James Brown RIP (1933-2006)

by Ami Kealoha

James Brown was undeniably one of the most influential and internationally respected musicians of all time. Unfortunately, many people’s exposure doesn’t go much deeper than bad covers of “I Got You (I Feel Good)” at weddings.

James Brown’s Funky People is an essential collection of music written, produced, and performed by James Brown with the numerous side projects he released on his People imprint between ’71 and ’75, representing some of the Godfather’s best work. Unbelievably prolific in that four year period, in addition to recording thirteen classic albums as a solo artist (four of them double LPs), James Brown was behind groundbreaking records with his groups and solo artists The J.B’s, Fred Wesley and the J.B.’s, Maceo and the Macks, Bobby Byrd, Lyn Collins, Marva Whitney, Hank Ballard, Myra Barnes, Vicki Anderson, and many more.

Not surprisingly, this CD doubles as a hip-hop history lesson, containing the sample fodder for Public Enemy’s seminal “Fight The Power,” Eric B and Rakim’s “It Ain’t No Joke,” Big Daddy Kane’s “Wrath of Kane,” Rob Base’s “It Takes Two,” Gangstarr’s “Who’s Gonna Take The Weight,” and literally hundreds of others.

At a mere $9 (from Dusty Groove) for thirteen blazing tracks, you owe it to yourself. Also available from Amazon.

by DJ Scribe

Magnetic Jewelry Kit

by Ami Kealoha

Much like a DIY version of Luis Pons' Magnetik Distractions, this Magnetic Jewelry Kit comes with 125 super strong magnets in six different styles, including silver spheres, long and short cylinders and cubes, all of which can be endlessly reconfigured into different pieces. Without need for clasps or hooks, you can also add other magnetic items, such as coins or other jewelry. If it's anything like Pons' Magnetik Distractions, the jewelry is as fun to play with as it as to wear. The Magnetic Jewelry Kit is available in silver with either black or gold accents for $40 from Signals.

Taschen SoHo Store

by Ami Kealoha

Following the success of their pop-up store in the same location, Taschen is making their SoHo digs permanent. Designed by Philippe Starck (who also was behind their flagships in Beverly Hills and Paris), the space features swirling tropical-colored murals on the walls by Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes. Currently soft opened as of last month, their biannual warehouse sale will take place from 19-21 January 2007 and the official opening is slated for later this month.

Taschen SoHo Store
107 Greene Street
New York, NY 10012 map
tel. 01 212 226 2212

Espresso Accessories

by SummerSeventySix

Who got an espresso machine for Christmas? I did—an Ascaso Dream if you must know. It doesn't work on its own though, so I'm currently kitting it out with a few choice accessories to get the whole barista thing just right. Aprons not included.

For CH's hands-on reviews of coffee makers, see Coffee Classics and Coffee Innovations.

Dualit Espresso Cups
Made from stainless steel and double-walled for for heat retention, Dualit's espresso cups are perfect if you're going for a completely metallic look. They're sold in pairs, and can be found at Wheesh for £24.50.

Jasper Conran Platinum Stripes
Alternativelty, if you would rather sip from bone china, I like Jasper Conran's Platinum Stripes range (pictured above left). It's not cheap, costing £20 for a single espresso cup and £17.50 for the accompanying saucer. Available from Heals.

Gaggia Barista Frothing Jug
I like a straight double-espresso as much as the next man, but taking time to craft a fine cappuccino is more satisfying. Correctly frothing the milk requires a decent pitcher, preferably in stainless steel. I'm not particularly bothered about creating fancy latte art, which requires a sharply-defined spout, so I've gone for this one from Gaggia (pictured above right). It's the best-looking I've found. £15 from John Lewis.

Illy's professional steaming pitcher is a decent bet if you want create the aforementioned art, and costs $50 direct from the maker.

Gaggia Milk Thermometer
According to Coffee Geek, which is a tremendous resource and has a mind-bogglingly detailed guide to frothing milk, around 150 degrees fahrenheit is the optimum temperature for steaming milk. Dipping in your pinky ain't going to work, so a milk thermometer is a necessity. Gaggia again (pictured above left), £6 from Whittard of Chelsea.

Reg Barber Tampers
Just spooning your coffee into your machine's shot basket is no good—you need to tamp it down properly. Most machines are supplied with an inadequate plastic tamper, but Candian firm Reg Barber is the Rolls Royce of the tamping world. Various permutations are available, such as wood or aluminum handles, and bases made from brass, steel or copper (pictured above right). They can also be customized to feature initials or logos and start at around $50.

John Currin

by Ami Kealoha

"The more love you show, the more you destroy it," says John Currin explaining his use of a palette knife in his 1997 painting called The Bra Shop. With the more than 400 works collected in his new book, this quote (describing the mottled faces on girls with massively oversized breasts) helps make clear that Currin loves paint, loves mark-making, loves line, loves color and, yes, all the sensuality of the way he paints explicitly relates to the sensuality of the bodies he depicts.

Of course, Currin's work is a lot more complicated than that. Often bizarre, usually warped and always funny, Currin's masterful technique cleverly toys with figurative painting and the book—with source photos from Currin's archive, short works of fiction by Dave Eggers and the artist's own commentary—does his extensive body of work justice. The hardbound slipcovered monograph is available from Amazon.