Wednesday 26 February 2014

PACO DE LUCIA (1947 - ∞)!

The absolute Spanish flamenco guitar master Paco de Lucia dies at 66.

He is seen here performing at Las Palomas bull ring in Algeciras, Spain, in September 2006



A leading proponent of the New Flamenco style, he is one of the first flamenco guitarists who has also successfully crossed over into other genres of music such as classical and jazz. Richard Chapman and Eric Clapton, authors of Guitar: Music, History, Players, describe de Lucía as a "titanic figure in the world of flamenco guitar", and Dennis Koster, author of Guitar Atlas, Flamenco, has referred to de Lucía as "one of history's greatest guitarists".

De Lucía is noted for his innovation and colour in harmony and his remarkable dexterity, technique, strength and fluidity in his right hand, capable of executing extremely fast and fluent picados. A master of contrast, he often juxtaposes picados with rasgueados and other techniques and often adds abstract chords and scale tones to his compositions with jazz influences. These innovations saw him play a key role in the development of traditional Flamenco and the evolution of New Flamenco and Latin jazz fusion from the 1970s.

De Lucía achieved acclaim for his recordings with flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla in the 1970s, recording 10 albums together. Some of his best known recordings include "Río Ancho" (later fused with Al Di Meola's "Mediterranean Sundance"), "Entre dos aguas", "La Barrosa", "Ímpetu", "Cepa Andaluza" and "Gloria al Niño Ricardo". His collaborations with guitarists John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola and Larry Coryell in the late 1970s saw him gain wider popularity outside his native Spain.

De Lucia formed the Paco de Lucía Sextet in 1981 with his brothers, singer Pepe de Lucía and guitarist Ramón de Algeciras, and collaborated with jazz pianist Chick Corea on their 1990 album, Zyryab. In 1983 he appeared in Carlos Saura's film Carmen, for which he was also nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Film Score. In 1992, he performed live at Expo '92 in Seville and a year later on the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

In 2004, he won the Prince of Asturias Awards in Arts and in 2010, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Berklee College of Music in Boston. Since 2004 he has greatly reduced his live performances in public, has retired from full touring, and now typically only gives several concerts a year, usually in Spain and Germany and at European festivals during the summer months. In 2005, he was nominated for producer of the year by the Latin Grammy Award for La Tana's Tu, Ven a Mi album.

Have a safe journey, Maestro!

Wednesday 12 February 2014

TRUMPET AT ITS FINEST: IBRAHIM MAALOUF PRESENTS ''ILLUSIONS''!

''Illusions'' is Available Now on iTunes & Amazon



KNITTED TAILORING AND FINE LEATHER GOODS: O.BALLOU FW 2014!

For Fall/Winter 2014 O.Ballou presents a range inspired by the spirit of NaplesQuartiere Spagnoli (Spanish Quarter). It is the heart and soul of the city and tells a story of lives lived in both joy and in hardship. This story is reflected in the season’s key styles – knitted tailoring and fine leather goodsa tribute to Naples’ streets and the Mediterranean.



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NYFW STREET STYLE!

Photo by Simpson Kim.






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EARLY CENTURY MODERN!

Ben Allen at Select photographed by Olgaç Bozalp and styled by Eilidh Greig, for the latest issue of Phoenix magazine. Make up: Joanna Banach at Untitled London Hair: John Mullan at Nude Agency Digital Assistant: Bugra Ergil Manicurist: Michelle Humphrey

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BLACK KNIGHTS 'MEDIEVAL CHAMBER' 2014!

Produced by John Frusciante.


Black Knights members Rugged Monk and Crisis reportedly met Frusciante by chance through mutual acquaintance RZA. This led to a creative collaboration between Frusciante and Rugged Monk, and once Crisis came on board, the project turned into a full-length Black Knights LP.

This is Frusciante's first foray into rap production, although there has been a distinct hip-hop undercurrent to some of the sampled beats in his recent solo work. 

"The great freedom I've found in doing hip-hop is that as long as the beat is hard and something that rappers will respond to creatively, the music can be literally any style of music you want," he said in a statement. "On any given song I can end up chopping up classic music or rock music or melodies based in free jazz ideas. I've felt more free doing this album than I have doing anything else."

1. Drawbridge 0:00 
2. The Joust 4:16
3. Medieval Times 7:58
4. Trickfingers Playhouse 11:58
5. Sword In Stone 16:01
6. Knighthood 20:01
7. deja vu 23:23
8. Roundtable 27:32
9. Keys To The Chastity Belt 30:55
10. Camelot 34:27

Bonus:
11. Never Let Go (bonus track) 38:19
12. Wayne Remix (bonus track) 42:44
13. Liquid Sky (free download) 47:20
14. Roundtable Discussion (free download) 51:23




SAINT LAURENT SS14 CAMPAIGN!

A touch of modern Rock and roll. First look at Saint Laurent Spring/Summer 2014 campaign, featuring Rexx Osterkamp photographed by Hedi Slimane.


Wednesday 5 February 2014

WEDNESDAY TEA WITH MICHAEL FRANKS!

Enjoy!

'STEAL' THE LOOK, REFRESH YOUR WINTER WARDROBE!

Wear a Beanie With Your Suit
When the temperature drops down, you're gonna need to protect your ears against the element. A wool watch cap's been doing that for centuries. Throw one on with your best suit for a high-meets-low look that works. If you want to up the luxe factor, consider getting a cashmere beanie. The important thing to remember is that no droopy toques are allowed—leave that look to Southern California.


Wear Tailored Trousers Like a Pair of Jeans
Proper trousers instantly elevate even the most casual rig. Here, a pair is worn with a camouflage chore coat, a crewneck sweatshirt, and a chunky pair of shoes. You'd be surprised at how easy it is to skip the suit and just wear the pants. Fabrics like flannel and tweed are especially appropriate during the winter months, and will keep your legs as warm as a hardy pair of raw denim.


Your Trousers? Cuff 'Em!
Whenever you throw on a pair of pants in heavier fabrics like wool and tweed, a nice two-inch cuff is what separates the boys from the men. It also helps the trousers cut a nice silhouette, which has the added benefit of showing off the awesome shoes you're wearing.


Make Your Winter Topcoat a Double
You might think your single-breasted winter coat is fine, and sure, it does its job, but if you want the outerwear equivalent of a power suit, it's the double-breasted topcoat. Whether it makes a statement with the texture like the one of the left or has a slick peak lapel like the one in the center, consider it the top layer of any confident man's wardrobe. Double-breasted topcoat, double-breasted suit, and double monk shoes? That's what we'd call a triple-double.

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STREET STYLE CATCH-UP: PARIS!

happy days off!






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