Speaking of super-fresh project’s, Madlib’s Medicine Show 05 features a comic devoted to fictional, early-90s-era gangsta MC, Rapper X. Written and illustrated by Benjamin Marra of Traditional Comics, Stones Throw dryly comment: “The comic is so over-the-top in it’s extreme violence, it is likely only to appeal to immature audiences, and almost certainly serves no social purpose – perfect for Madlib Medicine Show.”
Bonobo’s lush new album, Black Sands, dropped at the end of March and is a brilliantly deep piece of work. Appropriately this is complemented by some pretty nifty artwork. Art directed by Oscar and Ewan and photographed by Pelle Crépin, the LP and singles release feature lovely sweeping shots of the Lake District.
“Based in the beautiful landscape of the Lake District, the three shots (album and two singles) are photographed so the place where the next shot was taken from is in view, forming a triangle.”
The photography captures the atmosphere and stillness of the environment and makes you want to pack up, head to the Lakes and then put on your boots and just walk for as far as you can. Perfect.
We’ve got a copy of the limited edition release that includes a rare 5 inch transparent piece of blue vinyl goodness. To be in with a chance of winning, email mailbox@bonafidezine.com and answer the following (topical question).
What large land mass spits near a beach made of black sand?
Competition closes 30th May 2010. The winner, drawn out of the electronic hat, will be notified via email. Best of luck.
The Infesticon trilogy is set for its denouement with Bedford Park. Following the earlier installments, the Infesticons resistance and underground informed Gun Hill Road and the bling-decadence of Beauty Party, the Majesticon’s nouveau riche reply, Bedford Park is the sound of the aftermath of the battle. An exploration of musical styles, all set to an ‘anthem’ theme check this exclusive for an insight into the aural handgrenades that are being thrown out in Bedford Park.
Bonafide caught up with Infesticons figurehead/ringleader Mike Ladd. A man of many guises, Ladd is a seriously talented individual dividing his time between musical collaboration, writing and lecturing on Black American literature and producing documentaries. Always against the grain. Always worth listening too. Checkit. …Read More.
The 1980s inspired artwork shouldn’t work and yet it does. Warp’s latest boy-wonder Hudson Mowhawke is making a name for himself as someone who doesn’t stick to the safe option. His debut LP Butter is out shortly but in the meantime try these tasters; Opps is fantastic, an ode to club hedonism and a perfect slice of urban electronic soul that melts in your ears like butter spread over hot toast. Nice if you like sort of thing.
A recent promo that grabbed my attention was the Eyedea and Abilites By The Throat LP. The release caught me by the eye, as it were, thanks to the fantastic watercolour illustration by Michael Gaughan. Modern subject matter + old-school techniques x painted with a guy who shares a surname of a master = a recipe for success.
The LP it promotes isn’t too shabby either. This is the Minnesota-based duos first release since E&A. MC Eyedea is perhaps best known for his prowess as a battle rapper, he won HBO’s Blaze Battle. DJ Abilities, meanwhile, is a futuristic sonic landscaper, who contributed to El-P’s outstanding Fantastic Damage. Throughout By The Throat the combination plunder many genres including punk, turntablism and straight-up hip-hop. Guitars and hip-hop normally remind me of Limp Bizkit and bring me out in a cold sweat, but thankfully this record strains more into grunge terrority. Well worth a listen. For more information head over to Rhymesayers Entertainment.
Super-fresh artwork for Gift of Gab’s new LP Escape 2 Mars. It looks like the art director has been spending a lot of time checking out 1980s legend He-Man and Ralph McQuarrie’s artwork for Star Wars. Musically, I’m not sure what direction the album will take, though I am sure it will feature The Gab’s trademark rapid delivery. Check out the free download El Gifto Magnifico as a taster.
Graphic designer/artist Gareth Bayliss has just released his Peace logo as a t-shirt in collaboration with Australian art facilitators Teeluxe. The artwork has been screaming ‘put me on a t-shirt’ ever since we first saw it, so it’s great news that it’s out there.
Gareth has worked on music packaging for a wide array of artists and record labels, his rather impressive roll call includes Mo’Wax, Dizzee Rascal, Illicit Records and Deadly Avenger. Check out his work at his new streamlined site or (shameless plug alert) for a more in-depth insight into his creative approach, his time working at Mo’Wax with Ben Drury and the ‘don’t sweat the mad design technique’ behind the artwork for The Rapture’s Echoes LP, purchase a copy of Bonafide issue 02. Peace.
Seriously dope Cold Chillin’ T shirts available from Stones Throw. In conjuction with Biz Markie, photographer George DuBose (see Bonafide issue 01 for an in-depth feature), Soul-Cal and Traffic Entertainment Group, they have released a whole range of fresh Tees featuring the original Haze designed Cold Chillin logo, Biz Markie and the legendary Juice crew. All OG photography from the legendary DuBose for this seminal hip-hop label.
Get there quick before we buy up the whole damn lot www.stonesthrow.com
At Bonafide we love dope design. In particular we get sweaty palms about design work for music purposes. It was great then, to see an art exhibition cover the subject in such depth. The Gallery @ The Civic in Barnsley, Revolutions: From Gatefold To Download, tackles how designers respond, creatively, conceptually and laterally, to their brief. We give the gallery two thumbs up for putting on a great show and showing some of the bigger public galleries outside of London how to curate an exhibition that students and creative professionals will respond to.
