This installment of the 33 1/3 pocket book series investigates the Beasties' college-rap classic Paul's Boutique. Writer Dan LeRoy (Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, Vibe) gets deep inside the back workings of the album through interviews with Mike D, the Dust Brothers(!), and...
expand review reclusive producer Mike Dike, among others. In the second chapter, the author breaks down each track with lots of interesting factoids (including lots of sample info) and some music writer-type analysis. The final chapter ends it with a classy touch with a selection of anecdotes, facts, and observations about the album. 124 pages. -the mgmnt
Another quality installment of the 33 1/3 series of books, this one focusing on DJ ShadowÌs landmark LP Endtroducing. Unlike the edition on Meat Is Murder (which is fiction) and Unknown Pleasures (which is meticulously researched and written in unapologetic Pitchforkese: "alien...
expand review thwack" to describe a tom drum, anyone?), this one is based on a series of frank and revealing phone interviews between the author and Shadow. Did you know Shadow had a nervous breakdown? That the "What Does Your Soul Look Like" suite was primarily inspired by an epic depression? That Automator was instrumental in the production of the album? That James Lavelle was basically Malcom McLaren? All this and more is related by Josh Davis firsthand, progressing chronologically from his early primitive pause-tape beat compositions to Endtroducing to UNKLE to the Private Press. If you like X, you will like Y. 136 pages, softcover. -the mgmnt
12oz. Prophet has been the undisputed, premiere name in graf for the last 10 years. Their early issues are highly sought after, and were the first to introduce us to Barry McGee, Reas, Os Gemeos, Struggle Inc (who shared layout responsibilities) and...
expand review others. Then they switched the game with The Vapors (not affiliated with the skate magazine), which gave the official indicator that the scene had shifted towards bombing. After a couple years of hibernation, the 12oz. crew is back, this time reinventing the self-published book with this super-deluxe (an understatement) thing. I've never seen so many extra-levels of printing dexterity (budget was obviously not a factor). Almost every page is laced with special 5th color inks, stock changes, or special folds. It's quite ridiculous, the low-budget graf zine has officially been deaded. In addition to all the top notch bombing photography, there is a nice chunk of design and art here like exclusive layouts by longtime 12oz. collaborators Futura, Kaws, and Reas. Extras include a sticker sheet, die-cut stickers, access number for the exclusive site, and more. There's also some of the super-limited silver copies mixed in our shipment (they ship randomly). Highly recommended. -the mgmnt
This books offers a look at the entire career of skater slash designer slash artist Andy Howell. The book is presented in a very personal way, there's a good amount of text and the layout borrows styles of old skate zines...
expand review and skate mags. The story begins with his youth days in Virginia Beach, his early influences, and his rise to pro skater. These stories are illuminated by quotes, vintage photos, old skate products, and skate mag excerpts. If you grew up in the same period, this stuff is quite incredible. For the designers, the book really picks up with the chapter on New Deal skateboard company. Howell provided the visual direction for this super-influential company (recognized as one of the forces that shifted skate graphics to more of an urban direction). The book proceeds into a lengthy section on Howell's paintings. And just when you think it should end, you've only gone halfway through the book. The book gets deeper into Andy's drawings, early urban skating in nyc, starting new companies, and much more. This book is much more than a design book, it's more like an well illustrated manual on the DIY life. And if that's not enough, the book comes with 2 accompanying DVDs. Hardcover, over 300 pages. -the mgmnt
The definitive book on Banksy's work. This guy is now an official art superstar- I went to that show he did in Los Angeles a couple months back and shit was bonkers. 300 yard lines to get in, Brangelina buying up nearly...
expand review everything on the opening night, a painted live elephant, huge newspaper coverage, the whole deal. I mean this guy is MAJOR now. And while he's released three small picture books, this is the only true compendium of his work in print. It chronicles all his major works & mediums, from the beginning monkey stencils up to his full blown "street sculptures", brand burning and political work, peppered with writing, advice, explanations and such. I personally don't get off much on his fame or images, but I'm continually impressed with the scope and impact of his projects. Wherever you stand on his work, this shit is thought provoking, powerful and out there for people to experience- which is the most important thing. 210 pages, full color, soft cover. Recommended. -the mgmnt
Don't dismiss this from the little guy on the cover(it's the author's son), THIS BOOK IS THE TRUTH! Not only does it cover every basic foundation of beat production from setup to buying and selling equipment, but it also delves deep into...
expand review the philosophy of the producer, important comparisons of different styles(east coast vs. west coast), hip hop history, business, and tons of up close and personal interviews with hip hop's largest producers. All the pages are written in a down to earth, coherent manner so everyone from beginners to advanced producers can benefit. Personally, I've been DJ'ing already 10 years deep and this book will surely find its way to my home library. Sa'id's experience is a priceless resource act in these fast paced times of music and production. And for the price, you can sell a beat to your little bro for 20 bucks and make your money back, let alone become the next DJ Premier and make 20 G's. Highly recommended. -C'mish
This book was made in conjunction with the massive art survey of the same name, currently showing in San Francisco's Yerba Buena center. If you caught Tokion's genre-defining "Disobedients" issue, Beautiful Losers is like a continuation of that thought line, the summation...
expand review of many years of gallery shows, art projects, and publications that have been related in spirit. It features just about every "big" name that is associated with that movement- Barry McGee, Chris Johanson, Mike Mills, Mark Gonzales, Tobin Yelland, Margaret Kilgallen, Spike Jonze, Espo, Geoff McFetridge, Kaws, Ed Templeton, Shepard Fairey, Harmony Korine, Phil Frost, Ryan McGinness, and many others. Yeah, that sounds like they're casting the net a bit wide, but this mass of information and artwork is presented in such a thoughtful manner that it comes together without a hitch. In addition to showcasing the artwork, the book consists of informative articles that give us the background on how this loosely related conglomeration of people and styles came to be. This consists of an impressive collection of images + stories that speak about the social scene, past gallery shows, collectives, and the influences of the preceding generation (things like Dogtown and skate photographer Craig Stacyk, and the early 80s NYC scene); thankfully devoid of art school interpretations of what it all "means." The result is the most comprehensive piece we've seen thus far, and if you're gonna buy one book in this genre all year, this should be it. Softcover, about 275 pages. -the mgmnt
Stop wondering what the work spaces of your favorite producers look like. Behind The Beat provides an exclusive look into the home studios, collections and equipment of some of the top music creators in the game. Checkout Madlib's Loop Digga Hideaway and...
expand review record collection; Shadow's records, equipment and favorite arcade machine; Automator's vintage gear collection, Premier's personal D&D studio, Numark's log cabin, and much, much more. RECOMMENDED. -the mgmnt
Finally got a hold of this very in-demand designer's book (this isn't the DPM book). This Japanese book isn't really about the book itself, but rather the CD-ROM that comes with it. The CD features 100 royalty-free camouflage patterns in EPS and...
expand review JPG formats. You'll be hard pressed to find a similar camo resource. The book serves as a look book for the files with full page examples. Includes variations on traditional camo, digital camo, and experimental camo. CD-ROM is Mac and Windows compatible. -the mgmnt
These BNN Petit Pattern books from Japan are an essential resource for graphic designers, pattern makers, anyone else visually obsessive. Each book is filled with high quality prints of each pattern, a cd with EPS(Illustrator) and JPEG(Photoshop) files that can be manipulated,...
expand review and instructions for use in the field. This book focuses on frames and lines and covers over a 155 pages of different styles that range from extremely detailed to simple and everything in between. The possibilities are truly endless. Recommended. -C'mish
From the same people that brought you the royalty free camouflage book, comes this book of 100 wood grain jpegs. Could this be any more useful? Add instant warmth and depth to your designs with these photographic quality wood patterns. Images range...
expand review from light to dark stain in assorted grain patterns (from basic to wild). The book serves as the catalog and includes a CD-ROM with corresponding files. Recommended. -the mgmnt
In the same series as the ultra popular camo patterns and wood grain books, comes this volume of tradition Japanese stencil designs. I wasn't very familiar with Japanese stencils, but they offer incredible textures with fine details (check the closeup pics). There...
expand review are over 100 royalty free patterns in JPEG format included on the CDR, while the book serves as a look-book for each pattern. Also includes a quick reference guide in the back of the book. Excellent for designers and asiaphiles. -the mgmnt
These BNN Petit Pattern books from Japan are an essential resource for graphic designers, pattern makers, anyone else visually obsessive. Each book is filled with high quality prints of each pattern, a cd with EPS(Illustrator) and JPEG(Photoshop) files that can be manipulated,...
expand review and instructions for use in the field. This book focuses on Check and Knit patterns and covers over a 155 pages that range from mild to loud and everything in between. The possibilities are truly endless. Recommended. -C'mish
These BNN Petit Pattern books from Japan are an essential resource for graphic designers, pattern makers, anyone else visually obsessive. Each book is filled with high quality prints of each pattern, a cd with EPS(Illustrator) and JPEG(Photoshop) files that can be manipulated,...
expand review and instructions for use in the field. This book focuses on dots and stripe patterns and covers over a 155 pages of different styles that range from subtle to brilliant and everything in between. The possibilities are truly endless. Recommended. -C'mish
These BNN Petit Pattern books from Japan are an essential resource for graphic designers, pattern makers, anyone else visually obsessive. Each book is filled with high quality prints of each pattern, a cd with EPS(Illustrator) and JPEG(Photoshop) files that can be manipulated,...
expand review and instructions for use in the field. This book focuses on japanese patterns(traditional and new) and covers over a 155 pages of different styles that range from subtle to brilliant and everything in between. The possibilities are truly endless. Recommended. -Cmish
These BNN Petit Pattern books from Japan are an essential resource for graphic designers, pattern makers, anyone else visually obsessive. Each book is filled with high quality prints of each pattern, a cd with EPS(Illustrator) and JPEG(Photoshop) files that can be manipulated,...
expand review and instructions for use in the field. This book focuses on Scandanavian patterns(traditional and new) and covers over a 155 pages of different styles that range from calming to bright and eye-catching, and everything in between. The possibilities are truly endless. Recommended. -C'mish
These BNN Petit Pattern books from Japan are an essential resource for graphic designers, pattern makers, anyone else visually obsessive. Each book is filled with high quality prints of each pattern, a cd with EPS(Illustrator) and JPEG(Photoshop) files that can be manipulated,...
expand review and instructions for use in the field. This book focuses on simple, natural patterns and covers over a 155 pages of different styles that range from subtle to brilliant, and everything in between. The possibilities are truly endless. Recommended. -Cmish
Deadstock find, first printing hardcover edition now out of print.
It seems like this book has been in the making forever. It's been at least 6 or 7 years since we first started hearing the rumors that Bobbito was working on a...
expand review book about sneakers. At the time, nobody had done anything like that, there were no "specialty" sneaker spots downtown and ebay hadn't even come into realization yet. Every once in a while, you'd hear another something about it (grumbling about the UK sneaker book, etc), but weather it was actually going to happen always seemed up in the air. And now here, in the thick of sneaker mania and reissue fever, comes Bob's book, landing like a brick on an expectant culture that has grown since his idea started. And it's oh so official. 265 pages covering the years of 1960 to 1987, with a particular focus on basketball shoes and an incredible attention to detail. Brands, colorways, editions, boxes, advertisements, history, customization, legends and personal stories- each shoe from each year is broken down with incredible accuracy by the people who were there to see and wear them. This crack team is made up of about 20 sneaker nuts including old school court legends like Pee Wee Kirkland and Joe "The Hammer" Hammond, connoisseurs and fiends like MC Serch, Kurious, Pete Nice, Jorge Pabon aka Fabel, Schott Free, Dante Ross and others. It's everything you'd want it to be- informative, entertaining, funny, designed by Brent Rollins, the whole bit. Couldn't be more recommended. -mgmnt
You've probably heard of much-lauded photographer Boogie and his amazing black & white snapshots of Brooklyn life at ArtCoup.com, but Brooklyn-based publisher Powerhouse books has done the art(sy) world a great favor by issuing the first proper collection of his work. It's...
expand review All Good is assembled from pictures that Boogie took in some of NYC's grimiest hoods (Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, Queens) - pictures that capture a side of life that a lot of us will hear about but never truly know: dudes with hoods pulled over they eyes and two glocks drawn, crackheads and junkies living in squalor that would kill most, little kids having fun in the midst of it all because they don't know any better. The candid and incredible B&W snaps are interspersed with graphic anecdotes from some of the subjects that Boogie has photographed. To say this collection is "entertaining" would be an insult to the people who had to keep living after these pictures were taken; to say that it's sobering and endlessly fascinating would be more on point. The book is designed proper, too, with fully printed front and back covers on heavy hardcover stock, and the photographs are reproduced on 12" x 8" pages. 136 pages. Highly recommended. -mgmnt
Cody Hudson's first book focuses on his personal art with images from his studio, gallery shows, and lots of Strugglism doodles. Around 50 pages, measures 7" x 7". If you have a store and would like to carry this book, please email...
expand review struggle@turntablelab.com. -mgmnt
This is straight up crack for anyone born in the 80's or just loves videogames and throwback stuff. Billy Galaxy does an exceptional job of compiling and presenting these artifacts of early electronic gaming history (pre-Nintendo). From the classic systems (Atari joints...
expand review to Colecovision and Intellivision), to the mega obscure and rare games and memorablilia, this book has got it covered. Obvious classics like Ms. Pac-Man and Space Invaders are in here as well - but with every alternative cover possible. But the real shit is in the obscurities like the world's first adult series of games by Play-Around (really though... Philly Flasher? Gigolo? Beat 'Em & Eat 'Em?), horror games like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween, and board games based on video games. Other weird finds include Pac-Men ramen noodles, Q-bert memorabilia, and the Pac-Kong cartridge, which i was hoping would be a cross between Donkey Kong and Pac-Man, but the cover shows some Robotech-esque robots. You can get stuck on the design of everything in here too - styles that are often mimicked and imitated in today's design world, but are presented here in their original context. Really, there's just too much shit to geek out on in here. 160 pages, including full price guide. Recommended. -snackmaster
The music graphics book was born in the mid-nineties and died in early 2000 with over-saturation and lowered standards as a cause of death. Enough water has passed and people have learned from their mistakes. This is an excellent reintroduction to...
expand review the modern music graphics book. It's executed near perfectly with relevent examples (many records we've had at the Lab, but even more that we haven't), clean design, and Japanese-style attention to mega-detail (it's organized by designer, painstakingly documented, and each designer has an interview). It is so effective that the book creates an illusion that these are classic record covers from 10 years ago, when they really are from yesterday. Softcover, 318 pages, 7.5" x 9.5" x .75". Recommended.
-the mgmnt
Every year it seems like there's a new sneaker book that blows previous efforts out of the water, and this one is the latest, put together by the people behind cult favorite website Crooked Tongues (Unorthodox Styles). It features 11 major sneaker...
expand review companies (Adidas, Conarkiverse, Fila, New Balance, Nike, Onitsuka Tiger, Pony, Pro-Keds, Puma, Reebok, & Vans), breaking each down by their most influential designs & models- with plenty of pictures, historical facts and minute collector's knowledge. As opposed to some of the more flashy & anecdotal sneaker books, this one has a rather serious, encyclopedic air and features many relatively new shoes as well as the deadstock joints. Both qualities are very welcome. Also features mini-spotlights on BAPE, Diadora, Ewings, K-Swiss, Lacoste, Saucony, Tretorn and Troop. Over 250 pages, full color, with a cover made from the same material as those plastic puffy stickers from grade school. Recommended. -the mgmnt
It's a visual overload! Panic Room is one of those art books that keeps on giving (I've looked through it several times and keep finding something new). With over 90 contemporary artists (whose work primarily consists of drawing), this Deitch Projects book...
expand review is a great way to see the scope of cutting-edge hand styles from all over the world. Trip out on an eclectic mish mash of comic culture, graffiti, fantasy, and psychedelia from the likes of Marc Bell, Paper Rad, Barry McGee, assume astro vivid focus, Tauba Auerbach, Bjorn Copeland, Verne Dawson, Jo Jackson, Chris Johanson, Margaret Kilgallen, Ted Mineo, Ben Peterson, Cameron Jamie, Clare Rojas, David Shrigley, Kelley Walker and many more. Just take a look at the inside shots and you'll see how inspiring and entertaining this compilation of work is. 11" x 11", 160 pages, softcover. Recommended. -snackmaster
Anyone yearning for a glimpse of skate culture at its purest, look no further - salvation is here! The book is called Disposable: A History of Skateboard Art, but anyone who knows skateboarding knows that the boards marked the era and they...
expand review were much more than just art. From the graphics on the boards, they made stickers, posters, shirts, logos, etc. Some even became personal tattoos! So the personal connection they had with its audience was a lasting one. They were images that got burned so hard into our subconscious skate minds that even a glimpse would remind you of the famous trick by that pro, unleash nostalgia of the era and any memories of you owning that board. So unless you were a total pussy and saved your graphic, it's likely you ended up thrashing your board within a week (hence the name Disposable). This made original boards very rare and now the nostalgia for those crude, raw, offensive, punk graphics are at an all time high. That's why this book couldn't be more timely. I know, my roommate Pinto is addicted to rebuilding vintage time specific decks down to the wheels (50+ boards). So, although the book is about art, the story gets much deeper. Artist Sean Cliver takes you through the history of it all like never before with 237 pages of full color photos, side notes, and best of all - personal stories from the pros and artists themselves. As we know, stark, shocking graphics are coming back with a fury (Mishka) but as the author suggests, "If there's any connection with skate culture and the mainstream, keep it in your head... I simply enjoy the graphics for what they are." Here's some of the contents: Companies: Powell, Santa Cruz, World Industries, Alva, Black Flag, Skull Skates, Shut, Hook-ups, etc... Skaters: McGill, Rodney Mullen, Cab, Mountain, Vallely, Theibaud, Jason Lee, Hawk, Roskopp, Miller, Klein, Randy Colvin, etc.. And Artists: Pushead, Jim Phillips, Wes Humpston, Andy Howell, Barry McGee, Chris Johansenn, etc... Recommended. -C'mish
According to the publisher: "Jazz was originally published in 1959, and since then it has become one of the most collectible photography books of the mid-twentieth century, ranking alongside the more widely known work of Christer Strömholm and Robert Frank." Wow, that's...
expand review pretty serious. They go on further to say: "It is perhaps the most successful of the era's many photographic attempts to capture the essence of jazz, because it is more than just a succession of musicians' portraits or even a documentary record of performance, but a book that visually echoes the music itself." Once again, pretty serious, but you know what? I think they're right. These pictures are stunning, each one of them is like an incredible painting with its time-stamped graininess and incredible black and white contrast. The captured subjects take this book to the godly level, whether it's the musicians in deep concentration or the audience in levels of mental rapture. Features: Lionel Hampton, Sarah Vaughn, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Art Blakey, Lee Morgan, and many others. 79 pages, 7" x 7.25", in German and English. Recommended. -the mgmnt
The folks at Ego Trip have really outdone themselves this time. Setting out on an unprecedented course to tackle the racial makeup (and subsequent racism) that is America. They've created a monster that is extremely offensive, illuminating, deeply researched, and funny as...
expand review hell. They use the same format that made the Book of Rap Lists so great- the massive amount of info, articles and topics are divided into digestible sections, then further broken down into their genius lists. A sampling: 10 racial rumors worth talking about, the sports racism hall of fame, Chin check: a US phone book suvey, the true race adventures of the Rolling Stones, top 10 whites (according to blacks) + top 10 blacks (according to whites) and so so much more. Design is handled by Brent Rollins of course, with an extra help-out of hilarity from Reas. Just buy it, mongrel. -the mgmnt
Here it is! Best reason to buy this book: find out what the hell Q-Tip is saying for the hook of Electric Relaxation. "Relax yourself girl, piece of clam? feels so grand? crease of spam?" Plus the secrets of 7 other "Notoriously...
expand review Unintelligable Lyrics". This is a seriously impressive work here, clocking in at over 350 pages strong with more information than you could ever possibly digest. It's divided into sections like Beef, Cheddar, Names, Lyrics, DJ's and list names like 25 Deadly DJ Cuts, Hip Hop's Greatest Two-Sided Singles, 10 Songs Marley Marl Wishes He Produced, Leave My Jheri Curl Alone, Go See the Dentist, The Essential Likwit Tit-ography, Kool Kieth's Favorite Paces to Pleasure Himself in Public, People Ricky Powell Wishes He Could Have Gotten Zooted With, and Afrika Bambaataa's Blues and Soul List (25 Most Important Old School Breaks). It goes on and on like popcorn. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, you won't put it down. -the mgmnt
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