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Cosmo Baker's 45 Caliber Funk mixtape, the perfect sound track for the weekend run around. 

-THE BAG MESSENGER 

I recorded this for The Remedy’s infamous “Pimp’s & Hoes Masquerade Ball” in 2001. This is 60 minutes of dusty funk 45s mixed and ready for the party. Rare and not so rare alike, but all heavy pieces.

-COSMO

Maceo & All The Kings Men “Got to Get’cha” (House Of The Fox)

The South Side Movement “I’ve Been Watching You” (Wand)

The Parliaments “Good Old Music” (Revilot)
Gene Faith “Family Man” (Virtue)
Four Mints “In A Rut” (Capsoul)
Lee Fields “I’m The Man” (Soul Fire)
Ann Robinson “You Did It” (All Brothers)
Rhetta Hughes “Light My Fire” (Tetragrammatron)
Johnny Talbot “Pickin Cotton” (Jasman)
The Vibrations “Ain’t No Greens In Harlem” (Mandala)
Thomas East & The Fabulous Playboys “I Get A Groove” (Toddlin’ Town)
Afro SoulReview “Soft Soul” (Tupelo Sound)
Juggy “Oily” (Sue)
Louis Chachere “The Hen” Pt. 1 (Paula)
Steve Colt “Dynamite” (Big Beat)
JD& The Evil’s Dynamite Band “Just More Haaa-sheesh” (Soul Fire)
The Soul Searchers “Think” (Sussex)
Wilbur Bascome & The Zodiac “Just A Groove In ‘G’” (Carnival)
Joe Quarterman & Free Soul “(I’ve Got) So Much Trouble In My Mind Pt. 1” (GFS)
Tina Britt “Sookie Sookie” (Veep)
Tousaint McCall “Shimmy” (Ronn)
Dyke & The Blazers “Let A Woman Be A Woman, Let A Man Be A Man” (Original Sound)
Syl Johnson “Come On Sock It To Me” (Twilight)
The Soul President “Get It Right” (Big Mack)
Spanky Wilson “Sunshine Of Your Love” (Mother Records LP)
Betty Harris “12 Red Roses” (Sansu)
Nina Simone “Save Me” (Jazzman)
Diplomats “I’ve Got The Kind Of Love” (Dynamo)

The Smithsonian Institution Libraries site has a beautiful collection of Czech Book covers from the 20’s and 30’s. Many of the books feature hand-drawn type and those books which utilize set type retain a human quality about them.

-THE BAG MESSENGER

Marsellus Wallace has the records to make your head swoon. Shelf Arrangements is fully stocked with dusty treasures. Get this mix or forever live in a world less funky.

-THEBAGMESSENGER

This is my 2nd official mixtape. It’s basically a mix of library, rock, and various breaks. It took me about 8 months to polish out. The big issue with this one was that I could not export the d&#n thing!!! Desperate measures had to be taken to actually save the whole project. That is when I called in my good friend and talented artistXact One(he did the art work as well). Without him, this project would still be trapped in my computer. We worked day and night for 2 straight weeks battling this thing. So with that said, I proudly present “Shelf Arrangements”.

Download it directly from soundcloud or stream it below..

The Vagaries of the fashion industry and the value of hindsight

I have been a participant and student of the bag industry for over twenty-five years. When I started in the industry my heros in the industry were Judisth Lieber, Bottega Vennetta and Myers. Myers has gone out of business, Judith Lieber’s company isn’t the same since she died and Botegga Vennetta remains strong.  Back then product was mainly made in the US and Europe. The designers (like Judith Lieber) designed product from the experience of being sample makers and were people that knew the history of bags.  In the in 80’s better bag price points started at $120 and topped out at $1,500 (with exceptions for exotics). Now remember, the majority of made those bags were made in high labor countries. If you were to go into any department store today those prices are in the main still viable; though the top end has continued to climb. The majority of manufacturers are now importers; mainly from China. You may ask what is lost in this bargain, the consumer gets a good value and importers are able to get able to get their products in a timely manner, plus make money. The losers in this picture are the economies and people of the countries like ours. Young design/entrepreneurs are less informed about the possibilities of new designs and it takes a lot more money to start a new bag company as an importer. There is a value in supporting companies like ours. You are not only making it possible for our family to make a living but you are supporting all the good people that we work with to pay their bills.

- David Bloom

Some people pick up a hobby and barely scratch the surface. Others dive in head first and sink into the murky waters below. This degree of dedication varies depending on the complexity of the culture. When it comes to collecting records, one thing is certain. The pond is deep. If you do decide to jump in, and start really fishing around, eventually you will see DJ Marsellus Wallace in full deep sea snorkel gear, unearthing seldom seen treasures.

- THE BAG MESSENGER 

MARSELLUS WALLACE: I got into collecting records about 6 years ago, pretty much when I started Djing. I just loved the deep sound that vinyl had to offer. Man, I slept for so long. I started out collecting 1st run pressing hip hop LP’s. That was the juice for me man. That and scratch records. I still collect all of that, but my tastes have changed quite a bit. 

THE BAG MESSENGER: What kinds of things are you looking for these days?

MARSELLUS WALLACE: These days I am into sound library records. Whether its labels such as Peer, Themes, Music De Wolfe, Telemusic, Chappell…I don’t care. I gotta have it all!  I am a huge fan of Italian and French soundtracks as well. Pretty much anything funky with an open drum break makes me happy though. 

THE BAG MESSENGER: How did you discover your love for original sound track recordings?

MARSELLUS WALLACE: When I first heard Dj Shadow’s recordings…WOW! I was mind blown! I was so impressed with how he interpreted himself through rare grooves and filthy drum breaks. It wasn’t until way later that I started understanding his message between the lines. Then…I heard the Dusty Finger compilations. I must say that Danny Dan the Beat Man is 100% solely responsible for my addiction to European funk and 70’s television themes. 

THE BAG MESSENGER: Any interesting digging stories?

MARSELLUS WALLACE: My closest loved ones tried to have an intervention with me about my vinyl addiction. Its serious I suppose  

THE BAG MESSENGER: Favorite finds?

MARSELLUS WALLACE: Manzel – Midnight Theme (Test Pressing). 

THE BAG MESSENGER: How deep in the crates are you?

MARSELLUS WALLACE: I don’t know, the deeper I go I realize that I still have got a lot to go. As spoken by the true master, I am a student of this. It’s quality…not quantity right? At the rate things are going, I’ll be out of the house in no time lol. 

THE BAG MESSENGER: Whats the story with these soundtrack recordings?

MARSELLUS WALLACE: A lot about the history of library recordings is unknown. Composers/musicians used different aliases. Even in the early 70’s there was this sort of “big brother” group that used to enforce the rights of the artists. The artists could care less about the $$$, they just enjoyed doing sessions. Obviously somebody was getting paid off of the so-called “equal rights” of the musicians. So many were forced to use different names and aliases. They would even record secret underground sessions.  How dope is that? Too have such a passion for music and family, that you are willing to break the law for your love of the funk. Other than that, the larger percent were designed for television or movie scores. Instrumentation that interprets a certain feeling or intended theme.

THE BAG MESSENGER: Favorite crates to dig in? 

MARSELLUS WALLACE: I love going to the dirty dirty man. TN has some great spots. In San Diego I mostly go through thrift stores, weekend swap meets, and Access Hip Hop. I also do a lot of business with local and private sellers. Maybe this sounds crazy, but I don’t want to put my local spots on blast. They got enough traffic as it is ha! 

THE BAG MESSENGER: Has Serato changed the way you get down? 

MARSELLUS WALLACE: I don’t use Serato. But it would be nice to have doubles of everything. I think it’s a great tool. But it’s just not on my want list of things for I need for DJ’ing. 

THE BAG MESSENGER: Every DJ has a horror story or two….what is the worst thing to happen at a gig?

MARSELLUS WALLACE: Ha ha!!! One time I was rocking a party in Ocean Beach at a complex on Saratoga. There was a balcony above me with some drunk chick that got the woosey’s and yacked all over me, my decks, mixer, and all up in my crates. She had pasta that night. (editors note. gross) 

THE BAG MESSENGER: What are you working on now? Whats up with this new mix tape?

MARSELLUS WALLACE:  Right now I am putting the finishing touches on a mixtape called “Shelf Arrangements”. It is basically a mix of library, rock, and breaks. I am also working on a project with 2 emcee’s. They are called Kaus and Craze. This will be my 1st album with all production and beats my myself. With the help of many others to come, I am looking forward to the journey.

Keeping in vein with last weeks post. Round Two of the DJ Nuts Disco E Cultura Saga! Collect them all! 

-THE BAG MESSENGER 

Click here to download the mix! 

The first time I saw a diagram of a ship with dazzle camouflage, I thought that the diagram was a recent, purely conceptual illustration. However, I just learned that these camouflage patterns were actually used in both World Wars. The purpose of dazzle camouflage is not to conceal, but to disorient. The patterns make it difficult for onlookers to determine which direction the ship is heading. The Rhode Island School of Design has an online exhibit dedicated to these incredible camouflage patterns.

-THE BAG MESSENGER

We just got back the final edit of a commercial we shot for the Simple Messenger bag. It was shot over the summer, but you can never rule out a surprise water ballooning (how horrible would it be in the winter??). Anyway we hope you like it. Special thanks to teacher Ed Blammo for being such a good sport and to the kids for doing such a good job holding their water balloons until just the right moment.  

-The Bag Messenger

Letman (Job Wouters) has some great illustrative and hand-lettered work in his portfolio. It’s refreshing to see that many of his projects do not contain any digitally-rendered typefaces. I also really like the video project, ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ, in which Wouters has a lettering session with his nephew. It’s really interesting to see how children interpret the letters that they see.

-THE BAG MESSENGER

DJ Nuts is a Brazilian DJ with seriously hefty crates. These Disco E Cultura mixes are a great company on a nice fall walk. Enjoy

-THE BAG MESSENGER 

Click the cover for a free download. Thanks DJ Nuts! 

DJ Spinna is back at it again with the latest installment of “Strange Games and Things”. Volume 5 has yet to drop, but you can enjoy the stream in the mean time. Check BBE for the release!

-THE BAG MESSENGER

The Strange Games… series which began in the summer of 1997, represents
the blueprint for modern R&B and rap music. It joins the dots between 70s soul, 80s rare groove and 90s mass market hip hop. This compilation contains a wide variety of styles of tracks, from classic dance-floor fillers as well as lesser known delights. A more accessible diggers delight if you wish with an emphasis on quality track and not just songs worth having for a 2 second sample.
Featuring a much more worldly selection than its predecessors – tracks by the
multi platinum selling War to Sylvia ( Founder of Sugarhill Records) sit side by
side with world music underground icons like C.K. Mann and Francisco Aguabella.
This volume is the 5th in a series of compilations that appears to have the widest appeal of all BBEs compilations and proves to be even better by the fact that there is a bonus mixed CD by the one and only Dj Spinna!
 

Tracklisting:

• 01. Ned Doheny – Get It Up for Love 
• 02. Sylvia – Sweet Stuff 
• 03. The Ambassadors – I Ain’t Got The Love (Of One Girl On My Mind) 
• 04. Richard Evans feat. Linda Williams – Capricorn Rising 
• 05. Starvue – Body Fusion 
• 06. Sylvia St James – Motherland 
• 07. The Soul Searchers – Ashley’s Roachclip 
• 08. Willie Hale – Groove On 
• 09. Eddy Senay – Cameo 
• 10. SSO – Faded Lady 
• 11. Cal Tjader – Morning 
• 12. Francisco Aguabella – Ramon’s Desire 
• 13. The Philly Armada Orchestra – For The Love Of Money 
• 14. Family Tree feat. Sharon Brown – Family Tree 
• 15. The Perfect Circle – The Hands Of Time 
• 16. WAR – War Is Coming, War Is Coming 
• 17. Hiroshi Fukumura – Hunt Up Wind 
• 18. Wood Brass And Steel – Always There 
• 19. C.K. Mann & His Carousel 7 – Asafo Beesuon / Obaa Yaa Aye Me Bone (Medley) Edit 
• 2! 0. Merry Clayton – Gimme Shelter 
• 21. Bill Summers – Bra! zilian S kies

Traveling In Nicaragua

When you mention to most people that you are going on a trip to Nicaragua they tend to be confused. It just isn’t a place you hear about these days. Why would you somewhere that recently ended a civil war and is run by a political machine? I’ll tell you why. Nicaragua is a tropical paradise. Sandwiched in between Honduras and Costa Rica, in Nicaragua you can pick coconuts right off the tree, teeter around volcano craters while smoking Cuban Cigars, surf, lay on the beach, drink rum all day in hammocks, and buy more Cumbia CD’s for a quarter than you can cram in your luggage. Thats right. Paradise, and it isn’t that dangerous if you know what to look out for. I wrote this not as a guide to the country or even a real review of where to go. Instead look at this as a snapshot of some of the places I visited, and a short list of things to avoid. Even paradise has its pitfalls and be very aware some of the pitfalls in Nicaragua are very deep (see volcano below). – Case Bloom

The Volcano Concepcion

Managua

The countries capital is Managua, a city that sprawls in the view of active volcano’s, and lies along a major fault line. Declared capital in 1852 and essentially destroyed in an 1931 earthquake, Managua has had its share of natural disasters in a relatively brief period. In the 1970’s after a large earthquake hit and flattened the city center, everyone relocated and rebuild further from the fault line. The resulting “new city” was laid out in a way that is so confusing it only makes sence to natives. In Managua, pot holed streets wind through crowded neighborhoods, and all is done seemingly without organization. There are no street names or addresses in Nicaragua (Managua included). None. In Managua everything is identified through a coordinate system that uses “towards the lake”, “away from the lake”, the direction the sun rises East aka “up”, and the direction it sets West aka “down” as indicators. Your hotel may lie one and a half blocks down and two blocks towards the lake. This whole system raises another issue. Managuans use landmarks instead of addresses to identify places, and often times these landmarks are no longer around. Your hotel may be by “the big tree”, or down the street from a particular business that closed years ago. As long as it is (or was) a commonly recognized place, it may potentially enter the directional lexicon. Needless to say getting around Managua requires a keen sence of adventure, a compass, and a guide.   

Driving 

Driving in Nicaragua is an extreme sport. The roads are in varying degrees of bad, two lanes width, and covered in obstacles. Passing a vehicle in Nicaragua means heading into opposing traffic and praying you live. My cousin once almost killed someone trying to pass another car by making simple mistake, he forgot to look behind him before he veered into oncoming traffic, and simultaneously pushed a car trying to pass him from the rear off the road. The other driver, regained his bearings and followed their car in hot pursuit hurling bottles at them for the next few miles. Lesson learned. Be careful. Did I mention goats? Or horse drawn carts? You’ll figure it out.    

The Chicken Bus

If you don’t feel like driving, and trust me you won’t, aside from taking Taxi’s your only option is public transportation. The bus, aka the Chicken Bus, can get you near any destination and costs about what you would expect a bus that carries livestock to cost. Its cheap, crowded, and may be the most exciting bus ride of your life. Let me set the scene for you. Most of these buses in Nicaragua are old United States school buses that have been re-appropriated to carry three times the normal load, decorated with religious symbols and ribbons (for protection), and a large roof top platform for luggage. On the bus vendors walk the isles selling drinks in bags or little snacks, and they hop on and off constantly. The driver has assistants that take fare, open the door for passengers, and climb on to the roof of the speeding bus to dangle items off for exiting persons. That’s right, the bus doesn’t stop. It just pauses while you jump off and run along side to retrieve your bike from the roof, or transfer to another bus in the middle of the street. Who wants to read the news when you could be living it?

Riding the bus.

San Juan Del Sur

A beautiful coastal city on the Pacific ocean San Juan Del Sur is in the South West side of Nicaragua a short distance from the border with Costa Rica. The city, I’m stretching the term here, is set in a bay and surrounded by beautiful green hills. Originally a small fishing town, these days folks come to the area to surf the area beaches. The culture in town is laid back and feels worldly. You can eat really cheap at the market, get a good cup of fresh roasted coffee at El Gato Negro ( a local book store and coffee shop), and take a bumpy bus ride to Maderas to surf. I really don’t have much to say about San Juan Del Sur other than you really can’t go wrong in a place so beautiful. 

Every photo i took in San Juan Del Sur looks this good.

Granada 

Granada is the countries third largest city, was established in 1524, and is located on the coast of Lake Nicaragua. The streets are well laid out and lined with cool old buildings. Wandering around the city center is a great way to spend some time, and if you tire of it you can hang out in a garden cafe or check out the lake. There are also tons of tours where you can do yoga in the jungle and get in touch with your inner self (if your into that kind of thing). There is an open air market in the center of town, and a bunch of vendors on the street selling all sorts of stuff. As far as I can tell the city is devoid of records. I went everywhere looking to buy “grandes discos” with no luck. All I got were some bootleg Cumbia CDs and a few odd looks.  If you have any luck finding records in Granada..or Nicaragua in general please drop me a line. 

One of many local churches

A Garden Cafe with hammocks.

Lake Nicaragua 

Lake Nicaragua is huge, about 3,000 square miles. Really really large. The largest source of fresh water in Central America. It is so large in fact that it is home to one of the only species of fresh water sharks known to man, a chain of 365 islands (Las Isletas), and Concepcion a huge active volcano plopped in the center on the island of Ometepe. If your in Granada you can charter a boat and take a tour of these islands for a small fee. The islands are pretty small, and have mostly been bought up so that the uber rich could build mansions on them (what’s more plush than owning your own island?). There is even an island with monkeys on it.

Check this house out. What is grocery shopping like?

If you are looking at taking a tropical vacation, consider Nicaragua. The country is beautiful, the people are friendly, and traveling on the cheap is easy. If you do make it down there please drop us a line and let us know how the trip went  and if this helped out in any way. You can check out the rest of my photos here