Blockhead has only gotten better and better, and that’s saying a whole lot when you look at his contemporaries. Deeply intricate instrumental hip hop is a genre that gained numerous contributors after Endtroducing… told unspoken stories without the need for a lyricist. Subsequent albums made the style appear limited, as RJD2 managed only to put out one killer record (Deadringer), and DJ Shadow proved that being the founder doesn’t make you the king with The Outsider. After providing the maudlin soundtrack to Aesop Rock’s audible internal monologues, the New York based beatsmith dropped Music by Cavelight on Ninja Tune in the spring of ‘04. While the record had depth and staying power, it wasn’t a demonstration of Blockhead’s full potential. The following year’s Downtown Science was a similar story. Two years later, and after a couple of solid mixtapes, Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book came out, and the path of this producer’s skill had hit a brand new checkpoint, and it happened to come at a slightly higher average BPM rate. Blockhead has been playing with Ableton Live, so we can expect something a bit more loop based with The Music Scene. If you’ve used the software or seen it it used, you can probably guess that a guy like Blockhead will run with it. The Music Scene is out tomorrow on Ninja Tune records.

On my flight out to Hong Kong from New York earlier this week, I had the pleasure of trying out Cathay Pacific’s new business class seat for the first time (at my own expense). Spending 16 hours on a plane is never fun, but I have to say, it went by in an absolute flash this trip and it was all because of the seat.

I’ve written about all kinds of aircrafts, seats, classes and long-haul international flying options– and I’ve got to say these new fully-flat seats on the 777-300ER Cathay planes are some of the best I’ve ever experienced.

As background, it’s important to know the difference between “fully-flat” and “lie-flat” seats. There are plenty of airlines that will give you a lie-flat seat, but they angle it at the ground to fit more in the cabin. These slanted seats constantly feel like you’re sliding down them– and you’re always thinking you’re going to fall right off. Fully-flat seats are, well, completely flat. Horizontal to the ground and most like your bed at home (or, they certainly try to be).

Layout wise, the business class on Cathay Pacific is most like Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class. The herringbone style lineup gives extra privacy when you recline it into a flat bed– and although it feels a little sardine-like at times, it feels good to have walls up on both sides of you while you sleep. Design wise, there’s not much to say. It isn’t much to look at (that’s not the point), but it’s soft and comfortable in all the right places and allowed more than enough room for me to stretch out fully with room to spare.

The entertainment system is also worth mentioning– as I think it’s the first setup I’ve ever seen which easily rivals (if not beats) Virgin America’s highly technical and impressive system in the USA. Entertainment was shown on a massive moveable HD wide screen. One gripe of most planes is immovable screens– but not here. A complimentary noise canceling headsets was also included. I was able to watch Star Trek in all it’s glory, create a good playlist for the trip, and choose from what seemed to be easily more than 100 on-demand movies and TV shows to make my selection.

For me, the true test of any airplane seat like this is simple. Did I sleep? Like a baby. 11 hours worth (with no pharmaceuticals). A highly recommended seat, and treat.

Asking a seasoned traveler for the name of a good Chinese restaurant is like searching online for a custom made shirt. With no chance to feel the hand of the fabric or compare that particular shade of blue you like with your skin tone, the search for right tastes and a healthy blend of ingredients is elusive at best and can often lead to a major disappointment if not a sour stomach. So, it was a rare and welcome discovery to sit down to the five-course near perfection offered up by Chef Chan Yan Tak at Lung King Heen in Hong Kong. Situated in the spectacular Four Seasons Hotel (the largest Four on the planet), this three star Michelin master holds court daily for diners whose adoration for dim sum bring them to the ongoing power lunch scene around the peaceful, spacious and beautifully arranged tables of this stellar restaurant. We passed up the initial invite for lunch so as to be able instead to savor a delicious dinner we will lovingly remember.

Well prepared to feast on a variety of Chef Chan's Cantonese signature dishes, we passed over the objectionable but requisite opening page of twelve shark's fin this and that to make our selection from the not-so-obvious fish and seafood, tofu, vegetable, rice and noodle offerings many diners consider side dishes. Carnivorous reviewers of Lung King Heen have already waxed eloquent about the numerous beef and pork entrees which are a standard in Hong Kong; however, our intention was to ascertain whether or not a globe-trotting vegetarian, vegan or macrobiotic diner could leave feeling healthy and sated without exceeding the credit card limit. Following the complimentary opener – a nibble of bean curd floating atop three straight, bright string beans cleverly arranged to reflect the I Ching hexagram for Heaven, a platter of eight small servings of “Crispy Scallops with Fresh Pear” (pictured below) started the meal with sweet slices of fruit bonded to the tender seafood by a thin layer of rich shrimp pâté. Numbers play a big role in all of Hong Kong, the land of feng shui and good fortune, where three and eight carry promising significance. The scallop-pair combination was like a fine French pastry and made us giddy with anticipation.

“Fried Rice with Lobster and Seafood” was equally divine; the rich taste of the rice combined well with sweet peas, tiny slivers of carrot delicately mixed with small bites of succulent lobster, prawn and crab. The result was tasty without being too filling, as much a light vegetable dish as one with seafood. From the page entitled “Organic, Vegetarian” we selected the “Five Grain Noodles and Assorted Vegetables”, abandoning our gluten-free preference for this special occasion. Both full of flavor and rich, this was as fine a noodle dish as any we'd ever had, the accent on the organic solidly noticeable with each bite. Since most noodle dishes in lesser establishments are often buoyed by water chestnuts, bamboo shoots and Chinese cabbage, the absence of these staple fillers has to be acknowledged.

More familiar with tofu than most other patrons (my family has made our own for four decades), we were eager to try the “Crispy Tofu Sheet Rolls with Vegetables.” We'd happily devour this dish, with a bowl of brown rice (not served here) and steamed greens, on a daily basis – that is if we could prepare it as well as Chef Chan did. It was exceptionally appetizing and totally enjoyable.

Despite our sense that we'd ordered the right amount to share, we soon realized our dinner would pack well for a four-hour plane ride the next day. Our wish would be graciously granted as the remaining food was taken to the kitchen and boxed for travel. This gave us a chance to sample one of the eight dessert bean or fruit puddings and one of the eight innovative pastries offered on the menu. Accompanied by Fuding Silver Needle Tea, a surprising twist awaited us as we sampled the “Chilled Coconut Pudding with Hasma and Longan.” While the “Red Bean Cream with Lotus Seed” was pleasant enough, the Coconut Pudding was truly unusual. It was a wholly unrecognizable taste: a sweet, light custardy soufflé layered between cool agar, somewhere between sparkling aspic and Japanese kanten.

Vegans, vegetarians and macros take note: don't settle for ordinary rice and bean curd just to save money in the great city of Hong Kong. Assuming they sample the beef, pork and shark's fin items on the menu, most people pay $150 – $200 each at Lung King Heen. Calculating that our meal served three people generously, the tab was $50 US per person, and we dined at the only three star Michelin Chinese restaurant in Asia. If that's not great value for money, then my tai chi is full of hungry ghosts.

The surprise ending? Hasma, known for its health-giving properties, are moist, chewy morsels with almost no taste. Hasma is said to be very good for the kidneys, lungs and women's skin as it contains many hormones and has a high lipid content. This is because it is a combination of fat and part of the reproductive area of a white-bellied frog from the north of China. Thus, as the meal ended, we conceded that when searching for healthy food, it just might not be essential to avoid all four-legged creatures that evolution moved out of the water. Astonished that we'd ingested our first amphibious body part, we both left of the same mind, feeling blessed that dinner at Lung King Heen was the best Chinese meal we'd ever had.

Kid Cudi’s first album (if you don’t count the 10.Deep mixtape) “Man on the Moon: The End of Day” just dropped and it is certainly meeting expectations. The 25 year old from Cleveland, Ohio rose to hip-hop stardom after being handpicked by Kanye West to appear on 808s & Heartbreak, lending his voice as well as garnering writing credits. Soon after, his anthem “Day N Nite” could be heard on the airwaves and clubs worldwide. His enunciation and flow is reminiscent of some of the best in the game and the tone of his voice garners respect but not fear. He’s someone you want to listen to, like a friend and while both Kid Cudi the rapper (as well as the man), gets a little emotional at times, he still keeps it fresh and interesting. His style is hard to categorize; “rap” is a safe bet but he has a knack for dragging out verses, turning raps into catchy songs that appeal to a broader audience. Take a listen to “Pursuit of Happiness” and of course the first single “Make Her Say” for a look at how diverse of an artist Cudi is.

Under various names and through numerous styles, Luke Vibert has produced some of the best electronic music around for over a decade. Sticking to the format of simply good beats, he’s brought us masterpieces with every alias. Wagon Christ’s sugary yet dark trip hop grooves, the jungle stylings of Plug and Amen Andrews, acid of the Ace of Clubs, and dance floor candy of Kerrier District (not to mention a few others). Continuing under his given name and Planet Mu records, Luke is back with We Hear You , an album further extending his excursion into grime, yet retaining the straightforward goodness of all his previous work. If you haven’t heard of him, this is one record that will spark an adventure in digging back.

Thanks to my friends at Aston Martin and Gotham Dream Cars, I wont be blogging much today. I’m on my way to pick up a DB9 Volante for the weekend. You can follow more constant updates of my experience on Twitter.

Antony Hegarty’s voice will give you goosebumps guaranteed. The tremolo and emotional croon is the kind of thing that can sound cheesy and over dramatic if it’s not done perfectly. Thankfully, it is done perfectly. Antony and the Johnsons showcase the frontman’s ability to sing us an honest and sad, yet uplifting song, the single entitled ‘Aeon’. The true stunt, however, is the B side that sideswipes you. Equally somber is the band’s cover of Beyonce’s ‘Crazy Right Now’, a pop hit turned inside out, making a perfectly played out song listenable again. Remember the Michael Andrews and Gary Jules cover of “Mad World”? Exactly.

We often have to throw out our expectations when it comes two piece rock bands. From the circular smash noise of Lighting Bolt, to the dance pop vibe of Death From Above 1979, to Hella pre-expansion, there’s clearly a lot you can do live and on record with just two guys. There are countless and ever varying examples. In most cases, however, the stripped down composition is apparent. The effort is placed in utlizing the lack of manpower and not in building it into grandeur that sounds like more than eight limbs are doing the work. Canadian duo Japandroids call themselves ‘garage rock’, that vague description more applicable to a style than a sound, but carry big punch. It’s not so much the songwriting as the creation of big sound that drives their debut LP Post-Nothing. A thorough listen to a couple of tracks will give you the idea- check it out.

On my last night in Vancouver I had the opportunity (really, the pleasure) to stay at The Opus Hotel, located in the up-and-coming Yaletown district. I’ve stayed at hundreds of boutique hotels around the world and was really quite surprised with how well this property was put together and run.

The building itself is very well done and features 96 luxury guest rooms inside– each with all the top details and modern amusements you would come to expect. iPod docks, a great mini-bar (even with some oxygen if you’re feeling tired), comfortable modern furnishings, soaker tub in the bathroom, etc. And most importantly, a great bed! My room had a small but nice balcony that let in some fresh Canadian air.

Rooms are designed around five unique themes from modern and minimalist to daring and dramatic– with really everything in between. Each room corresponds with one of the personas from within their Lifestyle Concierge– a really great idea that gives you recommendations for your visit tailored to your personality and mood. The idea is fairly simple– 7 different personas that just about everyone can identify with. Into arts and culture and want to see what the city has to offer in those realms, check out Susan’s recommendations. Want to go off the beaten path? Billy’s the man, and so on.   Good for food, shopping, entertainment and so on.

I would definately give them a nod for an up and comer in the area, and a brand to keep your eyes on in the future. They’re even on Twitter!

Vancouver is a fantastic city to explore and discover new restaurants – especially if you like seafood as much as I do. The access to quality ingredients would make any food connoisseur drool. It certainly had me blissed the whole week I was there.

I didn't need to go far from my hotel for my first big dinner, and the experience at Yew Restaurant was certainly worth celebrating. After undergoing a massive renovation in the lobby of The Four Seasons ($4 million Canadian dollars for the restaurant alone, I'm told), a dramatic space was born, seating more than 128 guests. You're dazzled in this gorgeous space by its massive 40 foot ceilings, a floor to ceiling fireplace, and a communal table formed from a single piece of western maple.

The Executive Chef, Oliver Beckert launched a dinner menu he calls No Passport Required, a way to lead his guests on an enticing culinary journey to far away destinations — all without the need to leave their comfortable downtown Vancouver seats. April was “Japan” month (my favorite, of course) so I gave up the reins and went for it.

My Japanese adventure started with King Crab Soup, a Sake based broth with Daikon and Shiso. Very simple, light, and tasty. Large chunks of King Crab which tasted like they’d been lifted out of the sea a few hours earlier. Soup was followed by a Miso-Marinated Black Cod served with Asparagus, Edamame and a Kombu Broth — a classic. Dessert was a Pink Grapefruit Parfait with Ginger and Vanilla Consomme and Almond Milk Caviar.

My guest loved his dish from the daily menu– the fresh wild Salmon, miso-broiled with Chinese Broccoli, Baby Shiitake Mushrooms, Squash and a Plum Puree. If you're not up for food from the sea, they offer Wild Boar, Venison, or a pasta dish for the vegetarians.

There's also an impressive wine selection with more than 150 bottles available by the glass– (yes, one hundred and fifty) and they'll open nearly any selection you might want to sample.

Our Parfait was an ideal ending for us, but if you’re feeling especially brave, finish off with a selection of their Homemade Ice Cream and Sorbet's – Nutella, Carmel Honeycomb, S'more Ice Cream — and then call the cardiologist! Delicious.

British producer Bonobo first made waves at the tender age of 18, when his first record, Animal Magic, had the down-tempo scene buzzing. His compositions landed him in the big leagues a year later when Ninja Tune picked him up. With three records under his belt, the last one of which came out nearly three years ago, it’s about time we heard something new. Between The Lines/Recurring Remixes is a 10″ featuring remix work by Nostalgia 77 and Mice Parade of Bonobo’s tracks from Days to Come. If you’re not yet familiar with his work, check out his most recent release. You might recognize some of the tracks from your favorite TV shows.

Keen, a company that started with the question, “can a sandal protect the toes?”, has gone on to expanding their product line well beyond just active sandals. Admittedly, I have not checked out their site since I was shopping for my trip to Kauai a few years ago, but a few weeks ago I pointed Firefox their way and was impressed with what I saw. Their Harvest Collection of bags is particularly noteworthy.

One model, the Cornell, is a unisex messenger bag made of 100% reclaimed rice paper. For those of you who have ever bought large sacks of rice from an Asian market, you know exactly what that is. The design and graphics on each bag are completely unique, the bottom is made of 100% recycled rubber (from tires), and there is a lushly padded 17.4″ notebook sleeve built in. I will not say it’s perfect, however. The front zipper on mine gets stuck, and repeated pulls are slowly ripping the pouch from the bag. My only other complaint is a small one – occasionally the strap folds up onto itself within the metal loops. Other than these small quibbles, the Cornell gets my vote if you are looking for a comfortable, unique, and green bag.

On my recent trip through China, I was lucky enough to be a guest at The Luxe Manor hotel in Hong Kong. Even despite the typhoon, I had a very nice stay and would absolutely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the city — if you want to get away from the main island and stay somewhere a little bit quirky. The hotel is located on Kimberley Road in the very busy Tsim Sha Tsui district in Kowloon, but it’s very much a breath of fresh air amidst the ruckus of shopping, etc on the streets below.

The Manor is a reinterpretation of a European mansion, with lots of mythical character and a very modern twist. It also has all the luxury you would expect, with wireless VoIP Telephones, WiFi, very impressive security keys, flat screens, HD on demand, and the like.

I stayed in a deluxe room (pictured above) and found it to be very comfortable– but the real gem of the hotel are the six themed suites on the top floor, which I was given a tour of. Some were more my style than others, but I applaud them for their creativity. My favorite was the Safari themed room (secret fantasy maybe), which has an intricate lighting system which allows you to lay back on the couch and see a faux sparkling night sky.

More pictures after the jump.

READ MORE…

It’s true, I have one here in the US of A working on T-Mobile. After a very successful acquisition of the coveted Blackberry BOLD from my favorite auction website, I unlocked it with some Google Kung Fu (it was a Rogers version) and began playing. I plan on doing a more in-depth review after I’ve spent some time on it traveling around the globe, but here’s a quick break down.

Why I Splurged

I’m headed on a trip around the world and wanted a phone that would work in Europe, the USA and Japan. GSM service doesn’t work anywhere in Tokyo, so I had to find a Quad-band phone that had WCDMA 3G for Japan, as well as standard GSM for China, Europe, and the US.

The Blackberry BOLD boasts the most number of bands, service offerings, and coverage of any phone I’ve ever seen. In fact, the Quad Band nature makes that Blackberry World Edition look like a kids toy.

Why T-Mobile, You Ask?

One simple reason:

As far as I can tell, it’s the only service provider that offers a real unlimited international data plan. Everyone I know who has ever left the country on AT&T was sucker punched with a data bill that put them in tears. On top of that, what an unlimited international data plan really means is unlimited e-mail, web data, and Blackberry Messenger service from anywhere in the world for that same monthly flat fee. Sure, if you use the phone it will cost an arm and a leg, but I can retrieve voicemails as MP3’s through Simulscribe for free, as downloads.

What About The Phone?

• Although the screen isn’t nearly as large as the iPhone, it’s still gorgeous. The resolution is twice as much as the current Curve model– very sharp.

• The keyboard is noticeably different, a little bit wider. It will get take some getting used to but so far I like it.

• The back of the phone is some kind of faux-leather, very sexy and makes the utilitarian Blackberry seem a bit more fashion and design friendly.

• The User Interface has changed a ton, and it’s dead sexy. There are plenty of videos floating around the web with walk through, but they really went to town with the transitions, icons, and applications as a whole. Great improvement.

More soon… If you can’t wait, check out what my pals from Gizmodo had to say.

How many times have you been in this situation? You’ve just taken what seems like a 92-hour flight to the Australian mainland, hailed a taxi to the beach, plunked yourself down in the sand and said, “now what?” Please don’t answer, it’s a rhetorical device to help us talk about Two Birds One Stone, a new online lifestyle mag that focuses on not just partying, art, and fashion down under, but really anywhere you can run around in a tiny swimsuit. You have to register to participate, but as part of their launch, TB1S wants to give you a chance to win either a trip to Queenstown, NZ to indulge in board sports and casual sex, or Barcelona, Spain to see Jack Johnson and eat in some swank restaurants. So, that seems like a fair incentive to sign up. Which leads us to our next rhetorical question: when is a banana hammock not appropriate?