The Coolmine

Idle Warship | Exclusive Video | thisisrealmusic.com

The Coolminer — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:11:21 +0000

T.I.R.M. Live
Idle Warship
03.09.2008 | Terrance Wilmore

Few occurrences in music are as exhilarating as watching two or more of your favorite artists come together to form a collaboration that pushes the boundaries of said artists’ individual abilities. Such is the case with Res and Talib Kweli, or as they are jointly known, Idle Warship. Res and Kweli have collaborated before. Their heavenly duet, “Where Do We Go” on Kweli’s sophomore album Quality was an album highlight as was their hazy ballad “Soul Music” on Kweli’s (initial) download-only EP Liberation.

When these two get together the result is often as unpredictable as it is compelling which is why we at TIRM jumped at the opportunity to catch them live in lower Manhattan recently. Check out footage of the show.

When Aliens Attack! | Contra | nintendo8.com

The Coolminer — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:41:15 +0000

In 1987 the Konami Corporation pitted us against them. Red Falcon, an alien enemy like no other, was the antagonist in what may be history’s greatest video game epic. As you took control of “Mad Dog” and your buddy booted us as “Scorpion”, one thing became evident very quickly… you can not win! After many a child was stricken with debilitating thumb blisters, and even more had their domes split in angry, blame filled tirades, we heard rumors of “THE CODE”! Re-live the magic at www.nintendo8.com. Break out the lunchables and play on-line. Lest we never forget. -Mdot

Earbuds with Swarovski sparkles from Altec Lansing

The Coolminer — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:16:51 +0000

It’s not enough for something to look good, it has to be functional as well, and in the case of these Altec Lansing MHP 206 earphones, they deliver the goods. Sure, they feature sparkling, Swarovski ‘elements’: jeweled flowers on the earbuds and a butterfly on the choker, but most importantly, the sound is great. Thank the powerful 9mm neodymium drivers and gold-plated plug for superior sound transfer.

Designed for women, the snug fit (for our delicate, tiny ears?) provides passive noise reduction and great sound at lower listening levels, though crank them up to 11 if you’re rocking out to some metal music.

$59.95 at Altec Lansing and on sale now for $27.62 at Amazon.

(Via Popgadget: Personal Tech for Women.)

Betty Davis’ Bitch’s Brew | Original Cool

The Coolminer — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:59:45 +0000

Meet the original ‘nasty gal’: Betty Davis—née Betty Mabry in 1945. She was possibly the only woman forceful and creative enough to school Miles Davis, to whom she was married for a year in 1968, when she was just 23 years old, and Miles was about 42.

She recorded three albums between 1973 and ‘75, all of which failed to find commercial success: Betty Davis, They Say I’m Different and Nasty Gal. The first two have recently been re-released by Seattle’s Light in the Attic records.

Betty is said to have introduced Miles to the psychedelic and funky sounds of Sly Stone and Jimi Hendrix—who she was rumored to have had an affair with—and inspired his creative reinvigoration, which culminated in the breakthrough jazz fusion album Bitches Brew. The name of that album was apparently an ode to Ms. Betty, and the mind-expanding mixture of influences she brought into Davis’ life.

According to the Light in the Attic website, today, Betty lives in poverty and obscurity in a ‘Pittsburgh ghetto,’ only remembered by die-hard appreciators of the funk canon. The record label says the reissue of Davis’ first two albums ‘mark[s] the first time that Betty will receive proper royalties for her music on CD.’

Betty was Miles Davis’ muse, and she was lost to prosperity as her creativity was absorbed by the monolithic persona of the great jazz trumpeter. But the musical revolution Betty set in motion is all around us. Ice Cube, Talib Kweli, Ludacris and countless obscure hip-hop musicians have released tracks that sampled her work, and without her bold sexuality and powerful music, there may never have been Madonna, Prince, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Erykah Badu—the list goes on and on.

(Via SWINDLE Magazine.)

Stove? Au contraire… Cooksurface

The Coolminer — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:50:25 +0000

Fisher and Peykel’s Izona Cooksurface:

With Fisher & Peykel’s Izona Cooksurface, it’s not so much the cooking that would be the most fulfilling and engaging experience. Just switching on and off the gas alone could provide a visual treat. The Izona Cooksurface is a sleek slab of black ceramic glass with retractable burners and pan supports.

These can be raised or lowered individually, depending on your cooking requirements. When not in use, the burners are flush with the ceramic
surface, creating a useable area. Fisher & Peykel’s Aeroburner technology gives you linear, and thus more precise control over the size of the flame over
a wide operating temperature.

This means that you can nurse a chocolate fondue over a gentle flame, and then use the same burner later to sear a steak. According to Fisher & Peykel, the CookSurface’s three-in-a-row burner configuration is a result of observations and ergonomic research findings from its design team, and is meant to eliminate the dangers associated with cooking on the rear burners of a traditional gas hob.

www.fisherpaykel.com

via bornrich.org

(Via Goldarths Review.)

MAGIC at a glance. | Crooks & Castles

The Coolminer — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:42:51 +0000

MAGIC at a glance.: “

Crooks & Castles at the MAGIC convention in Las Vegas.

(Via CROOKSnCASTLES8021.)

Lupe Fiasco x Converse Chuck Taylor High Product [RED]

The Coolminer — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:25:42 +0000

Lupe Fiasco x Converse Chuck Taylor High Product [RED]:

Product [RED] as well as Converse always go hand in hand with teaming up with celebrities and influential people of our time. This time around, Lupe Fiasco joins Product [RED] to produce a nice Converse release. Highlighted on the Chuck Taylor Highs, is the use of Black Patent leather to accompany Red accents. There is no word on release yet, but stay posted. Via Complex.

“

(Via Sneaker Files - Air Jordan - Nike Air Force One - SB - Release Dates and Information.)

Tap Into World Water Week

The Coolminer — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:22:47 +0000

Tap Into World Water Week: “
In 1992, The U.N. General Assembly declared March 22nd World Water Day to call attention to the global issue of availability of clean drinking water. While potable tap water is abundant in some countries, more than 2 billion people worldwide don’t have regular access to clean drinking water.

In 2007, a grassroots organization launched the Tap Project in New York City to help raise awareness and dollars for the campaign, and now the program going nationwide this year. Here’s how it works: from March 16 - 22, participating restaurants will invite diners to donate at least $1 when they order tap water that would customarily be served for free. All the funds will be collected and donated to UNICEF who, with that $1, can provide a child with clean drinking water for 40 days.

Want to get involved? Visit the Tap Project website for more information and to find a restaurant near you that’s participating.

“

(Via Imbibe Unfiltered.)