As such, the announcement of the new men’s show MAN, starting imminently in Paris following their launch in New York is a cause for celebration. Created by Antoine Floch (former Surface to Air / Rendez-Vous shows) and Romain Bernardie-James and Olivier Migda from the creative agency The Imaginers in Paris, the ethos behind the shows is further reason to get excited. Marrying exceptional brands and designers with intelligent buyers and press, the desire is to create a unique creative environment which will make MAN much more than the sum of its parts.

As such, there will be a distinct lack of vapid fashionistas and emperor’s new clothes wrongmeisters trying to convince you something is very now. Expect instead beautifully designed, crafted and curated, wearable pieces presented in a positive and, dare we say, empathetic environment. MAN has stated their goal as ‘offering a complete understanding of what is men’s contemporary fashion.’ With Kitsune, Fred Perry Laurel, P.A.M., Hixsept, Passarella Death Squad and many more already involved, there’s every reason to believe they’ll achieve just that.

MAN Paris : January 21st-23rd 2012

5bis Rue Froissart – Paris 3

MAN is open to buyers, press and fashion industry professionals.

As a worthwhile aside, the photography of MAN organiser, Antoine Floch will be available to view at the show.

The last two posts have proven that 2011 was a great one musically but thoughts are already turning to what 2012 may bring.

Below are four artists that have caught our attention and promise to bring us many highlights throughout the next 12 months.

3LLL

Panoram

Pepin Beats

Swindle

Little One by Maya Jane Coles

Torn Sail – Birds (COS/MES Remix) – Claremont 56 by COS/MES

Tell Me A Tale by MichaelKiwanuka

Quintus Project | Night Flight (Original) by Derwin Recordings

El Mar Y La Luna ~ Lovefingers Remix **Snippet** by The Project Club

B1 – Belly Button by Noncollective

Stealing the Fire From Heaven (clip) by Pacific Horizons

Zed Bias – Music Deep Inside by freekschroder1337

Alphaville – (Todd Terje Remix) by BryanFerry

B – We Hunt Buffalo Now (Andrew Weatherall Remix) by ESP Institute

…and one I couldn’t find on Soundcloud but had to be included.

In no particular order:

The Supremes “Come Into My Life [Buscrates Re-Edit]“

Great edit for the slo-mo generation.

The Dopplegangaz “Wench Rench”

Free download from the album “Lone Sharks”.

Jonny Miller “Tapes”

Free download from Manchester artist Jonny Miller AKA Jus Listen.

Kevin McPhee And Gerry Read “Demolition Man”

Heavy dancefloor track forthcoming on RAMP.

Estelle “Back To Love [Swindle Remix]“

Grime artist Swindle remixes Estelle to great effect.

Blawan “Shader”

Standout track from the excellent R&S compilation “IOTDXI”

Radiohead “Feral [Lone Remix]“

Taken from the Radiohead King Of Limbs remix album.

Photek “Ni Ten Ichi Ryu [Riot Remix]“

Official remix of the Drum And Bass classic.

Bobby “Amends”

Underrated song from Robin Hannibal AKA Bobby.

The Stuyvesants “Girl, He Ain’t Me”

Available on the free “Super Nice Music 2011” compilation.

BADBADNOTGOOD “DOOM”

Life jazz versions of DOOM instrumentals.

A perfect example of their work is the Etobicoke, a classic insulated jacket which is as suited to our desire for great design as it is for our technical requirements. In all honesty, Finisterre outstrips any tech specs I’d even consider- such is the detail and build that they are guaranteed for life, and the Sherpas at the base of Everest rock them. Windproof, water resistant, lightweight and eco insulated, it even pack away into its own pocket and turns into a travel pillow- more versatile than a swiss army knife; the news that it has primaloft eco synthetic insulation (100g/m2), and microfleece lined collar and pockets may reassure you, but you’d be as well asking me to make one from a towel and some sellotape.

The price point is nothing short of a revelation, especially if you spend as much time as us lusting after jackets of this quality on the internet. Best of all, though, for one as shallow as I is the understated, classic design which means you’ll happily rock it for the coming winter nastiness in town and country as up a hill blowing a gale. Dare we say design and colourways conjure up Eddie Bauer and classic outerwear of years gone, rather than the garish unpleasantness all at B&F (and you) would choose to avoid like the plague. Chuck one of their breton jumpers underneath and even better, especially if you spend as much time as me looking like a pro-am Frenchman. The aesthetic and attention to detail of Finisterre means they more than stack up with the well-established dons of great technical wear, and no doubt they’ll be around as long as the Etobicoke will last you, be the use urban, urbane or outdoor.

Pics see the Etobicoke modelled by champion around the world cyclist James Bowthorpe.

Available here

http://www.finisterreuk.com/

UVU launches next year with a range of lines from Sports Performance to a lifestyle line constructed from performance fabrics and technology. Their innovations include the use of Nano-technology fabrics, waterproofing Japanese spun jerseys and oxford fabrics – think sweatshirts and shirts with bonded seams.

Another interesting fact is that it’s British designer Dominic Stansfield behind the detailing. For many, taking the helm of such a new brand might have proved a daunting task but Stansfields’ previous experience – stints at Duffer of St George, PF Flyers, Rushmore together with his own brand – has allowed him to produce an effortless collection. Designed in England and manufactured at the KTC factory in China – who have been making premium outdoors and sports product for over 30 years; it’s a collaboration, and not just another collab, that certainly will get it’s justified attention.

With many brand’s referencing vintage garments for their collection’s, it’s refreshing to see a brand incorporating cutting edge technology with classic designing, makes it exciting times for the future of menswear.

“Life is a journey, not a destination” 

The success of any journey depends on how well equipped we are. Often, a compromise must be reached based on budget, manufacturing expertise, fabric or suitability. Perfection is rarely reached and as a result, seldom strived for.

But imagine if it was. Imagine if outerwear and sports performance clothing was made not with a price-point in mind or a list of limitations to adhere to.

Most brands are still on a journey. UVU have reached the destination.

To take a closer look at what UVU has to offer via both their performance and lifestyle lines, head to:

http://www.uvu-design.com/

Quick word of warning! The clue is in the title for the Nas video, do not play if easily offended by bad language.

I thank you.

5. Floating Points “Sais”

4. Modeselektor Feat Thom Yorke “Shipwreck”

3. GHOSTRIDERS II X GESAFFELSTEIN “Viol”

2. MED “Blaxican”

1. Nas “Nasty”

B&F: Firstly, thanks for your time sir..

Kato: No problem, appreciate you asking.

B&F: So, would it be safe to say that you’re a producer born out of that whole ‘beat generation’ and if so, who would you say your main influences are from that ilk?

Kato: Ha, funny you should say that because I don’t really feel part of any scene or anything, I just feel like I’m putting things together in a way that makes sense to me. People like John Carpenter or Martin Hannet are as much an influence on me as, I dunno, Kode 9 or whatever. And things have been changing all the time since I moved down to London over 2 years ago. I could never make another EP like ‘Wildfire’ or even this one, because the things you make are of a time and place. If your life is moving on, which it always is, then you’ll be making different music or art, for better or for worse. I don’t want to sound contrary….but if you disagree then let’s take this outside.

Years ago when I was getting into production so Dilla was obviously a massive influence on me, just like he was on everyone. He taught me to disregard metronomes and not to ever, ever use the quantise function.

B&F: That lead’s me nicely onto the geeky question – when it comes to your production how does the whole thing come together for you i.e What comes first – beat or the sample?

Kato: I really, really try to avoid getting into specific habits when starting a new piece. It just leads to frustration, because sometimes I won’t be in the mood to make a beat and it sounds weak when I do. So it’s better to work on chords or sounds then. And if I’m not even good for that then I’ll be relegated to walking around with a sound recorder, beating frying pans and stuff. There’s no real pattern, I just have to go with what I’m inspired to do.

B&F: So where do you see your production going in the future then, possibly the inclusion of a vocalist or an MC?

Kato: Well in my recent stuff I’ve been using a lot of vocal samples, so it’s possible that I could go the way of working with vocalists. My production at the moment is definitely a lot, lot faster than the stuff I’ve put out so far. I’m interested in varying the tempo a lot more but hopefully still creating an emotional response.

B&F: Talking emotions then, what music excites you? This can be either new or old..

Kato: You sure you want to get into that? Ok I’ll try and not make this too boring…..You know, for some reason this week I woke up with the urge to listen to ‘Mezzanine’ by Massive Attack. Ever woken up with that urge to hear something? It’s always for a reason. Anyway I hadn’t listened to it for years and listening to it now with a producer’s ear is really interesting – it is one deep-ass album.

In terms of current music, Andy Stott is killing me at the moment. His music has sex with your ears and throws you out onto the street, where you belong. Seriously, I was doing something when I put ‘Passed Me By’ on and I had to stop and perform continual rewinds. I’ve also can’t stop listening to ‘Halycon Digest’ by Deerhunter. They are such an amazing band, their sound and the noise they make does it for me. I’ve also been listening to Echo and The Bunnymen since I saw them over summer.

B&F: What you up to right now, what’s in the pipeline music/DJ wise?

Kato: I’m currently looking ahead and trying to decide which stuff will come out where and when. I have loads of stuff piling up now that I would like to release. I’m thinking the next will release will be a 6 track EP, again with some faster tempos on. I’m excited to be in London, hearing all these sounds and pouring them into my music. The new EP has the working title of ‘Resolve’, depending on whether I can come up with something better or not. I’m really keen to get out there DJing too. I played after Kassem Mosse a couple of weeks ago and loved it. So much satisfaction when you get to subject a few hundred people to your music taste and mood. I’ve recently been taken on by the Secret Agency, who have an impressive roster.

Also, I have been working intensively on my pancetta omelette. After months of strenuous research I have finally found the correct cheese to use with it. I’m currently experimenting with the ratio of cheese to egg. I feel I’m getting close. Lunchtimes are pretty exciting round here.

B&F: Ha..I’ve spent a few years in the kitchen and have always grilled them before folding to get volume into the bastards, you do that too?

Kato: The issue of volume never occurred to me….dayumn.

B&F: Finally the mix, what’s the thought’s behind it?

Kato: Well it’s pretty messy in terms of the genres I’ve included, but to me that’s no bad thing. I think a good mix can cover a range of moods. I started this in the evening and finished it late, hence why it ends with stuff like The Doors and Colophon.

B&F: I particulary liked the Cameo drop, threw me and then had me singing along – even made me even cup my balls (a la rouge codpiece).

Kato: hahaha oh that’s a um, lovely image. The Cameo drop….just couldn’t resist it, wanted to inject a bit of silliness. Although it is a fucking right tune as well.

B&F: Sure is, anyway thank’s again and here’s the mix..

http://www.back-and-forth.net/audio/Guest_Mix_Nov_2011.mp3 [right click save]

Chairman Kato’s new E.P Science & Romance consists of four original tracks on Awkward Movements with remixes from Ekoplekz and Andres of Mahogani Music / Slum Village fame.

http://chairmankato.com/

http://www.awkwardmovements.com/

Chairman Kato – ‘Science & Romance’ EP (Clips) by Awkward Movements
Thanks to Moco Ziegler for the picture.

Presumably (sadly) overlooking the eponymous circus, the Chipperfield is hand-made in England, and the perfect informal day-to-day blazer in cotton twill, with razor-sharp detailing and durable design.

The Sion is another thoroughbred winner; Utile’s take on the classic gent’s raincoat in Heavyweight English Cavalry Twill. As with their other pieces, function and unfussy design are to the fore without sacrificing the attention to detail and care which catches the eye. As with the Chpperfield, and indeed their other piecses handmade in England has a suitably reassuring ring for classic wardrobe staples you’ll be rocking into your dotage.

For more, check them out here:

http://www.utileclothing.com/clothes_shop.html

http://www.utileclothing.com/about.html

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