Jay Smooth Drops Knowledge

OMG Virtual Turntables!!!!

Final Product // ATTIGO TT from Scott Hobbs on Vimeo.

The ATTIGO TT was created by Scott Hobbs, a student at Dundee University studying innovative product design. Go to his site for more info. For his final year project he’s created a touch screen turntable that lets DJ’s loop, sample and scratch wave forms just as you would a record. The size of the touchtable is approximately the same as a standard turntable, making the physical interaction nearly the same. Where this takes off is in the flexibility and features included right at your fingertips, no longer locked up on a computer screen. The ATTIGO TT is currently a working prototype, and Scott is looking for manufacturers to partner with.

The Cool Kids "Bake Sale" EP

The rebirth of fresh is upon us. '80s and early '90s style, positive party vibes, a new school twist. These are the things Chicago's Cool Kids represent. In the last year they've been featured on Entourage, placed a song on NBA LIVE and toured with M.I.A. Their debut EP "The Bake Sale" is now out on Chocolate Industries.

Puma X Santa Cruz "Screaming Hand"

The Screaming Hand is perhaps the most iconic & legendary graphic to emerge from skateboard culture over the last 30 years. Created by Jim Phillips, legendary rock poster artist & art director for Santa Cruz skateboards from 1975 –1990, this release is a tribute to Santa Cruz Skateboards, Jim Phillips and all the skaters that rocked PUMA’s back in the day.

First unleashed in 1987, the Screaming Handgraphic became an instant classicwithin the skate community and counter culture in general. During the same year, the PUMA First Round made an appearance onthe cover of "Thrasher" skateboard magazine. 33 years later, PUMA takes a look back to honor Santa Cruz, perhaps themost credible skate brand of the 1980‘s and today and pays homage to the skaters wearing the PUMA brand between 1987 –1992.

The First Round Hi features a blue nubuck upper with a glossy 3Dscreen-print highlighting the black line-work found on the Screaming Handgraphic. The heel has amolded silicon Screaming Handgraphic and the sockliner sports an enlarged versionof the graphic. Other features include a pearlized patent form strip and collar, blood and veins leather lining, embroidered Santa Cruz logo on the tongue and 4 lace options.

Hanon will be releasing the shoe on August 30th.

Bomb It! Graffiti Documentary

Bomb It! is a movie documentary that tells the history and updates the current story on Graffiti on an international perspective. Directed by award-winning director Jon Reiss. the movie takes you through interviews and guerilla footage of graffiti writers in action on 5 continents, and tells the story of graffiti from its origins in prehistoric cave paintings thru its notorious explosion in New York City during the 70's and 80's. As well as providing an update to the current status in the world of graffiti. The movie premiers on the 5th of June at Laemmle's Sunset 5 and will feature some of the most influential artists from all around the globe, along with old school legends as well as current favourites such as Taki 183, T-kid, Os Gemeos, TATS CRU, Cope 2, Mear One, and Blek le Rats just to name a few. Certainly an event worth checking out if you are in the area. Click on the image below to see the full promotion poster or Visit the website here for more infomation. Thanks to 12ozProphet for the heads up.

Portishead Loves America (haha)

Great feature from Remixmag on Portishead’s recent production on Third. Geoff Barrow takes a moment to dis Timbaland’s attempt to produce a record for a british band, Mark Ronson’s last record, and Dj Spooky for pretending that there are no black people in the UK art community. He also praises Madlib and Flying Lotus for their originality. In the past, Geoff Barrow has also mentioned preferring to ‘poo in his mum’s Sunday Roast’ before he would let Danger Mouse produce a Portishead record. Link

“[America's music] is shit, isn’t it?” he continues. “The hip-hop artists are just rubbish. Jay-Z’s records always sound good, but he got the sack from Universal. If you end up with a country Britney, it doesn’t matter ’cause they’re all twats anyway. Timbaland came to England trying to find a Coldplay to produce. Everyone told him to fuck off. He went to America and got his own band and they are gi-normous, the most revolting people you have ever seen in your life. They are called Timbaland. We all like it underground but no one is buying it. Even Moby is struggling.”

“Mark Ronson’s record is shit,” Barrow exclaims, referring to the celebrated Amy Winehouse-associated producer’s release Version (Allido, 2007). “He is a massive superstar in the UK. He considers himself as Quincy Jones. I’ll tell you who else is really bad: DJ Spooky. He is so full of shit. At least Mark Ronson is talented. I saw DJ Spooky at the Knitting Factory, and I tried to buy a beer to throw at him. There are black people in England, so you don’t have to come here and make out that there aren’t any black people in England’s art community. You have someone like Madlib who is a fucking genius — a genius! [He's] a real true artist in what he does, when he takes American TV soundtracks and turns them into hip-hop. Then Spooky turns up and plays a couple shit European drum ‘n’ bass records.”

“The new album is less hip-hop if you listen to modern hip-hop,” Barrow (drums, production) suggests. “But Third is purely influenced by old hip-hop [and metal drone group Sunn O))), as Barrow says later]. For me, it’s Public Enemy, Marley Marl, EPMD, Flying Lotus and Madlib. That is pure mad music, out-of-tuneness and noise. But people are worried about making money. I’m not; I just want to make a decent album that is heavy.

“Every single thing was absolutely agonized over,” Utley says. “For everything you hear, there were at least 10 things that we spent fucking hours making that we didn’t use — a real voyage of discovery. Sometimes it was enjoyable, but mostly it’s kind of frustrating and difficult. The process of creativity is not always what you think. You are surrounded by the most beautiful equipment, but it doesn’t mean anything if you haven’t got an idea that is worth recording. You could record through the worst preamp with the worst microphone in the world, but [whether you have] a good idea is the most important thing. If you don’t have an idea, it’s better to go to a house in the country with a porta-studio and any old guitar just to purify your mind. Having amazing equipment doesn’t give you the solution to creativity; it’s merely a tool for recording it.”

Puma "Blaze Of Glory" pack

Puma first introduced the Blaze Of Glory in a collaboration with Sneaker Freaker.

A second colorway in that collaboration is still coming. Now we can show you thanks to BKRW some upcoming colorways of the sneaker, which will be entering the Puma collection now.

This Fall/Winter '08 season the sneaker will be coming in a black/silver and white/pink colorway, both featuring a graffiti inspired arrow design on the upper and spray paint design on the mid sole.

Hustle Simmons "The Rundown"

Hustle Simmons is Dave Ghetto and Tha S Ence. They're droppin' an eponymous LP on Breakbread Projects June 24th. It'll be available on itunes and other digital spots so make sure and look for it. In order to whet your appetite for some of that ole' boom bap, here is their single "The Rundown" featuring fellow Breakbread Projects label mates 84 & Fel Sweetenberg. June is a big month for Breakbread Projects as both 84 and Fel have digital releases alongside Hustle Simmons.

Download: Hustle Simmons "The Rundown" feat fel sweetenberg, & 84

New Balance 574 "Graffiti Pack"

Due to come out in June is the new New Balance 574 "Graffiti" pack. It consists of two 574's. They both feature a multitude of colors and materials on the upper. One comes in a brown/pink colorway, the other one in a grey/blue colorway. Details include bold stitching on the toe box as well as patent leather around the ankle and on the heel. A large "New Balance" graffiti font goes over the heel. This seems like a better use of the graf styles than what new balance initially developed with the AO9 pack. I'm diggin' the Blue/Grey colorway a lot. It reminds me of the easter egg pack New Balance dropped a few years ago. These 574s however, are a real mash up of materials and colors and design. This shoe may not appeal to the most diehard NB heads because it veers far afield from the simple, classic design.

Mita has them already in stock.

New Balance 320 "The Cherry Bomb"

Feast your eyes on an exciting new release from New Balance, this time consisting of the 320.

In this pack it comes in overall 3 colorways - yellow/red, white/green and black. Each shoe features multiple color accents on the upper as well as the mid-sole. Also each sneaker features an icon embroidered on the heel, including a cherry on the yellow model and an explosion on the black model.

Mita has them already in stock, with the official release only being in June.

Puma Bites NikeWith a Teddy Bear

Puma continues to push the First Round since last year and brings alternative designs of the sneaker. Now they present us the "Teddy" First Round Pack. A straight style bite of the nike Dunk 3 Bears pack from last year.

The shoe features teddy fur on the lining and the tongue. On the outside it comes with buttons and further stitching details. The back heel as well as around the laces features suede and an embossed star pattern. Via Sneaker Freaker.

The sneaker comes in two colorways. A release date is not known so far.

Saucony "Duct Tape" Pack

Saucony is certainly back on the map and the sneaker world is watching them. Collaborations with David Z and others that are in the works, will certainly help.

Here is one of their latest styles - the Jazz O Duct Tape. Taking inspiration from the days where you needed tape to hold your favorite pair together, the brand has used the same method on the Jazz O. There is a black/neon pink and black/neon green colorway, with the stitching also coming in the respective neon colors. Via SneakerFreaker.

Definitely an interesting sneaker and considering the current output of "special" sneakers, they managed to come up with something that we have not seen so far.

New Balance 576

A 576 Pack, consisting of three new styles of the sneaker that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

The New Balance 576 comes in this pack in a grey, blue and a purple colorway. All three come in a mix of premium suede and mesh, which turned out really nice.

Mita has them in stock now, with the official release coming in June only.

Kidz In The Hall "Drivin' Down The Block" EL-P Remix

With the Kidz In The Hall video tearing up MTV's TRL and the single and initial remix f/Bun B, Pusha T and Cool Kids doing so well, what better time to release the second "Drivin' Down The Block" remix; this time with El-P contributing vocals and production.

Download: Drivin' Down the Block" EL-P Bounce Remix

Jake The Snake Drops "When In Rome"

Boston emcee J the S (it stands for Jake the Snake) is poised to be a factor in roughneck Hip-Hop’s return to form. With his "When in Rome" (which features collaborations with fellow rising stars Skyzoo “Pump”, and Joell Ortiz (one of my favorite emcees) "Do You”) prequel this March and subsequent third album, "The Last Days", coming next year, Jake just might be the guy that we all name check this time next year.

Download: J The S' collaboration with Joell Ortiz and Lee Wilson "Do You"

You can pick up "When In Rome" on Jake's myspace page too. So go give him some love.

Vast Aire Unreleased Single "The Crush"

While Vast Aire's forthcoming sophomore solo-LP, Dueces Wild, will be released on June 24th, here is an unreleased, never before heard cut from Vast, "The Crush," that was initially recorded for inclusion on Dueces Wild, but will not appear on the LP; the B-Side wins again!!

Download: Vast Aire's "The Crush" (produced by Melodius Monk):

New Balance X Tsumori Chisato Collaboration 576

Here is a CAAARRRAAZZZY New Balance Collabo!! I saw these over at Hypebeast and had ta repost 'em. In what we consider a collaboration staying true to the essence of the task at hand, New Balance's 20th anniversary of their 576 running shoe is met with high end Japanese brand Tsumori Chisato. The collaboration creates a convergence point for two differing styles of fashion, New Balance on the one hand have ingrained themselves in the ground work of sneaker culture and running elitists while TC's high end roots incorporate visually stunning prints and designs fit for the runway. Two womens 576 models are featured in this small collection, each depicting an oceanic scene. Available soon at select IT dealers in Hong Kong.

New Balance 576 Timeless Miniatures

These mini statues are designed after one of the most popular New Balance Models, the 576, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It says 1988-2008-2028 on the box which shows great confidence in the series. The statues don't have a release date yet.

Greedy Genius Apache "Yurple"

The Greedy Genius Apache is presented here in a new colorway as part of their "Greedy Beach" summer delivery - the Yurple.

The Greedy Genius Apache "Yurple" features a 3M reflective tongue and detail, nubuck upper with perforated napa leather sidepanels and piping. The bottom features a clear lime green outsole with “King Of Sneakers” logo detail on the bottom under the tread.

The sneaker will be released in the coming weeks at Greedy Genius retailers. I dig this shoe. It is flashy (like a greedy genius outta be) and yet features some subtle details that are equally appealing. I love the green sole!!

Hectic x Stussy New Balance CM670

Yeah, New Balance drops another dope collabo on us. Get 'em over at Honeyee

JB Classics Spring & Summer '08 Collection

Check out the JB Classics Spring/Summer '08 collection. Take a look at the entire collection, comprised of the premium label and the prime label, one being more limited than the other. I think that just about anybody could find a shoe to their taste in this batch. JB Classics is really dope and always has the serious sneaker head in mind with their releases. Quality, quality, quality!

The brand gives you a good range of choice, high quality materials, well thought out designs, and also released it's first running shoe this season. The entire collection is now available here.