Art & The Observer .

"Art is the stored honey of the human soul"

- Theodore Dreiser, 1917. (U.S Novelist)

Captured in The Saatchi Gallery, London.

- Domesticated Ape

Home, Sweet Home.

"What's the good of a home, if you are never in it?"

- George Grossmith, 1892. (British Singer & Writer)

Captured in Alum Bay, Isle of Wight.

- Domesticated Ape.

DJ For The Night: British Hip-Hop

I was asked a question by a friend whilst in the pub the other night which really got me thinking. She asked: ‘If you was to DJ for one night only and you could only play five songs, what song would they be?’ Hmmm… typical indecisive me, I was unable to give a clear answer. In fact, nor did she. A couple of issues made us hesitant to give a concise play-list. We concluded that it would it depend on the crowd (crowd pleasers), also we enjoy too many genres to have just the one set.

So, I’ve decided to post my DJ play-list for each genre of my fancy, consisting of five (or less) tracks. Of course my musical taste is forever changing, so I don’t think I will ever be fully satisfied (indecisive syndrome!), but it’s all a bit of fun. Oh, and I'm also limited to what is available on YouTube.

I'm going kick this of with some homegrown music, British Hip-Hop.

Lowkey & Logic - 'Home Is Where The Heart Is'

This is definitely not a party track, far from it. To really appreciate this song you have to listen to what these guys have to say. This particular track is based on the outlook of two boys living their war torn countries, Uganda and Palestine.

Plan B - 'Paint It Blacker' Feat. The Rolling Stones

I love what Plan B has done with this song. It features on his bootleg album, which is full of gems like this one. His others songs feature artists such as Leonard Cohen, Tom York and Coldplay.

Jehst - 'City of Industry'

Jehst is easily my favourite rapper, both British and international. It was really difficult for me to pick just one song of his. So here's one I picked at random... and it's still brilliant.

The Streets - 'Blinded By The Lights'

The Streets are a great band, but Mike Skinner has a skill of turning real life rambling thoughts into songs. He's your average British lad, rapping about about subjects which the average British youth can relate to. Like being 'mashed'!

Klashnekoff - Murda

This song exposed Kashnekoff to the scene over five years ago, and its still a heavy track..coz itz murrrrda! So turn the smile upside down, put on your meanest frown and nod your head to this!

- Domesticated Ape.

Perfect Pictures For An Imperfect World.

This video got some mixed reactions from me. I adore this video and I can see plenty thought has gone behind the making of it. The concept of using photographs to reveal the imperfections which it hides is very affective. Also each sequence manages to comment on the society we live in, touching on subjects which affect us all.

However, I found it more heartbreaking at the end of the video to discover that it is an advertisement for a digital photo company. Initially I thought the ad was for a charity or a public service campaign to raise awareness. But alas, it was ‘Fotoprix’ tugging at the heartstrings of its consumer to make a pretty penny.

Nevertheless, this is a well made bit of film. It is able to highlight some imperative issues in our world today, some of which are scarcely talked about.

- Domesticated Ape

Summer By The Lake.

"Summertime, and the living is easy"

- Ira Gershwin, 1935. (U.S. Lyricist)

Captured in Fullerö, Västmanland - Sweden.

- Domesticated Ape.

Wiltshire's Finest.

"The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man"

- Charles Darwin, 1871. (British Naturalist)

Captured in Longleat, Wiltshire.

- Domesticated Ape.