofocus, even with entry level DSLRs like the D40/D40x/D60.
The lens employs an advanced VR (Vibration Reduction) for sharp results even at slow shutter speeds, and with a reproduction ratio of 1:1 is ideal for close-up photography.
The lens should go on sale in the UK in Dec with a RRP of £500. Dear Santa…..
Powermat – The future of power?
The Product This new charging system does away with wires and allows you charge a a device simply by throwing it onto a mat. This special mat, known commercially as a Powermat is an innovative technology that is able to wirelessly charge a range of handheld electronics. It is compatible with a number of products including the iphone, Blackberry, and Nintendo DS. There is a catch of course, in that a separate receiver case must be attached to a device to make it compatible with the Powermat. Additionally, you still need to plug in the actual powermat, so there will always be one cord, rendering it somewhat ineffective if only one device is being charged.
The Price Luxury charging comes at a cost. Investment in the technology requires not only the purchase of the base Powermat, but also individual receivers for each device. To give you an idea of how this might tally up, lets look at buying a system to charge an iphone and an ipod Nano.
Powermat £69.99
iPhone Receiver £34.99
Ipod Dock £34.99
Total Spend: £139.97
The Problems For a system that simply charges, this is a hefty tag, particularly for only two devices. Everytime you want to charge a new device, you would have to purchase a new receiver. The receivers themselves are not interchangeable between devices, instead each one is tailored to best fit a particular product. For instance, the iPhone receiver is an outer case whereas the Blackberry receivers take the place of the battery door. Another major drawback is the charging of other devices (ie not an iphone, Blackberry, ipod or Nintendo), which do not seem to have purpose built receivers. For these products, the connection to the Powermat is via a “Universal Powercube receiver” with “interchangeable tips”. Essentially this is a simple receiver with a cable that attaches to the device, negating the main purpose of the Powermat, which is to provide wireless charging.
The Plus Points Criticism aside, the Powermat is a great product. It looks incredible and the premise of wireless charging is extremely exciting. Product reviews have given huge acclaim to the system and it seems to deliver on all of its promises. It is packed with features including magnetic alignment and an RFID handshake to ensure effective power transfer. As well as the main Powermat, there is also a portable fold up version with carry case for wireless charging on the go.
Overall, the Powermat is functional, innovative and highly desirable. It provides a glimpse into the future of wireless power and despite the high price, gives the buyer an easy and effective way to charge multiple handheld devices.
A Passion For Live Music
Since arriving in the steel city (Sheffield) I have developed a distinct taste for live music. Its everywhere and there’s always something going on here. A stark contrast to Bath, the city I have spent the last 5 years of the young life residing in.
Massive Attack
The first gig I attended in Sheffield was Massive attack. They have been on my “to watch” list for many, many years and after missing out on a joint venture with Portishead in Bristol back in 2005 I have had the urge for them wow me musically in person. When I saw they were performing at the O2 arena there was no hesitation. I was going.
Splitting The Atom EP
Massive attack are (were) huge. They have had some absolutely massive tracks. You know some of them. One of these tracks is teardrop, a beautiful and melodic concoction of deep beats and inspiring vocals. It was featured brilliantly on the American TV series prison break at the end of the first season, acting as an emotional summary capsule of each prisoner’s place within the story up to that point. It has also been recently been covered by Newton Faulkner. Being their biggest single, it is song the majority of the crowd is there to see. It happens at every gig. There will be people attending who have not listened to an artists album, let alone dipped into the rich musical back catalogue that a group such as massive attack have at their disposal. They are there to hear that one big chart hit, waiting in suspense for it be played. And play it they did. However, it took a while for the crowd to realise exactly what they were hearing. Cleverly, massive attack had decided that rather than succumb to the pressures of the eager crowd they would remix the original, providing fans of the group an additional dimension to the classic track, rather than laden them with familarity. They used the support act Martina Topley-Bird (who is rumored to feature heavily on their upcoming album LP5) to deliver the poignant track vocals. Here is a video of the track being performed in a similar fashion in Moscow, a few concert stops down the line from Sheffield:
There were some outstanding individual performances. The song Angel in particular was very well delivered, due in part to the vocal presence of reggae legend Horace Andy, who has a real charisma about stage and a very unique singing voice. However, in regard to the overall experience, I came away disappointed. I didn’t feel the musical connection I had been hoping for, and the hour long delay didn’t exactly add to the occasion. Perhaps its because they failed to play the songs I was really craving to hear (like heat miser, which for some reason does not feature on their great hits album, Collected) It made me realise that I had alot in common with the concert goers that only know one or two tracks, we are all holding out for that familiarity we can share with a song and an artist.
Passionpit
On Wednesday 21st Oct 2009 I ventured to the Leadmill to see Passionpit. I have to be honest, I was expecting. That is because Passionpit, who hail from Boston, recently released a debut album nothing short of incredible. Laced with delights, the album is one of those rare collections that doesn’t seem to falter on any level. It is arranged such that each track is like a thread, when all weaved together create a rich and complex tapestry of music. Each listen improves the experience, much like any album with true musical longevity. It has rocketed up my play count rankings in itunes in recent months, with some songs getting more air time than others, namely swimming in the flood and Moths wings.
The band came about when the founding member, Michael Angelakos wrote four songs for his girlfriend as a Valentines day gift. When the songs were heard by friends, they urged him to release an EP. In doing so, two additional tracks were added to the roster: Sleepyhead and Better things. The EP was rapidly spread around the Boston area and before long, Passionpit was a household name. Sleepyhead is perhaps the most well known track and was featured in numerous commercials in 2008. The video (shown below) made its way into Pitchfork’s top 40 Videos of 2008.
The gig itself lived up to the hype. The band were engaging and the music was intoxicating. I even bought a T-shirt to commemorate the occasion. It was also my little brother’s first gig, and I feel privileged to have introduced him to the world of live music with such a bang!
