Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee AKA “FUCK YOU STEPHEN” !

Jerry ‘The Young King’ Seinfeld returns to our screens in something as simple as  an 8 episode string of clips based around the concept of small-talk, in and out of a car, with a cup of joe to follow.

 

Its a web-series about nothing. The series follows a familiar path to the Robert Llewellyn series Carpool from a few years back; just interesting people mooching around in beautiful vintage cars sharing time, jokes, tall stories about this and that and of course, a post-cruise coffee.

Each clip starts with Jerry explaining the history of each vehicle, reading off the cars stats like its Top Trumps for eccentric petrol-heads. Each clip also starts with each cars ignition emittance, and even though im no man racer, theres something special in the sound of ignition charges from a 1970 Dodge Challenger being fired up.

All 8 passengers have their own brand of humour, some of the passengers include Colin Quinn, Ricky Gervais, Brian Regan and Bob Einstein [Marty Funkhouser].

Naturally, seeing Larry sitting uncomfortably in a 1952 Volkswagen Beetle discussing the pressing issues of the day is a treat, but the chemistry between Jerry and Alec Baldwin is on some next ish.

“So you think you are RAPIER that me/ my cell mate in Rahway, he was the RAPIEST”,  was a high-light for us…

 

Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap – June 2012

I remember seeing an early trailer for this and thinkin it was just another budget affair that probably wouldnt inspire me or educate me. I take that back. Im interested now because the core of the subject matter is less about the artists involved, its about the craft of rapping, although its always nice to see Caz in conversation about how it was actually Barry Manilow & Melle Mel that inspired him. Nice to see that the film will cover the important subject of an individual rappers style, and technique.

The underlying importance of this film is that the millions of worldwide fans who want to know more about the origins of Rap, get to discover the truth behind what the elders grew up with. It is also important because street poetry and the actual ART of rapping and rhyming words is still so integral to the soundtracks of our lives in 2012.

Grandmaster Caz & CC4 – February 1980 @ Bronx River Centre

Just a cheeky somethin somethin for the weekend. Some records/ breaks are untouchable, some MCs are equally unfeckwitable. Caz murders More Bounce on this, mainly as he’s  DJin & MCin at the same time, they call it ‘doin an Edan’ these days. Shouts to Tapemaster Troy.

Mr Magic birthday party [1984]

Another week, another clip from way way back from peoples that were there along-side the greats. This time we have conversations with the late great Mr Magic, Sweet G from the Fever, Kool Kyle, DLB from the Fearless4 and live performances from Fearless, Divine Sounds and the Force MCs.  Magic discusses Graffiti writers and the ‘generations’ of Rappers while DLB is prophetic in his observation that there are ‘so many creative writers when it comes to Rap, that there is no way it could really end’…

There’s also an instrumental with a Malcolm X speech towards the end, not unlike the 1983 Keith Le Blanc produced cut on Tommy Boy. Its probably exactly that, just a World Famous Supreme Team instrumental with a sheet of Malcolm over the top, but its cohesive, and sick…

Mr Magic funeral [2009]

In an anthropological sense, this clip is at the very least, engaging. Its also a very uncomfortable clip to watch, not just because it features Kurtis Blow reading Mr Magics obituary, also cos Marley Marl clowns it up during a service at the open casket funeral…

Inside Comedy with David Steinberg [Showtime]

Inside Comedy is currently my favourite TV show. It’s a one-on-one conversational format with veteran writer/ director/ stand-up David Steinberg, and its real basic. The show takes it lead from Steinbergs old 2005 programme Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg, with a simple face-to-face, breaking bread format, highlighting the ‘inspirations and influences’ of comedians and ‘funny people’ as well as ‘intimate memories and career-defining moments’. Things are a little loose in direction at times and the show might seem brief, but the raw, rare and uncensored footage adds to the fabric of this quality production. NB. The only laugh-track is provided organically by the camera and sound crew…

Some of my personal favourites in Comedy appear over the course of the 10 episode investigative mini-season which started 26 January 2012; Chris Rock, Steven Wright, Judd Appatow, Tina Fey, Garry Shandling, Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld and Mel Brooks. In terms of the level of talent, its a no-brainer. Steinberg interviews some of the finest comedians alive, going back as far as Jonathan Winters and Don Rickles [Louie CK was probably too busy, at the gym no doubt]…

As a guideline, here’s the Chris Rock episode.

DPG – Behind the scenes

Snoop continues to bless us with these simplisticly entertaining clips. This time with cameos from Kid Capri, Mike Epps and the Wiz. Its all about hearin Snoop talk about digging with the Kiiiiid. Tabernacle indeed !

NEW Sparkii Ski & MC Mello ?

Its only been up for a week, but already featured on UK super-producer Sparkii Skis Soundcloud page are random beats, demos, instrumentals of old MC Mello b-sides, and with even just one verse, what seems like a previously unreleased MC Mello track…

Sparkii Ski Feat MC Mello – Musty Aint Avin It

MC Mello – Talk Dem [Instrumental]

He has a co-produced alblum on the way with a group I know very little about too…

 

 

From as early as 1987 when the name Sparkie was listed on a Jus Badd release, then soon after on the Comin Correct EP and Blades Lyrical Maniac 12″s, I was always aware of the name Sparkii Ski. Im not gonna spout to knowin too much about Sparkii other than his beat-making ability, he’s part of the En4cers crew with Billy Biznizz and the rest, and he’s produced more MC Mello cuts than I care to recall. Seems he’s been plodding away at a few beats and has some ‘Heritage’ release due in 2012. Keep em peeled…