The HighLife

When i was yay big (*motioning with hand*) i spent most of my time with my face stuck in a book.  It didn't really matter what type of book, just so long as it put my imagination to work.  Which is one reason why i love graphic novels.  you can call it a comic if you want, but it's still a book.  A big picture book.  It's funny people don't like comics, but like books with illustrations.  Switch out the words for illustrations, and what do you have... but i digress.  I recently found out that there's a movie in the making, Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn (produced by Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson), for one of my favorite comics of all time, Tintin.  And it's got Daniel Craig, as the bad guy, Pirate Red Rackham! Umm, yes!






This line of thought led me to my other favorite comic of all time, Asterix and Obelix. 



Two indomitable Gauls, and their puppy, fighting to protect their homeland from the looming Roman empire trying to take over the world.  And man can they brawl.





 It turns out there are already a couple of movies out of this comic, but they're mostly only distributed in Europe, boo!  Regardless, i found a song from the soundtrack of the last movie, Mission Clepatra, based on the book, Asterix and Cleopatra.  And who sings it, freakin' Snoop Dogg in all his glory.



Snoop Dogg feat Jamel Debouze - Mission Cleopatra

One day i will own i will own all 57 combined volumes of these books.  But one can only dream.  I highly recommend that you check out these books yourself next time you're in the young adult reader section of the bookstore, there's a lot more to it than Harry Potter and Twilight.

The self-titled debut from Canadian electro/dance music producer and rapper, Grahmzilla and MC Isis.  It promises to keep you moving all night, if that's what tickles your fancy.  Break out your most comfortable dancing shoes, cos you're about to dance the tread off those babies.

Upcoming project from Mike Judge (Beavis & Butthead, King of the Hill, etc.) featuring Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Mila Kunis, and Kristen Wiig.  Even with the so-called "Affleck effect" (which i personally don't agree with, i liked Jersey Girl), it still looks hilarious.  And truth be told, of all the characters in the preview i like his the most.



Extract - Coming to a theater near you this Labor Day

Let's take a trip down memory lane, to a time when doo-wop ruled the airwaves.



Del-Vikings - Come go with me

Jammin' since before jammin' been jammin'! A masters course in sustained groove.  This is how you change your world.  It's not the song, the message.  Live from 1983, a very good year i might add, this is...


Fela Kuti - M.O.P. (Movement of the People)

Warning:  Show requires a REALLY good sense of humor. 

This is probably the funniest show you have no idea about.  Last night's episode had me ROTFL (that's "rolling on the floor laughing" to the neophytes).  I really wish they had full episodes available to post so you can know what i mean, but i guess you're just going to have to watch it yourself on ABC, Wednesdays at 8:30pm.

Everyone on the show works for Veridian, a cutting edge food/bio/randomness technology company.  Veridian had just lauched a cost-cutting energy plan that uses motion sensors based on light.  Basically, when a person moves anywhere in the office the sensor picks up on the brightness/light on the person's skin, and thus sensors turn on lights, open doors, activate water fountains, etc.  So you can only guess where that leads, absolute hilarity!!! And this scene...

We're getting into the rainy season, and this seemed fitting.  Also, this goes out to the city of Pittsburgh as it pulls itself together after a harrowing weekend.  Here is Pittsburgh's own, Lou Christie - Lightning Strikes (Live)

What do women want?


Chester French - Jimmy Choo's

I really wanted to get the full video up here cos it's kinda cool.  And i did, for a hot minute, but thank you MTV Overdrive for killing the joy.  If you're listening out there, please fix that.  Otherwise, here's a cool widget with more Chester French/Star Trak related material.

 

 

Here's 5 cuts from some native children to help commemorate the University of North Carolina Tar Heels Mens Basketball team winning their 5th National Championship.  No, this is not my official squad.  But they beat the team that beat my team, so i will forever be grateful for that.  It's ok, we'll see them next year.  Go Panthers!

 

Last Friday there was an event at the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art)  in Boston hosted by the Fully Fitted crew.  A well calibrated blend of art and music, it was the kind of function that gets us here at The HighLife excited about life.  Kudos to all those guys for a great evening had by all. 

On the artistic front, i came across some 'robot' artwork while there that really caught my attention.  I'm a generally playful person, and it transfers into the kind of things i like.  On the second floor of the ICA that night there was a live mural painting courtesy of a number of artists.  One of them being a bespectacled gent by the name of Fish McGill.  Mr. McGill produces some of the most interesting and thought provoking characters you'll see out there; even if they might not be meant to be read into that deeply.  Which for me hits the essence of art.  It serves no other purpose but it's own.  His brand of contemporary art covers everything from the canvas, to canvas shoes (chuck taylor's. seriously dope), outdoor electric boxes, and everything in between.  Check out more Fish McGill projects at www.FishMcGill.com.  In the mean, here's some of his work i find fascinating.