Category Archives: editorial

Criminal Records, Atlanta Georgia

Featured, Record Shops, , ,

criminal-records-atlanta-little-five-points

Ahh, Criminal Records…I haven’t been there since the mid 90s when I was kicking around that part of the country on and off, but I am quite pleased to see they are not only alive and kicking but have also branched out and gotten even cooler. Criminal Records is in the alt-culture magnet known as Little Five Points, arguably the coolest part of Georgia, hands down.

I remember visiting family in Atlanta at the time and hearing them talk derisively of Little Five Points as “the place where all the freaks hang out”. I knew that meant good things for me and bad things for them…I forced ’em to show me Little Five Points and laughed inwardly at the obvious discomfort of those not really used to cool record shops. What did they expect, Gershwin tunes on the overhead and posters advertising another run of 42nd Street? If you’re in the area, I strongly urge you to go to 1154-A Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. The store has moved from when I knew it, but the rave reviews Criminal Records gets indicates they are still the coolest shop on the block.

Can Mother Sky

album, Media, , , ,

can-sountracks-japanese-import

The image above is the Japanese import of a remastered version of the Can classic album Soundtracks. This one has the absolutely amazing Mother Sky. The live version on the video below is fun, but it can’t really capture how excellent it is on the record. Hypnotic, psychedelic and a huge influence on other groups who would come after. And in case you are a newcomer, it’s amusing to note that that band The Mooney Suzuki is a direct reference/homage to members of Can. You could do a lot worse as an introduction to Krautrock…Behold.

DJ Essentials Tools and Tricks of the Trade

Featured, gear, snark, , , , , , ,

Becoming a DJ isn’t easy, but fortunately for newcomers there are a lot of books available that can help you learn exactly what it takes to be a professional DJ. You can learn everything from the art of remixing to buying the right gear thanks to the books on sale right this very second. I was VERY AMUSED to see what was on just such a list recently..apparently buying the right gear and spinning those tracks to please the crowds ain’t enough. I found a collection of books on DJ culture while doing a search on Amazon.com. What does Amazon reccomend for those seeking tomes on how to become a paid DJ professional? Behold:


the-moble-dj-handbook-get-paid-to-party

The DJ Sales and Marketing Handbook starts off the list. So far, so good, right? Learn how to set up and get paid to party! That’s what author Stacy Zemon wants you to do. Why the hell not? Now granted, being a club DJ is alot different than being a MOBILE DJ, but a lot of people find the party DJ route easier to get into and they transition to clubs later. Not a bad career path if you ask me…

remixing-how-to-guide

The Complete Guide To Remixing is probably a good bet, as long as you’re buying DJ how to books. After all, what good’s a DJ who can’t remix on the fly?

Then, there’s THIS little entry in the Amazon list of books, which surprised me on one hand, but on the other, I thought “Well damn, I guess I have some book ordering to do.” Apparently, the Amazon people understand DJ culture better than you might think:

how-to-grow-exceptional-cannabis

And yes, How To Grow Exceptional Cannabis is STILL FOR SALE. Hurry, now.

Battlestar Galactica Bloopers

album, Media, ,

battlestar-galactic-sountrack-album

Any film or video clips from the deliciously cornball 1970s floating around the net is of at least passing interest–after all, 70s merchandising madness insured that EVERYTHING had a soundtrack album for sale. Even Battlestar Galactica saw one released. Composed by none other than Stu Phillips, this was actually remastered and re-released just in case you need to relive the days where everybody was desperately trying to cash in on the Star Wars craze.

Can’t decide whether you really, really need to own this soundtrack or not? Click the YouTube vid below to get pushed off the fence one way or another. This is a goofy collection of bloopers and other gaffes from the original 70s bad hair series by Glen A. Larson…amusing, goofy, pure cotton candy for the brain. You’re welcome,