I know, I know...I never did a Paul’s Picks for February. It was a crazy month and I just never had a chance to write one up. Conventions and traveling have been taking up a lot of my time lately and next week I hit the road again for some lectures stop and the Nemcon Convention in Cromwell, CT. The lecture stops are listed here and if you live near ANY of these areas I hope you’ll come out and enjoy the evening.

Now let’s get started with this month’s Picks!

• Transporter: I am very proud of this new release from Elmwood Magic and it has been getting very strong reviews from users all over the world. It was one of the hits of Blackpool and if you’ve been looking for an easy card to wallet that you can carry ALL the time, then this is definitely worth checking out. (As an aside, you may have heard some of the buzz about another hit we had at Blackpool called "Truth"…we are keeping this new item under wraps a little while longer but I promise you’ll see it on the site soon!)
• Mastermind: Many years ago we sold the original version of Mastermind and the effect was always strong but the card stock was not the best. Chris Kenworthey has now produced this in Bicycle stock and it truly is a dream deck. You can use it for many effects but certainly the one that’s been getting the most press is a devastating Card At Any Number. This is super easy to do and uses NO sleights at all!
• Sudden Impact: Cameron Francis showed me this a few months ago and I thought it was a great idea…so I was delighted to see it’s now available as a DVD. This is a wonderfully visual change that looks totally impossible. The card is isolated in the box and the audience actually sees it transform to another selection. A really clever idea that you’ll have a ton of fun with!
• Ultracinese: I’ve mentioned many times in the past that I’m not a big fan of electronic items. But every once in a while I see one that is just absolutely ingenious. This is one of those times! Ultracinese is a well made, creates a phenomenal effect, and is surprisingly practical. If the effect appeals to you, then you will be VERY pleased with the product. A word of warning on these, the release was delayed due to the high demand and time need to produce each unit. These will not last long and I assure you there will be folks who wait and miss out on the chance to own one. When our stock is gone, we have been given NO date as to when (or if) we will be able to get more.
• Fortune Sticks, Tenyo Elite: The new Tenyo Elite line has arrived and I am a particularly impressed with this item. The original Tenyo item was ingenious, clean, and direct…this lacks none of those features but is far better made than the old plastic model. If you like high quality magic that is powerful as well, this is for you!
• Cardini, The Suave Deceiver: This book comes in at almost 600 pages and I’m still working my way through it. But as Jamy Swiss said in his review, “…it’s nothing short of astounding”. I must admit that while I knew of Cardini and his impact, I really knew nothing of his life and the details of his career. This is a must read for any student of magic, manipulation, or history.
• Sneak Preview: A great new effect from Danny Archer. Danny is a worker and he creates effects for workers. Solid premise, easy method, strong impact…what’s not to like? This is a great effect that allows you hand out a business card while you deliver a powerful demonstration of thought reading. Easy to do and well thought out.
• Mojoe: John Kennedy always creates clever off beat magic and this little guy is no exception. I should point out that this takes some set up and is not an item I can see using in an actual show. But with the right set up and under the right circumstances, you’ll have a miracle on your hands.
• Spin: Boy Oh Boy….do I like this DVD! Let me begin by saying in all likelihood you already know the method…but Matt Sconce has figured out every angle and idea for using this technique. He really has gone above and beyond to deliver the goods and you will be well rewarded for the time you invest in watching this. Two big thumbs up from me!