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TOTALLY TUBULAR

So all this flying has me thinking. Human beings have been flying commercially by airplanes for the last 80 years or so. Planes have gotten bigger and faster since those first planes, but 80 years is a long time to be using the same technology almost the same way. There must be a better way by now, right? I know teleportation is not yet on the table, and I am not sure people would take to it initially. So what else is there?

 

Evacuated Tube Transportation (ET3).

 

With evacuated tube transport, designers claim you can travel around the world in 6 hours, Or from NY to China in 2 hours. The capsules that are placed inside the tubes can hold 4-6 people and they travel along frictionless maglev tracks. Et3′s produce a maximum of 1G of force at top speed and designers say the passengers would feel no discomfort. Additionally, they can be built for one tenth of the cost of a high speed rail system and the quarter of the cost of a freeway.

 

This technology is still being developed but, I can’t believe they haven’t started building these?? The same people holding back the electric car must be holding this back as well. If and when this happens, it’s gonna change the entire planet.

 

Watch the video

 

 

 

 

EASTERN PROMISES

 

I’m sitting in a diner listening to ‘Welcome To Detroit‘ by J Dilla, at Detroit International Airport on six hour layover waiting for my flight to Taipei. I’m off to the east again, this time to spin at ‘The Blast’ at Marquee. I originally had plans to send out a newsletter updating all the things I’ve been up to over the winter and spring and to make a few announcements, this gig included. It never happened because I didn’t want to send out a newsletter without a mixtape. I always try to make sure music comes with my newsletters. The mixtape I was working on didn’t get finished in time since it got delayed so I could work on music for ‘Amercia’s Next Top Model‘ LIVE! Yes the show, they are gonna be LIVE here in T-Dot May 4th to the 6th and I did the music for a portion of the show with the the big homie Kirobot. We worked on the ‘Toronto Love Jay‘ mixtape together so you can understand how we do when we do a collabo. The music is crazy!! I’ll have more details in my newsletter, which will get finished on this layover, and sent out as soon as I return to finish the mix!

 

I’ve never been to Taiwan before, but I’ve heard great things and look forward to seeing the city and of course rocking the 1′s and 2′s at ‘The Blast’. Taipei has got a cool hip hop scene so I should fit right in since they can get down with my roots. BrassMunk sold decent records out here back in the day, I can’t wait to see how those records do when I play them, since we never had a chance to perform out here.

 

Here are some random ramblings since my mind is firing on all cylinders this morning;

 

 

  • - I find plane rides a good place to get work done, and catch up on books, movies and sleep.
  • - Airports and planes are a good place to observe human behaviour.
  • - I couldn’t imagine traveling without a smart phone anymore, (maybe put that on my bucket list). My phone is in airplane mode, but wifi is alive and     kicking, so I can be in touch with family and keep in tune with the NBA playoff picture.
  • - This is the fist trip with the iPad, so made sure I loaded her up with books, TV shows and movies. We’ll see how long this battery really lasts since I’m flying Delta, and some of their planes have no power outlet at your seat, like it was 1985 again… SMH.
  • - North American airlines are terrible when you compare them to international carriers.

 

 

Stay tuned to the blog, I should be posting lots of pictures

 

 

All photos were taken with and edited on my trusty iPhone 4S

SEASON ONE

It’s been 13 years since Saukrates released his debut LP “The Underground Tapes“. I remember buying that CD at HMV, (do they even sell CD’s anymore?) at the Scarborough Town Centre Location. It’s still a highly sought after record to this day. You don’t believe me? Click on the link above and see what used ones are selling for. Don’t even get me started on the vinyl for it. If you own one of these, value it and take care of it, it’s actually worth a pretty penny, and is gaining value.

 

So much time has past since “The Underground Tapes” was burning up charts every where. It got Saukrates a Juno nomination, A Def Jam record deal through Redman and had him anointed the next talent from the north to blow up world wide. Several record deals and years later we finally have the follow up album, ‘Season One’.

 

It’s not like Sauks was only working on this record for the last decade+ years. He is a triple threat artist. He sings, raps and produces. He has done remixes for everyone from Nelly Furtado to Swollen members. He’s also has had more features then I can remember. Easily one hundred features. From k-os, Kardinal, Jully Black, Rich Kidd, Andreena Mill, Frankie Payne to Strong Arm Steady, Sauks has spit some potent bars over these years. Also released in 2007 was “Heaven’s Caught On Fire” by producers turned group ‘Big Black Lincoln’ where Saukrates served as front man. I am a part of the group, so obviously me telling how great that record is would be completely self serving, so I won’t.

 

It’s really hard to judge this album as a sophmore LP. Saukrates has had so much growth as an artist in between records, most haven’t been able to see or hear him flourish. He’s influence can be seen in his peers Drake and k-os. I’ve been lucky to hear some of the records (Bad Addiction, Saukrates Season & the untitled LP he did with Mr. Attic of the Da Grassroots) that were never released so I have been able to witness his recorded growth. ‘Season One’ the new LP may seem foreign to you in terms of the sound you are expecting, if all you know are his albums and his 12″ singles to date. You should treat this album as if it were from a new artist.  ’Season One’ is contemporary sounding, full of autotuned vocals and synth arpeggios. Much different then anything on “Underground Tapes”. Stand out tracks from the new record are ‘Season One’, ‘Only One’ and my favorite song so far ‘Save The Day’ Ft. Richie Hennessey (from BrassMunk) and OB O’Brien.  I didn’t include ‘Say I’ which I do like, but has been out for a few months for free.

 

The album has something for everyone, which might be it’s biggest weakness and strength, unlike his previous offerings which were more streamed lined to a particular demo of the hip hop genre. Saukrates albums have a way of growing on you, and increasing in value, so it’s worth the purchase, just do not expect the Saukrates from 13 years ago, he’s moved well past that.

 

As he should.

 

Buy ‘Season One’ HERE

GREEN TOPS

In 1962 when the Drifters released their soul classic “Up On The Roof” I don’t think they could have ever imagine how it could turn into an urban environmental anthem. Toronto is the first city in North America with a bylaw that requires roofs to be green. Green roofs are also known as a living roof. The bylaw applies to new building permit applications for residential, commercial and institutional development made after January 31, 2010 and will apply to new industrial development as of April 30, 2012. The Bylaw requires green roofs on new commercial, institutional and residential development with a minimum Gross Floor Area of 2,000m as of January 31, 2010. Starting April 30, 2012, the bylaw will require compliance for new industrial development.

 

The technical side of the law sounds boring I know, but the health benefits make up for it hands down! Green roofs lower utility bills, cool down the city in the summer, create cleaner air, cleaner water, and reduce noise in the concrete jungle. The succcess has been seen in other north american cities that have adopted similar policies. The city of Chicago put a 38,800 square foot green roof on a 12 story skyscraper in 2000. Twelve years later, that building now saves $5000 annually on utility bills, and Chicago boasts 7 million square feet of green roof space. New York City has followed suit, and since planting a green roof on the Con Edison Learning Centre in Queens, the buildings managers have seen a 34 percent reduction of heat loss in winter, and reduced summer heat gain by 84 percent. The facts are undeniable, plus it really makes the city look better.

 

Glad to see the city moving forward with this initiative.

 

Go Green!!

TOY STORY

 

When we were children, most of us had dreams of being a super hero at one point or another. Maybe you have been asked the question “If you could have any super power, what would it be?” There are so many different answers I could give, that we would be here all day discussing the pros and cons. Now unless you want to genetically manipulate yourself, the people at Firebox, have the next best thing. Personalised action figures of superheros and villians. You can put your face and likeness on the body of some of your favorite superheros. I’m pretty sure this will increase your nerd/geek status, and decrease your dating opportunities should you display your purchase publically, but kids (including your inner child) will love you for taking this leap of faith into geekdome!

 

Have a look here