Thursday, December 31, 2009

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Movies With Ron 2009 - A Recap


i didnt really do the full "Movies With Ron" this year and missed quite a few movies i still want to see. Because of that, i am only giving my favorite movie of the year (seen in theatre) plus a couple of honorable mentions and a couple of notable movie-going experiences.

Favorite Movie of The Year:
-- DISTICT 9

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):
-- Star Trek
-- Avatar
-- I Love You Man
-- Watchmen
-- Sherlock Holmes
-- The Hangover
-- The Road
-- (500) Days Of Summer

2 Movies I Wish I Had Seen On The Big Screen:
-- The Hurt Locker
-- Inglorious Basterds

Great Moments in Movie-going History:
-- Avatar: about 45 minutes left and the viewing is disturbed by an audience disruption
Guy1: "...No! I am not leaving. I bought my ticket just like everyone else!..."
Guy2: "I Bought your ticket, so take a hike!"

both guys get up and move into the aisle shoving each other. Guy2 hits Guy1. Guy1. falls to the floor.

Guy1: "Why would you hit me?! I'm over 60 years old!"
Guy2: ".."I'm 64! ... Get outta here!"


-- Sherlock Holmes: During pre-trailer viewing, a woman says to another "please don't chew your popcorn because we will not be able to hear the dialogue..." Most of the crowd chuckles. Halfway thru the movie, the same woman tells the "popcorn-chewer" to be quiet and that she is chewing too loud, basically causing more of a disturbance to everyone than anyone else...

Saturday, December 26, 2009

NEW DJ MIX: Radio:Rontronik - Broadcast 6 (Life In 3-D)


CGN presents Radio Rontronik: Broadcast 6 (Life In 3-D), the sixth of the series and last of the year. Hope you enjoy and see you next year!

Get it here.

Track listing is as follows:
1. Destination Unknown by Missing Persons
2. A Piece Of False Morality by In Flagranti
3. I Will Come Back by Holy Ghost
4. King Off by Isolee
5. Leave It by The Field
6. Synkro by Luomo
7. Hurt by Seth Troxler Featuring Matthew Dear
8. Enjoy The Silence (Timo Maas Remix) by Depeche Mode
9. Detroit (Carl Craig Remix) by Morgan Geist
10. My Turn by Basement Jaxx Featuring Lightspeed Champion
11. Dancing Machine (Steve Aoki Remix) by The Jackson 5
12. Images Of Sigrid (Chloe Remix) by Poni Hoax
13. Don't Fear The Reaper by Van She

Running Time = 52min 34sec

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

2009 Top 10 Albums

10.


Land Of Truth
by Krikor And The Dead Hillbillies






9.

Dark Night Of The Soul
by Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse







8.

Primary Colours
by The Horrors

The Horrors - Who Can Say from IM // UR on Vimeo.








7.

Fever Ray
by Fever Ray

If I Had A Heart from Fever Ray on Vimeo.







6.

Born Like This
by DOOM







5.

Tarot Sport
by Fuck Buttons







4.

Toeachizown
by Dam Funk







3.

Merriweather Post Pavillion
by Animal Collective

Animal Collective "My Girls" from Chad von Nau on Vimeo.







2.

Fluorescent Black
by Anti-Pop Consortium

Anti-Pop Consortium "Volcano" from Okayplayer on Vimeo.







1.


Crack The Skye
by Mastodon

Mastodon - Divinations from Blackbender on Vimeo.




Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):
-- "Black Gives Way To Blue" by Alice In Chains
-- "For The Whole World To See" by Death (re-issue)
-- "Yesterday and Today" by The Field
-- "Music For Men" by The Gossip
-- "The Blueprint 3" by Jay-Z
-- "BLACKsummers'night" by Maxwell
-- "Vertical Ascent - EP" by Moritz Von Oswald Trio
-- "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt.2" by Raekwon
-- "Immolate Yourself" by Telefon Tel Aviv
-- "XX" by The XX
-- "Horehound" by The Dead Weather
-- "The Renaissance" by Q-Tip

Raekwon "Pyrex Vision" Video (NSFW)


One of the shortest tracks on the OB4CL2 album but the video will last a lifetime!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

NEW DJ MIX: Radio:Rontronik - Broadcast 5 (Smartbomb Your Holiday)


CGN and Smartbomb Creative Studio presents Radio Rontronik: Broadcast 5 (Smartbomb Your Holiday), the fifth of the series. It doesn't matter if you're naughty or nice...

Get it here.

Track listing is as follows:
1. Ought To Say by Secondo
2. Equator Jam by Ghosts On Tape
3. Machine Gun by Portishead
4. NY To Tokyo by Anti-Pop Consortium (feat. Roots Manuva)
5. Hai Samurai by Yellow Power
6. Let It Happen by Lindstrom & Christabelle
7. Ain’t Nobody (Hallucinogenic Mix) by Rufus Feat. Chaka Khan
8. Jive Talkin’ by Bee Gees
9. Lisztomania (Classixx Version) by Phoenix
10. Mama Used To Say (Extended Mix) by Junior
11. Sinclair by D’Arcangelo
12. Wide Vice by Luke Vibert
13. Spin Cycle by The Twilite Tone
14. Portable Control by G and S
15. Microscopic Contents by Kelpe
16. Burn Straight Thru U by Dam Funk

total runtime : 49min 04sec

Controllerism Hits Attack Of The Show

Thursday, December 03, 2009

NEW Redman: Coc Back (Video)



FIYA

Album Cover of The Month: Stress: The Extinction Agenda by Organized Konfusion


This album is close to me. It was designed by Dooable Arts. A design and illustration team comprised of Ge-ology and Matt Doo back in the day. One of the best album covers to come out of the Hip-Hop industry.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Jam Master Jay ‘2 Turntables And A Microphone’ Official Trailer


“Legendary hip-hop DJ Jason Mizell, aka Jam Master Jay, is gunned down in his Queens studio. Security tapes of the incident mysteriously disappear, the five witnesses are uncooperative and no one is talking…until now. 2 TURNTABLES AND A MICROPHONE documents the investigation of the unsolved murder of Jam Master Jay, RUN- DMC’s groundbreaking DJ and producer, deftly revealing the history of hip-hop and mainstream rap along the way. Exclusive, candid interviews with 50 Cent, Ja Rule, Russell Simmons, RUN-DMC and more offer insight into Jam Master Jay’s life – including information that could finally help police solve the murder that shook the music world to its core.” DVD In Stores 12/1/09

Originally posted at High Snobiety

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The Soul Train Line Remembered


Thanks to S. Hearn for the link!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Monday, November 09, 2009

56 Green



“56 GREEN” - Directed by Noah Ward (CGN). A mini-doc on artist and curator, Salomon Anaya, as he opens a “squatter gallery” in downtown Newark, New Jersey.

Plans are in the works for a full length documentary as the Newark gallery turns into a series of “squatter galleries” popping up throughout New Jersey and New York.

Big up to Blacren for link.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Did You Know?



Thanks: Gary Doomsday

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

NEW DJ MIX: Radio:Rontronik - Broadcast 4


CGN presents Radio Rontronik: Broadcast 4 (25th Century Sock Hop), the fourth of the series. It's a future-retro vibe, heavy on the Detroit techno and electronica tip. Think Blade Runner Disco...

Get it here.

For track listing contact me at rontronik@rontronik.com

Album Cover of The Month: Echo Party


Edan will be releasing "Echo Party." A Mixtape of sorts. He was given access to Traffic Ent. Group's back catalog of old school rap - labels like Magic Records, Chocolate Star, P&P among others, and asked to create something new out of it, whatever he wanted. In doing this he was given open art-direction for the cover art. The vinyl LP covers are going to be all white-tip on sleeves, like those old 60s records, with Edan creating some kind of cover art to each one personally. There will be only 1000 made. Genius.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Raekwon, Methodman, Ghostface Killah – The Wu-Massacre (Trailer Part 1)


Raekwon, Ghostface and Methodman have officially announced the release date of their latest collaborative set to drop December 22nd. Entitled, “The Wu-Massacre.” This promotional short film is part one of three promotional clips directed by Rik Cordero. Check it out.
(originally posted at Hypebeast.com)

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Fever Ray Covers Nick Cave



this video represents the overall aesthetic and look of her live show. Very eerie. Very hot! Happy Halloween.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

NEW DJ MIX: Radio:Rontronik - Broadcast 3


CGN presents Radio Rontronik: Broadcast 3 (Wake The Dead), the third of the series. A special Halloween inspired edition... It's dark, suspenseful and has a few surprises woven in.

Get it here.

For track listing contact me at rontronik@rontronik.com

Happy Halloween!

Album Cover of The Month: Maggot Brain


Not only is the album a seminal classic, but the cover is one that stands out in universal fashion. It's scary, funky, iconic and often immitated (but never duplicated).

Friday, October 09, 2009

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Thought Of The Day


Thanks: Gary Doomsday

Friday, September 25, 2009

Anti-pop Consortium Album Review and Live Footage (Time Out NY)



Time Out NY Album review:
Anti-Pop Consortium
Fluorescent Black (Big Dada)

Like Jay-Z, Anti-Pop Consortium released its “farewell” album in 2003. But only now, on the heels of the superstar’s third postretirement full-length, is this esteemed alt-hip-hop collective staging a studio comeback. Fluorescent Black is so hyperinvolved, it’s hard to begrudge the delay. If the disc doesn’t match the glitchy splendor of APC’s 2002 landmark, Arrhythmia, it still attains euphoric sensory overload on tracks like “Get Lite,” in which wobbly synths command as much attention as syllable-crammed verses. During “Apparently,” “End Game” and other standouts, rhymes fuse cyborglike with high-tech beats, yielding a bracingly weird underground response to The Blueprint 3’s glitzy arena rap.—Hank Shteamer

Anti-Pop Consortium plays Santos Party House Tue 29.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Making Of An Album Cover



This is a cool lil vid about the making of Jay-Z's "The Blueprint 3" album cover. Interesting...

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

NEW DJ MIX: Radio:Rontronik - Broadcast 2


CGN presents Radio Rontronik: Broadcast 2 (Transmission To Alternate Earths), the second of the series. This time out the its a Detroit/Chicago/Manchester (Hacienda Years) vibe...

Get it here.
For track listing contact me at rontronik@rontronik.com

This is dedicated to all my peeps and especially my fellow virgos.

To-Do List For Today

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Album Cover of The Month: Spritualized (Special Edition Package)


new version

old version

This is the best special packaging release i have ever scene! A 12 track album delivered as a set of pills (ie: each track on it's own mini-cd in a blister-pack). How awesome is that? I remember seeing this at an HMV in London years ago. Should have bought it. Now Spiritualized is set to re-release the album with more special packaging and art (see below for details).

PRESS RELEASE (direct from Spiritualized official website):

The re-issue is now scheduled for the second half of November, exact release date is tbc.The artwork has changed, some of the packaging is similar to the original release.

There will be 3 formats released:

Ltd Collectors Edition - 12 disc pill pack + 2 additional cd's of previously unreleased material in new artwork.

Deluxe pack - 3 cd's in one blister pill pack. The original album plus the 2 additional cd's of unreleased material.

Standard jewel case of the original album in new artwork. The old design will no longer be manufactured.

Additional cd track listings information to follow. Pack shots of new design available nearer release date.

That's all for now...

Friday, August 21, 2009

Capitalism: A Love Story (Trailer)

Detroit: Underground Resistance


If you are into music and movements, you should watch this now.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

NEW DJ MIX: Radio:Rontronik - Broadcast 1


CGN presents Radio Rontronik: Broadcast 1 (Permanent Midnight), the first of a new series. This initial mix is dark and dubstep tinged with a few surprises thrown in “Rontronik style”.

Get it here.
For track listing contact me at rontronik@rontronik.com

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Album Cover of The Month: Mike & Rich


This is one of the funniest yet classic covers i've ever seen. It's a parody of an old Milton Bradley board game box cover called "Downfall." Music is great too. Mike = Mike Paradinas (aka µ-Ziq) and Rich = Richard D James (aka Aphex Twin).

Big ups to Choimatic for reminding me of this

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Ghostly International iPhone App

Ghostly Discovery from Ghostly International on Vimeo.



This shit is pretty hot!

Birthers = WTF?


Watch this footage from "Hardball With Chris Matthews." These misguided Republicans are really drawing at straws to still claim that Obama may not have been born in the US of A... Wow.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Flynn Lives


Rachel Maddow Vs. Pat Buchanan On Race



Further proof that racism is alive and well in the U.S. of A. Also a little more detail on "C Street" (Religious Organization in D.C.) and more

Friday, July 17, 2009

RNC Web Site Promoting Anti-Semitic, Anti-Latino, and Pornographic Literature


See the official link here.

Original link exposing the BS is here.

Actual screenshots:







Monday, July 06, 2009

EMERGENCY ALERT - Stop the NEW Real ID - S.1261 - The PASS Act



This is an EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT to stop S.1261, The Pass Act which is worse than Real ID. We need to contact all the members of the Senate Committee for Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to kill this before it gets to the Senate floor.


Tell them:
1. We are opposed to Real ID and the PASS Act
2. We are opposed to being enrolled in a Biometric Identification System
3. We don't want Social Security Numbers in our DMV databases
4. No RFID chips in our Driver's Licences
5. No federal intervention with the issuance of our State driver's licenses
6. We are not willing to trade our freedom for security.

All of these actions are unconstitutional and a direct attack on our civil liberties and our unalienable rights.

This ID is a GLOBAL BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (see this video above for details) and is a direct attack on our national security.

This will take you 16 minutes (one minute for each committee member) see their contact info:

Sen. Joe Leiberman, DC voicemail: 202-224-4041,
fax: 202-224-9750, CT: 800-225-5605 Committe Chair

Sen. Susan Collins, DC phone: 202-224-2523, fax 202-224-2693 Maine numbers

Sen. Daniel Akatta, DC phone: 202-224-6361, fax 202-224-2126,
HI: 808-522-8970 Bill SPONSOR

Sen. Michael Bennet, DC phone 202-224-5852, fax: 202-224-5036, Colorado numbers

Sen. Roland Burris, DC phone 202-224-2854 , fax: 202-228-3333, Illinois numbers

Sen. Thomas Carper, DC phone: 202-224-2441,
fax: 202-228-2190, Delaware numbers

Sen. Thomas Coburn, DC phone: 202-224-5754, fax: 202-224-6008, Oklahoma numbers

Sen. John Ensign, DC phone: 202-224-6244, fax: 202-228-2193, Nevada numbers

Sen. Lindsey Graham, DC phone: 202-224-5972, Fax: none listed, So. Carolina numbers

Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, DC voicemail: 202-224-5824,
fax: 202-224-9735, Louisiana numbers

Sen. Carl Levin, DC phone: 202-224-6221, fax: 202-224-1388, Michigan numbers

Sen. John McCain, DC phone: 202-224-2235, fax: 202-228-2862, Arizona numbers

Sen. Claire McCaskill, DC phone: 202-224-6154, fax: 202-228-6326, Missouri numbers

Sen. Mark Pryor, DC phone: 202-224-2353, fax: 202-228-0908, Arkansas numbers

Sen. Jon Tester, DC phone: 202-224-2644, fax: 202-224-8594, Montana numbers

Sen. George Voinovich, DC phone: 202-224-3353, NO fax, Ohio numbers

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Album Cover(s) of The Month: Street Sweeper Social Club (Tom Morello / Boots Riley) + Grace Jones


It's a double dose this month:

1. When i first heard that Tom Morello and Boots Riley were forming a new-fangled rap/band i was pretty psyched to hear what the outcome would be... Well, as expected, it's pretty good. Not hot, but good. However, i love love love the album cover. the name/title says it all...


2. My fellow designer Frank Zuber sent this over and i was immediately ecstatic! More about this cover Frank to come in an update...

-UPDATE-
Here is what Mr. Zuber had to say about the Grace Jones "La Vie En Rose" 12inch cover:

Earlier this year Grace Jones released her long-awaited, triumphant comeback album "Hurricane." 2009 the singer/actress/model/freak/icon Grace Jones is still relevant. "La Vie en Rose" was the third single by the jamaican singer. Jones' fairly radical bossanova/disco interpretation of Edith Piaf's signature tune became her first international hit single and a staple of her repertoire and later performed as part of her 1981 A One Man Show, then the only track from her disco era to be included in the show. This 12" cover is about pure joy that could simply pop up whenever hearing your favorite tune. The clipped out look underlines the non-perfectionist approach to life and its happiness. To quote Grace from her career defining album Slave to the Rhythm "if you're wondering what's wrong with my voice, I just choked on my own siliva" (interview snippet in-between songs). Welcome back Grace...

Thursday, June 25, 2009

1958-2009



Get my dedication selections mix here.

Tracklist is as follows:
1. Human Nature
2. Darling Dear
3. This Place Hotel
4. Can’t Help It
5. Let Me Show You The Way To Go
6. Remember The Time
7. Blame It On The Boogie
8. PYT (U-Tern Remix)
9. Your Ways
10. Torture
11. Walk Right Now
12. Can You Feel It
13. Never Can Say Goodbye

Android Architecture - EP (Free Download)



Get It here.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Genius Bar Recommendation Not So Genius

I was at the Apple Store a couple of days ago getting my iPod repaired. Done deal in 15minutes (great!). So I thought I woulld ask if they carried the protection pack that safeguards your laptop from hand/oil wrist wear-and-tear. The "Genius" tells me that they do not carry such a thing and suggested I got to JandR as they have what I'm looking for... Well fast-forward to today. I go to JandR only to find that they do not carry anything close to what I was looking for. Thanks "Genius" for the 45minute wild goose chase...

Friday, June 19, 2009

Digging By Justin Holbrook

Digging from justin holbrook on Vimeo.


The vid above is a one-minute narrative based on the dj's secret ingredients—vintage records and obscure samples that are brought to life in sonic compositions.

Shot, edited, and music by Justin Holbrook.

Starring: constalation funk.

Completed for Christopher Simmons' GD.2 Class at California College of the Arts. San Francisco, Ca.


Shout to DJ Prolific for the link

Fever Ray "Triangle Walks" Video

Triangle Walks from Fever Ray on Vimeo.



Simply fresh...

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Warp20 Box Set


This looks good! Let's hope the music chosen to be on this compilation will be as special and classic as the packaging.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Rock Band: The Beatles Special Edition (Animated Opening Sequence Trailer)


Not a big fan of this game but the Beatles special edition trailer looks pretty fantastic.

I Want One Of Those: Akai APC40


I've been using Ableton Live since it's inception. Its a great music program that is only getting better. Now Akai has dropped the APC40 and it is magnificent. Watch the video above.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Just Bill Trailer


A Documentary on Bill Withers is coming... See the trailer here


_thanks to DJ Prolific for the alert.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Remembering The Midnight Funk Association



This was the radio show that shaped my musical palette. It was hosted by the legendary Electrifying Mojo. Have a listen to the opening...

Stop... Hammer Time!



So funny...

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

NEW DJ MIX: No Name No Slogan


DJ Prolific and I are rocking the house at Von Kellar (basement of Von Wine Bar) on Tuesdays. This mix represents only half of the sounds you will here at the spot. My mix is available here. The second half (DJ Prolific's mix) is coming soon.


For track listing contact me at rontronik@rontronik.com



cover photo: BlacRen

Friday, June 05, 2009

The 10 Influential Creators for Magazine Design by Yasushi Fujimoto


This looks really good. See below for details.

Words from Rizzoli:
About the book: What is magazine design? What are magazine designers and art directors thinking, and in which directions are they heading? Armed with those simple questions, the author visited ten prominent magazine art directors who have been influential in the world of magazine design: Christophe Brunnquell (Purple), Work In Progress (Self Service), Yorgo Tloupas (Crash and Intersection), Jop Van Bennekom (Re-Magazine and Fantastic Man), M/M (Vogue Paris), David Carson (Ray-Gun), Tadanori Yokoo (Ryuko Tsuushin), Heikichi Harata (Garo And Heaven), Gento Matsumoto (Rits), and B, Kazunari Hattori (Here And There). By presenting each art director’s background, design style, and how they influenced the world of magazine design, Fujimoto tried to find answers to his questions. Along with interviews, the author shows page after page of the magazine designs of each director as well as photographs of their work environments. The art direction of the book is completed by the author himself.

About The Author: Yasushi Fujimoto, an art director and the head of his own design studio "Cap," has worked for many well-known Japanese magazines including Marie Claire Japan, Vogue Nippon and GQ Japan. He has also directed advertising projects for such clients as Louis Vuitton Japan and several apparel brands. In 1996, Fujimoto opened a gallery "Gallery Rocket" for young designers, photographers and illustrators to exhibit their works.

Order it here.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

NEW DJ MIX: Gunseller Sounds by DJ Gunseller (Matt Rockman)


My fellow "Pocketporn" DJ, Gunseller (Matt Rockman) has dropped a mix on the world wide web... it is sure to delight. Get it here

Thursday, May 21, 2009

New "V" Series Coming


The original mini series was great. Then they created a second mini series that was ok. Then they created a series that was dull... Let's hope this reboot does what Batman Begins did for that franchise.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Alice In Wonderland of House Music and Visual Wallpaper for Your Mind


Citizen Chu and Duane Harriot hipped me to this. Mad Hot! See it here.

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