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