Randy is part of the Wet Play crew out of Man-ches-ter who sometimes has our ol’ pal Ruf Dug round to play. If you’re in that part of the world around 24th of February we suggest you get down

Tracklist

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www.back-and-forth.net/audio/Guest_Mix_Jan_2012.mp3 [right click-save]

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.

Kejeblos hails from Zürich, Switzerland (ooh, get us and our international offerings) and thrives on digging for old vinyl records and we must say, for a man only being in his early 20s display’s a musical taste well beyond his years. He also co-host’s a Thursday night soiree called Dosci alongside Lexx and Finger Magazines‘ Honey K where guests have included the likes of Harvey, Alex Barck (Jazzanova), Hunee and Mock & Toof.

That’s why we’re more than delighted to have him do a mix for Back and Forth.

www.back-and-forth.net/audio/Guest_Mix_Dec_2011.mp3  [right click - save]

soundcloud.com/kejeblos

soundcloud.com/wavetest

www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kejeblos/210211622379315

dosci.blogspot.com

http://www.zukunft.cl/

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”