Praise for The Underdog's Manifesto
Beautiful/Decay
Selling records (CDs, tapes, vinyl, any hard goods) is becoming a part of our past - or is it? There are a good handful of musicians in the NYC area who beg to differ and are battling the current trend of music industry pessimism. One of these natives, who goes by Creature, has taken his hustle to the next level by publishing a book that not only tells his story, but more importantly, teaches the aspects of personal value, doing for yourself, and having respect for your art and not just the money. Whereas most independent hip-hop artists complain about not getting anywhere, Creature has taken his life by his own two hands and feet; he looks at every day as a work day and at NYC as his retail storefront. The book delves into well drawn-out concepts of the "Artistprenuer," which transfers well beyond music and is an assent to any striving artist. The book is a true conversation about artists' personal value and how to capitalize on yourself, for yourself. For anyone that has ever picked up a microphone, camera, paintbrush, or any creative instrument, this is a must read - and it's fully self made. - Fubz
Hip-Hop Linguistics
Creature’s manifesto is an enlightening and thought-provoking take on the true meaning of success, and the sacrifices one must make in order to achieve independence as a guerilla artist. It shows that by staying on the grind and taking pride in a modest hard day’s hustle, artists can still stay real, maintain originality and make it big without the help a major label. This book is a must read for any independent artist who can relate.
Unkut
The Underdog’s Manifesto doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, clocking-in at a sensible page count for all you A.D.D. motherfuckers out there (which is pretty much everyone these days) and offering an interesting glimpse into the grassroots of the music game.
Praise for Global Beat Fusion: The History of the Future of Music
Newsday 8.21.05
This subpopulation of international electronica is the focus of Global Beat Fusion (Outside the Box/iUniverse) a new book by Derek Beres, a music journalist, yoga instructor and deejay. Beres takes a Joseph Campbell-like comparative look at various cultures, then discusses the semi-underground patchwork of musicians who are using this often-sacred music for dancefloor kinetics. He then explains why that combination is not as incongruous as it might seem at first glance...
Village Voice 6.15.05
Derek Beres: ‘Global Beat Fusion Book Release’
Local music scribe Beres is celebrating the release of his book about modern electronic global music fusions, which ties together such seemingly disparate threads as ancient ritualistic music traditions and modern club culture. He’s joined by some musical friends equally uninterested in music with traditional boundaries. With Haale, Vishal Vaid, Basya Schechter, and Anthony Mills. (HENDRICKSON)
Time Out NY 6.23.05
Toque: Bembe, 9:30 pm. Latin stylings, with a heavy dose of salsa, are what DJ Busquelo (aided by percussionist Isabela) doles out at Willamsburg hangout Bembe. Tonight, to celebrate his ambitious new book, Global Beat Fusion: The History of the Future of Music, GlobeSonic's Derek Beres drops by to spin a few tunes.
Global Rhythm, October 2005
Longtime GLOBAL RHYTHM readers will no doubt recognize author Derek Beres as the former Managing Editor of this very publication, and his first book reads like a culmination of his many years working in the world music realm. Global Beat Fusion is a very personal meditation on the convergence of music, technology and faith in the global marketplace. In his own inimitable style, Beres weaves these divergent strands together through a series of portraits of movers-and-shakers in the world music industry. From interviews with artists like Cheb i Sabbah, Ojos de Brujo and Karsh Kale, Beres posits that electronic musicians worldwide are creating a new global mythology by translating traditional and sacred musical forms into digital formats. His interviews with various managers, publicists and bookers build up a portrait of the industry as it is today, while prognosticating what the future might hold in store, both for world music and, quite possibly, for the music industry as a whole. TOM PRYOR
PRI, The World, 12.19.05
Some call it mashing-up. Others call it remixing. Derek Beres calls it global beat fusion.
NPR, Day to Day, 10.12.05
What does the dance club scene have in common with Sanskrit teachings, yoga or the poetry of Rumi? Derek Beres explains in his new book Global Beat Fusion: The History of the Future of Music. The book chronicles electronic music from the 19th century through to the present day, and also references writers such as mythologist Joseph Campbell and futurist Alan Watts…Beres points out in the book that the trance-like effect on the dance floor has much in common with ancient music forms such as Sufi Dervish, Native American ceremonial chants and the rhythms of Africa, a spirit Beres wants to return to…With such a diverse subject matter, Global Beat Fusion: The History of the Future of Music is not a book about music alone. It’s about a growing worldwide community that’s searching for shared experience without politics or corporate involvement. And it could fill many different slots on the bookshelfTo read more press clips for Global Beat Fusion click here.
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