Atmos X New Balance "Face Off" 576 (great day in the morning!)

Once again Atmos gets together with New Balance as part of the 576 20th anniversary collection. The Atmos x New Balance M576 "Face Off" comes in a turquoise/black colorway with pink accents as well as lots of details including printed graphics and embroideries. I love this shoe! The graf style New Balance on the heel is sweet. The shoe changes color according to temperature! I wish I lived in Japan every time New Balance releases a show at Atmos or Mita.

Atmos will be releasing the shoe on June 27th.

New Balance MT580 2009 Preview

Three new colorways of the popular New Balance MT580 (my favorite New Balance) are on the way for 2009. Most allow a bright color burst (white on black will count here) to accent a more neutral base. Designed as a trail runner, the shoe retrains its rugged technical features only to become more street smart with color. Nylon mesh allows breathability, while leather provides strength. (via Freshness Mag).

New Balance 576 "Mexican Blanket Pack"

We have seen it from Nike already this year and now New Balance also released its very own version of the Mexican Blanket Pack. They applied the special materials and stitching on the 576 model. It comes in a black and a grey colorway. The Mexican blanket details appear around the ankle and on the inner sole and lining. I'm not a huge fan of the toe box on this. It needs a different material or something. Colors are ok. I probably would not pick this one up.

The New Balance CM576J Mexican Blanket Pack is now available at Mita.

A.R.C. x Saucony Shadow 6000 Pack

OK, i don't know if I'll ever pick up any saucony shoes but the company is definitely makin' moves in '08. Announcing their presence with AUTHORITY!!! i . like the strong colors and it is a nice runner's silhouette.

Rivington Club (A.R.C.) gives you a first look at their upcoming collaboration with Saucony on the Shadow 6000. Once again it is not just one sneaker, but a pack of three. The Saucony Shadow 6000 was first introduced in 1985. The sneaker comes in a red, blue and green colorway and they are limited to 200 pairs.
All three have a white upper with accents in beige and the respective color. The tongue features an A.R.C. tag.
The A.R.C. x Saucony Shadow 6000 Pack will be released at the end of June, so keep your eyes open for the release dates.

Sneakers N Stuff x Reebok SNS 5000

Sneakers N Stuff from Stockholm ,is at it again and developed together with Reebok the SNS 5000.

"About a year ago Sneakers n Stuff released a sneaker that was inspired by the traditional settlers of Sweden - the Sámi people.

Now they have continued their journey through Sweden and it’s traditions and next stop is Dalecarlia. A province in the middle of Sweden best known for the Dalecarlian horse or “Dalahästen” as they say in Sweden. A wooden horse painted with a teqnique called kurbits. The horse first got carved in Sweden in the 17th century as a toy for children.

In 1939 the Dalecarlian horse represented Sweden at the New York World’s Fair and since then the horse has been a very strong symbol for the country." Via Solebox Blog.

The sneaker will be released on July 25th, is limited to 300 pairs worldwide, and will go for 110 Euros.

Jack Splash of Plantlife Interview

Format magazine has a dope interview up with my man Jack Splash of Plantlife. Go check out the interview and pick up one of the best albums of '08, Plantlife's "Time Traveller."

Download: Plantlife's "u messed it up, so we took it back..."

Here is an excerpt:

Format: You’ve worked on ton of albums including Alicia Keys’ As I Am John Legend’s Once Again, Estelle’s Shine and we will be seeing your work in upcoming works with Missy Elliott and Cee-Lo. Where would you say you have left your strongest mark and why?
Jack Splash: That’s a tough question. I don’t really like to quantify my work that way. I honestly try to make the most incredible music with every artist I work with. That’s why I turn down a lot of work because I don’t want to just be working for the check. I’ve been making good money doing exactly what I love so I want to keep it that way. Almost every song I’ve produced for the artists I worked with have their very magical moments to me.

Me and Cee-Lo are like twins because we’re both bugged the fuck out and want to keep taking people higher. Alicia is just the ultimate singer songwriter and she’s so fun to work with. She’s real similar to me as far as us both being as much into hip-hop as we are other types of music. She was playing me some Janis Joplin songs before we wrote some of our songs. Same thing with Estelle, Solange, Raheem DeVaughn, John Legend and a lot of the other artists I’ve been working with. Every single one of them have magical moments that I wouldn’t trade for anything. The most important thing to me is that I have fun making the music, because at the end of the day that’s what it is really about.

Reebok Reverse Jam

With a neon pink upper, yellow accents and a speckled mid-sole, the Reebok Sport Pack Reverse Jam sports one of the most aggressive color-ways of summer '08. Of course DJ Lazy is feelin' the flamboyant colors but I'm really postin' this for my man Mr. Mess who loves ta rock the Reeboks. Samples of the shoe have been floating around for a while, but confirmation of a near release (this month) has now surfaced. (via complex)

Metermaids Drop "Nightlife" Full Length

Metermaids (emcees Sentence & Swell) are equally comfortable in an emcee cypher or on an indie dancefloor. This is a refreshingly listenable record with both enough lyrical prowess for the hardcore backpacker and plenty of synth lines and sing along choruses. "Nightlife" gives me hope for indie hip hop! (that isn't somehow connected to Def Jux or Rhymesayers) Go and pick up the record and check out this single.

Download: "The Inside"

FULLY FITTED SINGLE DROPS IN JUNE

Fully Fitted, the production group headed up by XXXchange (best known for his production work in Spank Rock and most recently for his production work for The Kills) and filled out with Devlin & Darko (BBC Sound System / Spank Rock live DJs) and Pase Rock will be releasing their debut 12" of re-edits and original productions June 3rd on Turntable Lab. I really wanna hear the Amanda Blank track. She is HOT!!!! Her, Kid Sister and Lil Mama need to form a super group like Kanye, Lupe and Pharrel are doin'.

Download: Fully Fitted "100 Million"

Track Listing:
1. Genevan Heathen Intro
2. Roll It - DJ Class (FF Remix)
3. Roll It - DJ Class (FF Remix) feat. Pase Rock
4. 100 Million
5. He Not In (XXXChange Rework)
6. 50 Ways feat. Amanda Blank
7. 50 Ways
8. New Day

9. Shake It

New Balance 820 Black/Orange/Red

Just ran across this NB 820 over at Bingo Runner. Hadn't seen any news or blogs about it but if you click on the pic for a larger view you can see that it has some similar detailing to the New Balance "Elephant" pack that I posted about a few months ago. A nice looking, strong shoe. If the front upper was mesh or some other material then I'd really be all over this one.

Tame One Drops "Da Ol' Jersey Bastard" July 29th ft Del

Tame One's new album “Da Ol Jersey Bastard,” an ode to Wu Tang’s ODB, will hit stores on July 29, 2008 via Amalgam Digital. The album will be entirely produced by Drum and Knowledge of Parallel Thought, and will feature just two guest rappers, Sean Price and Del The Funky Homosapien. This effort will serve as a prelude to Tame’s next project, an ambitious download-only album tentatively titled “Acid Tab Vocab.”

Download: Tame One's "Catch me" ft Del (new download via zshare)

here is a little more info on Tame One:

In the 90’s, Tame One was one half of the critically acclaimed underground hip hop duo, The Artifacts (along with collaborator El Da Sensai). Along with his unique flow, Tame also received attention for being a prominent graffiti artist in New Jersey, something he rapped about on “Wrong Side of Da Tracks” the single off the Artifacts debut album that became a bona fide hip hop classic. Since The Artifacts disbanded, Tame has continued to earn respect from peers and hip hop heads through his work with the Weathermen (including Aesop Rock, Breeze Brewin, Cage among others) as well as by collaborating with artists like Busta Rhymes and Kool G Rap.

Both upcoming albums hint at Tame’s personal progression. Over the years Tame has become an eccentric, rapping less about graffiti and more about the mind expanding qualities of drugs. His sound has become more organic and wild, something that will keep fans on their toes.

Exclusive bonus tracks will be included with the digital version of the album when purchased from Amalgam’s online store: www.AmalgamDigital.com

Tracklisting and credits for Tame One’s “Da Ol Jersey Bastard”:

1.) Da Ol Jersey Bastard: Live & Uncut

2.) Action Word

3.) Against the Grain

4.) Move ft. Mr Turner

5.) Haha Da Rah Rah ft. Sean Price

6.) J Dilla Summer Camp Unplugged

7.) Milk of Magnesia

8.) Supanatural

9.) Catch Me ft. Del the Funky Homosapien

10.) For You

11.) The Night Cap (After the Jam)

12.) Now

J-Live's "Then What happened?" Tour Hits Tampa Wednesday June 11th

J-Live brings his latest release, "Then What Happened?" and tour to Tampa for the first time this Wednesday June 11th! We just had the excellent Little Brother show over at Crowbar and now we get another one! This one is brought to you by the Orpheum and my radio show, Hip Hop Flavors (go listen to the show streaming 24/7) on WMNF 88.5 as well as Peripheral Records.
The support on this show is no joke either. Laws, Breakdown & DJ Ran Mecca, Mr. Mes, The Rukus, Rahim Samad, & Buck Tooth will undoubtedly represent for Tampa. Go check 'em out. The whole show will be hosted by me, B.C. and Nilla Green. Good times and good hip hop! What more do you need on a Wednesday in the summer!?!?!

Ladytron Tuesday June 10th In Tampa

Yet another in a string of excellent shows brought to Tampa by the folks from Pulp!

Little Brother Live In Tampa June 6th

Phonte and Big Pooh may have lost 9th Wonder as a permanent fixture in the Little Brother line-up, but that hasn'tt deterred the Justice League duo from moving forward. "And Justice For All..." boasts guest slots from Cormega, Talib and Mos Def, as well as drops from Oh No and Rhyme Fest. Look out for 'em alongside Laws and DJ Sandman this Friday at Crowbar in Tampa.

New Balance X Atmos 576

Check out the upcoming project by New Balance and Atmos. The Japanese store worked on the 576. The sneaker features a nice turquoise/pink color combo and has been put through a hypercolor treatment, which makes the shoe change color according to heat. Via Sneaker Freaker.

The sneaker will be released in July.

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.

ATMOS Launches English Website!!

GREAT DAY IN THE MORNING!!

Good news for international shoppers.

Tokyo boutique Atmos has launched an English version of their website and online store.

http://www.atmos-tokyo.com/english/

Still some glitches to be worked out (for instance where are all the New balance???)

but

Make sure to check it out!

New Balance 575 Japan pack

I think this is a New Balance Trailbuster pack. It consists of grey, white and black colorways. The upper sports a fish scale pattern and mantching accent stitching makes the overall look a little more exciting. I'm not a great fan of this shoe overall. Just a very plain looking pack from the new Balance japan team.

The pack is now available at Flauge.