Looking for the horizon

Its been a short but intense journey, the small replica now stands before me, a piece of simplicity which aims to recreate a scene whilst telling a story. In this small area the focus lies not only on the vessel but the horizon itself; from this its up to you the audience to interpret the rest for yourselves.

It has been a journey of something slightly different, of art, history and design.

More will come.

Contrasts

Lines

Darkness swallows the land, my pen pauses, a brief moment of reflection bekons in the eternal solitude of time, a visceral line is drawn across my vision, the lines between light and dark become blurred as if i have transcended time and space. Life erupts before my eyes, the earth crumbles at my feet, the howling silence reaches its cresendo. The forces of time stand agaisnt me, i’m torn from the very thought of thinking. Darkness.

I begin to write.

Small but powerful

Slowly but surly the small form infront of me takes shape, it feels different to focus on such a ‘small’ project after the behemoth which was the Bonhomme Richard. The rigours of design and thought lay on a much more grounded level, you constantly have to look back on what you have just done and think, will this be superficial to the replica further down the line?

During the last two days, my focus has been on the overall completion of the single rowing boat which i have chosen to stick with, this has been composed of the internal decking and detailing such as the bow carronade which formed an unusual sight in eighteenth century warfare, this marked the beginning of a new era in warfare. The naval landings at the beach head in Aboukir became the first of modern histories many naval actions.

This small yet vital entity, existing on the boundless horizon, sailing towards an unknown fate, produces a powerful image to ponder.

Thats a man!

The next feature of the build will be in replicating the sailors and marines who festoon the ship, to gain a sense of scale the average man in 1/350 will stand around 5mm in height, so that doesn’t allow for an awful lot of leeway. Yet each man is composed of four or five individual pieces, these are painted beforehand and then allocated to fit the various poses needed. You gain a sense of perspective from working in such a small scale, your concentration enters another phase. You transcend to another stage of focus and finesse. Overall there will be a total of 25 figures by the end, take note that this is the most time consuming portion of the creation.

All aboard!

The final development lies in the seascape which i have duly created from layering cardboard as the base and from that sculpted a thin layer of modelling clay which is then set to dry. The final part of painting is the longest; as of today ten layers of watercolour have been applied and more are to come. This layering creates a certain dynamic depth to the whole piece.

I’ve come a long way in a short time and the end is in sight, a slightly different idea but fascinating!

The aim is to create something simple yet evocative, a mere speck on the vast canvas of thought!

All at sea

On the edge of reality

 

Never have I found the limits of the photographic potential. Every horizon, upon being reached, reveals another beckoning in the distance. Always, I am on the threshold.
 W.Eugene Smith 

The winds rages outside, the so called ‘summer’ left as fast as it came but my aims remain clear to pursue something slightly different, in combining history, design and art.

The Aboukir landing has led to a few different design approaches, i have created some preliminary watercolours which explore the notions of the horizon, something which can be so much more than just a line. The colours and tone play an integral part in creating something beautiful yet thought provoking. 

Its all in the detail

The secondary feature has been the building of the ‘small ships’ which ferried the men to an unknown fate on these unknown shores. I have been debating whether  to create several vessels or just one single, solitary vessel sailing against the horizon into the fray of the unknown. With several you gain a sense of chaos and scale, whilst the single vessel is a more potent symbol for the chosen topic.

Déjà vu?

I have however begun work on the first of these vessels,the basic construction simple, the first step is to create a simple structure within the limits of scale (in this case in 1/350, the vessel measures 24 x 7 x 5mm). The next task is to layer the planks to accommodate the internal structure, whilst the outer visible hull is all one piece of paper, the internal lattice which holds it together is where the detail lies. 

The horizon beckons.

Landing at Aboukir, 1803

With the Bonhomme Richard now standing complete and other projects about to start i decided to look into history and art and find a compelling scene which to recreate, something small yet powerful in design.

I’ve chosen the British landing at Aboukir bay in Egypt, 1803. This was an amphibious assault by British forces in an attempt to drive the French away from the country. This was a time of great upheaval, the Napoleonic wars were raging throughout Europe, Egypt had become the new battlefield as the war spread to a new continent. This was an early example of amphibious landings which became the model for marine warfare in the coming centuries. Carronades were fitted to the landing boats which could then clear the landing area, the landing vessels were themselves of large capacity and of sturdy design to accommodate the rigours of marine warfare.

Making sense of it all

On the 8th March 16,000 men made it ashore with the cover of the British fleet, imagine now the struggle and melee which faced the young men aboard these ships, setting foot in an unknown country, fighting a superior force. The following violence which ensued on the frail beachhead was a chaotic mix of blood, smoke and sound, this concoction is one we can only imagine.

From this scene i’ve created some preliminary ideas of creating a small vignette which adds depth to the situation, in the foreground are the small boats whilst the backdrop shall be painted on to add a sense of depth and dimension to it.

This is a much shorter project in its own right and will be completed over a week or two.

Looking forward to it!

Sources: Willis, Sam: Fighting Ships 1750-1850, Quercus.

Planning ahead

One final stand

As i now look back on the time that has passed in the creation of this vessel, a replica of both history and design. A journey which has taken me exactly two months to undertake, a journey of discovery and change into a time when the world was so much simpler, but also less stable. The Bonhomme Richard is a feature from a time of revolution and enlightenment, a time when new borders were cut across otherwise unknown swathes of land.

The building of the Bonhomme Richard has in itself been a fascinating and exciting endeavour; i have built hundreds of vessels over the past decade, yet each build feels like the first, that moment of eureka when you realise a simple yet effective way to create a tricky feature and the moments when you hold your breath as the mast stands in its place and the all the gun hatches are in finally in place.

In its mere five centimetres, the Bonhomme Richard is comprised of thousands of individual pieces, layered through the pages of history, the ship is both a replica but also a piece of art which adds a sense of perspective to its continual purpose. It’s a timeless entity which defines the past as much as it does the future.

It has been a long yet short journey in many respects, its symbolised a new beginning for both me and my techniques in creating  but also in documenting each step and then for the first time showing it to the world. Its been pleasure to share this experience with you, this journey is only the first of many to come.

In time…

…and here is a small sneak peak of my next project.

Till next time…

Standing proud and small

Summer encroaches on the landscape, change is in the air,  as the days become symphonies of light and energy, summer is here and the Bonhomme Richard is in it’s final stages!

The Bonhomme Richard has grown with the times, a symbol of the ever changing course of history which we all walk, she is a replica of a time gone by in a modern age, simple yet timeless. I have always striven to use as few materials as possible and this remains true with the Bonhomme Richard, where i have only used materials which are easy to obtain and have as little impact on the surroundings as possible.

The final focus has been towards the Bonhomme Richard’s rigging, a feature of invaluable importance, not only does it provide a binding structure for the vessel and the masts, but it also creates a ‘complete’ sense to it all. The rigging is based on the concept of vertical strands which bind the mast to the hull. The rigging is made out of fine yarn thread which is then coated in white glue to strengthen it and is then finally painted the desired colour, which in this case is black.

The rigging symbolised the lifelines for the men onboard, simple but vital ropes and features which kept the ship afloat and functioning, the rigging was part of the ships fabric, a timeless feature which is still in use today.

Secondly one detail remains; the flags, which were of an early American version where the thirteen stars for the thirteen states adorned its canvas, this was a time of great change and willing for revolution. The flags and pennant are created from paper and painted with gouache watercolours and then weathered with graphite.

Painting a revolution

The Bonhomme Richard now stands complete before me, its been a journey of change and discovery, i feel proud in being able to share this with you.

This is only the beginning…

Flying high i the pages of time

After a week abroad, returning to the lush Swedish landscape which now has diluted the vast spectrum of colours and tones of spring as summer closes in. Continual change is what drives nature and drives us.

The Bonhomme Richard now stands proud and tall with her main masts aloft, this is now a time of retrospect in the time it has taken to come this far but it is also a time to look forward at what is to be done and the future of my creation. My aim is not simply to create but also to maintain and create a continual feature for coming generations. With time comes a hopeful quality of build, a specific focus on a subject aswell as the focus on perspective.

The placing of the masts is a long process which requires more patience than any other feature of the build, it requires first the adequate plaement down the centreline of the vessel. Secondly each mast has to be added separately, and then left to stabilise for several hours (around 4-6) to ensure total and perfect stability. This is acheived by the careful alignment of the masts and the stabilising which is ensured by the support of angled toothpicks which create a stable base for which the mast to settles in.

The final task which now lies before me is the rigging, which in itself is a large task, something which both requires focus and precision.

The Bonhomme Richard has been an important journey in creation and thought, it’s been a vessel for my creative yet rational ideas within society and history.

This is just one small step…

The landscape flows past my window, the world is continually changing and so is the Bonhomme Richard.

By this stage of the build you can sense the closeness of completion and you begin to look back on the long road which has led to this result. Its been an adventure which has been written day for day as the ship has taken shape.

All that now remains are that the two main entities; the hull and the masts are melded together to create a continual and complete vessel. The masts have now been painted and weathered and the work on the sails has begun, the sails as everything else are predominately created from paper. Paper which has been painted with several washes of white and ochre to create a subtle blend which is dynamic yet realistic. These slight contrasts add depth and texture to the sails when their in place.

Unfurling the sails

The Bonhomme Richard could field up to 15 sails at a time, this was an impressive sight yet it also became the means to harness the power of the wind. A sight which today is sadly very rare, the size and power of a ship of the line bearing down over the horizon may be a slightly romantic notion but also a very powerful one, it came to represent an era. It symbolised the relentless chaos and war which raged on, not just in one nation but in many, on land and at sea. It was the sailors and soldiers which created the world we live in.

This was a time of revolution and reform, the violent birth of the modern world we live in today.

The Bonhomme Richard is now in its final days of construction.

Its been a journey…

(Please note that i’ll be away till next weekend, so this will be my last update till then)

Sailing on

A second entity

Outside my window the world rages on at a breakneck pace, summer has suddenly come the Swedish countryside, the sun blazes down nearly every waking hour. In a few days, the world can change.

The Bonhomme Richard has now reached a stage where the majority of the work is complete and the main job is now to meld the final defining pieces of the build. The hull is now complete for the exception of the masts which have now been completed and the next stage will be to design and shape the sails which will then be fitted before the masts are finally erected.

The masts have been detailed and weathered to suit the correct condition of the rest of the vessel. They provide a striking contrast to the smoother lines of the hull, the ridged masts become a prominent feature in their own right. This is something which will become reality in the coming weeks.

My focus today has been on the creation of the ships rowing boat, a second entity which is nestled on the ships deck. The Bonhomme Richard like any other ship of the line was reliant on these ‘small boats’ which provided the link to the main land and other ships when it became to hazardous to manoeuvre with the larger vessel. That small but vital link is the bridge to the surrounding world, it offers that contrast to the ship with a sense of scale and understanding.

Structural beginnings

The rowing boat is constructed from a single piece of paper, (Dimensions 1.4mm x 0.6mm) this is then folded around the framework which in turn provides the overall stability over time.

Time moves on, the world changes..

The Bonhomme Richard is nearing completion.

Double entity

Setting the scene

The warmth of spring finally embraces the landscape and vibrant colours slowly begin to replace the otherwise pallid hues.

The Bonhomme Richard has now moved onto the second stage of its build, this in a way comes with a sense of relief, in how the majority of the work is now complete but before me lies the most decisive part the, construction of the mast and the sails. You may think that every ship has three mast and looks the same. But when you look carefully you begin to discover the character and depth which they offer the specific vessel.

Fully rigged the Bonhomme Richard could field 15 sails, whilst i won’t be depicting this many (10 sails), there is still a level of complexity and detail which has to be observed. The complexity comes in creating a stable mast which can then support the sails, like earlier my masts are designed from simple paper clips which provide the correct girth and provide stability. The only problem i usually face is aligning them correctly in the final stage, as the comparative size to weight ratio is completely off compared to the rest of the ship.

The masts are as you can see below composed of two stages; the upper half and the lower half, between these lies the platform which supports the rigging and is used for lookout. The masts will be painted three times and then given a weathering wash, the details are then added after this to ensure a continuity with the rest of the vessel.

Stage two, two masts

Looking forward; my focus will be on the ships rowing boat and completing the masts.

Sailing on.

The sun sets on another day

Onto the next stage

There comes a time in life when you realise that you’ve come so far, that the only way to go is to go forward. This is a principle to follow, to reach that goal which you have  set. When your finally stand there you look back on the time gone by and smile, for that journey is only the begin of a much larger journey, the journey of life.

This is a stage which i have now reached in this build, the Bonhomme Richard stands before me in her full livery, a small yet unique shape of a rough but also intricate nature. The contrast of the hull and the golden stern which signals both contrast and power, a beacon of social borders. Borders which were transcend by war and the very ship they lived on.

I have now completed the stern and the decorations which adorned it’s facade, this has been a time consuming but interesting process, it has been focused on the continued layering and weathering of the paper which is originally matt yellow. Which is then highlighted by graphite pencils and finally given two washes of burnt ochre to add a more dynamic sense to the vessel. This adds a certain continuity to the whole ship. Keep in mind that the stern is roughly 1.2 x 1.8 cm in size.

Angles! Angles!

The two most difficult sections of the stern have been the outcropping windows which have to be angled according to the hulls design but also angle significantly outwards, whilst being shaped around the stern.

The stern is composed of around 250 individual pieces of paper which have been folded and layered to match the desired effect and scale.

This is really it for the ships hull, tomorrow the work will start on the next stage; the three masts which will provide the conclusion for this build.

The journey continues.

Time to move on...

Beacon of change

As the work on the Bonhomme Richard’s hull is now nearing its end, it feels right to look back on another of my previous builds.

The Nembo was a prototype destroyer built for the Italian Navy in 1906, this was a time when huge strides were made  in the development of marine warfare. A time of change, not just technologically but also morally and socially. A new century introduced new concepts which came to change the picture of war at sea.

The small and nimble destroyer acted as a cost effective alternative to larger vessels, they proved dynamic ships which came to characterise the coming world wars.

It all starts somewhere…

Moving with the times

Define your past

Details come before everything else

Looking forward

You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.

Henry david Thoreau

A day of rain ends as the darkness swallows the equivocal horizon. The Bonhomme Richards has grown to a definable form of creation, a small piece of art defining design and history in one seven-hundreth of the real thing.

My work has continued on creating a complete entity which is the hull and its parameters, this is something which takes both thought and time to complete. As previously stated the addition of colour has really opened up the borders of change and contrast to the canvas, which is the hull.

My focus has been on the continued layering of the stern (rear), this is done to form a more conclusive and structurally sound piece. This is an area which has alot going on in a technically small space, especially when you have to take into account the vertical nature of it. Each of the seven stern windows are shaped from etched wire (circa 0.05cm in thickness), each window consist of only three individual pieces.

The final placement of these stern windows provides a solid conclusion to the work on the hull alongside the rigging supports (three on each side). The placement of these features on the stern offers a contrast, not only visually but also historically. It defines the vast wave which separated the common men and their officers. Yet in a time of war, they sought unity under one flag, their livelihoods all depended on one thing the vessel on which they resided, the Bonhomme Richard.

The stern’s lower decks windows are now in place, tomorrow they will be painted and weathered to create the complete effect.

Making progress.

One piece of paper at a time.

When size doesn't matter

On the road to completion

A touch of colour

 

The golden age is before us, not behind us.

William Shakespeare

The eternal struggle of the elements continues to reign outside; winter, spring and summer all strive to gain that upper hand. Times are changing and so is the Bonhomme Richard, the otherwise pale palette of hues has been ignited with a touch of colour.

I have now begun with the decorative portions of the bow and stern, these golden adornments carry weight by adding contrast and definition to the vessel.

These details, are like the whole ship, created by the layering of paper and and cardboard strips, currently the part which i’m working on requires a more dynamic form of layering. Which involves blending a continual shape though several decks in the stern galley. This is done by creating a basic shape to match the contours of the ship, this is then layered continually for about six layers. The basic shape is in turn duplicated to replicate both sides of the ship.

My next step will be the ultimate completion of the stern galley’s details along with the stern windows, another feat which will take it’s time.

These last few days have seen an important visual transformation, which offers alot to the big picture. Its only when you step back, that you begin to realise the difference.

With colour comes character.

Change is coming

Details are what define you

Moving with the pace of change

 

One step closer…

 

As the winds of change sweep across the placid landscape outside, the Bonhomme Richard is slowly taking shape. A vessel which under the past two weeks has been  transformed from a piece of wood into a replica from a time gone by.

My work on the hull has almost been completed as the final gun ports are put in place alongside small details along the hull. After creating and placing forty-two gun ports it’s a relief to see them all in place and correctly aligned, it’s something which gives the ship a purpose, which in turn furthers our understanding of the vessel and its characteristics.

The ships character is a vital point to enlighten as its the shape, form and design which catches the eye, but there has to something which oozes originality. Something which catches the eye, a feature which is original yet melds with the overall model. For me this originality comes in the small scale which I’m building her in. Small in scale but without any compromise in quality or detail.

Each small detail is a big step towards completion.

Looking back at the hull, which is now nearing completion, the remaining assets to be added are the intricate detailing which adorned the stern and bowsprit. These are features which offer a colourful contrast to the relative drab palette of the vessel.

Redefining the refined

Whilst remaining within the realms of realism and accuracy this gives me a creative platform to where i can create a crossroads between art and history.

42 down... time to move on

Beginnings

This is a look back on an important build for me, HMS Endeavour the ship which carried Captain James Cook to the far corners of the world in an age where the edges of the map were the edges of reality, he went beyond and discovered.

His voyages took him to Australia and New Zealand, thats like going to Mars today.

This build was my first ship of this period, previously all my builds had been of more modern subjects (20th century) This was very much a step into the unknown, yet it spurred me on to continue building tall ships.

All things have a beginning…this is mine.

History in the palm of your hand

Sailing on the edge of time

Inspiration in art

Paving the way for the future

I have now crossed the threshold, the first part of my build has concluded and i have slowly begun to work on the second phase. This second part offers a change of pace and dimension to the project, it allows me to step back and clearly see the features which i have created. This in turn allows me to see the next step in the build.

By now there is a sense of relief as the shaping and sculpting of the hull is complete allowing for a stable foundation for coming details.

Today my work has mainly been focused on recreating the ships 42 gun ports, no small task so this will be done under a two day period, i’ve begun with the lower gun deck which sits close to the waterline. These gun ports are a part which take painstaking precision and effort to create, each consisting of three individual parts whilst only measuring 1.5×1.5mm. Within those confines you are naturally limited to what you can achieve.

Whilst the visual difference is only noticeable up close, their addition and proper placement are a vital part in the characteristic of the build.

These gun ports were the bringers of fire and gunpowder, veils opened to unleash a deadly ball of iron, makes you think.

Moving forward one gunport at a time.

Sixteen down, twenty-six to go…

Small but vital

One more step

All things have a beginning

As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.

Henry David Thoreau

I have now reached a point in my build when i can move on from the first stage of the hull and gradually merge my concepts to the second stage of the masts, the rigging and the overall detailing of the vessel. This is a stage where i can breath a sigh of relief, a moment when i realise that it’s all going as planned and that work is steadily progressing.

In the two weeks which i’ve now spent on this project, it has been a joy and a privilege to be able to show it to the world, so far it’s been a long journey of many steps which may not seem very logical, but in my mind they fit. This is my spark of individualism, a creative platform which projects not only design but also art and history.

From a block of plywood, a platform of dreams and creativity to where it stands today, a recognisable ship, sure it may only be five centimetres in length but in that size comes time and emotion to create something which is interesting but also historically accurate.

From small beginnings the Bonhomme Richard has slowly but steadily risen up to become what she is today. A strong foundation is the basis to any work you do, whatever it may be.

From here on the main focus will be on creating the defining characteristics of the vessel, the masts and sails, which are the most time-consuming and complex parts of the build. As they require time and patience to achieve a realistic and conventional balance.  They define the shape and character of the build, as they are the features which in the end produce the overall effect.

Two great weeks, looking forward to the next two!

Looking forward to the next two.

Building dreams

Progress come to those who wait

As winter once again slowly begins to subside to spring, my work is making good progress, its a constant change of pace, just like the world we live in, where the constant evolution of life, society and technology drives life at a breakneck pace.

I aim to take the step back from that daily stress and do the simple things, such as building this replica.

A process of creativity but also of soothing.

Each small step, however small has an underlying impact on the next step of the build, but remember the next ‘logical’ step doesn’t always have to be the right one, for you have to be prepared to take the longer more arduous journey if you truly which to achieve your goals. My aims and goals with this build is recreate a creative yet realistic replica, in that entity.

Sometimes its the journey, not the destination thats important

I’ve been able to begin work on the main deck today, this includes work on the railings and sides to the deck, each of which are layered in a staggered approach, the way the railings were fitted vary from deck to deck, so individual measurements had to be taken whilst remaining within the parameters of scale.

Yet this process is not to be overlooked as it provides alot to the overall character and feel of the vessel, when you step back and look at the overall form and figure.

From bow to stern, i’ve sought a certain continuity in maintaining the creative form whilst staying within the limits of realism and logic.

Time flies and so does this build.

One step at a time.

As always.

Edges of reason

On the edge

• Creating a common perspective with our client’s is our Philosophy. It is represented by Pensilpiksel ambigram logo which shows a single object from two different perspectives.

• The word Pensil in our name represents  ideas before we step into digitation process which is represented by the word Piksel.

• We believe in the power of idea to overcome any challenges.  Idea = brain + Pencil (sometimes we don’t even use paper, we USE anything we can write on)

• Pensilpiksel delivers profound creative experience. With left brain in creativity and right brain in digital technology, we are continually trying to generate new forms of experimental marketing for our clients.

• Our team consist of creatives, technologists & strategists who are hungry to shape the future of the industry. We blend creativity with technology to ignite sparks of imagination and excitement in consumer’s mind.

• Pensilpiksel is a medium neutral agency that focus on delivering solutions, based on which medium that we think most effective to meet our client’s need.

• OUR SERVICES : Strategy, creative concept development and also implementation services for brand or corporate communications designed to serve certain purpose, such as: brand awareness, brand image, brand associations, brand’s perceived quality, brand experience & brand activation.

• THE MEDIUM : 
• Conventional Mass Media:  TV Commercial, Print & Radio.
• Experimental Media: Internet base medium, Viral Marketing, POSM, Brand Activation, Digital Activation.
• Brand Development: Brand Identity, Brand Naming & Packaging.

• Pensilpiksel is open for conspiracy act of world domination, in area such as: Creativity, Music, Short & Longer films, Fine dining, Internet things, Video games, Beer Brewing, Craft, Illustration, T-shirt design, Puppetry, Cross stitching, Book Launching, Dog training, Chopstick fighting, etc.

• Pensilpiksel determined to make itself a lab for a greater life.   Our life is meant to be extraordinary, Pensilpiksel encourage all men and women to pursue the things that will enrich their life,  since our ambition is to live to the fullest.

• YES! Pensilpiksel IS a little magic!

• …and YES! The World is Our Canvas!

Created by agency BETC Euro RSCG, this cool PR stunt is hard-hitting against McDonald’s tagline, “Venez comme vous êtes” (“Come as you are”), a creative platform that has been used in a number of executions for the brand over the past few years. To continue to communicate that anyone is welcome at their restaurants, McDonald’s installed a giant photo booth in Parisian business district La Défense on February 24th. A massive black cube that looked a little like a spaceship landed on the plaza, the booth allowed passers-by to have their photo taken and integrated into the brand’s OOH display campaign. Photos of the participants were displayed on a digital billboard in close to real time. Everyone that participated could also get a print copy of their photo and the poster.

France is McDonald’s first market in Europe.

(Source)

Have you ever subconsciously done something awesome without even knowing it?….Well, I just did.

I just realized that over time I purchased three CD’s that are a part of some greater catalogue called “The Beat Generation Series.” It’s like finding out that music you always thought was good, is really great, and is actually critically acclaimed.

Not that I need critics to recognize my favorite albums, but it’s nice to know that someoneelse out there is nodding their head to the same music I am too.

The three CD’s that I own are: 1) Pete Rock – “PeteStrumentals” 2) Will.I.Am – “Must B 21″  3) Madlib – “WLIB AM: King of the WigFlip.” (I will be adding J. Dilla – “Welcome 2 Detroit” shortly to my collection)

All of the albums are monumental in their own right, and though they are a part of the same series, each is vastly different from one another. It’s as if the record label “Barely Breking Even” gave these producers a ton of money and space, and let them go nuts with their creative visions.

Barely Breaking Even Label Boss, Peter Adarkwah describes the project:

“My undertaking of the beat generation came about  from me having a desire to provide a creative platform for some of my favourite producers – that was simply the connection…the  series unfolded from a series of coincidences – a combination of               chance meetings and the power of the hip-hop grapevine …and has been successful as it has enabled them to incorporate within their music the different influences that have inspired them so far…I realised that most of the producers that I admire have vast record collections including a great amount of music they are not as well known for…like Brazilian, rock, jazz, disco, house and so on….so I decided to give them the opportunity to show people a different side to their skills, one which major labels and the mainstream audience would not normally recognise them for…and of course running a label I am always concerned with putting out quality music, real music for real people…All the producers I admire listen to all types of music and I wanted them to create a mirror image of themselves”

I hope you enjoy my Beat Generation reviews as much I did writing them.