Ladies & Gentlemen, We have lift off!!! Aficionados of eclectic sound are likely to appreciate the musical project known as, “N.A.S.A.” (North America South America). Engineered by Sam Spiegel (Squeak E. Clean of Los Angeles, CA) and Ze Gonzales (DJ Zegon of Sao Paolo, Brazil), N.A.S.A. has assembled a supporting cast with the likes of: Santogold, RZA, Kanye West, Lykke Li, E-40, Z-Trip, MIA & Fatlip of The Pharcyde (just to name a few). The video above is a trailer for their debut album The Spirit of Apollo. Meshing elements from brazilian-funk, hip/trip-hop, indie rock, electro etc., These cats are bound to create a buzz amongst avid listeners. Their style of connecting artists from various backgrounds and sound spectrums is reminiscent of Dan the Automator & Prince Paul’s project, Handsome Boy Modeling School. Pick up the album and decide whether they are just another musical oddity or pioneering a musical odyssey.

Common has teamed up with the digital giants at Microsoft to produce a new line of threads called, “Softwear”. The aesthetic of this line revisits the early years of computer expansion; also known as the 80′s. This fusion of urban & tech innovators def deserves some attention. The implied double meaning of the name, “Softwear” is just plain ill.