DISCO CONNECTION

Thursday: November 4, 2010 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Disco, Soul Leave a comment

Isaac Hayes

Review / I can recall this being one of the first albums that I ever purchased. Up front I was skeptical because I’m not a huge disco collector, but I figured that since it was Isaac Hayes (and because I had never heard of this record) I’d give it a shot. Long story short, it’s a great party record and to this day I’m glad I bought it. One thing that stands out with this album is Isaac Hayes genius when it comes to arranging a track! His change-ups, progressions, timing and tension breaks are all in sync, and are all VERY solid. Listen to the emphasis on the snare in “Disco Connection”, the title cut. You won’t be disappointed!

Design / This cover was always one of my favorites. Check out the hot red bone getting pressed up in the corner by John Doe. The photography alone is enough to make this worth picking up, however, the tightly-kerned slanted use of the Avant Garde Thin typeface stands out to me, and the placement of the typography jives nicely with the angle of the light glare as well. Straight-forward execution, but very effective.

Info / Artist: Isaac Hayes / Album: Disco Connection / Year: 1975 / Label: Hot Buttered Soul

Isaac Hayes / Disco Connection

Isaac Hayes / Vykkii

Isaac Hayes / After Five

INFLUENCERS

Thursday: November 4, 2010 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Video 4 Comments

Influencers is a mini documentary (broken down into a few different installments) that examines the people that have an influence on society in one way or another, civilian and celebrity. I really take a huge interest in these types of observations and studies because I like to see how (and what) influences different people from all walks of life. The first installment was enough to get my attention visually, musically, and from a content standpoint, so I thought I’d share. Enjoy…

STUYVESANTS CARD

Thursday: November 4, 2010 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Design 3 Comments

Business Card

We’ve been meeting a lot of people lately interested in The Stuyvesants, and whenever we’re out we always have to write down our information to give to people…which over time becomes a bit much. Solution? Print up some business cards. Specifics? We letter pressed the logo and supporting type in black, on an egg shell textured double-thick bright white paper stock. Clean, simple, and VERY on purpose.

DEVIL IN A NEW DRESS

Sunday: October 31, 2010 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Design, Soul 2 Comments

Kanye Cover

You’ve all heard this track by now, but regardless, it’s such a great record and I felt like it should be a part of my blog in some way. From the style in which the sample is flipped in the production, to the lyrics, the vibe of this song just resonates with me on a few different levels! On another note, I’m really digging the design direction of these G.O.O.D. Fridays album covers, executed by Virgil Abloh. Enjoy…

Kanye West / Devil in a New Dress

RUNAWAY MONDAY

Monday: October 25, 2010 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Sidenote Leave a comment

Kanye Runaway

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Kanye West does it again! Pushing the envelope and continuing to be thought-provoking as well as innovative in his approach to the music that he’s creating. He successfully paints an abstract visual picture for us to interpret however we may. I am absolutely blown away by the juxtaposition of elements, the color, the cinematography, the story, the sets, etc. Impressive to say the least. Enjoy the visual preview, but peep the extended gallery on my creative inspiration site, here…

THE STUY

Thursday: October 21, 2010 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Sidenote 4 Comments

This is a recent video by Fresh Daily (a dope Brooklyn-bred emcee), that he was inspired to create over the “Stuyvesants Swing” track from our Brooklyn’s Finest record. It meant a lot to me and AL that people were influenced enough by the sound of the record to go out and create to it. From a visual standpoint, this is a well shot vid! To Fresh…much respect. Enjoy…

THE STUYVESANTS @ KATRA WED 10/20

Monday: October 18, 2010 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Sidenote Leave a comment

BLAP

The Stuyvesants (Algorythm and myself), will be participating in this monthly beat showcase hosted by Guerrilla Words, and producer Illmind. Come out and support us if you can. The legendary Buckwild will be in the building! If you don’t know his production work…PLEASE GET FAMILIAR WITH IT!!!

EXTENSION OF A MAN

Friday: October 15, 2010 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Soul 1 Comment

Donny Hathaway

Review / Hands down, this is one of my favorite Donny Hathaway records. His vocals are always on point, but I felt like the music production was very strong on this particular LP. I’m kind of at a loss for words because there’s TOO MUCH to say, the man is a legend. (Throws in the towel) Just enjoy this one…

Design / White space! I love it. Anyone that knows me, knows that I love white space (The Beatles White Album cover comes to mind). Simplicity at it’s best, with a little flavor thrown into the display type to bring some life to the cover. The illustration is funky to say the least, not dominant, yet not that subtle either. The balance is just right across the composition, creating a very nice tension.

Info / Artist: Donny Hathaway / Album: Extension of a Man / Year: 1973 / Label: Atco

Donny Hathaway / Someday We’ll All Be Free

Donny Hathaway / Valdez in the Country

Donny Hathaway / Love, Love, Love

I LIKE YOUR STYLE

Friday: October 15, 2010 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Rock Leave a comment

Tony Wilson

Review / This is a super obscure album, by the super obscure musician Tony Wilson. Honestly, I don’t like this album…BUT…there is one song that shines EXTREMELY BRIGHT, “New York City Life”, this one song alone made the record post-worthy. The instrumentation and arrangement of “New York City Life” blew me away!!! Synths, strings, bass, percussion, all on point…then his vocals lay over the dark landscape of this track quite nicely. Enjoy…

Design / Weird to say the least. But I can appreciate the personality that’s shining through here. Though I can’t help but feel like he’s about to do a magic trick (???), anyway… Though subtle, and not terribly exciting, the type is quite nice in it’s non-intrusive, centered, all caps, classic serif visual appeal.

Info / Artist: Tony Wilson / Album: I Like Your Style / Year: 1976 / Label: Bearsville

Tony Wilson / New York City Life

ACTION

Friday: October 15, 2010 Posted: Darien Victor Birks Category: Funk, Jazz Leave a comment

Action

Review / One of the most consistent jazz/funk fusion groups throughout the 70′s, The Blackbyrds hold it down once again with this 1977 release, Action. This record is flooded with some amazing harmonies, and deep grooves. Nothing out of the norm for these guys, however, there are a few tracks on the record that venture into the midnight grooves space…which was a nice surprise. But the major pluses here were the unified harmonies, and (continued) synthesizer experimentation by group leader Kevin Toney. He took their sound to a higher level with each release. Enjoy…

Design / This is one of the best covers I own (in the photography realm, not the typography). I like the composition of the group at the starting line, and can’t help but to appreciate the essence of the time period through the sneakers, wristbands, headbands, nappy fro’s, eyeglasses, etc. Visually, it speaks to the word “Action” without any of them actually being in physical motion, they’re all in a static state. However, one can feel the momentum building up, leading to the action thats about to ensue.

Info / Artist: The Blackbyrds / Album: Action / Year: 1977 / Label: Fantasy

The Blackbyrds / Mysterious Vibes

The Blackbyrds / Dreaming About You

The Blackbyrds / Soft & Easy

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