You all don't need me to give you the blurb on Maestro watch and learn...

Maestro Knows - Episode 4 (Bun B) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

Recently l had the good fortune to work with Breaks of 10 and do a photoshoot with some of the up and coming stock on site this one Focuses on CTRL one of our premium brands with a blend of indie, alt and skate, they represent streetwear from Finland effortlessly. Check it out here.

Music seems to be a regular feature and this one is close to home my buddy Luke under his Dj name Aaron Ells is getting his hustle together and starting to emerge from the undergrowth...like that scene from Thriller but more grime and filth. He's got his facebook page up and uploaded some tracks to soundcloud check them out and download them. l will keep this short as there is more to come with myspace and an EP in the near future but join the Facebook  Group and keep up to date. We will be in Leeds for Creep at wire on Wednesday come through and check it out Jayou will be there to should be HUGE!

Electric Bloom (Aaron Ells Re-mix) - Foals by Aaron Ells

Kid Cudi came hard with this new video for cudderisback its hilarious and so worth the watch.

KiD CuDi "cudderisback" - Directed by Jason Goldwatch - DatNewCudi.com from DP on Vimeo.

Tyler, The Creator l'm not sure what to say about this kid he is coming out hard with this mixtape that came my way Bastard. Its refreshing and new with a flow that l havnt heard in a while the rap game through the view of an 18 year old kid making beats in his bedroom cliche maybe but delivered with excellence and professionalism in this mixtape.

Dom Kennedy got a new video out, now l'd like think everyone fully appreciates and knows about Dom but he is fresh and all of his mixtapes have been nothing but stellar check the video out and go back through the blog to find links to earlier stuff its worth the trek.

Wiz Khalifa is back with Smokerface its good but maybe im getting a bit bored of people using this beat now download it its worth it.

Hes also done a track with Neako dope.

Drake finally got some new shit no more recycling hopefully. Oh and hes on the complx cover thats pretty dope right hopefully there this will signal the end of regurgitated verse and dawn a new mixtape.

Download New shit.

Download Where were you.

This thing is dope l dont boil eggs but the videos this thing churns out are so worth it l might start. Go do it now check the link.

Sorry this is bit short but im going to add to it just need to get the content together got some independent articles to come with some cool cool people so eyes peeled.

"When all’s said and done, Electro-Funk (or Electro or whatever people choose to call it) was the catalyst, the mutant strain that bridged the British Jazz-Funk underground to the Acid-House mainstream, Until this fact is fully recognized the UK Dance jigsaw will remain incomplete and confused, with countless clubbers, thirty years on, having no idea of the true roots of the music they’re dancing to."

l was one of those countless clubbers until l was taken to see Greg Wilson and was immersed into a nostalgic situation that forced me to learn more about the music and it began with the tip of the ice berg. This video.

Greg was the first DJ to mix live on TV, that is quite a title by any measure, l think its UK TV but still l dont think that detracts for the event in anyway, the presenter thats Jools Holland. This aired on 25th February 1983 and really breaks down mixing to its basics, l can't imagine people not knowing the concepts of mixing and how it works on such a level basic but at that time they did exist and Greg Wilson pioneered the scene helping it to mature and develope.

HORSE & GROOM LONDON PT2 22.11.09 (greg wilson live mix)  by  gregwilson

Greg himself calls the genre electro funk or electro but that word evidently has been manipulated and morphed from its original meaning by popular culture and music. It essentially means electronic which is something very basic and not the busy dance music we associate the word to today.

HORSE & GROOM LONDON PT3 22.11.09 (greg wilson live mix)  by  gregwilson

Electro- Funk was the foundations for a massive amount of music Hip Hop, Techno, House, Drum & Bass, Garage all manner of derivatives all owe a huge debt to pioneers like Greg Wilson. At first Electro was meet with massive resistance from "the Purists" as it was not viewed as real music due to its "technological nature" but as time went on and tastes changed even the most rooted DJs were forced to play Electro or atleast adapt it into their sets. The movement began in the North and spread South as it began to gain popularity and momentum. The Electro scene took so long to fully establish itself in the capital bacause of the stranglehold the all-powerful Soul Mafia DJs held on the Southern scene. The Soul Mafia, with big names like Chris Hill, Robbie Vincent, Froggy, Jeff Young and Pete Tong, continued to concentrate on Jazz-Funk and Soul grooves (later referred to as “80s Groove”). It wouldn’t be until ‘84 that their virtual monopoly of the clubs, radio, and the black music press began to erode as a new order of music replaced the old, laying the foundations not only for Hip-Hop, but also the subsequent UK Techno and House scenes.

ELECTRIC CHAIR END OF YEAR RIOT MANCHESTER 27.12.09 (greg wilson live mix)  by  gregwilson

If you follow Electro back to grass roots it takes you back to 80's New York where musical innovation was rife. The music that resonated from the city was no longer on narrow style that never strayed from the within the confides of an even narrower BPM range, Electro deconstructed these boundaries and the sheer range of music that came from it is staggering. A mass of artists helped to pioneer Electro Funk with artists like Kraftwerk, Human League and Gary Numan but also artists like Miles Davis, Sly Stone, Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder to name but a few that is an important distinction to make its influences weren't just from emerging Electronic Music but a spectrum of sounds helped to mould it and make it more accessible but also more versatile. As the next generation of musicians got hold of the available technology and began to create the scene exploded and finally came to fruition with " Dont Make Me Wait" By the Peech Boys this track no longer pointed at a new direction instead heralded its arrival.

Greg Wilson fully embraced this new scene and was meet with a lot of personal criticism as he had already established himself as a Jazz- Funk DJ,  "I was seen as a heretic for playing these soulless records, especially those that were regarded as the more blatant ones (for example, the dreaded “Planet Rock” and the rest of the Tommy Boys stuff, Warp 9 “Nunk” (Prism), Extra T’s “ET Boogie” (Sunnyview), Man Parrish “Hip Hop, Be Bop (Don’t Stop)” (Importe/12), and Italian Zanza 12", “Dirty Talk” by Klien & MBO)." Greg Planted the seeds in the legendary venues Wigan Pier and Legend through 82-84 with his weekley residencies and people would travel from all over the country to hear him spin. He eventually in August 83 went on to introduce electro to the masses with a residency at hacienda and regular mixes on Manchester's Piccadilly Radio.

MUSIC PLAYED IN DISCOTHEQUES PT 1 (by greg wilson for the tate gallery)  by  gregwilson

Electro funk eventually took its rightful place and its legacy was huge. It announced the computer age and seduced a generation with its drum machines, synthesizers and its sequencers, its rap, cut and scratch, its breaking and popping, its Dub mixes, its bonus beats and its innovative use of samples. Made to be mixed it inspired a new breed of British DJs to cut the chat and match the beats. Now legendary names like Grandmaster Flash, Tee Scott, Tony Humphries, Larry Levan, John "jellybean" Benitez and Double Dee and Steinski became role models for tuned in DJs and would-be remixers. Whilst Pioneers like Legendary producer Arthur Baker and his Collaborator John Robie, British producer Trevor Horn (via “Buffalo Gals”) and, of course, the Herbie Hancock / Bill Laswell combination, with their Grammy winning “Rockit” (Columbia), not only revolutionized black music but instigated a whole new approach to popular music in general.

MUSIC PLAYED IN DISCOTHEQUES PT 2 (by greg wilson for the tate gallery)  by  gregwilson

Electro-Funk was the channel that finally brought the Hip Hop movement and all manner of creative components firmly into the mainstream helping the spread the sounds through Europe. The video for Malcolm McLaren & The World’s Famous Supreme Team’s “Buffalo Gals” was massively important, it brought over the NYC culture of street-style and breakdancing which was a massive culture shock but a necessary refresh in the UK to help prompt a whole wave creativity and help us to embrace Street wear which help to make this whole movement more relevant and interesting to me as the music effortlessly linked through to the fashion and more importantly the development of street wear on the whole. Listening through Greg Wilsons mixes are refreshing in a very nostalgic way the images it conjures up and  the music cultures it reflects are essential to understanding street wear and its beginnings as the UK learned of  "Kool DJ Herc, spinning his famous merry-go-round of breaks for the b boys swept throught the country during 83. Before this, most people had presumed that the break in breakdancing referred to the damage you might do to your bones if you got the move wrong!"

CAFE MAMBO IBIZA 27.09.09 (greg wilson live mix)  by  gregwilson

Electro held a flame for the underground scene and eventually creeped into the club masses, in 1984 the London scene took off in a big way both in clubs and on radio with the emergence of Djs like Tim Westwood and Mike Allen cementing this radical change in the cities music scene. With the heavyweight of London behind it Electro began to snowball and gained more popularity and went overground. The british youth now found itself emersed in Hip Hop culture and the new UK dance scene was established and it wouldn't be long before Djs were beginning to create their own variations and hybrids most noticeably in bristol were Electro would be fused with Reggae and lovers rock to create Trip-Hop. By the end of the 80s the UK had established cities like Manchester and London as creative hubs on the global music scene in both clubs and recording Studios.

And The Freak Goes On (gw mash-up)  by  gregwilson

With out this movement that was instigated and given momentum by pioneers like Greg Wilson the course of Modern music may have gone in a very different direction and it would be unlikely the British acts such as Coldcut, A Guy Called Gerald, Massive Attack, Prodigy, William Orbit, The Chemical Bros, Underworld and Fat boy slim again to name a few would have emerged on the music Dance scene.

Working The Illusion (gw mash-up)  by  gregwilson

When all’s said and done, Electro-Funk (or Electro or whatever people choose to call it) was the catalyst, the mutant strain that bridged the British Jazz-Funk underground to the Acid-House mainstream, Until this fact is fully recognized the UK Dance jigsaw will remain incomplete and confused, with countless clubbers, thirty years on, having no idea of the true roots of the music they’re dancing to.

l've left it ages again and its the New Year which means one thing tomorrow is the 1st Birthday of Electric Press, funny to think its been up a whole year but its an important mile stone. This first year has given me time to work out and spot all the kinks and errors with the initial design of the site and given me more confidence that it is a viable business...If it can survive the doom and gloom of the recession then l think it can get through just about anything.

There will be lots of things happening over the next few months like Twitter competitions and free giveaways to celebrate a year in business as well as a big sale closer to the end of the month so keep your eyes peeled oh and also a shoot with our buddies Breaks of 10.

This year will see all the changes l've talked and and thought about like the infamous Girls side of Electric Press, a new layout for the whole site, improved blog and viewing area its a list as long as my arm.

Airing on the side of caution does slow things down but at least l have time to get my ideas together and do them properly. l basically have lists coming out of my ears at the moment but its all productive l think its a case of staging everything l want to do, with projects like 1303AD on the horizon its best not to rush them and do them right. There is so much to be done this year l wont bore you with it now as this post is going to be long enough, l will probably do a separate post on things to come or as they come into fruition.

l was in Edinburgh over New Year it was COLD but so so worth it. l had a great time with friends and we tore it up, the highlight of trip...WANNABURGER l duno if you heard of this place but its next level they do this burger call a 4x4 it was intense!

Guess who's back...MAESTRO and there is no stopping him. Now if you have not been keeping up with what's hood that means you missed Maestro's announcement of the MK13 T-shirt then heres what's up. The T-shirt is the final image of the 9th wonder episode and the head image on the MK intro for this season, the image above is the official MK13 release image and it looks DOPE. Maestro has been going all over America releasing the T-shirt at select stores meeting fans and keeping it close with the fans which l think is an important part of what he does, the fact that he has time to reach out to the people that support what he is doing.

If your a big Maestro fan you should follow his TWITTER all kinds of dope stuff gets said and linked as well as more chances to interact with Maestro in real time which is really cool its a good cycle of giving back and keeping it fresh.

Maestro keeps going from strength the strength and l think this year we will see some huge things from this guy and huge things happen to him. l'm going to let Maestro get on now heres the first 3 episodes from the new season...That's how far behind l am.

Maestro Knows - Episode 1 (9th Wonder) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

Maestro Knows - Episode 2 (Mr. Cartoon) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

Maestro Knows - Episode 3 (Ibn Jasper) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

That last episode brings be nicely onto the new Quintin X IBN Jasper 5 panel and its DOPE. it was based on the based on the Kanye West x Louis Vuitton shoe dedicated to Jasper and the crucial elements have all been incorporated to really help it fit and reflect the sneaker...RSVP have the hook up its $90.00 but for the material that have been used its well worth it.

This has got to be one of the most complex and innovative designs l have seen in a long while. The Designer is Jayarr Steiner and he runs a screen printing business in New York and he created this amazing technical exercise using THERMOCHROMATIC INK...you don't know about this.

The ink uses heat so when the person how is wearing it is below 32 degrees the design looks like it does in the image to the left and when you go above 32 degrees it turns into the right image.

This is not a concept it works and is a fully viable way of creating a T-Shirt, l'm not sure on costs but an email is being shot across to get the info as this way of designing aand printing could make for some interesting results. i'm not hailing this as the next big thing but this kind of innovation with T-shirts is exactly what we need to see as we go into year. Check the video below its LEGIT and shows how it works.

Sinatra prototype from jayarrsteiner on Vimeo.

This movie is going to be huge no doubt in my mind. l still havnt been to see Avatar yet but l need to go soon. l think this year could be a really good year for cinema with the expansion of 3D putting a new slant on movies.

l found this hilarious but people got really pissed off about it, l think this rivalry if it really does exist is cool its a breath of fresh air almost. l get it Banksy defaced a classic Robbo piece a 25 year old iconic piece...but if anything him doing that caused a refresh and this new piece to be created.

The whole tiff between the two seems a bit immature at best but the results of their actions have pushed them to create an a even more iconic and signature piece, all be it a in a very tit for tat way. The attention to detail on Robbo's repost is incredible removing the roll of wallpaper from the decorator and working his piece around him with such precision. This will be even more iconic for another 25 years, a good move forward and refresh on what was there and something that carries a story with it.

On that note of Graffiti here's another innovation l'm on a massive innovation and development binge. This is NEXT LEVEL.

The Colour Dial Spray won the Reddot Design Award for Design Concept 2009 and its so DOPE.

It consists of 4 colour cartridges CMYK in one unit/can. near the top you have two dials that control Hue and Brightness to help the painter achieve the exact colour wanted.

Obviously this is a concept but if it was created the implications would be huge carrying one can and being able to create a spectrum of colours instead of a series of cans. Also from a recycling point of view which is where it was born from it reduces unwanted and cans that cannot be recycled. This is innovation at its finest.

Jay-Z is going off and he's starting the new year with a bang with his new video for On To The Next one. if you haven't seen forever young yet either thats below.

Spike Lee directed the video for This Is It and im not sure how much l like lt but its a fitting montage to the life of Michael Jackson.

Another friend of mine Gavin Just created a new blog Fuck The Marco and its got a few cool bits and bobs on it check it out here.

My buddy Tom you heard about him last post runs Breaks of 10 and they are embarking on an exciting new project to bring us new and exclusive mixes from producers and Dj's from all over the UK. It's kicked off with a bang, this mix by Aaron Ells (Luke another good friend of mine) has created this Dupstep master piece for them. it's been on rotation on my iPhone since l got it and if your a fan of Dubstep this is a must have. Heres a link to Breaks of 10 have browse and find the mix. Keep coming back to for more exclusive mixes and content.

Next up is this cool bit of work by Marcus Troy it goes back to an old flip book way of doing things and kind of look stop motion at the same time.

parkour motion reel from saggyarmpit on Vimeo.

You can also follow the Marcus on the process of creating and choosing materials for his 1 of 1 Marcus Troy x Nike Bespoke AF1 Using a series of premium material such as KEVLAR yes KEVLAR, waterproof denim, Turquoise suede, Metallic silver patent leathers tabs check out some snaps by Vince Tsang from On and Beyond and the video of the process.

Marcus Troy x Nike Bespoke Air Force 1 from Marcus Troy on Vimeo.

James Reynolds did this a long while ago and its a photograph series of "Last Suppers" from death row inmates. I'm not sure why l find it so interesting but it's a cool thing to look at and something l have never seen explored before.

This is something that always gets me inventions that actually make things better like this recoiling socket its a great idea the amount of times l have found myself in the exact situation this would solve is untrue it might just be me but this is one SUPER DOPE idea.

Maybe not with a hairdryer but you get the idea!

This is another one of those things its a Vacuum Cleaner l know pretty dull right but look at it instead of designing something looks like a spaceship or a technicolour dream like dyson they have gone ultra simple and modern with this design it looks dope and is really practical it only weighs 2.1Kg and its ultra cool everything builds into or around the body its an ILL bit of design.

l think thats what my binge is about things that make the boring and mundane things you do interesting and a joy to use.

This store caught my eye cos its pretty dope Wild and Wolf it sells a series of retro toys and things for around the house, again its apart of this design and innovation binge l have been on. These toy boxes caught my eye they are cool, really nostalgic and retro what toy boxes should be like. They make for cool gifts to.

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HERES SOME SKATE...The audio was disabled throw your own track over it and enjoy!

IM ON A MAC...

So it's nearly Christmas, time is flying by for me at the moment cant seem to keep hold of it, Monday rolls around and l am in sunday before l've brushed my teeth and thats really not cool. So like the title suggests l got a backlog of stuff to show you music skate friends food the list goes on so l hope you in for a bit of a read.

First off l'm not going to change the habit of a lifetime and kick off this post with Levi Maestro. l watched all 35 episodes the other night and it was funny seeing the development of the show as it progressed the changes in Maestro and the way the show came across. It also reminded me of all the inspirational people that exist out there and the fun you can have. Maestro has been kind enough to give us this view into his life and it seems a shame to pass it up go through to his Vimeo or trawl my blog its all there. These are the last episodes of the NYC edition and its a shame its over was an interesting look into New York and the people that help make it the city it is.

Maestro Knows - NYC Edition (Jonathan Mannion) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

Maestro Knows - NYC Edition (13th Witness) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

l've been meaning to talk about people l know doing some cool stuff and l have met so many more over the past few weeks. Heres a few that have stood out. l wont go into great detail on this post probably after the new year l will try do an individual post with each person.

Andy from Hide Your Arms is releasing his own brand/t-shirt. Now if you don't know Hide Your Arms its one of the best t-shirt blogs out there and Andy was there for me at the start of Electric Press so its cool to see him doing new and exciting things, heres a picture of the tee and badges with the up and coming logo.

The logo was designed by Ray from Lowdtown (which are a DOPE t-shirt brand) and should hopefully be out for release around the 21st January next year so make sure you coop one. Its also the 4th Bday of HYA so help Andy celebrate 4 years of keeping us cool.

Tom Kirkby is the next kid on the block he works for red bull co owns Breaks of 10 and writes his own blog Ill Thought Actions all this and Uni makes me look lazy. Breaks of 10 is sorta the focus of all this its a blog dedicated to 100% original content which is a rarity in this day and age. There are interviews with Djs coverage of redbull events product releases its a dope site to keep your eye on check it out here.

l hang around with Tom alot so if your in the Newcastle area you can find us lerking around Cosmic Ballroom on a Tuesday and The Cut on Thursday. Tom is usually Djing and lm playing with the smoke machine. Come pay us a visit!

An old school friend of mine Josh Oldham just started a new business Blurred Reality its a great little site and in the run up the Christmas if your stuck for an idea this could be the answer. You send josh a picture and he can edit it a number of ways to essentially stylise the image. Check the site out youll see what l mean.

Finally is Andrew l havn't even met Andrew yet the power of the internet and all that but he owns a clothing brand SmoothBooth and where going to be doing some work together in the new year so keep your eyes on the blog. Again run up to Christmas check out his site if your in need of some gifts!

Lets break it up heres David Dallas video for BIG TIME, l got this track l dont know when was a long while ago. The video is illy the song is better check it out and show some love.

Check out his site here and keep up with him big things will be coming from him soon.

This is pretty fresh

vertical montanas - Thick Mugs from Motive Sounds Recordings on Vimeo.

Bobby Hundreds been stunting again he's got his out DeLorean puts a new spin on the measure of making it. l'll let Bobby do all the story telling check out TH blog here.

Johnny Cupcakes and Kidrobot have redesigned their website and they are looking good Electric Press is about to undergo a redesign make it look a bit fresher so keep your eyes open.

Lets get back to the Music

CURT@!N$ is going to be big he was in the first episodes on Maestro Knows.

Maestro Knows - Episode 3 (Curt@!n$) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

MODE is the track in the episode and its HUGE download it here.

Drake got a new mixtape download it to keep up to date with new music.

Kid Cudi is back check him out here.

On a completely unrelated topic l'm hooked on these they are the best sweet ever.

On food if your in NCL there is one place you NEED TO GO NUDO. Its a noodle bar and maybe the best food in Newcastle, atleast the best food l have had in a while. Pay them a visit mains are all under £10 its just good Noodles.

l got the spicy beef man it was HOT but so good sorry about the image quality Iphone for you.

Dom Kennedy got his blog going and l thought l would give you reminder of how good he is.

Finally heres some SKATE lap it UP

Eric Montealegre: Sicker Than Average from Anthony Gardner on Vimeo.

So been a long time coming finally set up in new digs and alls good orders are getting out on time finally so alls good. It's nearly christmas time so l should probably work on deals for you guys ill twitter, facebook, blog whatever is going on.

First up we got the Maestro and hes been working hard as per usual on the usual ILL stuff. This new season is the NY edition. The first episode is with Nigel Sylvester they take a ride around boradway and jump into format Queens.

"Forget a BLACK CARD he got a FIVE GUYS CARD!"

Maestro Knows - NYC Edition (Nigel Sylvester) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

The next episode Maestro is chilling with Anoma Ya Whittaker fashion editor at complex.

Maestro Knows - NYC Edition (Anoma Ya Whittaker) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

Wiz Khalifa is new to me l saw this mixtape creeping around not to long ago and its been getting some heavy hype and now l can see why. It's a solid blend of mash ups and refreshing hooks, reminds me of Dom Kennedy in that LA chilled rap style. Theres a great mash up with The Thrill and some Drake edits.

Download it HERE.

Drake's got some more tracks that have come off the leash, hunt them down but this is my favorite one and the album art work is always a winner with me.

Download Beautiful Music Here.

l think l should take some time to remind you that AVATAR is coming and you would be fool to miss it going by the trailer.

Avatar HD Trailer from Scott Tavenier on Vimeo.

Super Mario Wii 2 much its got a really nostaligic look to it with the 2D scenes, the two player option looks pretty dope. With christmas coming up its one of those things l find l play way more games over christmas and catch up on movies while l'm doing jack this is making the "list of things to do" no doubt!

13th witness was also with Maestro in NYC and got some footage with Nigel Sylvester.

Escape From Tomorrow (A Day In the Life With Nigel Sylvester) from 13thWitness™ on Vimeo.

This kid is so DDDDOPE.