In 1986 Robert Young along with artists Nathalie Phillips, Adel Todd and Camille Selvon out of necessity began pushing the boundaries of the clothing technology available by working and reworking designs. Printing, painting and making meaningful garments that they felt that could not be replicated by anyone else. The women would later move on to other projects and school respectively. With over 24 years in the business it is safe to say that Young is an expert when it comes to his chosen craft of fashion, design and clothing, he loves african fashion trends. Admittedly Young says he “fell quite clumsily” into design. Moving from an agricultural at CXC to a Lab Technician, the birth of ‘The Cloth’ came about more from necessity and capitalizing on the Structural Adjustment measures placed on the island. During this period some Caribbean islands such as Trinidad and Jamaica had a ban placed on imported goods (clothing etc.) to save foreign exchange. Hence, citizens were only allowed to extract from the central bank approximately $200USD for travel per year. This gave many local industries the space needed to develop.

1997 Young had a show called ‘No Chorus Yet’. This intrinsically meant, “I have no definite way of doing anything yet!” Watching his show one would find that very hard to believe. As over the years the Cloth has become known for its unique shows, like opting for a live band to play in the centre stage during a show. This years Caribbean Fashion Week was no different. While all other designers had their models stomping the runway to the sound of over played and meaningless tunes, models for the Cloth walked pensively to the sound of a river meandering the runway mimicking the flow of water. As Young admits, “I have always had a story but the (design) process came about clumsily.”

At the end of the show instead of doing the customary walk of the designer trailing his designs Mr. Young had something more substantial than a wave and smile. Amid much microphone trouble the message was not lost. He said, “We cannot move forward if you don’t buy your own”. But how do we move forward? How do we move the Caribbean fashion industry from a third world odd ball to a first world fashion mainstay? Young confesses that it is not for his generation but for the ones coming up as much is currently lacking. Issues such as adequate capital to make economies of scale a sensible and profitable option or the ability to mass-produce to rival larger markets inhibit today’s Caribbean designers.

Instead we should first ask, “How can we get access (in our current state)?” Also, and possibly most important is, we must recognize that what we do has value. The smart options he presented were the development of high-end niche markets; develop interesting stories around our products, and ensure the quality is high. The key however is the reinvestment of profits and stemming the tide so common in industries in the Caribbean – that of flight of capital. What is needed is a revolution of the mind; in that we not only actively support local industries but in turn local employers pay staff better and where applicable explore the option of employees being part owners in the bran. Invest in real economies, instead of more abstract industries such as speculations and futures, thus minimizing the effects of a collapse of such unstable markets for example the Cash Plus/ Olint fiasco that still plagues Jamaica. The key for Caribbean islands is to build and or rebuild tangible industries thus creating real employment opportunities, instead of seasonal ones. Thus making a strong foundation for future generations and making it more attractive for present ones to invest, also there is a great need to harness the strength of the Diaspora through networking.

Young had a very pragmatic view of Caribbean leaders however, as he puts it “they are us.” Essentially our government deals with problems as we would in our limited experiences they try to make the best of what they have. They act only when there are accidents; it is through these accidents that set the wheels of change in motion. However, across the board respective Caribbean governments can assist in the stimulation of local industries by charging fewer taxes or even negative taxation on goods made and owned locally. His advice to upcoming designers is priceless. That is, they need not be intimidated by the colonizing nature of fashion instead he encourages them to use life experiences to find new ways of doing things. Inspiration proliferates our rich history and culture for example Johnkanoo, Marcus Garvey and even more contemporary figures such as Bob Marley may be used to develop original points of views. In essence use them as practice until you find your footing.

Finally, Yong cautions that while “fashion is a dream space” it can quickly become a nightmare when designers misread the context or do very little in analysis of the message that their garments convey. Therefore a well-made dress in good fabric can send the message that the wearer is a whore when it was not the intention of the designer. This is the result when we perpetuate ideas, which we do not understand, or have any practical use for (for example a winter line in a tropical marine climate). One of the more entertaining statements made by Young during the interview was; “If I could do what I want with these girls from Jamaica I would pull out all their weaves.” While very hilarious to imagine, (and a dangerous road for him to venture-women here are very serious about their weaves) it strikes at the core of us as a people missing the bigger picture, in what is fashionable and the disconnect of who we are. We constantly miss the value and beauty that we already posses, opting to replace the tangible and beauty concentrated with flash.

With all that’s said what other designers do Robert Young like? He mentioned Biggy because of his keen understanding of his niche. Japanese designers such as Issey Myake, Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garçons, his contemporaries who always seem to shine a new creative light on concepts we think we know. This year The Cloth celebrates 25 year of hard work and timeless designs (for example the T.V. Tee-shirt) Tsh5. Stop by their facebook page to see upcoming events and also to order must have pieces. For those in Jamaica the only place to get designs by the Cloth is Kerry ManWomanHome (1876-929-2096).

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Tim Turbo Thursday was a weekly DJ mix podcast hosted and curated by Tim Turbo. He selected and performed, as well as invited handpicked guests on a regular basis. TTT was limited to 50 issues, this is the last issue.

Devil-may-care! It’s over!

This is the last and final Tim Turbo Thursday, but it will be the first live issue! I set up a small but nice event to finish up the TTT series with style: Everybody in Munich, Germany is invited to drop by at Café King tonight and everybody else around the world is invited to listen and watch me, Dubstep wunderkind Danny Scrilla and Bavaria bass legend K.I.T.T. Flori playin’ 50 commemoration minutes each in a live video- and audiostream at seen-site.com/ttt50stream starting around 9:00 PM CET.

I hope you guys enjoyed the last 49 issues. I deffo did! Thank you all for listening and thanks to all my guests for their sets and yeah, I’m sure, Tim Turbo Thursday is definitly over, no Michael Jordan comebacks over here. All you bookers out there: the only chance to get Tim Turbo doing a mix for you is now booking him in your club.

Take care, the message is love!

Sincerly yours,

Tim Turbo

Notes: Check out all the previous issues. Become a fan of Tim Turbo on Facebook. Book me by writing some real talk to: book.tim.turbo[at]seen-site[dot]com, check my music on MySpace & Soundcloud and my take a look at my press kitt.

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Hi kids, it’s your favourite basseliño, Tim Turbo, one third of Handsome HiFi a.k.a. Hansome Sistema.

One other third of the spontaneously founded Handsome HiFi a.k.a. Hansome Sistema is Danny Scrilla and I’m proud to announce, that he will host the anniversary issue of Tim Turbo Thursday next week. He got lots of new Dubstep and B-More bangorz and is getting a even better producer like every 10 minutes. The last third is of course my and Danny’s musical daddy Marflix One.

Todays Tim Turbo Thursday got everything you need for a complete weekly bass round-up: dutty Dubstep, bubbly Bassline, kinky Kuduro, trancy Hip Hop, badman bongos, german Rap on Techno and Lazerbass. Handsome HiFi style!

While enjoying my mix, maybe check out these informative and useful pages: my Facebook group where you also have the chance to subscribe to the podcast feed via RSS. Alternatively, you can subscribe via i’n’i-Tunes. Also hit the subscribtion form for our newsletter or show me some written love (poems, anyone?) on timturbo[at]seen-site[dot]com. Book me by writing some kind words to: book.tim.turbo[at]seen-site[dot]com.

Tim Turbo Thursday #19

Download audio file (tim_turbo_thursday-19.mp3)

Download Tim Turbo Thursday #19

clickclackthis for the tricktracklist…

Tracklist:

01 Jahdan Blakkamoore – The General

02 Art of Noise – Moments in Love (Caspa Remix)

03 DJG – Ghost Town (DJG bootleg)

04 Chase and Status Ft Kano – Against All Odds (Dubstep Remix)

05 Lucy Love – No V.I.P. (OK Formula 4×4 Vocal Mix)

06 Buraka Som Sistema Ft DJ Znobia, M.I.A & Others – Sound Of Kuduro (Lil John’s Moonwalk Mix)

07 Toddla T – Shake It (Witty Boy RMX)

08 K.I.Z. – Was Kostet Der Fisch?

09 Ward 21 – Dubby Man

10 Gemmy – BK 2 The Future

11 KU BO Ft Tshila – Kaggua

12 Pacheko – Green Bull (B Bull Mix)

13 G-Side – Run Thingz

Take care! The message is love!

Sincerely yours, Tim Turbo

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(via ffffound.com)

1. Legendary Falco gives it up for the munich girls. Wonder why this isn’t a club anthem in munich?

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2. The chorus reminds of a tune I listened to a few years ago. Can someone help me? And I’d really love to hear a dubstep remix of this.

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3. The Beats. R.I.P.

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

4. There’s nothing better than starting your sunday morning with a Gregory Isaacs classic.

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The picture above is from the famous Pirelli calendar. In 1971 they flew to Jamaica and made some pretty amazing stuff. Click here to enjoy the other pictures of the theme “Caribbean Affair”.

1. This week I finally got my hands on the “Black Diamonds” album from Buraka Som Sistema. How can it possibly be, that in 2009 a record isn’t released on the same day all over the world? No wonder, people keep downloading. But this one is definitely worth the wait and money.

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2. Mavado and Daseca. No need to say more. Another gully anthem.

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3. Some classic Sizzla.

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4. Mike Skinner covers Elton John? Some people may hate it and would suggest to use auto-tune, but I really love his unique version.

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Some of you might know these tracks already, but I’m pretty sure some don’t. Get your big sound system started, sit back and enjoy.

1. Rusko – Love Is Real. You like this one? Get his EP “Babylon Vol. 1″ in your favorite digital record shop.

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

2. Skream – One For The Heads Who Remember. Love this track for its Burial vibe.

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

3. Classic Material. Fat Freddy’s Drop remixed by Digital Mystikz.

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4. Klaxons – Not Over Yet (Skream Remix)

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Laden had my boombox locked all week. He’s an upcoming artist from Kingston, Jamaica. Besides his MySpace, you won’t find much about him on the web. Check my favorite tunes:

1. Laden – Money Over War (Advocate Riddim, Prod. Stephen McGregor)

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

2. Laden – Working Hard (Prod. Daseca)

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3. Laden – Time To Shine (Prod. Stephen McGregor) – Official Video

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4. Sky High Remix Mixtape

Download (via DJ Benzi)

“finally here is the high quality official version of ”sky high” from benzi & plain pat! this new version (…) is all mixed and mastered and is in the proper order. in addition to that it features a new verse kid cudi and a few other remixes and bonuses.” (DJ Benzi)

Tracklist:

001. Sky High Feat. Kid Cudi
002. Good Morning (The Kickdrums Remix) Feat. Big Sean
003. Champion (Nick Catchdubs Remix)
004. Barry Bonds (Eli Escobar Remix) Feat. Lil Wayne
005. We Major (The Kickdrums Remix) feat. Nas
006. Crack Musik (Cookin Soul Remix) Feat. The Game
007. Good Night (Plain Pat Remix) Feat. Mos Def
008. Get Em High (A-Trak Remix) Feat. Common
009. Throw Some (Cousin Cole Remix)
010. Electric Touch (Steve1der & Mighty Mi remix) feat. Lupe Fiasco
011. Love Lockdown (Tom Wrecks Remix)
012. Flashing Lights (Diplo Remix)
013. Addiction (Kenny Dope Remix)
014. Stronger (A-Trak Remix)
015 Workout Plan (Chaise Marcel Remix)
016. American Boy (Benzi Refix) Feat. Will.I.Am
017. Homecoming (Discotech Remix) Feat Chris Martin
018. I Wonder (Scottie B Remix)
019. Good Life (Stretch Armstrong Remix) feat T-Pain
020. Cant Tell Me Nothing (DJ Godfather Remix)
021. Outroduction feat Big Sean

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It’s almost 2009 and I haven’t posted my top 10 of this year yet. This week it’s all about my favorite albums. What did you listen to? What did I miss?

1. Santogold – Santogold

What a year, from releasing her nearly perfect debut album to being produced by Kanye West and featured by Jay-Z.

Jay-Z & Santogold – Brooklyn We Go Hard (via The Fader)

2. Benga – Diary Of An Afro Warrior[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

3. Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak

Singing? Auto-tune? Who cares? He’s a genius.

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4. Lil’ Wayne – The Carter 3

He even made T-Pain sound cool. Best rap album 2008. No discussion.

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5. The Cool Kids – The Bake Sale

My personal summer record. Riding through the hood with your bike, iPod and hater blockers. Untouchable.

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6. Terry Lynn – Kingstonlogic 2.0

7. Flying Lotus – LAFlying Lotus BBC Essential Mix (via New Mixes)

8. Ed Rec, Vol. 3

“Do that stuff that your mama calls smut”

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9. Gnarls Barkley – The Odd Couple

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10. Roots Manuva – Slime And Reason

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1. Foxy Brown and Mavado. Another “So Special” remix, which actually isn’t that special.

Mavado – So Special Remix Feat. Foxy Brown (via Nah Right)

2. Last weekend Santogold was performing in Munich. Check the freeloads from on3radio.

Santogold – L.E.S. Artists (Live in Munich) (via on3radio)

Santogold – Unstoppable (Live in Munich) (via on3radio)

3. Universal Mind Control dropped this Friday in Germany. Has anybody heard the entire album yet?

Common – Universal Mind Control (Planet Rock Remix) (via Think Common)

4. This one saved my weekend. Tessanne Chin “Broken Melody”.

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