Particularly of note in the comments was the extent to which Yauch and the Beastie Boys (who he co-founded) have influenced my generation, and many since. MCA seems the perfect example as a man of their journey as a band- maybe the best way to describe him is evolved. In part due to his Buddhism and a greater social conscience, we can see the evolution from the likes of Girls to his rhyme on Sure Shot, celebrating mothers, wives and friends.

From their punk roots through the cultural behemoth which was Licensed to Ill, The Beastie Boys consistently innovated- from the genuinely groundbreaking and criminally slept-on Paul’s Boutique, through Check Your Head and Ill Communication and well beyond, they excited, engaged and challenged themselves, and those who grew with them.

Beyond that, fabulous magazine Grand Royal became the cult it should, and Yauch directed a number of the band’s wonderfully engaging videos, which subverted the genre and perfectly reflected their music. Yauch continued as a prolific film-maker with Oscilloscope and activist through the Milarepa Fund, while still producing music.

Another striking feature in tributes, as well as interviews and articles was the extent that he had evolved as a man; acknowledging the folly of some youthful brattishness, and aspiring to better. As one who has touched and influenced so many, his loss also allows a genuine celebration of a true innovator, whose legacy will last well beyond so much of the mediocrity and laziness which assails us. Lyrically, sonically, musically, artistically, spiritually, and as a man, there is much to miss, and we will.

Rest in Peace. Namaste.

http://movieline.com/2012/05/04/remembering-adam-yauch-the-9-best-filmsvideos-
directed-by-beastie-boys-mca/

http://gawker.com/5907763/rip-nathanial-hornblower-mcas-hilarious-
response-to-a-bad-new-york-times-review?
utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_twitter&utm_source=gawker_twitter&utm_mediu
m=socialflow

Andy Pye is the name behind the Balearic Social moniker and expresses his musical taste weekly on his Purple Radio show, every Sunday between the hours of 9 and 11pm. With his quality past guests including the likes of Lexx, Max Essa, Soft Rocks, Seahawks, Jan Hammered and The Project Club – is testimony to the calibre of his output.

Check his blog for updates http://balearicsocialradio.blogspot.co.uk/ and tune in every Sunday night at http://www.purple-radio.co.uk/

Aptly named ‘Floating on a raft’ by Andy, it’s just perfect for sunset evenings without a care in the world.

www.back-and-forth.net/audio/Guest_Mix_May_2012.mp3 [right click - save us]

It takes place on 26th May in a dead slick location, in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, an area so achingly hip it needs a replacement. A hip replacement. See?  In fact speaking of hip replacements, one of us is going to be 40 soon, so we’d better have a party whilst he’s still alive.

As you can see from the flyer below they have some of the UK’s finest DJ’s in attendance, ahem. We then asked one of these gentleman to provide a mix to give potential customer’s an idea what they’d expect on the night, Mr Steve Lee delivered..

www.back-and-forth.net/audio/Trans Vesuvian.mp3 [right click save us]

Buy your tickets here [only 150 available]

There were a couple of things which struck me watching the intriguing film to introduce the Hudson River Project, save for the bold concept and aesthetic which is to the fore throughout. A collaboration between Antony Crook and James Bowthorpe, it will begin filming in September.

The first was that this was not the archetypal America of the imagination which is the norm, particularly when filtered through years of Atlantic history, pop-culture, prejudice and misinformation. This, rather, had a sense of simplicity and clarity, articulated through the landscape of the east coast. Save for years of American history and politics, Willy Mason’s forgotten American sprang to mind on watching.

The film follows the journey of a man as he builds a boat from the waste of New York, that most perennial and modern of cities, and takes it to the source of the Hudson River, at lake Tear of the Clouds in the Adirondack Mountains. The area harks back to a certain kind of nature which runs contrary to the metropolis, but also to Eurocentric notions of wilderness, Virgin Land and a certain American democracy as articulated through the land itself. Rowing the boat back to NYC, the landscape and river articulate the forces it they have experienced, and had inflicted upon them, bearing testament to the changes the country, and city, has undergone.

Aside from the beauty of the concept itself and the heavyweight collabs (Mogwai providing an original soundtrack, Ben Tricklebank creating an online sister-piece to the release), the Hudson River Project offers a unique chance to collaborate. Through Kickstarter they are making the Hudson River Project with support from a large group of individuals offering small amounts in return for exclusive rewards from the film. It seems a compelling project, and an amazing way to become a patron, and partner, of something eminently more rewarding than so much instantly forgettable lauded on the internet and beyond.

The funding started on April 10th and runs for 45 days….

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hrp/hudson-river-project-0/

Crook:

“We want to stay true to the core idea of the film – to do this we’ll share what its about and raise the funds we need through crowd-funding. There are so many people already behind the idea, wanting to see it happen, that it just seemed to make sense. Kickstarter is the biggest crowd-funding platform out there and gives us the best chance of reaching our goal.”

Links:

http://www.hudsonriverproject.com

http://www.antonycrook.com

http://www.jamesbowthorpe.com

New

Step forward Veras, with an excellent variation on the smart/ casual/ functional/ aesthetically pleasing solution for the warmer months of the year.

Born in the Spanish hills in 2010, thanks to the brainwave of Neil Norris, all are made in local Spanish factories, and are perfect for the heat. With a range that covers slip-ons, pumps and more, Veras styles cover riviera niceness, lazy Balearic or Croatian beach days, Hamptons dandification and a certain crown green chic depending on your needs. Personal favourites include the red Seville shoe, and the navy Ontinyent suede boot, but if you’re looking beyond the sweaty trainer (which, let’s face it you should be), the full range of Veras shoes are a top shout for brighter days, and warmer climes. Wherever you summer, Veras will cover what you can summer in….

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veras-Shoes/195811123795247 ['like' for updates]

Available from: Oi Polloi – Oliver Spencer – Trunk Clothiers – Number Six – Triads.

Expect the usual varied affair; a smidgen of hip-house, 80s soul, Italian Disco and what could be called Techno.

Thanks in advance for listening.

www.back-and-forth.net/audio/April_Mix_2012.mp3

Following the relatively lukewarm commercial response to previous album Parade and film Under the Cherry Moon, Sign O’ The Times saw Prince Rogers Nelson minus The Revolution, his band on prior albums since 1999 (although they do appear on the epic It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night).

It seems that the sprawling double album which emerged could have been longer but for the concerns of the record label. As is, much has been made of the liberation Prince seems to feel on this album, while comments of sprawl are entirely apt. What has struck me for the last 25 years is the bold, bonkers vision, imagination and execution throughout. The title track is a throwback to the social conscience of Stevie and Martin while very of its time. Some of the highlights (and there are many) seem ahead of their time, or removed from time altogether. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker, Starfish and Coffee, and If I Was Your Girlfriend have distinct characters all of their own, and much of the best here is wilfully odd and angular in a beautiful way, alter-ego Camille notwithstanding, and including Midlantic warbler Sheen Easton, who’s Christmases must have come at once. The more conventional tracks (for want of a better description) are crafted and compelling, and Forever in My Life is arguably my favourite Prince moment ever.

Since my introduction to Sign O’ The Times from a c-90 tape (thanks Richie), it has never been far away, and tracks from the badly battered vinyl will get an airing at various times come Saturday night. The accompanying concert film is exceptional as well, of course. As compelling, exciting, odd and downright wonderful as you could hope for, and in my humble opinion it doesn’t get much better…..

Made in the UK from premium suede, they’re a burst of colour and a touch of class in the coming months for the more discerning gent. I’m torn between the green and red, which will come as no surprise to those familiar with my ever more dandified ways, but the choice is yours for a touch of Disco Jeeves and Wooster, or disgraced second son of the landowner chic. Get the Pimms in at your local, and turn a few heads I say chaps….

Available now in neon green, vibrant red and navy at http://oliverspencer.co.uk/

V sees a trip to Japan supply the latest backdrop for their vision. While the likes of Monocle can have much to admire and actively enjoy, this is reportage and imagery for people who put coffee cups (and, at times, their feet) on their coffee tables.

With photography by perpetually eagle-eyed snappers extraordinaire Antony Crook and Ewen Spencer and a brand new design by revered Art Director, Andy Bird and a host of excellent menswear brands, Rig Out has managed to be more than the sum of its not inconsiderable parts. Their unique vision is once again a breath of fresh air, and a healthy dose of inspiration and character, as wilfully at odds with the bland and pedestrian as ever. Long may they continue to raise the bar for all involved.

www.therigout.com