Shaolin Rasta - the 37th Chamber

[Blacktiger]

Wow - give praise and thanks to Jah

[GeneChing]

Again posted on facebook by one of my Dragon Crew who had to bail last weekend.

[GeneChing]

It was great seeing SR at our tournament this year.

[GeneChing]

Nicholas Daley Explores Martial Arts And Reggae Culture For SS21 Collection
Blurring the lines between past and present.
Fashion
1 day ago
By Tayler Willson



Following his London Virtual Fashion appearance that saw him revisit his Fall/Winter 2020 collection, Nicholas Daley has unveiled the lookbook for his Spring/Summer 2021 collection entitled: ‘Stepping Razor’. Through the exploration of martial arts and reggae culture in the mid-1970s, Daley digs deep into the meeting of the two and the connections created.

Reggae musician Peter Tosh appears in this season’s narrative with his 1977 song, “Stepping Razor,” lending the collection its name. Alongside his passion for reggae music, Tosh was a keen martial artist and a black belt in karate. These two talents would often be seen together when Tosh would incorporate combat moves into his live performances. His martial arts stage apparel became a signature look throughout his career and now represents a key reference point for Nicholas Daley’s latest collection.

Blurring the lines between past and present, the Stepping Razors lookbook features karate professional Jordan Thomas, who’s also due to compete at next year’s olympics. This collection highlights the significance of black karateka athletes in British sport over three decades of elite level competition.

Tapping into traditional martial arts attire, Daley has referenced utility silhouettes across more functional garments. A Karate Gi crafted with a sturdy sashiko fabric is one of the stand-out pieces of the collection, while matching trousers with reinforced panels are in-keeping with Daley’s typical style. Olive green and sky blue tie-dye colorways are used across long and short-sleeved waffle tees, as well as relaxed fit cotton beach shirts and military over shirts.

The Stepping Razors SS21 collection is expected to launch early next year. Keep up-to-date with Nicholas Daley news via his website.

I'd rock these, maybe not the gis, but the tees.

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

I luv Alborosie. I've seen him perform many times. Now I luv him even more.

[GeneChing]

But more amusing was our very own Shaolin Rasta slinging patois with Master Mimi Chan at a KFTC25 AF after party (if that doesn't make sense to you, you haven't seen Pui Chan: Kung Fu Pioneer - a documentary by Mimi Chan, and if you haven't seen that, you cyant call yourself Shaolin Rasta).

On top of all that, check this new PBS doc. It explains the Jamaican Chinese connection.

Finding Samuel Lowe
1:01:13Video duration: 1:01:13 Aired: 05/14/17 Expires: 06/13/17Rating: NRVideo has closed captioning.
Paula Madison knew her mother was half Chinese, half Jamaican. Growing up in Harlem, she wondered about her Chinese grandfather, Samuel Lowe. When did he immigrate to the islands? Where did he go when he left? In "Finding Samuel Lowe," Madison embarks on a trip of a lifetime, tracing her grandfather back to his ancestral village – and finds she has a whole new family to embrace.

[GeneChing]

Drunken Kung Fu blends rock, hip-hop, reggae into unique sound
Corina Gutierrez • February 19, 2018 • Leave a Comment


Photo courtesy of Holly E. Renfro - H.E.R. Photography

From left, Sam Phelps, Jacob Gleason, and Matt Klee make up Drunken Kung Fu. The trio will return to Sac State Feb. 21.

Drunken Kung Fu, an “Afro-beat funk” trio, will be playing a free show at noon on Feb. 21 in the Redwood Room of The University Union.

The Sacramento-based band consists of three members: Jacob Gleason on guitar and saxophone, Sam Phelps on vocals and keys and Matt Klee, the drummer. It has played gigs as far as San Francisco, Las Vegas and Portland.

“We’ve always appreciated the support of Sac State,” Gleason said.

Having played on campus a handful of times before, he said the band is looking forward to coming back.



“There was a time I applied to Sac State but I didn’t have the foreign language requirement so they didn’t take me,” Gleason laughed.

The three met around 2009 while playing for other bands and have tried to develop a unique sound. While Drunken Kung Fu was nominated this year for a reggae Sammie (Sacramento Area Music Award), Gleason said that he doesn’t necessarily see the band as reggae.

“We keep things funky and danceable; we weave in and out of different genres: hip-hop, reggae, jam, classic rock, ’90s music — there’s a lot of different influences at play,” Gleason said. “We’re all jazz musicians so there’s a jazz overtone plus a rock ‘n’ roll rawness to how we play. We make big sound with three people.”

Because of their eclectic style, the dynamics between the three band members are often in flux and they are forced to improvise and make alterations on the fly.

As the lead singer, Phelps said he writes a lot of the music.

“I’ll bring a song to the table as a Sam Phelps song,” he said. “We’ll hash it out and turn it into a Drunken Kung Fu song.”

Phelps said everyone in the band has an equal say and the chemistry between the three is unique.

“There’s moments in our sets that are structured and moments of just jamming and looking at each other like, ‘This is awesome,’ ” Gleason said. “It’s a lot of fun to play with these guys; they’re not just always lost in their instruments like some bands can be.”

Leaving space for improvisation during their performances allows for the creativity to flow, Phelps said.

“We want to take people to a higher place with the energy; you can feel it in the room and just like, ravage and lift off,” Phelps said. “It’s always a risk, doesn’t always take off, but that’s our goal — that’s what it’s all about.”

Will Moon
@MoonMan0305
Sacramento-based funk band Drunken Kung Fu grooves in the University Union.

10:36 AM - Sep 6, 2017
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Even though Drunken Kung Fu typically identifies as an “Afro-beat” band, the trio incorporates many other styles and genres into their music.

“I think the music defies racial boundaries,” Gleason said in response to an inquiry about negative responses from crowds considering the group is an Afro-beat band with no people of color. “I don’t think any person should limit what they listen to or play based on the color of their skin.”

Gleason said the band talks about serious topics in some of their songs, such as politics and war.

“There is a heavy, revolutionary commentary on the political stuff going on,” Gleason said. “Overall, we take opposition on war; I consider myself a conscientious objector of war.”

Looking toward the future, Drunken Kung Fu has some new songs it plans to release soon as well as shows lined up for later in the year.

“We’re currently working on a new record, we have a bunch of festivals lined up this summer,” Gleason said. “We test things out and see how the audience reacts — what it comes down to is how to make the audience dance. Hopefully people feel inspired to dance it out and feel free.”

A Cali reggae jam band named Drunken Kung Fu? How is it that I don't know these guys?

Thread: Kung Fu Music
Thread: Shaolin Rasta - the 37th Chamber

[GeneChing]

Asian AND Jamaican curries? This Kung Fu Restaurant is so Shaolin Rasta.

First Taste: Fist of Curry brings irreverent kung-fu fun to old Huron Room space
Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press Published 7:01 a.m. ET April 5, 2018


(Photo: Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press)

A Kurosawa film plays on the bar's lone TV hanging above the painting of a clenched fist ostensibly belonging to Bruce Lee as I sip a cold Slovakian lager.

Dragonmead's Final Absolution is just $4 here, but I’m only waiting for carryout. There’s no need to go down that dark path, however good a deal it may be.

The place is decked out in ‘70s regalia -- all tan and mustard yellow and brown. I don’t recall any shag carpet, but it certainly wouldn't be out of place at Fist of Curry, where the aesthetic is decidedly disco-stoner conversion van.

It has been nearly two months since the folks who run Johnny Noodle King and Green Dot Stables — otherwise known as Inlaws Hospitality — quietly closed floundering seafood restaurant the Huron Room in southwest Detroit and revived it just three days later as a ‘70s-themed globetrotting curry slinger with a kung-fu kick.

Fist of Curry — a pun on the title of the classic Bruce Lee film "Fist of Fury" — launched at the corner of Bagley and 18th on Valentine's Day. The place is still getting its proverbial fighting stance down and tweaking its offerings. It may be too early to conduct a full review, but between one dine-in visit and one expansive carryout order, I've sampled almost the entire menu and found a lot more to like than in visits to its predecessor.


The interior of the new Fist of Curry restaurant in southwest Detroit, which suddenly replaced the Huron Room in February. (Photo: Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press)

For starters, there's the concept itself. Sure, you can get both Thai-style and Japanese curries down the street at Takoi and Ima respectively or trek up to Hamtramck for its panoply of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi offerings. But Fist of Curry is perhaps the first restaurant of its kind in metro Detroit to build its identity on the broader concept of curry itself, which originated on the Indian subcontinent thousands of years ago but has been exported around the world and altered regionally in fundamental ways.

The origins of chicken tikka masala, for example, are disputed, but the most widely accepted claim is that it was invented in Scotland, likely by a chef of Pakistani or Bangladeshi descent.

Fist of Curry's cardamom-forward tikka masala with either chicken or smoked tofu ($13) is already its most popular item, but there are much better options on the brief menu, which is split into five snacks, six curries, one rotating special, a couple of sides and two varieties of soft-serve ice cream.

Start with the cheese sticks ($6). This clever riff on mozzarella sticks employs melty halloumi cheese wrapped with fresh sage leaves in a crispy wonton roll. The result is lighter and less greasy than the traditional American bar variety and just might be the best thing on the menu. They come five to an order and are accompanied by a spicy tikka dipping sauce sans butter and cream, which allows the tomato and turmeric flavors to shine while being bolstered by a house-made ginger-garlic paste — a base for many of the curries here.

If there's one challenger to the cheese sticks, it's the curry-fried cauliflower ($7), another of the snack options. The florets are battered in rice flour and soda water for an almost tempura-like coating that's also gluten-free. It lends the florets a satisfying crunch despite being drenched in a sweet-and-sour-and-spicy Manchurian sauce. The garnish of cilantro and scallions adds an herbal element that rounds out the dish.


Jamaican jerk brisket curry ($16) from the new Fist of Curry restaurant in southwest Detroit. Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press

The meat version made with chicken drumsticks ($8) is just as satisfying, while the lion salad ($8) deceives you with fresh herbs and hunks of English cucumber before sneak attacking with spice from both Thai and Hungarian peppers and a guajillo chile-infused vinaigrette.

Broadly speaking, the snacks are Fist of Curry's strongest offerings, while the curries themselves could use a little more coaxing in the depth department. (I'm going to make a controversial recommendation here and suggest a dash or two of MSG.) The long-grain basmati rice that accompanies each, on the other hand, is nicely cooked and worth noting.

Of the five curries I sampled, the soft-shell crab rose above the rest thanks to its Thai-inspired coconut curry that's bright with lemongrass and a dusting of sumac. There's crab paste and oil in the curry itself, but while soft-shell is in season, the whole crab is served on the side, lightly breaded and fried to crispy perfection. At $16, this dish represents the top of Fist of Curry's modest price scale.

The Japanese-inspired kare curry ($13) with pork katsu is another I'd recommend. The sauce starts with Japanese curry powder that's enriched with leftover pork juices from sister restaurant Johnny Noodle King and blended with sake, mirin, tamari and fresh Granny Smith apples. It's a silky and mild version of curry, perfect for heat-averse diners.

Other offerings include a smoked tofu curry ($12) that's both vegan and gluten-free, a meaty Jamaican jerk brisket curry ($16), a vegetarian saag halloumi ($12) that I also enjoyed and a rotating weekly special.

One of the biggest misses for me and evidently for a group of early online reviewers as well is the non-naan bread that's offered as a $2 side. The menu describes it as a house-made fry bread and the deep-fried gluten-free flatbreads that come out indeed have more in common with Navajo fry bread than soft, leavened naan -- a key component of so many good curries.

Executive chef and co-owner Les Molnar said he'd never attempt to make naan without a tandoori oven and is instead experimenting with a pizza dough-based flatbread brushed with ginger-garlic butter that will likely make it to the menu next month. That's a smart move and will likely stanch some of the criticism.

On the beverage side, Fist of Curry offers five house cocktails priced at $9 each that employ many of the ingredients you'd find in their curries, like a masala simple syrup. The beer list of nine drafts and 20 bottles and cans is well priced and includes a few surprises — like a nitro-draft Old Speckled Hen for $4 — among some usual suspects.

“Part of our motivation here is to expose people to what's out there," Molnar said. "I’m not some artisan savant when it comes to making curry yet, but we know we can make good food at an affordable price.”

Most important, though, is bringing new life to a concept that should've worked but never took off for a variety of reasons.

"Doing a smaller restaurant like this — Fist of Curry is between 40 and 50 seats — I think you can get away with having some niche fun over here when it comes to cuisine," Molnar said. "We just want to have fun at work. If we can make it as fun as possible and pass that energy on to the guest, that’s something we get a kick out of.”

If that's the goal, then this punny kung-fu curry shop may soon deliver a knockout roundhouse.


A Jamaican bobsled cocktail ($9) from the new Fist of Curry restaurant in southwest Detroit features rum with strawberry and pineapple juice garnished with a whole baby banana. (Photo: Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press)

Fist of Curry
2547 Bagley, Detroit.
313-265-3325 and detroitcurry.com.

Dinner daily.

Irreverent '70s-themed curry joint with small bar and mostly booth seating.

Full liquor license with limited selections.

Reservations accepted.

Contact Mark Kurlyandchik: 313-222-5026 or mkurlyandc@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mkurlyandchik and Instagram: curlyhandshake.

[GeneChing]

WANT!

Although 'clat' isn't the right term to use here.

INFINITE OPTIMISM RASTACLAT BRACELET

$23.95

477 items left

SIZE 7" TO 9" WRIST CIRCUMFERENCE

DESCRIPTION
A Bruce Lee Family Store Exclusive!

The Bruce Lee Family Company teams up with Rastaclat to celebrate Bruce's inspirational philosophy of Infinite Optimism with this iconic yellow and black release.

* Complete with Collector's Edition bracelet box and card insert featuring Bruce's signature and quote, "As you think, so shall you become"
* Custom barrel features the Flying Man and Rastaclat logos
* Nunchuck aglets
* One size fits most, 7" to 9" wrist circumference
* 100% polyester

When you read Bruce Lee: A Life by Matt Polly, there is much discussion of his pot use.

[GeneChing]

Here's the logo for the 2018 Universaide.



Jiayo? nuh mon. JAH-yo!

[GeneChing]

Our intrepid reporter travels to the Land of Cush. READ The Rainbow Continent Kung Fu Friendship Tour Part 1: Welcome Home to Ethiopia by Gregory Brundage



THREADS
The Silk Road
African Martial Arts
Shaolin Rasta - the 37th Chamber

[GeneChing]

Our intrepid reporter explores Wushu in the Land of Cush. READ The Rainbow Continent Kung Fu Friendship Tour Part 2: Ethiopia by Gregory Brundage



THREADS
The Silk Road
African Martial Arts
Shaolin Rasta - the 37th Chamber

[GeneChing]

Oh man, srsly? If they sent a sample, I'm sure I could find some one to review it. Maybe a Shaolin Rasta or a Marijuana TCM proponent?

MARKETING > EVERCANNABIS
Kung Fu Vapes sees growth ahead
Mon., Aug. 19, 2019


Alexis Dawson and John Dawson Jr. of Kung Fu Vapes (Joe Butler / EVERCANNABIS)

By Joe Butler
EVERCANNABIS Writer

Kung Fu Vapes
4811 N. Market St., Spokane
(818) 254-8861
www.kungfuvapes.com

John Dawson Jr. knows exactly when his “Aha!” moment happened.

In a tattoo shop in San Diego, a friend asked him to try an early version of a vape pen loaded with hash, a cannabis concentrate.

He’d smoked pot before growing up but never experienced the type of high as he did with that device. He instantly knew that plenty of people are going to love their cannabis this way, and he wanted to be part of it.

“We went on a mission right then to all the stores around town and bought any kind of e-cigarette and vape pen we could find, so we could take them all apart, see how they were made, and see if we could figure out how to make them better,” said Dawson.

Today, a decade later, Dawson is the owner of Kung Fu Vapes, which provides components for vaporizers, including batteries and cartridges, plus all sorts of pens and pocket rigs designed for heating cannabis concentrates or oil.

“We love to help design, brand, and package products for different companies,” he said.

Located on Market Street in the Hillyard area, he and co-owner/brand manager Alexis Dawson now work with producers and processors and retailers in 25 states.

While Kung Fu Vapes must follow state rules governing the sale and use of vape products, the restrictions for 502 licensees don’t apply, allowing it sell and distribute outside of Washington.

“This evolution is a trip – we have a small niche of the industry, but we’re doing huge numbers around the country and even internationally,” John Dawson said.

Vape pens/e-cigs can deliver a more potent experience than smoking flower. They’re also more discreet than a traditional pipe or bong, can easily fit in a pocket or purse, and the vapor doesn’t fill the lungs or have a strong odor like pot smoke does.

A client may have ideas of what they want or don’t want in their next vape product. Or Dawson’s manufacturing partners in China may suggest new products and materials. Mostly, the ideas for come from his own hands-on research.

“We’re always trying to push the industry forward,” he said. “We never want to follow trends – we want to create them.”

He also likes to visit different growers and social media/industry influencers, and is always attending cannabis events around the country, either as a vendor or an attendee to learn what new products are in the works. It’s also a chance to educate consumers and possible partners about everything Kung Fu Vapes can bring to the table.

He and Alexis essentially do everything – it would easy to hire sales people around the country, but he likes being hands-on and involved in all discussions and decisions.

Kung Fu Vapes recently released the Quasar pod system, a one-time use fillable pen that’s already receiving praise for its portability, stability, and ability to use different types of oil. It’s child-proof, and there’s no wicking or alloys involved.

Later this year, it plans to release Kung Fu Vitals, a pre-filled device containing CBD oil sourced from high-quality hemp grown in New York.

Dawson said this is a great time for the industry. Though there are a lot of vape products, producers/processors want to make sure their customers have safe, reliable and enjoyable products, and that’s where he thinks Kung Fu Vapes has established a great reputation.

“What we’re seeing right now is this perfect blending of electronic materials and cannabis, and it’s all going to get bigger,” he said. “There are a lot of products out there, but your hardware is going to define you.”

Joe Butler is a longtime marketing writer and editor at The Spokesman-Review. He’s an enthusiast of Star Wars, commemorative spoon collecting, and the Oxford comma.

[Djuan]

Came to salute this thread just for the title, and say I'm all for the 37th Chamber.