Rash Guards and Head Gear
One of the most rewarding things that I started last year was to volunteer at 826 Valencia’s tutoring program. The center in San Francisco, as well as the six other centers throughout the States offer incredible programs such as after-school tutoring, workshops, in-school writing programs as well as “field trips”, which is comprised of a class of students creating an original story with a large amount of theatrics which is then printed and bound right there on the premises for the kids to take home. I feel, at times that I am going to the center to be tutored by the children rather than me being the one who has to show someone how to divide fractions (had to look that one up). These centers were created by Dave Eggers, who wrote A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, a memoir which probably helps to explain his incredible contribution to the future of our world.
The 826 family has received some press recently from the publication of letters and pictures to President Obama from the 826 students. The San Francisco Chronicle as well as the New York Times have run their pieces that once again prove that children are smarter than adults.
Now, for the music that will prevent rashes and cauliflower ears………
Freddie Hubbard – Weaver Of Dreams – while on the holiday break, one of the great horn men of the bebop era passed away. Along with his work as a leader on such great releases as Ready For Freddie, he also contributed to one of the most seminal jazz albums of all time, Ornette Coleman’s Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation.
Beirut – Venice – Has Zach been listening to some Boards of Cananda ? The new, or yet to be released March Of The Zapotec / Realpeople Holland has some electronics added to the brassy melodrama that comprises Beirut. Both EP’s sound promising.
Bon Iver – The Park (Live on Triple J) (Feist cover) – this track from Feist was my favorite from her release a few years back and fits perfectly with the tracks off of Bon Iver’s For Emma…. release. Spare and sounding natural without the smell of patchouli.
Speedy J – edlx (Chris Liebing edit) – the beats have been lacking lately, and since it’s been ages since I’ve heard good beats especially in a live setting, I’m glad I can always depend on this Dutch producer. Maybe I’m waiting for the groove to come back to Techno. Let’s get it back in the 135+ range with a more pronounced sub-y kick. Please.
