Blown!
the feeling
inadequate feeling
flown!

la folie

It beats within, and without
then seeks the wherewithal
before time runs out

It cries silently, and alone
then attacks the cerebral
before senses reach home

It bleeds profusely, and cold
then ignites the pulse
before all else is told

It gives love, and envigours
then shelters the hurt
before winter finally disfigures.

l6

Tonight's music: Craig Armstrong: Glasgow (1997)

Max Richter: Last Days from Memoryhouse
BBC Philharmonic
Rumon Gamba (conductor)

This afternoon, (15h30-16h00) was my teabreak from checking student essays, and Radio 3 once again played something so exquisitely beautiful, that I'd forgotten the true value of the words themselves.

I knew Max Richter from his work with my favourites, the Future Sound of London, but I was not so familiar with Memoryhouse, however, I am now becoming well acquainted with another masterpiece...really, the world is full of beauty...even melancholic beauty.

This type of music I absolutely adore, equating with FSOL, Craig Armstrong and the like.

Max Richter

Max Richter is an award winning composer and producer. He trained in composition and piano at Edinburgh University, The Royal Academy Of Music and with Luciano Berio in Florence.

Max's Solo CD "The Blue Notebooks", on cult label Fat Cat, featuring texts recorded by Tilda Swinton, was described by Pitchfork.com as "not only the finest record of the last six months, but the best Classical album of recent memory" and was included in dozens of best of year lists.

Max has just produced the long awaited 2nd album from 60s folk legend Vashti Bunyan, also featuring contributions from Joanna Newsom, Fourtet, Adem, and Devendra Banhart, as well as a guest appearance by legendary arranger Robert Kirby. The new album has received five stars in Mojo and was picked as Record of the Week in The Times.

"The Blue Notebooks"

Opening to the muted clatter of a typewriter and hushed, delicate reading from Kafka's The Blue Octavo Notebooks, the source of its title, this work by modernist composer and pianist Max Richter evokes that great author's writing through its simple, understated style and lyrical melancholy. Also present are Kafka's hallmark sense of surrender and acceptance, if not the darkly comic undertones of ridiculous tragedy. The atmosphere is one of space and calm, of a spiritual ascendance that conjures up Max Richter as a monk abiding in a massive cathedral, in stark contrast to Kafka's cramped quarters and isolated life witnessing the mechanical agony of others. These recordings are possessed of a tranquillity that is occasionally tinged with unease, but lacks any undercurrents of rage or violence. All is peace.

Which, given Max Richter's many and varied accomplishments, must be derived from fulfilment rather than any spans of reflective inactivity. Born in 1966, he studied composition in Edinburgh, at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and under the renowned avant-garde composer Luciano Berio in Florence. Co-founder of the Piano Circus ensemble and active member for a decade, he commissioned and performed works from a selection of stellar talents (including Philip Glass, Brian Eno, and Steve Reich) with them. His forays into the realms of live sampling whilst with them are evident in the occasional field recordings here. His tinkering with analogue electronic instruments and immersion in the beginnings of that scene led him to collaborate with pioneers the Future Sound of London, who named a co-written track after him on their 1996 release Dead Cities and then enlisted him during the two-year crafting of their recent prog-classical-electonica epic The Isness. He's even worked with the diminutive drum 'n' bass messiah/maniac Roni Size, and in 2002 his first album, the acclaimed Memoryhouse, was recorded with the aid of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Which brings us to his second "solo" offering, where Richter is assisted by a string quintet of regular collaborators, comprising two cellos, two violins and a viola. These soar as bare strands of light over his sparse piano and organ lines, swelling and twisting -- as on Memoryhouse-referencing opener "On the Nature of Daylight" -- to stir and caress the heart. Neither needless grandeur nor elaborate complexity are present here, as Max Richter places the emphasis soundly on the breathtaking clarity of his production and its seemingly immense span; as in the best deep house and melodic dub, the music is as much a demonstration of the beauty inherent in both sound and consciousness as it is an articulation of any musical notation. And dub is present here, in the slow, drifting sub-bass pulse of "Shadow Journals", as is electronica, in the softly fluttering percussion, reminiscent of Autechre, on "Arboretum". However there is no sense of amalgamation here, just as the patter of the typewriters behind Kafka's and Czseslaw Milosz's lines cushion and further Tilda Swinton's diction rather than lending it a nervy air: rather, the listener bears witness to a minimalist form of contemporary music that feels natural and perfectly whole.

This album is a quietly stunning meditation on silence, beauty, memory, and existence that, like its use of sampled choir voices, is as distanced from religion as it is undeniably spiritual. Get a copy, let the daily bustle recede before Max Richter's music of the spheres, and in the space between the traces of atoms and the paths of galaxies, find your place in its illumination.

MAX RICHTER
Memoryhouse
Late Junction 2002

Europe, After The Rain
Maria, The Poet (1913)
Laika's Journey
The Twins (Prague)
Sarajevo
Andras
Untitled (Figures)
Sketchbook
November
Jan's Notebook
Arbenita (11 Years)
Garden (1973) / Interior
Landscape With Figure (1922)
Fragment
Lines On A Page (One Hundred Violins)
Embers
Last Days
Quartet Fragment (1908)

To read more, about recording "The Blue Notebooks" click here

The power of music is boundless
like the shots that ring out
heard for a second
but more keenly felt

longing the soul to reach afar
or Within the guiding star
music is the universal awakening
Within each masterpiece's calling

-lauren6

Have you any buildings, or structures you love and admire?

There are many that I have visited, or seen, ingrained in my memory as bastions of sentiment, empowering my senses, and creating a deeper love of the world in which we live.

I have put a few below;

Clifton Suspension Bridge, which is a perfect example of humans and nature combining to brilliant effect, plus, I lived nearby for a short time.

Houses of Parliament, London. Not so much symbolically, but visually pleasing, and for such a severe style and purpose, this building strikes me as very warm and friendly.

Viaduc de Millau, France

What an exceptional 'bridge' this is! Bridge hardly seems adequate to describe what is described as 'the world's highest bridge', completed in January 2005, and gained the accolade thanks to the bridge piers, the tallest of which is 240 meters high, the overall height 336.4 meters, comprising seven seperate cable stays. Simply magnificent!

The architect was British, Lord Norman Foster, and it was constructed to eleviate the heavy traffic conjestion of the summer season through the valley, however, in creating a swathe through the valley, it has in my opinion become a tourist attraction in itself, by rights and virtue of it's otherworldy quality, a masterpiece of Anglo-French engineering. Magnifique~~!

Built: 2001 - 2004
Duration of works: 38 months
Status: in use
Cost: € 300 000 000
Location: Near Millau, Aveyron (12), Midi-Pyrénées, France
Crosses: Tarn River
Carries: Autoroute A75
Structural Type: Cable-stayed bridge
multicable, fan arrangement
Function / usage: Motorway bridge / freeway bridge
Designer Michel Virlogeux overall concept
Architect Lord Norman Robert Foster

a75
foster and partners
midi libre
wikipedia

Wat Phra Kaeo, Bangkok, Thailand
วัดพระแก้ว

Thailand's Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo) Bangkok is one of the world's
great sights, which serves as a Royal chapel and consequently no monks live there.
Beautiful Wat Phra Kaeo was built in 1782 and Phra Kaeo, the temple complex which houses the impressive Emerald Buddha, (the most revered in all of Thailand), is located within the grounds of the Grand Palace, and was built under guidance of Rama I in 1782, at the time Bangkok became the kingdom's capital city.
It is also the treasure house of exquisite Thai arts, some of the most beautifully decorated arts in all Asia.

This I saw in 1996.

bangkok site
thailand today

Golden Pavillion, Kyoto
金閣寺京都

Granted supreme status only quite recently, and is now a World Heritage site, and quite rightly so.
My dear friends took me here on my last day in Japan, in 2004, after what appeared to be a sumptiously and freshly decorated facade makeover, with the sunlight touching perfect gold, through pine needles. (See photo above)

My visit here was kept secret from me, until we entered the grounds, and the distant dazzle of gold caught my eyes. This for me was the greatest moment of all my travels anywhere in the world.

wikipedia: kinkaku-ji
japanese lifestyle

Tower Bridge, London

This makes my list for every obvious reason under the sun!! But also for the equally merited reason of sentiment, namely my very first visit to London, as a little boy, with my father...a cherished memory as much for being with him, as for the sights themselves. I could have added HMS Belfast too, but that is not a building or structure as such, on-land, but Tower Bridge captured my imagination and love for England that lives to this day. I know millions of other people, native, visiting, resettling, all feel the same, that Tower Bridge IS the spirit of England, you stand on that bridge, and feel all that has been, and all that will come from your own self. An outstanding design of enormous significance. And yet, it's only a bridge?
Not at all!

First visited in 1978, with Panini 78 under my arm!

wikipedia: tower bridge
towerbridge.org

Basilique du Sacré Coeur, Paris

Another slightly unusual but outstanding landmark, which captured my heart on my second ever visit to Paris...thereafter, I studied not too far from Montmartre.
Sentiment, imagination, France, flambuoyancy, audacity, confidence, beauty, elegance, boldness, worldy...all embody Sacre-Coeur.

paris.org
sacre-coeur

Two days ago my cycle therapy ended abruptly, not by choice, or necessity, not because of weather or health, nor idleness or other distractions, but for an accidental and freakish incident...

Along the Marriotts Way, the nice level ground near my hospital is ideal for my spinal exercise...as the spine is 'slumped' causing no pressure or complication, but the cycle motion enables my body to gain precious exercise and movement, when walking has become impossible, and ALL other activities frozen.

Therefore, I can enjoy this one last freedom of physical will.
I passed the lake, the new housing estate,
the effects of which I never negate
Across the cycle priority, which vehicles frequently forget...why a give way sign only applies when giving way to cars, and not bicycles, I'll never know...so over I went, safely once more, and down the dry route beside the road, gathering speed, nearing my 'turnaround point', when my metal part, attaching the back wheel to the frame, snapped clean in two, jamming the chain, peddles, and throwing me over onto two parts;
the good part: landing on the bottom
the bad part: also landing on my already split spine
the ugly: phone went 'blink' and nobody able to help me home, so I had to hobble 4 miles.

My spine is now totally useless, as if the NHS could yawn any wider, and I have damaged my hip this time, together with both ankles.
It seems all avenues are closing-in, however, I'll try what I can;
out of the hardest elements of adversity
where hope falls just out of one's grasp
comes the myriad of nature's diversity
with which renewed faith will tightly clasp.

I had the strangest dream again last night, one of living about 100 years ago, and being rehoused as a child, (like the 1940's), to live with a tiler, an elderly greyish man, kindly, quiet, of the earth, rather tall for the time, and alone. His home was rough, but pleasant, small but cosy, to the far-side was clear sunshine, though he only had one window as far as I could see. The floor was hardened sawdust, he had only bread and savouries, no proper food as such....though he offered me some bottled lemonade, so out of keeping with the times.
My mother visited and brought my things, for my sleep and living, which all seemed so terribly normal. My age must have been around 7 or 8.

The tiler was very kind, and shared what he had, though I asked very little.
It would seem that there was some greater issue at hand, bigger than either the tiler or myself, or my family. I never discovered what it was in the dream, but it must have been of great significance, because all in the dream accepted the new circumstances dictated by 'the event' as many surrounding houses were in good repair, but empty.
So what was it?

Men of sense often learn from their enemies. It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war.
Aristophanes

like the blades of a propeller overhead
I feel your power circling me
accompanying sleep and lucid dreams
your arms and kisses engulfing me
this way and that all-embracing breathlessness
cool rain bossanova with hearts drumming
entwined acceleration orchestrating
only this moment stages our finest performance.

from a dream~~

the world will go on
it's only people who change
because they have to!

lauren6

surreptitiously guiding breeze changed
lashing rain obliterated soothing Sun
turncoats inside and out
Sunday's best on the run

redundant windmill refinery's kept
sleeping giant's allegory
the Wensum meanders as the soul wept
merely part of the untold story

to be seen and not heard
pain screaming upon deaf ears
once heard and never forgotten
is the 'silent' fall of lonely tears

lauren6

for the med.

music: Divine Works: Gloria Deo Patri, from Hildegard von Bingen und ihre zeit - ensemble of fruhe Musik Augsburg

Vatican 'cashes in' by putting price on the Pope's copyright
From Richard Owen in Rome

THE Vatican has been accused of trying to cash in on the Pope’s words after it decided to impose strict copyright on all papal pronouncements.
For the first time all papal documents, including encyclicals, will be governed by copyright invested in the official Vatican publishing house, the Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

The edict covers Pope Benedict XVI’s first encyclical, which is to be issued this week amid huge international interest. The edict is retroactive, covering not only the writings of the present pontiff — as Pope and as cardinal — but also those of his predecessors over the past 50 years. It therefore includes anything written by John Paul II, John Paul I, Paul VI and John XXIII.

The decision was denounced yesterday for treating the Pope’s words as “saleable merchandise” and endangering the Church’s mission to “spread the Christian message”.

A Milanese publishing house that had issued an anthology containing 30 lines from Pope Benedict’s speech to the conclave that elected him and an extract from his enthronement speech is reported to have been sent a bill for €15,000 (£10,000). This was made up of 15 per cent of the cover price of each copy sold plus “legal expenses” of €3,500.

Vittorio Messori, who has co-authored works with Pope Benedict and John Paul II, said that he was “perplexed and alarmed . . . This is wholly negative and absolutely disastrous for the Vatican’s image.” A pope’s words should be available to all free of charge, he said, and to “cash in in this way surrounds the clergy with the odour of money”.

Publishers will have to negotiate a levy of between 3 per cent and 5 per cent of the cover price of any book or publication “containing the Pope’s words”. Those who infringe the copyright face legal action and a higher levy of 15 per cent.

The Union of Italian Catholic Publishers and Booksellers said that it had not been consulted, and that the edict “flies in the face of what we do — spreading the Pope’s message to the world”.

A Vatican spokesman said that the Holy See had to defend itself against “pirated editions”. The move is also aimed at “premature publication”. Journalists accredited to the Vatican are handed papal texts under embargo. The Vatican said that if embargos were broken in future not only would the journalist face sanctions but also his or her publication would face legal action.

Last week ANSA, the Italian news agency, published what it said were brief extracts from the forthcoming encyclical, Deus Caritas Est. Vatican officials said that the final text was still being worked on and the supposed extracts were “speculative”. Publication, originally scheduled for six weeks ago, has been held up by internal Vatican wrangling, allegedly over translation.

Officials said that newspapers would be free to publish extracts from papal documents without charge once they were officially released, but only by “prior agreement”. The rules cover not only encyclicals — the most authoritative papal pronouncements, issued in Latin — but also the Pope’s homilies at his weekly audiences on Wednesdays, and his addresses at Angelus prayers on Sundays.

The decree was signed last May by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Secretary of State, but put into effect only a month ago at a meeting of Vatican lawyers on the rights to works by Pope Benedict, who as Cardinal Ratzinger was the late Pope’s doctrinal adviser and a prolific author.

Signor Messori agreed that some publishers had in the past “overstepped the mark”. “But the Church exists to spread the Word, as commanded by Christ himself.” He said that he was appalled at “the very idea of placing a tax on the words of the Pope, the principal interpreter of the Gospel”. Publishers and journalists would be “terrorised”, wondering whether they would be sued for quoting the pontiff, he said.

PRINTS OF THE CHURCH

The Vatican publishing house Libreria Editrice Vaticana was founded in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V when he set up the Holy See’s printing press

It became a seperate organisation in 1926

In 1988 under a reorganisation of Vatican institutions by Pope John Paul II it was given full responsibility for publishing all “acts and documents of the Pope” and of the Vatican bureaucracy

It publishes books from other writers with intention of defining doctrine, liturgy and Catholic culture and sells religious works from other publishers

It offers works in Italian, Latin, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Polish.

from Timesonline

Chemical Brothers: Star Guitar (2002)
Directed by Michel Grondy.

"The video describes a journey as seen from a train window, only the disposition of each passing element in the landscape is positioned exactly in sync with the music.

"Every sound from the track will be illustrated by an element of the landscape that appears each time that sound is heard. As the song becomes more elaborate, we will create a more and more complex landscape."

This published portion of Gondry's treatment describes well the fusion between music and landscape in his second video for the Chemical Brothers.

One notices the similarity in concept between this video and Daft Punk's Around the World, yet the difference in execution. Instead of each element being a dancer, it is a part of the scenery. The video is based on DV footage Gondry shot while on vacation in France. They shot the train ride 10 different times during the day to get different light gradients.

Star Guitar is one of those videos that you must see several times in order to see all of the video. Upon later viewings this fan noticed smoke stacks in time with keyboard trills, funny railroad track behavior, and sky changes. Images for the truly nitpicky. All of these were worked on for three months in post by Michel's brother Olivier.
-director-file

China to build world's first "artificial sun" experimental device

A full superconducting experimental Tokamak fusion device, which aims to generate infinite, clean nuclear-fusion-based energy, will be built in March or April in Hefei, capital city of east China's Anhui Province.

Experiments with the advanced new device will start in July or August. If the experiments prove successful, China will become the first country in the world to build a full superconducting experimental Tokamak fusion device, nicknamed "artificial sun", experts here said.

The project, dubbed EAST (experimental advanced superconducting Tokamak), is being undertaken by the Hefei-based Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It will require a total investment of nearly 300 million yuan (37 million U.S. dollars), only one fifteenth to one twentieth the cost of similar devices being developed in the other parts of the world.

The new device will be an upgrade of China's first superconducting Tokamak device, dubbed HT-7, which was also built by the plasma physics institute, in partnership with Russia, in the early 1990s. HT-7 made China the fourth country in the world, after Russia, France and Japan, to have such a device.

"The EAST project research results will be significant for the International Thermonuclear Experiment Reactor, or ITER, in terms of basic research both in engineering technology and physics," said Wan Yuanxi, who is in charge of the project.

Wan said ITER will also be a full superconducting experimental Tokamak fusion device with an advanced configuration, but much larger than EAST.

The program, still in its initial stages, involves Russia, Japan, the United States, the European Union, China and the Republic of Korea.

Controlled nuclear fusion is seen as an efficient way for people to generate infinite, clean energy to offset the dearth of fossil fuels such as oil and coal.

Scientists believe that deuterium can be extracted from the sea and an enormous amount of energy can be obtained from a deuterium-tritium fusion reaction under huge temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius. After nuclear fusion, the deuterium extracted from one liter of sea water will produce energy equivalent to 300 liters of gasoline.

If a device is developed that can withstand temperatures as high as 100 million Celsius degrees and control a deuterium-tritium reaction, it will be as though an "artificial sun" had been created able to supply infinite, clean energy for human beings.

Source: Xinhua

This is a quite a breathtaking article, and it shows the vigour with which humans, together with a power surge all their own, can develop an idea, and propel the race as we know it, further forward, at least in theory.

Human nature will always bring such enterprises somewhere on the globe, it is in our make-up, and like other such dramatic mini-evolutions/renaissance, it is inevitable that the long-hidden might of China, (at this moment of the worlds economic history), would evolve such techniques and experiments, monumental projects etc. The capability of China, for our future is enormous as this article reveals, and it is not unique at all, as there are countless others well underway.
It was recently said in the Chinese Parliament, that China needs to move forward in the field of science, and I think we can see a future where they not only move forward, but even leave us in their wake, just as Britain has this year slipped beneath China in the economic rankings.

However, this article reveals the involvment of many other nations, (and that should bring hope), something missing from the past around the world.

I just hope the rush doesn't crush the equilibrium needed for the stability of life...the biggest danger for any sizeable country whose economy grows at staggering speed. (The dam project for example).

For now, I will admire. The future is (almost) unknown...though even that will become known too.

May I add one thing, and that is this,
恭喜发财 ~~!!

Nature's Beauty

A priest was in charge of the garden within a famous Zen temple. He had been given the job because he loved the flowers, shrubs, and trees. Next to the temple there was another, smaller temple where there lived a very old Zen master. One day, when the priest was expecting some special guests, he took extra care in tending to the garden. He pulled the weeds, trimmed the shrubs, combed the moss, and spent a long time meticulously raking up and carefully arranging all the dry autumn leaves. As he worked, the old master watched him with interest from across the wall that separated the temples.

When he had finished, the priest stood back to admire his work. "Isn't it beautiful," he called out to the old master. "Yes," replied the old man, "but there is something missing. Help me over this wall and I'll put it right for you."

After hesitating, the priest lifted the old fellow over and set him down. Slowly, the master walked to the tree near the center of the garden, grabbed it by the trunk, and shook it. Leaves showered down all over the garden. "There," said the old man, "you can put me back now."

a zen story from Japan.

Royksopp: Poor Leno (watch this video and think) [I also like "Remind Me"]
Prodigy: Firestarter and Breathe
Chemical Brothers: Star Guitar (an absolute masterpiece)
XTC: Making Plans for Nigel (looks such a perfect, pure pop video)
Heather Nova: Welcome (beautiful song, location and singer)
Radiohead: Just
Gorillaz: Feel Good Inc (video of 2005 for me)
Faithless: Mass Destruction (for the part where Maxi Jazz sermons the wall)
Air: Don't Be Light (simple formula sprouting intensely intricate forms)
Future Sound of London: My Kingdom
AAF: Movies (what's wrong with some mad rock)

My exploding record collection of cd's and all other forms of music contains many albums that become buried in time and all other such time-related guff, so naturally there are some that tend to only be heard every once in a while, and at that time I fall in love all over again, perhaps with the added bonus of sentiment.

Smoke City are such a group, with 1997's album, "Flying Away" containing the mesmerically brilliant "Underwater Love". Nearly 9 years have passed since I brought this album in Kent, and today it even surpasses all my intitial reasons for purchasing it back then.

It (the album, and Nina Miranda's enticing vocals especially), slithers like a snake, a dark, hot and erotic jungle journey, a tropical flight, beach party, hotel lounge, manic passion, cocktail love, it's all here!!

Smoke City are hardly prolific, are not especially well-known, nor essential listening, but they do contain that special something which I regard highly; the ability to make music with a difference, conforming to nothing on earth, they do it their way, and I love this album dearly~~!!

lauren6

Though based in London, the trip-hop trio Smoke City created music with a distinctively Brazilian, bossa nova-influenced sound - no surprise given that vocalist Nina Miranda's childhood was divided between the UK and South America. Miranda formed Smoke City with former schoolmate Mark Brown, with whom she shared an affection not only for the music of Santana and Gilberto Gil but also classic '70s funk; rounding out the line-up with guitarist Chris Franck, formerly of the Brighton-based Brazilian percussion group Batu, the group issued a handful of indie-label singles before signing to Jive Records in the fall of 1995. Their debut LP Flying Away followed two years later, and was highlighted by the single "Underwater Love," which became a European hit thanks to its use in a commercial campaign for Levi's jeans. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Cet album, sorti en 1997, qui comporte le célèbre titre underwater love, trip-hop aquatique qui a fait le bonheur publicitaire d'une célèbre marque de jean's, s'écoute avec toujours autant de plaisir des années après. La voix sensuelle et mutine de Nina Miranda fait mouche sur des compositions qui brassent avec bonheur la froideur du trip-hop et des musiques plus chaudes, telle la bossa, très présente sur l'album. Tour à tour délicate et énergique,la musique de Smoke City est à l'aise dans tous les registres. Flying Away est une véritable réussite,un titre comme Numbers en est la preuve indéniable: à chaque écoute il donne l'envie irrépressible de se trémousser sur sa rythmique ravageuse.

Track listing
01 6:45 Underwater Love
02 4:30 Devilmood
03 4:50 With You
04 5:34 Numbers + Interlude 1
05 4:22 Mr. Gorgeous (and Miss Curvaceous)
06 3:20 Águas de Março (Joga Bossa Mix)
07 5:04 Dark Walk
08 3:10 Jamie Pan
09 4:53 Giulietta + Interlude 2
10 3:47 Flying Away
Total 46:24

Nina Miranda has worked with a dizzying variety of artists. She is both a singer and songwriter and has guested on tracks for Da Lata, Nitin Sawhney, Bebel Gilberto, Daniel Jobim, Antonio Chainho, Shrift Spiller, Faze Action, Jah Wobble, Les Gammas and Arkestra 1.

In 1992 Nina recorded a song called Underwater Love, with DJ and musician Marc Brown. The song was moody and cinematic, hip-hop fused with Bossa Nova, Nina sang fusing English with a French accent and Brazilian Portuguese. The track was featured in a successful Levis' ad campaign, became an underground hit and caught the attention of several major record labels.

Marc and Nina joined forces with musician and producer Chris Franck and the three became Smoke City. Smoke City released an album on Jive records called Flying Away to great critical acclaim. The band had created a unique blend of jazz, samba, hip hop, reggae, dub, folk and bossa. The album spurned top ten hit singles including a number one.

They extensively played the major venues and festivals all over UK and Europe, and have just released a second album in the UK called Heroes Of Nature. Smoke City's songs other writing collaborations Nina has been involved with are continuously used on films, TV and advertising world-wide.

Nina Miranda's father is Brazilian, her mother is English, she was educated in Brazil, England and France, wanted to be an opera singer when she was a tyke, studied art when she was older, and talks very fast. Talks like there's no time, no tomorrow; a woman in hurry with a bus called fame to catch.

-wikipedia

"Underwater Love" released 1997, reached UK No.4

This must be underwater love
The way I feel it slipping all over me
This must be underwater love
The way I feel it

O que que é esse amor, d'água
Deve sentir muito parecido a esse amor
This is it
Underwater love
It is so deep
So beautifully liquid

Esse amor com paixão, ai
Esse amor com paixão, ai que coisa

After the rain comes sun
After the sun comes rain again
After the rain comes sun
After the sun comes rain again

This must be underwater love
The way I feel it slipping all over me
This must be underwater love
The way I feel it

O que que é esse amor, d'água
Eu sei que eu não quero mais nada

Follow me now
To a place you only dreamt of
Before I came along

When I first saw you
I was deep in clear blue water
The sun was shining
Calling me to come and see you
I touched your soft skin
And you jumped in with your eyes closed
And a smile upon your face
Você vem, você vai
Você vem e cai
E vem aqui pra cá
Porque eu quero te beijar na sua boca
Que coisa louca
Vem aqui pra cá
Porque eu quero te beijar na sua boca
Ai que boca gostosa

After the rain comes sun
After the sun comes rain again
After the rain comes sun
After the sun comes rain again
Cai cai e tudo tudo cai
Tudo cai pra lá e pra cá
Pra lá e pra cá
E vamos nadar
E vamos nadar e tudo tudo dá

This must be underwater love
The way I feel it slipping all over me
This must be underwater love
The way I feel it
Oh oh d'água we are full

Underwater
Oh underwater love
This underwater love
This underwater love
Underwater love

Portugal is England’s oldest ally. The Anglo-Portuguese Treaty signed in 1373 is still in force today, making it the oldest alliance in the world.

Herewith some interesting facts about the alliance, and the two countries;

This alliance, which goes back to the Middle Ages, has served both countries, despite the common Portuguese complaint that England has profited from her alliance with her weaker ally. It is worth noting, however, that for a long time Portugal was the stronger ally and that both countries have profited from this (now largely unused) alliance. It was very important throughout history, influencing the participation of the United Kingdom in the Iberia Peninsular War (the UK's major land contribution to the Napoleonic Wars), among other things.

Anglo-Portuguese Relations - Historical landmarks

1373: First Treaty of Alliance between Portugal and England signed.

1386: Treaty of Windsor.

1387: Marriage of Philippa of Lancaster and King João I.

1660: Treaty of Westminster signed.

1661: Treaty signed of marriage of Charles II and Catherine off Braganza.

1703: Methuen Treaty signed. Re-opening commercial relations between Portugal and England.

1808: Battle of Vimeiro.

1810: Battle of Buçaco.

1895: State visit of King Dom Carlos to London.

1899: Secret declaration signed reaffirming ancient treaties of alliance.

1903: State visit of King Edward VII to Portugal.

1904: State visit of King Dom Carlos and Queen D. Amélia of Portugal to Britain.

1909: State visit of King Dom Manuel II to England.

1911: Portuguese Republic recognised by Britain.

1917: Military Convention between Portugal and Britain signed.

1931: Prince of Wales and Duke of Kent visit Portugal.

1940: Duke of Kent represents Britain at celebrations of 800th anniversary of the founding of Portuguese State and 300th anniversary of Restoration of Portuguese Independence.

1943: Azores agreement signed.

1955: State visit to Britain by President Craveiro Lopes.

1957: (18-20 February) State visit to Portugal by Queen Elizabeth II.

1973: (5-8 June) Visit to Portugal by HRH Duke of Edinburgh (600th anniversary of Anglo Portuguese Alliance).

1973: (16-19 July) Visit to London by Dr. Marcelo Caetano.

1977: (14-15 February) Dr. Mário Soares visits London as Prime Minister. Britain announces support for Portugal's candidacy to the EEC.

1978: (14-17 November) State visit to Britain by His Excellency the President of the Republic, General António Ramalho Eanes and Dra. D. Manuela Ramalho Eanes.

1979: (22-25 May) Visit to Portugal of Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne, Mrs. Mark Phillips, and Captain Mark Phillips.

1984: (17-19 April) Visit to Portugal by the British Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Margaret Thatcher, MP.

1985: (26-29 March) State visit to Portugal by Queen Elizabeth II.

1987: (11-14 February) Visit to Portugal of Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales.

1988: (February) HRH The Prince and Princess of Wales in Portugal for Windsor Treaty (November) HRH Duke of Edinburgh in Portugal for centenary celebrations.

1989: (September) Duke of Gloucester visit to Portugal.

1990: (February) HRH Duke of York on HMS Cambelltown.

1990: (June) HRH Princess Alexandra and Sir Angus Ogilvy visit Porto in connection with 200th anniversary of British Factory House.

1991: (June) TRH Duke and Duchess of Kent visit Portugal.

1992: (October) Duke and Duchess of Wellington visit Portugal for Torres Vedras celebrations.

1993: (April) President Mário Soares State visit to UK.
(November) HRH Duke of York (ship visit).

1995: (October) Foreign Secretary, Mr Douglas Hurd, MP to open new Embassy Building in Lisbon.

1996: (March 8-9)HRH The Duke of Kent for the inauguration of President Jorge Sampaio.
(June) Visit by Lord Mayor of London, Richard Nichols for the Official Opening of Expo’98 as the UK Representative.
(June)Visit by HRH The Prince of Wales – UK’s official Representative on national Day at Expo’98

[from the British Embassy]

More information;
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answers

conjunctivitis dance

So I resumed some teaching to help me pave the way for paying a private doctor to treat my broken spine, knee and other conditions, which the NHS are incapable of even spelling let alone treating.

It's keeping me extremely busy, mindhappy, but only with painkillers can this work be handled, as it becomes gruelling for me, the teacher too, when my right leg refuses to move or acknowledge life for several minutes at a time. Now conjunctivitis has kindly set-in too, offering it's merry greeting every few moments.

tokyo

Have a mouth as sharp as a dagger but a heart as soft as tofu.
Chinese proverb

Well, I just noticed that in Tokyo they have resumed Tofu carts, an old tradition that nearly died recently, but now is in the throes of a major comeback, following the tradition of more than 400 years, 300 men and women are now shuffling the streets of Tokyo as Tofu vendors clad in aprons reminiscent of the old tradesmen centuries ago. They are complete with a horn, a blow known as a "rapper" which has two notes and signals their arrival in the neighbourhood.

Tokyo, and much of Japan, is a fascinating contradiction. If you take Tokyo for example, few buildings are over 40 years of age, and yet, the population is ageing so rapidly, that many are older than the buildings themselves. Also, there is something of a communication breakdown in many societies around the globe, Japan being no exception, with neighbours being unknown to many despite living side-by-side, and the life of a hermit, (amongst the young and old alike), more and more common. A recent Japanese newspaper report said, that it is now quite typical in Tokyo, for some people to have not seen or spoken to a single soul for three days. Such people are well-abled too, but choose such a life.

This led earlier 'tofu giveaways' to the conclusion that the ageing population would welcome tofu coming to their homes, as opposed to the more arduous trip to the stores.

So, today in Tokyo, you may see the welcomed Tofu vendor, pulling their carts, perhaps up to 6 miles a day, and treated like a long-lost Grandchild to a great many Japanese.

And so into the boat, poor Betty's head aching. We home by water, a fine moonshine and warm night, it having been a very summer's day for warmth. I did get her hand to me under my cloak.
-Pepys, January 27th, 1667

Air: Moon Safari, album by Jean-Benoît Dunckel and Nicolas Godin.

Want to improve your love life? Sleep better at night? Master the essentials of a foreign language? Make more money from the comfort of your very own home? All you need is Air's Moon Safari. You'll dance with handsome strangers to the opiated Euro-disco of "Sexy Boy," woo them with the electric torch song romance of "You Make it Easy" and fall asleep in their arms to the comfortable groove of "Talisman."

OK, maybe Moon Safari won't increase your earning potential, and addressing a Parisian armed only with French song titles from instrumental tracks (the songs with lyrics are in English) may be unwise. But even if becoming a sophisticated continental lounge swinger isn't high on your priority list, this album is a handy lifestyle accessory.

For one thing, it cures hangovers. There's a warmth in Air's funkier tracks ("La Femme D'Argent") that feels like morning sunshine, easing into your tired bones and psyche without unnecessary fuss. The French horn-led "Ce Matin La," meanwhile, is Air's "Let's Go Away for a While," and it's so relaxing it makes Brian Wilson's pet sounds sound like two dogs barking. [No Brian Wilson bashing please...lauren6]

From French easy, rare groove and spare house, Air have fashioned a surprise classic. It's all done with a mixture of nonchalance and striking virtuosity, and it will win over even the most severe francophobe.

Track listing;
1. La femme d'argent 07:09
2. Sexy Boy 03:47
3. All I Need (feat. Beth Hirsch) 04:19
4. Kelly Watch the Stars 04:36
5. Talisman 04:16
6. Remember 02:34
7. You Make It Easy (feat. Beth Hirsch) 04:01
8. Ce matin-là 03:38
9. New Star in the Sky (Chanson pour Solal) 05:40
10. Le voyage de Pénélope 03:39

Album credits;

moon safari - album credits
Marlon Drums
David Whitaker Director, Orchestra Director, Orchestral Arrangements
Michael F. Mills Design
Air Main Performer
Stephane "Alf" Briat Handclapping, Engineer, Mixing
Jean-Benoît Dunckel Organ, Piano, Glockenspiel, Choir, Chorus, Moog Synthesizer, Engineer, Wurlitzer, Fender Rhodes, Solina, Vocoder, Korg Synthesizer, Mellotron, Syrinx, Chant, Producer, Handclapping, Clavinet, Vocals (Background)
Nicolas Godin Organ, Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, Guitar (Electric), Mini Moog, Wurlitzer, Talk Box, Solina, Vocoder, Shaker, Korg Synthesizer, Syrinx, Producer, Handclapping, Moog Synthesizer, Choir, Chorus, Vocals (Background), Tambourine, Glockenspiel, Drums, Percussion, Engineer, Harmonica
Nilesh "Nilz" Patel Mastering
Beth Hirsch Vocals, Choir, Chorus, Chant, Performer
Caroline L. Handclapping
P. Woodcock Guitar (Acoustic), Tuba
Eric Regert Organ
Jérôme Kerner Assistant Engineer
Peter Cobbin Engineer

A cavalcade of analog synthesizers, organs, electric pianos, and processed voices populate Moon Safari, a thoroughly appealing, otherworldly debut album from Air. Where most of their dance contemporaries push the boundaries of trip-hop or jungle, Air blends Euro-dance with new wave. Any futuristic element on their album feels strangely outdated, since they're borrowed from the early '80s, which gives their music an odd, out-of-time feeling. The waves of gurgling synths beneath the spacious, colorful chords and melodies give the impression that the music is floating in space. For all the atmospherics and layers of synths, there's a distinct pop sense to Moon Safari that makes it accessible and damn near irresistible. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Analog, aquatic, bulbous, blue, breathy, cloudscraper, crystal, casio, dewy, deliquescent, dulcet, ethereal, effervescent, elastic, French, floating, grassy, gravity, groove, hotel, holograph, Holland, i