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Son of Erik Mixtape Release: What the Funk

Hey everyone! The new Son of Erik mix has been finalized and posted. It’s entitled “What the Funk – Why the Funk is it so Funky in here?” Yes, as you can imagine, there is quite a bit of funkadelic drops in this hip-shaking mixtape.

I have provided a link for you (at the bottom of this post) to download the mixtape. (If you would like it split into tracks, let me know, and I’ll provide.)

What’s the tracklisting look like? I’m glad you asked.

Dr. Funk – Sidechains
It’s Too Funky In Here (Vs. James Brown) – James Brown
Disc Odyssey – Crazy P
Make You Mine (Codebreaker remix) – Miami Horror
I Feel Love – Donna Summer
She’s A Lady (Vs. Tom Jones) – Tom Jones
Sweet Disposition (Full Vocal Mix) – Morgan Page
When The Lights Go Down – Armand Van Helden
Set It Off (At The Playboy Mansion Mix) – A Taste Of Sugar
Who Said – Planet Funk
Good Luck (Tim Deluxe Funked Club Mix) – Basement Jaxx
Blinded By The Light (Extended Mix) – Funkstar Deluxe with Manfred Mann

Download What the Funk Here

These mixes are not intended for sale or reproduction. Son of Erik does not and will not receive any proceeds from the production of these mixes. Please respect the copyright of the original artists that have been listed.

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OpEd: Never Fear Critique When Designing

Let me start out by saying that no one is perfect and there is no one right or perfect designer. If there were, we would all hail that person as the messiah of design. Now, granted, we all have out ideal candidates for the high and mighty, end-all-be-all designer, but no one truly is. And especially us, we are not perfect nor do we make perfect designs every-time. And we must remember that. We must remember humility.

Every designer loves to critique other designs, other advertisements, clothing, music, etc. What we may not realize, all the time, is that all those designs, advertisements and clothing are designs and subsequently designed by someone, a designer. We are critiquing someone’s design. It’s not fair to  not expect it back in return. In fact, being critiqued or opening up dialog about your work will bring about new ideas, approaches and insights that you may not have thought of. Who knows, these insights might prove to be very important for the next stage of your design. Alternatively, it is important for the designer to share their designs with another designer for obvious defects and offer a chance for the designer to present and articulate their thoughts. A time to prove your work.

Remember, humility is key in design. No one is perfect. We can strive for the perfection, ultimately that perfection comes in part through the openness to others and critique. Think of it as a type of oversight.

Design is a rough profession. There are no lollipops or rainbows. There are crushed feelings, harsh words, dropped jobs and always someone better than you. In order to survive, you must be aware of this. A think skin is necessary. They aren’t critiquing you personally, they are critiquing your work. If you can’t separate that or disassociate yourself personally from critique, you should think of another game.

Somethings to keep in mind when working and critiquing:
1) Never take criticism personally.
2) Elitism should never be tolerated.
3) It’s not about your work, but the work period.
4) Oversight in design is necessary and should be encouraged.

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Say It Ain’t So Conan.

The New York Times reported this afternoon that Conan will not host the Tonight Show after Leno. Basically that he is tired of NBC’s indecision. I agree with him. However, he will be sorely missed.

Why get rid of the funniest guy you have and replace him with someone who isn’t and frankly, just doesn’t get it?

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Media Saturation: It’s Time To Move On

There are so many things that saturate the media and are overhyped (and using the term ‘overhyped’ is an understatement) to the point of being annoying. Kind of like when a radio station over-plays your favorite song. You know how it goes, it’s really interesting and cool to talk about, but after a while, you sort of want to move on.

Below is a list of the items I believe are overhyped and done. Items that we should just move on from.

1) Avatar: Yes, I know it’s a triumph of special effects and Cameron’s masterpiece to date. And yes, it has grossed a lot of money in the theaters. I will be honest, I haven’t seen it. I wanted to, but with everyone so infatuated with it and all the non-stop talk about it, now I don’t want to see it. I’ll watch Sherlock Holmes instead.

2) Tiger Woods: Yes, he cheated. Yes, he’s no longer a model athlete or spokesperson. And yes, it’s time to move on.

3) American Idol: Not another season. The show never changes and the latest winners aren’t doing anything of “Idol” note. Also, the Bachelor(ette) belongs here too.

4) Nexus One, iPhone, Android OS: These are amazing devices that make me believe I live in the future. However, the technology has been around for a while now. Let’s move on to the next big thing in cell phones: complete integration.

5) The Packers Playoff Loss: They lost. They didn’t play like a Super Bowl team should. The season is over.

6) Mark McGwire: We all knew he took steroids. He just admitted what we knew already. Do we really have to dwell on this?

7) Cigarette and Cigars: If it’s detrimental to the health of everyone, don’t keep taxing it, don’t pass ordinances saying you can’t smoke in most places. Just make it illegal. How about that for a solution? (I should run for office)

8) Sarah Palin: Releasing a book, getting a tv show, going on the lecture circuit. Why is this constantly on the news?

9) Snow in Wisconsin: Wisconsin says it all.

10) Unemployed Numbers: We all know it’s still bad out there. People are still losing jobs and having a hard time getting new ones. The numbers won’t bounce back overnight either. Let’s try a positive outlook for positive results?

So, this is maybe a dark type post. It wasn’t my intention. I’m actually a very happy guy. I just have been saturated by things.

What are the things you think are overhyped?

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Music: “Sweet Disposition” – Morgan Page

This is, so far my favorite dance track of the year. And yes, I do know that it’s early in 2010 an the track is actually from 2009. I don’t really think it’s that big of an issue. I’m sure you’ll agree after you have heard the track.

I haven’t seen Morgan Page live yet, but you better know that if he comes to the upper Great Lakes, I’ll be there.

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Movie: A-Team

Ten years ago, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire… The A-Team.

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100% Slew

As you may or may not know, I’m always on the hunt for a great piece of music. Recently, my brother turned me onto the Slew. What an awakening that was, to be sure.

These guys produce some of the most raw and unadulterated tracks of mastery. Heavy beats, thick mixes along with impressive turn-table scratching. Overall, when you listen to them, you get a sense of badassery. Yes, that is a word. Well, a word I made up to describe the emotion one gets from listening.

I guess Kid Koala and Dynamite D were approached to develop and score a film that was being filmed. Sadly, the film was sacked. However, the score remains. The Slew was born. They released the album 100% and proceeded to tour only once. (Yes, this is a sad realization.)

Needless to say, it’s a great album to “get.” (If you know me, you know why I quoted “get.”) My recommendation: somehow obtain this brilliant score, listen to it, bop your head in enjoyment, and welcome in 2010 with a bad ass band.