London’s Kemistry Gallery, the only exhibition space in the U.K. that’s completely graphic design-centered, recently asked 11 artists that had previously shown work at the space to participate in Retrospective-One.

The exhibition will feature all manner of graphic-design creations–from collages and light boxes to hand-drawn typography and prints–on display from Parra, Geoff McFetridge, Experimental Jetset, Zak Kyes, NMo, Simon Svärd, Cut-Up Collective, Jay One, Eine, Sanderson Bob, and James Joyce.

Retrospective-One runs August 8 – September 6.

Word was just received today that Double O (left), one half of hip-hop duo Kidz in the Hall, was assaulted by bouncers at nightclub this past Saturday in Tempe, AZ.

From a recent press release:

“Group member and friend Naledge, who did not witness the assault on Double O, was arrested outside of the club. Naledge’s attempt to get medical assistance for Double O was misconstrued as a hinderence to the investigation. Reports that no injuries were sustained are false, as Double O was taken to the hospital with multiple injuries from the excessive force used by club security. On Sunday morning, Double O underwent surgery for one of his injuries. He is still in the hospital, but in stable condition.”

As mentioned in a recent article on XLR8R.com, artists not chained to the helm of the mainstream record label ship are getting creative these days about the ways in which they distribute music, and sometimes that means handing out tracks for free.

British rock six-piece The Go! Team are giving not one, but an entire EP’s worth of tracks away. The band’s website currently contains all songs from the Get it Together EP (the group’s first-ever release), remixes, and song parts that fans can download, arrange, and submit as remixes.

The band’s Lollapalooza performance will be streamed as a webcast this Saturday, August 2 at 3:30 p.m. That, obviously, will be free too. Next thing you know they’ll be giving away those two drum sets they’re so known for.

Despite Jamaica’s bleak crime reports and economic development needs, the news from Yard is not all bad. London’s Guardian newspaper reports this week that 1 million tourists have visited the island in the first seven months of 2008. That’s up 20,000 visitors from last year, which JA tourism minister Ed Bartlett describes as “the best ever” for arrivals and revenue. Tourism is Jamaica’s second-highest income source, behind remittances from Jamaicans abroad.

Moses Davis, a.k.a. Beenie Man’s court appearance for alleged tax evasion was postponed again due to a key witness falling ill. Davis is said to owe the state close to $48 million in taxes for the period between the late 1990s and early 2000. He’ll have to hope the trial can be rescheduled, as he’s due to headline his own Beenie Man Sizzle concert August 6, before heading out on an extensive European tour from August 8-27. Maybe the show revenues will be enough to offset those taxes?

Want to sharpen your reggae history? This week, the Gleaner has an excellent article on great Jamaican bands. Session, studio, backing, and stage bands like Soul Syndicate, Now Generation, Inner Circle, and Fabulous Five are comprised of some of reggae’s most important enduring musicians, such as keyboardist Robbie Lyn and bassist Lloyd Parkes.

When Barack Obama appeared before thousands in Berlin last week, what music was performed for the masses before his speech? Reggae, of course. A RiddimJamaica article looks at how reggae artists have embraced the Democratic presidential nominee, from Tarrus Riley and Mavado to Cocoa Tea and Don Omar.

View photos from Tony Matterhorn’s heralded stage show and dancehall event, Fully Loaded 2008, held at Fort Clarence beach. Despite numerous highlights, the show was locked off by police at 3:30 a.m.

VP Records vintage music subsidiary, 17 North Parade, will drop several new, remastered classic reggae albums this fall. Among the batch out on September 9 are the reissue of Half Pint’s classic Greetings, produced by George Phang, and the unique showcase vocal album Tenor Saw Meets Nitty Gritty. Also out are classics from Toots & The Maytals, Joe Gibbs, and Harold Butler.

On August 2, John Holt and Winston “Merritone” Blake will headline a concert to celebrate Jamaica’s 46th Independence Day at Washington’s Zanzibar Night Club. Meanwhile, New York’s Deadly Dragon crew celebrate the event Wednesday, August 6, when singers Tony Tuff and Yami Bolo join legendary selector Tony Screw’s Downbeat The Ruler sound system at Happy Ending.

The 13th Annual Monterey Bay Reggae Fest takes place in the California coastal town August 29-31. Headliners throughout the weekend include Ky-Mani Marley, Lutan Fyah, Bounty Killer, Coco Tea, Rankin Scroo, Fantan Mojah, Sister Carol, Alpha Blondy, Rocker T, and more.

Wondering about reggae’s music charitable side? A new concert promises to do good and sound good. The First Annual Budweiser Reggae Summer Fest for Cancer Research debuts Sunday, September 7 at Washington DC’s RFK Stadium. In addition to Caribbean food, dance, and crafts, musical guests include Beres Hammond, I-Wayne, Turbulence, Chuck Fender, Prestige, Etana, and Fire Star. More on this major event as it draws nearer.

Richie B’s Hot Mix 102 Top Ten Reggae Singles
1. Richie Spice “Di Plane Land” (No Doubt)
2. Tony Rebel “Love Fire” (Taxi)
3. I-Octane “Different Page” (Rated R/Arrows)
4. Terry Linen “Mood For Love (Missing You)” (Uplifting Music)
5. Lust “Just As I Am” (Born Music)
6. Etana “I Am Not Afraid” (No Doubt)
7. Patriot “Looking For Love” (Hill Side)
8. Terry Linen “No Time To Linger” (Joe Fraser)
9 Noddy Virtue and Jodi-Ann Pantry “Bed Of Roses” (Reflection)
10. Morgan Heritage “Nothing To Smile Bout” (No Doubt)

Can’t imagine Nixon ever having a former skateboarder-turned graphic design star take his likeness, but Barack Obama’s proven himself a fine subject for such a thing, what with the Shepard Fairey‘s limited edition Obama prints selling out in mere minutes. Z-Trip thinks so too, it seems, and he’s teaming up with Fairey to throw a fundraiser party in support of the hopeful candidate.

On Friday, August 1, the Echoplex in L.A. will host both artists (Fairey DJs under the name Diabetic), along with L.A.-based DJ Troublemaker and some yet-to-be announced guests. The first 100 people through the door will receive one of the aforementioned prints, signed by Fairey. Festivities are steep, at $20, but seeing as this is a fundraiser, it sort of makes sense.

It seems like Jamie Lidell just passed through the U.S., but the electronic soul master is rushing back to North America at the beginning of August, where he’ll make the rounds yet again before returning to Europe for a set of dates with Elton John. Those wondering how the man can keep such a lengthy tour going without collapsing somewhere in the middle of Portland will find their answer by checking one of these performances:

07/31 Quebec, Quebec: La Grande Scene
08/02 Chicago, IL: Lollapalooza
08/03 New York, NY: Central Park Summerstage
08/04 Montreal, Quebec: Osheaga Festival
08/07 Oslo, Norway: Oya Festival
08/08 Maubeuge, France: Nuits Secretes Festival
08/09 Reese-Haldern, Germany: Haldern Festival
08/14 Jena, Germany: Kulturarena Festival
08/15 Helsinki, Finland: Flow Festival
08/16 Hasselt, Belgium: Pukkelpop Festival
08/17 Biddinghuizen, Netherlands: Lowlands Festival
08/29 Paris, France: Rock en Seine
09/05-07 Isle of Wight, U.K.: Bestival
09/26 Austin, TX: Austin City Limits Festival
09/26 Austin, TX: The Parish
09/29 Los Angeles, CA: Avalon
09/30 San Francisco, CA: Fillmore
10/01 Portland, OR: Wonder Ballroom
10/03 Seattle, WA: Showbox
10/04 Vancouver, British Columbia: Plaza
10/07 Minneapolis, MN: Varsity
10/08 Chicago, IL: Metro
10/09 Toronto, Ontario: Opera House
10/10 Montreal, Quebec: Le National
10/11 Hamilton, Ontario: Hamilton College
10/12 Boston, MA: Paradise
10/14 New York, NY: Highline Ballroom
10/15 Brooklyn, NY: Music Hall of Williamsburg
11/18 Birmingham, U.K.: NIA*
11/19 Amsterdam, Netherlands: Melkweg
11/22 Munich, Germany: Olympiahalle*
11/24 Hamburg, Germany: Color Line Arena*
11/26 Cologne, Germany: Koln Arena*
11/29 Copenhagen, Denmark: Parken Stadium*
12/01 Helsinki, Finland: Hartwall-Arena*
12/04 Stockholm, Sweden: Globe Arena*
12/05 Oslo, Norway: Spektrum*
12/09 Paris, France: Bercy*
12/13 London, U.K.: O2 Arena*
12/14 London, U.K.: Shepherds Bush Empire
12/16 Birmingham, U.K.: NIA*
12/17 Liverpool, U.K.: Echo Arena*
12/18 Liverpool, U.K.: Echo Arena*
12/20 Manchester, U.K.: MEN Arena*
12/21 Manchester, U.K.: MEN Arena*

* w/ Elton John
Photo by Paul O’Valle.