See the rest of the photos via glenneugen.blogspot.com

Photo courtesy of Paddy Corea

Demon Fuzz was a group of seven young musicians who came together after emigrating to London in the early 1960s. Since 1948, the British government had been encouraging people in the Commonwealth to settle in England, in hopes of replenishing that country’s war-depleted work population; a happy by-product was that before long, many a West Indian riddim could be heard emanating from the clubs and street corners in big cities like Birmingham and London.

Stylistically, Demon Fuzz’s single album, 1970’s Afreaka!, is hard to pin down. But then, I guess that’s the point. Demon Fuzz went out of their way to keep people guessing; at gigs, they’d let people assume they were a reggae band, only to launch into some African-influenced jazz/rock number. Jaws hit the floor and feet started tapping. “We were different, totally different,” says Demon Fuzz trombonist Clarance Crosdale.

Interview via Wax Poetics

MIXTAPE website is official ! Listen and enjoy this CIPHER production !

Download and listen to the audial contributions by  Yao, Enso, Miss Yellow, Drafus, and of course all the other mixes too by clicking HERE. Thanks to my bro DJ Kid Fresh for the cool post @ http://djkidfresh.wordpress.com/

Yao mini mix for CIPHER

Tracklist:

(Intro) Magnetic Tapes -  Pharoah’s Tune (The Journey) – Leon Thomas
Intro – Outkast
Come Back – TI
Agitation- Erykah Badu
? – Madlib
Donuts Outro – The Roots
It’s Your World – Gil Scott Heron
Music Is My Sanctuary – Gary Bartz
Pontos de Luz – Gal Costa
Mossy Woodland – (Javelin) She Is Asleep: Duet for Voice and Prepared Piano – John Cage
Shine – Willie Isz (prod. by  Jneiro Jarel)
Neqbone’s Lil Brother – Yao aka Yaoser(s)

DJ Enso mini mix for CIPHER

Tracklist:

Junglist Rebel – Intro
DJ Enso (feat. Cheung) – Dark Hawaii
Grizzly Bear – Disappearing Act (Ariel Pink Remix)
Neutral Milk Hotel – Pree-Sisters Swallowing a Donkey’s Eye
Panda Bear – Laughed for a World Filled with Fantasy / Search for Delicious (Live at ZDB Sept 2004)
DJ Enso (feat. Brian Rogers) – Darkly
DJ Enso (feat. Chai Yaping) – Rain Drizzles (像雨丝)

DJ Miss Yellow mini mix for CIPHER

Tracklist:

揸緊中指(Miss Yellow Edit) – LMF
Rock It – Sub Focus
Smack My Bitch Up (Sub Focus Remix) – The Prodigy
Man Or Machine (Feat. KBimean) – DJ Revolution
Justify My Thug – Jay Z
Bitches (South Rakkas Crew Remix) – Killa Queenz
I Blame Coco (Miike Snow Remix) – Caesar Feat. Robyn

As you may know, we are launching a new initiative with 10 influential Hong Kong artists who have produced some music for a CIPHER mixtape. The focus for this project is to express Hong Kong culture in a global context; the contrast, the inspiration and the diversity that exists in this dynamic city.

Over the past three weeks, We have been working very closely with Laurent Segretier who has captured some dynamic snaps from different inspirations and locations within Hong Kong. I have been documenting these images to help give you an idea of the strong partnership between the musicians, the photographer and the brand.

In this series of “Behind the scenes” photography, CIPHER will give you the chance to explore Hong Kong, as we use the streets as our new studio. Check out the photos and watch the progress as this new CIPHER production begins to unfold. 

Ok, for all of you who don’t know we are in the Year of the Tiger. Here you can see the artist Yao lying in the middle of a cross section, Kowloon side, Prince Edward. This multifaceted producer is seen here with our photographer trying to capture the symmetries of what is a busy street on a hot day, while sipping on some chinese tea.  Nice art direction evolves into an even nicer final shot.But you will have to wait and see the final production (May 26th)

……..On the other hand we had DJ Miss Yellow was next on the list. We took advantage of her beauty and elegance to play with some effects and emotion with some under water sequence.

Now, was this photo shoot was set in the SOHO region at a local surf and turf bar, or did me, Laurent and Miss Yellow head down to the aquarium to swim with the fishies ?? you decide.

Ok, are you ready for the final shot yet ? (www.ciphermixtape.com)

DIRTY BONEYARD consists of two creatives; one producer, one photographer who throw together some ill beats and play with us down on the docks of Kennedy town. Too cool for a close up, we will have to keep you guessing who these local celebrities are….Hold that thought

www.ciphermixtape.com coming very very soon !

KRAFTWERK

Ze crafty Germans and their electric percussion, was really the first introduction I had to appreciate the diversity behind the electronic revolution.  They communicate sound through a vocoder or generated by computer-speech software. Their fascination for computer technology and distinctive rhythm was revolutionary for their time, in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Kraftwerk illustrates some of the homages to everything from German culture to the quickly approaching digital age. A computer world in the eyes of a band who deepened my understanding for the pioneers into electronic music.

http://www.kraftwerk.com/

Rest in Peace to one of the original roots of hip hop – Guru. He brought the essence of true lyrics, uplifting a raw new style which infused an ensemble between hip hop and jazz. The Jazzmatazz series was his most sought after solo project featuring featured collaborations with Donald Byrd, N’Dea Davenport, and Roy Ayers, while his second LP, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality, featured Ramsey Lewis,Branford Marsalis and Jamiroquai.

Gang Starr was a duo colab between Guru and producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York swing jazz in the  deep roots of the New York hip hop scene. Gang Starr was a true foundation which will be forever recognized as an original influence for hip hop, a mark for most, and a swift reminder or code for the streets.

The Hong Kong music scene has come a long way over the past decade ,with an uprising of inspiring young local talents which hinder this ecletic mixture of traditional and popular music. China has opened its doors to the International music scene which has played a rippling effect into the most globally recognized city of diversity ~Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a unique kaleidoscope of life; a sophisticated fusion of East and Western culture, which nests on a beautiful lagoon on the coast of China. The people, the language, the contrasts, the variety of different music and trends has become a corner stone which now represents Hong Kong as one of the more dynamic cities in the World.

So, there is no denying that talent lives and breathes in the city, hiding away from the glamour and gloss which can suffocate many when supporting their image as an artist. We have been lucky enough to befriend a band of influential designers who have found inspiration in this greater metropolitan area. GOOD FELLAS have been kind enough to play a contribution on a particular Art Project which we have been cooking up these past two months . . . .So stay informed !

If your on the look out for some of Hong Kong’s finest talent, than look no further. This month we will be having various artists come through the Sheung Wan office to discuss about music and life, so that we can share with you something that we have been waiting for, for soo long ! 10 ARTISTS, 10 STYLES, 10 CHAPTERS is all i can say just now…We will be posting development as this project unfolds and the execution is near to unravel the much anticipated collaboration of the year !

CIPHER presents to you GOOD FELLAS, who will be throwing a T-Shirt Launch/GIG at the start of next month . . . Like I said, if your into music than you should come along and see what the CIPHER team and the GOOD FELLAS may have in common in the following months. Look forward to seeing you there !

http://www.myspace.com/hkgoodfellas

Today I was pleased to fall upon a popular article (for me), which immediately grabbed my attention. A new exhibition opens on Carnaby Street this month, celebrating 50 years of fashion and music on London’s famous street. Carnaby street, has been my favourite little quarters ever since my first steps in the Greater London, while i would wonder around rather aimlessly, drink coffee, chat to a few shop owners and buy the odd T Shirt. Carnaby street has, and forever will, contain some of the first steps of Uk based artists who lived and even entertained on the very tiled streets I (and many others) enjoy a casual stroll. There is a certain vibrance in the air which narrates an story of culture and fashion which transcends through modern trends, even today. If you were to take a look back in time, you would see where the initial swinging London got its name.

So trace the changes that took place transforming Carnaby from a green field with a well and a scarecrow 500 years ago, through the iconic characters associated with Carnaby’s music heritage like The Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols and Jimi Hendrix, to today’s hot designers and labels on the street. Definitely a reason to get up and go wandering this month ! Enjoi