Anna Gorman:

A strip of Anaheim Street was officially named the nation’s first “Cambodia Town” earlier this month — the most recent cultural designation in a county that is home to Little India, Little Tokyo and Historic Filipinotown.

A gorgeous blog for web designers. Way to go, Nick!

Ever since the Buc Tuong disbanded, the hard rock scene in Viet Nam seemed to dismantle as well. Worry no more. Winner of 2006 Sao Mai Diem Hen (Morning Star-Rendezvous) Pham Anh Khoa has teamed up with the multitalented Duc Tri to bring back the noise. Like Buc Tuong, PAK knows how to combine Vietnamese folks with rock. His big, raspy voice and the loud production give “Ly Qua Keu” and “Ngua O Thuong Nho” a bizarre twist. I used to sing these tunes when I was a kid, now I am banging my head to them. This album also represents another creative angle of Duc Tri after his triumphant semi-classical orchestration for Duc Tuan. His rambunctious arrangements push PAK’s powerful vocals to the edge.

Bronwyn Jones’ “Better Writing Through Design“:

Good web design has a signature style: It’s approachable, it’s easy to understand, and it packs enough punch to catch the roving eye of even the most mercurial user. Web designers know this doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a finely honed process that asks—and answers—important questions about a site’s intended audience. You might call it “visual language” or “design vernacular.” Either way, what you find in a truly good design is a unique perspective. A point of view. A voice.

Amber Simmons’ “Reviving Anorexic Web Writing“:

Content is the heart of a brilliant user experience. From the body content to the alt text to the footer, the words that shape the page lie at the very center of an engaging visit. If the words aren’t beautiful and meaningful, the sleekest design in the world won’t compensate for it. The body can never replace a missing heart.

Together with his brothers Percy (bass) and Jimmy (saxophone), bop drummer Albert Heath recorded the flavorful Kwanza. While jump-off “Tafadhali” showcases Health’s rhythmic propulsive, “Dunia” demonstrates his ingenious improvisation on the trap set. This rare LP is a must experience for the aficionados.

A Kama Sutra:

The terminators are out there. They can’t be bargained with. They can’t be reasoned with. And they won’t stop fucking until their batteries run out. So much for our future.

From NPR‘s “Church Unites Hip-Hop and Gospel“:

At one time, preachers wanted nothing to do with hip-hop, a music genre often associated with drugs and violence. But religious leaders are now using hip-hop gospel music to reach out to local youth and get them involved in the church.

“Vo Chong Que” is one of the three tracks that steers off the semi-classical theme in Duc Tuan’s latest album, yet the fun, countryside vibe is growing on me, especially Ngoc Tuyen superb voice, which is a reminiscent of Mong Thuy.

By the way, the album is available to be pick up at Kim Loi Studio.

Common’s “Drivin’ Me Wild” produced by Kanye West.

“Swing ’77” displays an astonishing bond between violinist Don Harper and guitarist Denny Wright. While the violin saws away like a hillbilly, the guitar picks up the Latin vibe over the plucking acoustic bass that swings like a motherfucker. Yet whether Harper and Wright perform as a duo, trio, quartet or sextet, Combo featured some of the most exotic sounds in jazz including the cover of Ellington’s “Mood Indigo” and Rodgers-Hammnerstein II’s “My Favorite Things” made popular by John Coltrane in the 60s. With each track clocking in no longer than four minutes, this LP serves as a delightful appetizer to jazz.