I have always had an affinity for Alejandro Jodorowsky.
He is a very wise Man, a masterful Magician, and a paradigm-shifter.
These days, it appears that the Universe is becoming increasingly plastic.
Thankfully people like Robert Anton Wilson, Miles Davis, Paul Laffoley, Salvador Dali, Tom Waits, George Clinton, William S. Burroughs, and Alejandro Jodorowsky exist.
They disseminate, perpetuate delicious Art that penetrates the infosphere, enlightening and educating the humanoids (and others) of this Fantastic Planet
If you have never had your head blown off by a Jodorowsky film, Now Is The Time!
Alejandro is a Master of the Tarot, an Aggressive Performance Artist, Creator ov Comic Books and Novellas Graphicas, Film Magician, and Musician extraordinaire.
It is rumored that Jodorowsky collaborated with John Lennon on the Soundtrack for 'Holy Mountain', and that John Lennon donated $1,000,000 to Alejandro for the Film.
Whether or not that's true doesn't matter.
What does matter is this awesome Music and amazing film.
I am confident in stating that this is the most Magickal Film I have ever seen.
01 Return Of The Devils Son 02 Devil's Son From Lifestylze 03 Zone Of Danger 04 Sandman 118 05 School Days 06 Principle Of The New School 07 Unexpected 08 Tony's Touch 09 Right To The Top 10 Once Again 11 Harlem World Universal 12 I Won't 13 Hard To Kill 14 Power Moves 15 If You Now Aware 16 I Should Have Used 17 Doo Wop #5 18 Yes You Can 19 Audition 20 M.C.'s Whats Going On 21 Slaying The Mic
Much to my delight I opened my mail this morning to find a dope new track from Detroit rhyme Maniac, the always nasty Nolan the Ninja.
I have yet to hear a full-length from this obviously skilled MC, however he does slay every track he appears on. Nolan first caught my on Chavis Chandler's killer 'Breath of Fresh Air II'. If you don't have that beast yet, slap yourself and grab it right here.
To acquire the new jam from Nolan The Ninja click the big link or the photo below.
It was December 25th, 1982- the night before Kwanzaa, and Normski was completely transfixed by the Commodore 64 his mother had gotten him for Christmas. Normski had never before seen a computer and was absolutely mesmerized... He turned on the computer noticing the loud whir of the oversized beige disk drive as the monitor clikered on, glowing blue and further hypnotizing Normski. As if in his genetic unconscious, Normski began to type a rudimentary script in BASIC:
0 poke53280, 1; poke53281, 0 10 poke53280, 0; poke53281, 1 20 print Graffiti Rock 30 goto 0 Run
Immediately, the screen began strobbing as Graffiti Rock rapidly scrolled down the screen in an infinite progression. The strobbing effect triggered Normski's latent epilepsy as he began to convulse, falling out of his chair and smacking his beautiful head on the corner of the desk.
The concussive force with which Normski's beautiful head hit the desk caused him to flash into unconsciousness, immediately entering REM sleep as he lay on the floor next to the strobbing screen. Normski immediately drifted off into dreamland. It was one of those odd dreams we have all had in which we dream that we are awakened and begin to go about our day, when in actuality we are still soundly asleep.
Normski's good friend, Magoutnew Obowa walked into the room excitedly, bantering on about tomorrows wicked Kwanzaa party being hosted by local area Jew, Michael Holman. Michael Holman and Steinski were the two hippest white people any of them knew. They always seemed to be at all the battles and parties, befriending the local area youth and helping them find spots with electricity, turntables, and speakers.
Michael was always talking about this television show he wanted to film and about this hot new rap group named Run DMC. He also talked about a B-boy team he wanted to assemble in order to battle the infamous Rock Steady crew. Magoutnew asked Normski what was wrong as he seemed rather confused and had wet his zebra print Jordache jeans in all the epileptic confusion.
Noticing the strobbing black and white montage on the oversized 1982 computer monitor, Magoutnew asked, "What the hell is that man, is that a TV?" Normski eyed Magoutnew with an evil grin and replied, "It's a computer, it can make music and play games, and its totally awesome. Check this out..."
Normski sprung up and began feverishly typing, ending the stroboscopic seizure inducing Graffiti Rock script, accessing the Commodore 64s SID chip...
The SID chip is basically a three voice synthesizer on a chip. The unusual combination of digital and analogue circuitry is the reason for its distinctive sound. It was far ahead of its time and even today is used by forward thinking producers, most often in the construction of grime beats and break dance inducing electro.
Within minutes a hot electro break reminiscent of Kraftwerk's 'Numbers' began emanating from the monitor, causing Normski and Magoutnew to begin spontaneously popping and locking (even though they had never before seen anyone doing such a thing). After about 45 seconds the break stopped, Normski and Magoutnew looked at each and smiled, realizing they were onto something big
At this point, Normski was still unconscious under the desk as Magoutnew grabbed a banana from the kitchen, plopping down in the recliner, waiting for Normski's episode to pass. By this time, Magoutnew was used to the seizures and not too worried. He did however notice that Normski's movements were rather different, much more spastic and jerky, with longer periods of kinetic silence. Magoutnew stared at the new computer, impressed by the flickering monitor and other-worldly sounds radiating outwards, filling the room
Normski awoke to find himself lying under the desk with a terrific headache; his skin-tight zebra print jeans wet with urine. Slowly he pulled himself up as his ears began to register an incredible sound emanating from the oversized beige computer monitor. Somehow, in the somnambulistic state, Normski had accessed the Commodore 64's SID chip, and programmed an amazing electro beat akin to Kraftwerks Numbers.
As waking reality slowly crept back Normski noticed his best friend Magoutnew Obowa sitting upright in the lime green recliner, eating a banana and looking stricken with worry.
"Are you OK, Normski?" uttered Magoutnew between huge chomps from his banana. "I came in and you were having a seizure, but it was different from your other ones, you were moving in a much jerkier and electric fashion, like your bones were popping and locking into different positions in unison with the music, it was incredible."
Normski groggily replied, "I feel fine, whats going on?" Magoutnew then started going on about this awesome party tomorrow night in money-makin' Manhattan, hosted by everyone's favorite Jew, Michael Holman. They then proceeded to discuss the incredible sounds coming from Normski's Commodore 64 and decided to take the computer to the party.
After a long and arduous voyage on NYCs underground transit system lugging the Commodore 64, Normski & Magoutnew arrived at Michael Holmans loft in money-makin Manhattan. Normski rarely ventured uptown and was very excited, electricity was in the air. After a brief discussion with Afrika Bambatta, Michael Holman, Kool Herc, and Jazzy Jay, it was decided that they were going to plug the computer into the mixer.
This was mere months after the Commodore 64 was released to the general public and everyone was fascinated by the crazy machine.
Over the next hour a veritable who's who of original Hip-Hop culture rolled into the loft. Crazy Legs, Frosty Freeze, Mr. Wave, Action, Ken Swift, Spy, Jimmy Dee, JoJo, Mr. Wave, the Nigga Twins, Trac 2, Fab 5 Freddy, Phase 2, Kool Moe Dee, Special K, Run DMC, Melle Mel, Grandmaster Flash, Steinski, and many others arrived with style and grace. Jazzy Jay began to drop some James Brown and some Parliament as the breakers got loose.
Being that it was the first day of Kwanzaa, everyone was in a celebratory state. In no time, there were nice sized piles of cocaine on every glass table in the loft. Hennessey & MD20/20 flowed like the Nile River, as a hazy cloud of PCP & marijuana smoke hovered neath the ceiling,
One of the reasons that Mr. Holman was throwing this party, was to acquire a team of B-boys up to the task of challenging the almighty Rock Steady Crew. Since summer time, Rock Steady had been performing at his club Negril and he was getting bored. He wanted a crew of his own to battle Rock Steady. Competition always seemed to bring the best out of the B-boys.
As the drugs & liquor began to take hold of the breakers, Normski stumbled over to the DJ table and began to harass Jazzy Jay. He was not used to smoking so much Angel Dust and was acting quite belligerent. Not wanting to cause a scene, Jazzy Jay finally gave in and let Normski jack his Commodore 64 in and rock some beats.
Immediately an incredible sound filled the loft. It was like nothing anyone had ever heard before. Frosty Freeze and Crazy Legs immediately went into frenzy, defying the laws of Anatomy & Physics, hypnotizing the crowd with unearthly moves. Others soon followed, in a kinetic orgy of body rocking that has yet to be rivaled.
The combination of copious amounts of PCP, piles of cocaine, and the Commodore 64's SID chip created something of an energy vortex that casted a spell over all present. This went on for hours as one-by-one, the B-boys began to pass out from exhaustion.
Kool Herc, who had been outside earlier obtaining a keg of Colt 45, rolled into the party in the midst of the madness. As a consequence of not being present earlier, he did not smoke quite as much Angel Dust as the others. Therefore, he was immune to the trance (also, he had a higher tolerance).
After watching the frenzy in awe for about 45 minutes, he decided something needed to be done- he didnt want any of these amazing B-boys to die. Herc cracked a few windows and began to pass around a large silver bowl full of Quaaludes.
He then stepped to the DJ table, fading out the mesmerizing electro of the Commodore 64 while fading in The Incredible Bongo Bands Apache; this was followed by some more mellow breaks and some JB instrumentals. As the Quaaludes, the beer, and the less intense music began to take hold, the B-boys (that were still conscious) slowly came back to Earth.
As the night wound down, Michael Holman managed to talk to Mr. Wave, Normski, Flip Rock, Power Pexster, Action, and a few others. This was the origin of the Floormasters.
They would later go on to battle the legendary Rock Steady Crew numerous times at Negril. The Floormasters would eventually change their name to The New York City Breakers, starring in the amazing television show Graffiti Rock and performing at the opening ceremony of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Word!
Another essential broadcast from Conspiracy WorldWide. If you have never listened to Conspiracy WorldWide you are truly missing out. This is probably the best podcast out there.
Always insightful, always full of exclusives and great interviews. It's like the SportsCenter of Hip Hop!
EVERYBODY goes on this show. It should be mandatory listening. If you don't fuck with it, you are losing!
I have recently unearthed three previously unheard Godfather Don joints from New York's Golden Age.
Godfather Don is a unique and visionary talent, a mad genius who is criminally underknown.
My first exposure to Don was via his exemplary production on Ultramagnetic's underrated classic 'The Four Horsemen'.
Don's atmospheric, psychedelic boom bap was the perfect backdrop for Kool Keith and Ced Gee to drop their unique and dexterous brand of lyrical science over.
There are two things that set Godfather apart from most of his contemporaries.
First and foremost, Don uses a unique sound pallet. He cribs sounds from a far more diverse array of sources than your average producer. His beats have a very unique, dark, psychedelic, and jazzy undercurrent.
These beatscapes provide the perfect canvas for the Godfather to unleash his lyrical mastery. The man has a truly sick flow, he could easily injure 95% of today's MC's.
Don can go off on the mic, with a delicious blend of word play, ill poetics, and dusty imagery that few can touch.
Check out Don goin' off in 'Don, Don, Don' from 'Demented Thoughts'...
If for some reason you have slept on the great Godfather (many of you have), don't sleep any longer.
First up is Godfather Don's 2009(!) EP, 'The Ill Funk Freaker'. This gem consists of 8 previously unreleased future classics (recorded from 93-95) from deep within the Godfather's archives.
Upon hearing these rock solid Hip Hop meditations 15 years after they were recorded makes one wonder what else is Godfather Don sitting on?
This is a rare slab of vinyl goodness, limited to just over 100 copies, courtesy of 'One Leg Up Records', this joint currently fetches over $240 on discogs.com, so grab it now before it disappears like a good sack of angel dust.
01 Frontin' Ass Ducks 02 8 Million Stories 03 Ain't None Left 04 Ill Funk Freaker 05 Shoot The Two 06 Yeah 07 Where'z The Skillz? 08 Slaves (Straight Jacket Mix)
Next up is 'Demented Thoughts' which consists of 6 previously unreleased Cenobites tracks from 93-96.
You know the deal, Godfather Don, Kool Keith, and Bobbito with a guest appearance by Cage.
