You have got to check this right now: Issue 3 of 100ProofTruth.

Featured Photographers are: Witold Krassowksi, Kent Baker, The Face Hunter, Faith 47, Paul Hartnett in China, Darrell Berry…

100proofTRUTH Issue 3 is all about the power of the photograph, with a few other talents thrown in for good measure, (like Sfaustina from San Francisco, Sun7 from Paris, Karan Rashad from Iran, Dzyla and Fani1 from Australia, and Laser 3.14 from Amsterdam.)

Perhaps you’ve heard someone mention the Jena Six recently in casual conversation? On the internet, this was quickly dubbed “The White Tree” story. In a mostly white town of 3,000 in north-central Louisiana, six boys were arrested and charged with attempted murder. We later learned that a string of events highlighted by racial intimidation, institutionalized racism, and violence predated what most witnessed as a typical school fight in Jena, Louisiana. Slowly, the stench of Jim Crowe justice became more pronounced as awareness spread. Can this possibly still be a real scenario in 2007? One would have to go back to the eve of September 1, 2006 to get answers.

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From Ubiquity:

Another second heads your way, this one curated by DJ Gilles Peterson. Included on his Digs Vol. II compilation are tracks like the ultra rare Mary Lou Williams 45 “You Know Baby” (and her previously unreleased “Pussy’s In The Well”) alongside Detroit’s Dee Edwards and little-known Bay Area singer Carrie Cleveland who both mix a little Northern Soul with a touch of Funk while The Diddys get cosmic and Ray Camacho drops a Latin version of a Brass Construction classic.

Pre-order Gilles Peterson Digs America, Vol. 2

On October 1st, High Contrast is back with the new album, Tough Guys Don’t Dance.

From Hospital Records:

“Tough Guys features some exciting collaborations and guest performances, from the vocal gymnastics of Jazz wizard Ian Shaw to the legendary dance diva styles of Diane Charlemagne right through to the country tinged soul searching of Linda Gale-Lewis (sister of rock & roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis no less!)

Tough Guys is as much music for the dancefloor as it is the soundtrack to an unwritten film. Drawing its influence from a wide range of sources, and maintaining High Contrast’s appeal to fans of broad musical persuasions. This is the sound of a genre defining producer at the top of his game. Don’t Sleep.”

You can get a good preview in London Electricity’s recent podcast in which he features several songs from the new High Contrast.

Download the official “Getback” album sampler here.

Track listing:

• ExtraHard
• Breakin My Heart feat. Lil Wayne
• That Ain’t Love feat. Jozeemo
• Uncle Mike’s Dedication
• Step It Up feat. Dion
• Sirens feat. Carlitta Durand
• Good Clothes

Preorder Little Brother’s Getback here.

I don’t have to tell you what’s happening on Tuesday, but someone should tell NPR.  They ran a story this morning that mentioned the new albums from 50 and “another rapper.”  I’m not making that up - they referred to K. West as “another rapper” and “the other rapper.”

Now it’s no surprise that NPR is out of touch when it comes to Hip Hop, but this one exceeds even my low expectations.  Apparently the real story isn’t Kanye versus 50 (and the likelihood that Kanye will outsell 50); it’s 50 marketing himself in Second Life.  NPR failed to mention no one is actually making any money there.