TURNTABLE LAB

Andrew Kuo
What Me Worry Book - SIGNED

graphic charts and paintings from nyc artist, signed edition

LAB EXCLUSIVO: each copy is signed by Andrew Kuo himself.

Friend of the Lab Andrew Kuo creates work that embodies the Lab. His perfectionist / imperfectionist charts remind me both of Peter Seville record covers and the nano-thought processing speed of a record nerd. This first anthology of his work collects a grip of those highly acclaimed graphic charts (as featured in the New York Times) plus his more painterly endeavors. But beyond the musical connection, Kuo's work really taps into the complex post-collegiate life we're all trying to navigate. After examining several of his charts, you'll really get a sense of Kuo, bright mismatched colors and all. Essential for music heads, art lubbers, grid mongers, and all of the above. Hardcover, 12.2 x 11.2 x 1.2", 208 pages. RECOMMENDED.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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lab recommended / all / art + design books / books - all

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Barry McGee
Barry McGee Prada Book - Deadstock

deadstock find of rare book

DEADSTOCK FIND: This is Barry McGee's most desired book and regulary goes for well over $100.00 for new condition copies (check Amazon if you don't believe us). These copies are in new condition. LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER.

A hefty and beautiful retrospective that accompanied Barry McGeeÌs one man show at the Fodazione Prada in Italy. The bookÌs layout is exceedingly simple with the main beef (the pictures) arranged in the same sort of haphazard, yet engrossing way that he presents his gallery work. Image descriptions, dates and other info are thankfully stored way in the back, along with a 5 page interview. The work here presents the full spectrum of TwistÌs environment, history and art including installation work, tags and piecing, sketches, paintings and photographs of all sorts- his friends, street scenes, random oddities and more. ItÌs beautiful, at least 300 pages, and limited.
reviewed by mgmnt

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Barry McGee (Damiani) Book

awesome collection of works from iconic SF artist

Beautiful hardcover edition from Alleged Press and Damiani Editore (Italy) showcasing the works of SF graffiti artist Barry Mcgee. As you probably know, Barry is an icon in the street art scene - having worked with other graf legends in the past (like Espo and Reas) and releasing numerous books which has in turn influenced a whole new generation of artists. This book presents his pieces in the form of a huge visual collage - with photos, paintings, and drawings from his past and present installations, as well as many candid street photos of his art and his posse. 9 x 12 Hardcover, 176 pages. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

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lab recommended / books - sale + specials / art + design books / books - all

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Beautiful Losers Book

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 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.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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Hamburger Eyes
Issue #12

What's left to say about the almighty Hamburger Eyes? Every issue is packed with some of the most raw, beautiful and straight "wtf" inducing b&w photography you'll see in this day and age. In addition to the usual random shots from around the globe, this issue includes the short features "Hello New York" by Tobin Yelland and "All The Punks Think You're Dumb" by Ricky Adam. So what are you waiting for? 90 pages. Highly recommended.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

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lab recommended / zines / photography books / books - all

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Kerry William Purcell
Josef Muller-Brockmann Book

Can you ever have enough Brockmann books? No. Phaidon presents their tribute to the grid master with the largest and most comprehensive JMB book to date. The inner-jacket claims this book to be "most definitive JMB monograph," and it's hard to argue against it. I personally own most every JMB title printed in the last 10 years, and I can tell you that this book features a large amount of exclusive material. Whereas most books spotlight his signature poster work, this book tells the entire story of the man, starting from his teens, continuing through his early formative professional days, and ending with his later corporate work. What is most interesting is that the book presents his early drawings, paintings, and designs, and attempts to decipher his influences. Did you know that JMB was a skilled illustrator and painter? A stage designer? Had a Picasso-influenced period? Designed a typeface for a typewriter? Even if you own every JMB book, this book will spark your imagination as much as the first time you saw one of his posters. His progression is fascinating, as his body of work represents a movement from the complex and painterly to the simple and mathematic (think about that for a second). 275 pages, hardcover. Measures 10" x 12" x 1.25". Highly recommended.
reviewed by mgmnt

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Kid Koala
Space Cadet Book + CD

etched graphic novel w/ moody turntablist soundtrack

Can you believe it's been 8+ years since Kid Koala debuted his graphic novel skills on Nufonia Must Fall? Man, time flies! Since that time, the Montreal-based DJ/artist/tablist has been keeping busy touring the globe (with Radiohead no less), collabing on various projects (Gorillaz,etc), and apparently working on the graphic novel follow-up Space Cadet. The artwork is done in Koala's signature scribbly (but clean) style, but unlike the previous efforts, it is done in etch board lending for a beautiful black look. The stark look totally fits the space cadet theme and works even better when looked at with the accompanying soundtrack playing in the background. Yup, that's right. Kid Koala also created a totally original soundtrack (or "still picture score" as he calls it) to go along with the book (included here on CD) that features 15 tracks of brilliant turntable experimentation accompanied by cinematic strings, horns, and marimbas. Impressive stuff! Recommended.


reviewed by snackmaster

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Krautrock: Cosmic Rock And Its Legacy Book

excellent primer on krautrock

Krautrock: Cosmic Rock and Its Legacy is an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to delve into the highly influential and expansive genre that changed the face of music forever. "Krautrock" (or German Rock) was a movement born out of West Germany in the late 60's that pushed rock to the limits and beyond. From this fertile music scene came groundbreaking groups as far-out and diverse as Can, Kraftwerk, Amon Duul, Faust, Ash Ra Tempel, Tangerine Dream and Popol Vuh to name a few. Each of these groups as well as many, many others (32 bands total) are profiled in this book along with a wealth of rare photos, cover art, posters, and other rare visual materials. You also get a very informative overall history of krautrock, an outline of the various labels and producers associated with the movement, and essays and testimonials from Gavin Russom (DFA/Black Meteoric Star), Michel Faber, Erik Davis, David Stubbs, and more. 192 pages, softcover. RECOMMENDED.
reviewed by snackmaster

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Michael Underwood
Dispensaries (1st Edition, Signed) Book

art photos of legal marijuana dispensaries

Self-published book from photographer Michael Underwood. Underwood took two weeks to shoot the seemingly infinite number of legal marijuana dispensaries in Southern California. In addition to documenting this foreign (to everyone else in the country) phenomenon, Underwood's work captures elements of the economic downturn and how many closed retail spaces have been refitted as dispensaries (you have to check the KFC example). Visually, it's also interesting to see the signature low budget design clash (medical x hippy x bad design) and the hyper-usage of the green cross. Underwood does not treat the subject as kitsch; his photos are high quality portraits printed in vivid color with no text. This edition of 250 copies is number and signed by the artist. Approximately 90 pages. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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lab recommended / photography books / books - all

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Ryan McGinness
No Sin / No Future Book - SIGNED

LAB EXCLUSIVO: these first batch of books is personally signed by Ryan McGinness. And it's not just a one-liner, Ryan fills up most of the page with doodles and quotes!

Ryan McGinness drops another limited edition book to document his mind spray aka the visual free jazz. This book looks like Ryan's brain threw up, but unlike a commoner's throw-up, Ryan's comes out in expertly splattered vectorizations, pixelations and flourishes. There's no concrete rhyme to the book, it's a mish-mash of snapshots, sketches, and scans from Ryan's studio. 2500 copies. Hardcover, 168 Pages, 216 x 279 mm. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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Seymour: The Obsessive Images Of Seymour Chwast Book

light-hearted illustrations from Push Pin co-founder

A revolutionary of visual culture, Seymour Chwast is one of the most influential illustrators of the last half century. Filled with hundreds of his distinctive illustrations, Seymour is a career-spanning volume, sure to be an indispensable addition to the libraries of illustration buffs, pop-culture aficionados, and Chwast's die-hard fans. As co-founder of Push Pin Studios, Chwast has produced a body of illustrationsâ€"humorous, ironic, political, and utterly uniqueâ€"that are as inspirational to designers and illustrators today as they were when they first came on the scene over sixty years ago. Seymour is a spectacular and extensive tribute to a monumental figure in American illustration. Hardcover, 9" x 11", 272 pages.
reviewed by label review

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Soul Jazz
The Album Cover Art Of Studio One Records Book

100's of full size covers from legendary reggae label

Incredible collection of cover art from Sir Coxsone Dodd's legendary Studio One label. Studio One is one of the most important record labels in the history of Jamaican music, involved in releasing ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, and dancehall since 1963. It was there at Studio One that artists like Bob Marley and the Wailers, Horace Andy, Alton Ellis, Freddie McGregor, The Skatalites, Marcia Griffiths, Burning Spear, and many more became the icons they are today. This deluxe book, The album Cover Art Of Studio One, features hundreds of full-size covers from classic albums, including rare silkscreens, alternate sleeves, exclusive photographs, original flyers, and artist interviews from the likes of those artists, plus many others including Horace Andy, Jackie Mittoo, Ken Boothe, Toots And The Maytals, Sugar Minott, Dillinger, and many others. A must have for reggae fans! 216 pages, hardcover. Recommended.
reviewed by Von Bee

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Vice
Vice's Do's & Don'ts Book

They should have put this one out first. This book features 260 pages of every single Dos and Don'ts published in Vice magazine plus a bunch of new stuff. The Dos & DonÌts have been running ever since Vice started, and itÌs probably the one nail-down asset that has kept them around so long. Ironic anti-politics and hipper than thou guides to life will get you places, but thereÌs nothing like seeing candid pictures of cool people & idiots on the street, accompanied by the best photo captions ever. ItÌs a legitimate phenom. Measure your visual coolness (am I a do or a donÌt? quickly shuffling to the middle of the magazine to find out); laugh at the amazing fashion ineptitude of middle america/canada; ponder the coin toss fate of the ones that could have gone either way....so easy to get stuck in this book, but so amusing. Full color, and the pictures are a lot bigger. Recommended, and with a note on usage: store in the dumpy room so you can savor it longer.
reviewed by mgmnt

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dj + music + culture books / lab recommended / all / books - all

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Warp Records Book

history of influential electronic label

Did you know that Warp stands for "We Are Reasonable People"? This is a written and visual history of Warp Records. Successful label histories are always interesting. Almost all stories start small, then grow twists of luck and skill. This 190 page book gets very deep into the Warp history, its artists, its ideas, and its groundbreaking design. Electronica-heads and designers alike will be mesmerized by the amount of info here. Spotlighted artists include Aphex Twin, Nightmares On Wax, Autechre, Broadcast, and others. A healthy mix of writing and images with a glossary of Warp affiliates and a full discography. Softcover, measures 10.5" x 8.5".
reviewed by the mgmnt

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