FRESH Movement: CSULB PAC Modern (1995-Present)

This Fall, marks another milestone in the life of a collegiate dance team originating from California State University, Long Beach. The Pilipino American Coalition (PAC) Modern Dance team hosted their annual Fall auditions for the 14th year in a row.

PAC Modern was founded by a small group of friends in hopes of using dance as an outlet for expression of today's youth. Originating as a mere pre-show act for PCN in 1995, PAC Modern has grown into an unstoppable force earning a name for themselves within a fierce and competitive dance scene.

PAC Modern displays a wide range of dance styles, such as breaking, house, locking, popping, jazz, new school, and is influenced by various styles, fundamentals and other forms of hip hop. Their perfomance style and choreography has been known to be unpredictable, infulential, creative, and innovating, with routines to prove that the team promotes versatility in dance. Most importantly, PAC Modern commits to entertaining and "wowing" the audience at every performance. Aside from dancing, the group enjoys hanging out as a FAMILY inside and outside of practice, still manages to continue their education, participate in various community events, as well as maintain strong bonds with their orginating club, the Pilipino American Coalition, embracing their cluture, and establishing friendships within the performance/competitive dance scene community. PAC Modern continues to grow as a talented and dedicated family, whose positive energy will prosper for years to come. Celebrating 14 years in existence, this family will strive to continue the passion, the love and the HUNGER to represent past, present and future PAC Modern dancers.

Enjoy the FRESH linkage!!

PAC Generations - 10th Anniversary Team


2005

Musical Productions Credits : Enerjon, Aldosound

Dig Deeper: myspace.com/pacmodern or pacmodern.com

The Kings of….Southern Fresh

I’ve been a big fan of Kings of Leon ever since their first EP Holy Roller Novocaine and they’ve kept up that southern blues-rock for the most part on their first three albums. Now, the three brothers and their cousin are ready to take over the Pop world. With their new single, “Sex on Fire”, KoL will definitely get more fans and probably a bigger push from their label. Well, actually, I think the label probably pressured them to start writing more “radio-friendly” songs since they’ve been one of the biggest “indie” bands out there and it’s time to crossover. Their 4th effort Only by the Night, set to be released this Tueday, is defininitely more “radio-friendly” but still has the Kings of Leon sound I love. Don’t be surprised to hear their songs on commercials or your favorite TV show. These guys are up next.



Dig Deeper at: kingsofleon.com

Here's a live video of "The Bucket":

FRESH Art: Andrew Hem

Andrew Hem's talent is something you should know about. His work shows the fresh influences of a life as a graffiti artist to the more refined lessons he's learned in his years at Art Center in Pasadena. His career has just begun and it's already caught the eyes of other big name artists to all the hipsters in the scene. Expect nothing but big things from this talent.

Dig Deeper at:
andrewhem.com
idrewhim.blogspot.com

FRESH Album of the Day: Al Kent Presents - The Million Dollar Orchestra "Better Days"

Al Kent presents his Million Dollar Orchestra and definitely shows us that disco is still alive. It brings us back to the days where funky strings, basslines, horns, and just feel good melodies brightened our day. I dug upon this album via EMUSIC and it's been on a regular set list of mine for the past year or so. Definitely, if you are into disco, you are in for a treat with this album.

Better days, indeed -- as the set takes us back to our favorite club sounds of the late 70s -- thanks to careful crafting from maestro Al Kent! The album's got a solid, soulful approach that's totally great -- a return to a time when making dance music involved a full range of instrumentation -- from tightly snapping drums and bumping bass, to fuller jazzy horns, and even a bit of strings! Al Kent brings them all together wonderfully -- and manages to make a sound here that's really quite authentic -- a batch of grooves that easily feel like they've been lifted from a stack of rare club 12" singles, and which hardly feel contemporary at all. There's a bit of vocals on the set from time to time -- mostly in a soulful chorus mode -- but overall, the style's more focused on the instrumentation, and often built around some really wicked basslines that recall the funkiest rhythms from the P&P scene. A treasure throughout -- and one of the few contemporary club sets we can recommend to any digger of older disco -- with tracks that include "Get It Boy", "Canal Street Bus Stop", "Rock Freak Boogie", "Keep On Doin Whatcha Doin", "Feel The Music", "Funky Funky Beat", and "Makin Love". - Dustygroove



Dig Deeper at: milliondollardisco.com

FRESH Video: "J and J"

Check it....new video by my boys Johnson&Jonson....its been a long time coming for this album and its finally official....."J and J" lockin' it down for West Coast Hip-Hop...damn listen to Blu spit..get at them here....any more "Johnson's" in the building!?


NEW VIDEO "J&J" DIRECTED BY The U.I.N.

FRESH Album of the day: The Hot 8 Brass Band REMIXES

One of the latest albums I picked up on this week. Turns out that these guys are touring the world with their New Orleans flavor ripping stage after stage with a band consisting of BRASS instruments. They do a few cover tracks such as Marvin Gaye's "Lets get it on" and Snoop Dogg's "What's my name?" But seriously they bring some HEAT! Dirty southern funk for that ass! This remix album has work produced by, Lack of Afro, Diesler, Aldo Vanucci, and many more.

Enjoy the FRESH linkage!





Here's a video of a live performance in Paris, France:


Dig Deeper at: myspace.com/hot8brassband
Purchase it here: EMUSIC

FRESH Technique: The One Inch Punch Documentary

FRESH ART: Joe "BAD" Kim

Here is some art sketched by my boy, Joe "BAD" Kim. This guy is an up and coming illustrator that is soon to break into the industry. More of his work can be found on his blog, Transitory Obsession. His portfolio is almost finished and when it is done, I'll share the FRESHness with you. Enjoy!

FRESH Album of the Day: Uncle Tony's Coloring Book - Blockhead

The entire album, "Uncle Tony's Coloring Book," is a great listen thru, its just one of those things that pick you up with jive, funky, up & downtempo beats. There are a few tracks that just make you want to get up and groove. If you didn't know, you've been blessed w/ some FRESHness! Enjoy the linkage!

Dig Deeper at: myspace.com/theblockishot

Blockhead
"Duke Of Hazzard" (mp3)
from "Uncle Tony's Coloring Book"
(Ninja Tune)
Buy at Amazon.com
More On This Album

FRESH Sports: Packers Fan vs. Favre Fan

When Brett Favre announced his retirement on March 6th, 2008, "Die Hard" Packer fans across the country were devastated.

When Brett Favre initated talks of a sudden come back "Die Hard" Packer fans were divided.

As one of those "Die Hard" Packer fans I found it hard to decided to stay loyal to the team or to the player. How do you not bring back the Face of a team that had a Pro Bowl season and was on the verge of bringing you to the Super Bowl. All though Favre did throw the interception that closed the game, there are other things you can blame i.e. the running game and not giving Al Harris help on Plaxico Burress...Football games arent decided on 1 play.

Allthough Favre is irreplaceable the Packers are still in good shape to be a contender. Aaron Rodgers showed signs of promise when he took over when Favre got injured in the game vs. the Cowboys. They didn't lose too many people in free agency and had a decent draft. Their Defense is one of the best in the league...(FINALLY! if Favre had a better defense he would have thrown alot less interceptions because he wouldn't have had to play from behind wich most people don't understand) . The Packers are headed in the right direction with or without Favre wich will make the transition bareable.

When all is said and done.....I choose to do both.

Brett Favre was one of the only reasons I started watching football religiously. I admit I did jump on on their bandwagon when they won Super Bowl XXXI but remaind a fan ever since.
Brett Favre just made the game fun to watch from all his come back victories to his unorthodox style of making plays happen. I've watched all their heart breaking losses (playoff game vs. the Eagles dubbed 4th and 26) and many of his interceptions but still admired his love for the game.

Now when people ask me am I still a Packer fan I find it hard to say yes because of what Favre had done for the team but in the end many players retire and those teams move on as I must do.

Watching MNF last night without Favre in Green and Gold did not feel right but it is something that i have to get used to.

Watching Favre playing for the Jets also did not feel right but it is what it is....i'll get used to it.

I needed an AFC team to root for anyway so it might as well be the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!

I guess that i am a Packers + Jets = JACKERS! or PETS! or just a fan of FOOTBALL period.

anyway.... HAPPY FOOTBALL SEASON!

FRESH Event: BLU of Johnson & Jonson doing it up in SF (Sept 19th)

Our partners in the Bay, The Reignforest Collective, are hosting an event at their monthly venue at 111 Minna in Frisco. To all our homies out in the Bay, support our boy Blu and the new Johnson and Jonson album. Don't forget to RSVP on Going.com to get up on that discounted guest list.

FRESH Motorsport: Formula Drift

Maybe some of you know the drifting motorsport from a movie called, Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift, and besides all the mob ties, shootouts, smuggling, and extortion depicted in the Hollywood interpretation, drifting is actually a worldwide legitimate motor sport. Forget what you saw in the FnF franchise movies...nothing compares to seeing Mustangs, Corvettes, and various Amercan Muscle drifting side by side with Hi-Revving Japanese Tuners, Mazda RX7's, 350 Z's, and R-34 Skyline GT-R's. Nothing. These rides will go sideways at 100mph, w/up to 15,000 spectators cheering, tires billowing smoke, and they'll do it all over again never holding anything back. With sanctioning body, Formula Drift, campaigning nationwide (and soon to be worldwide) the sport has been accepted by a wide range of demographics and has opened up gateways for major sponsors and manufacturers alike. Oh shit, did I mention all the models? Well I won't go in to detail, but I'll say that they are some of the best looking spokes models in the motorsports scene.

Check out the Formula Drift widget for video clips, flicks, and the last two scheduled events of the season along with the Red Bull World Finals, all taking place on the West Coast...this Saturday Sept. 13th in Sonoma, California, Formula Drift will be tearing up the wine country for Round 6, then check out The Final Fight where all points leaders will battle it out for the Championship, October 11th in Irwindale, California, and for the first time, Formula D will be hosting the Red Bull World Finals, at the port of good ole' Long Beach, California. There will be Professional Drifters from countries like Malaysia, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, Mexico,New Zealand and China all competing against U.S. for the World Title November 15th and 16th...its a pretty heavy deal and if your into cars like I am, these events you shouldn't miss. For more info go to Formuladrift.com and for more video clips check out my Formula D videos.

*oh yeah and if you wanna hear some dope music too, I will be spinning at all 3 events at the Grandstands (MarBinski will also be rockin' guest sets at Irwindale & LongBeach), and help run production with Belle-1 Racing Communications. If you hear everything from rock, reggae, funk, good hip-hop, breaks, to some banging intrumentals...thats us up there in the tower....HOLLA!

FRESH Artist: Johnson & Jonson

Yo im gonna just do a quick post up on my boys Johnson&Jonson (BLU and Mainframe) Album will drop Sept 23 on TRES Records, along with a follow up 'POWDERS&OILS' Mix on Clockwork...Keep an eye out for that red baby!


"BOUT IT BOUT IT"

FRESH Movement: MEDEA SIRKAS aka Demons of the Mind

I first got turned on to this group back in the 90's. They were the first group I knew of that consisted of people in masks waaaay before the Jabbawockeez.

"Medea Sirkas is the embodiment of a dance extravaganza whose roots are deeply embedded in the soul of hip hop. Legendary pioneers of strutting, boogaloo, and the Fillmore dance styles, this innovative ensemble transformed the underground dance movement through a cataclysmic dance explosion which perfected these popular styles and incorporated them into synchronized dance movement."

This group definitely brings a lot of originality to the table and has set the standard for this type of style. Around the world and back, Medea Sirkas has captivated audiences for so many years. I'm just giving respect where it is due. Enjoy the FRESH linkage!

Dig Deeper at: myspace.com/medeasirkas

FRESH-est Collector: Paul Mawhinney's Vinyl Weighs a Ton

Pretty amazing and tough story...but heres the good news:
The Collection was won on eBay for $3,002,500 by 'jopsoup', from Ireland. Not much is known about the mystery buyer but he's got 97% Positive feedback on his account, and sources say he is a legitimate buyer. Here what the winning bidder gets.

From Thomas Edison to American Idol, this is the complete history of the music that shaped and defined five generations. 3 million records and 300,000 CDs containing more than 6 million song titles. It’s the undisputed largest collection of recorded music in the world. About half of the recordings are new and never played, and every genre of 20th century music is represented. There are countless rare recordings worth hundreds, or even thousands of dollars each on the collectibles market. Organized and cataloged, the collection is meticulously maintained and housed in a climate-controlled warehouse. The estimated value of this amazing collection is more than $50 million.
The new owner of this magnificent collection will also acquire (1) the rights to Spin-Clean, the owner’s patented vinyl record cleaning system, considered the best on the market by audiophiles the world over, (2) the rights to Discmist CD cleaner, (3) CD Saver 2-part archival CD storage sleeves, (4)Yellow Jacket 45 RPM acid-free archival storage sleeves, (5) ownership of the owner’s six publishing companies and eight independent record labels, and (7) more than $100,000 worth of antique recording and listening devices and other music memorabilia currently on loan to a museum.

FRESH Sports: Building a Contender in the Baron Davis Era - LA Clippers Basketball

As the off-season comes to a close, the "other" team in Los Angeles has totally revamped its squad to make up for the loss of Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, two major players that have supported the team for the past few years. With plenty of cap space this summer, the Clippers FO was able to bring in a lot veteran experience to help with this season's playoff push. New faces on the squad are: Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Ricky Davis, Jason Williams, Eric Gordon (draft pick), Jason Hart, Brian Skinner, Steve Novack, DeAndre Jordan, and Mike Taylor. A lot of experts say that the Clippers won't do well this season, but I beg to differ. This is new era in CLIPPER NATION, good bye to the traitor Elton Brand and welcome to the Baron Davis Era!

Re-FRESHing the R&B Scene: Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It

If you're tired of the same ol' R&B you're hearing nowadays and in desperate need of some good soul music - check out Raphael Saadiq's new album coming out 9/16. Saadiq has always been one of the best producers in the industry. With a new album called "The Way I See It" he sees soul music in a whole different level and successfully brings it back to when music had meaning and made you feel good. It sounds like he hired The Funk Brothers and recorded it in Philadelphia and finished the album in Chicago. The single "Love That Girl" is available on itunes but if you just wanna have a taste of what the album is all about go to youtube.com/raphaelsaadiqtv. and check out his channel

...now that's FRESH!