Welcome to another edition of JoraiMix Radio!

The holidays are here, but never fear as I’ve got just the right thing to get you in the mood for relaxation! We’ve got a bigger list for you today, partially to make up for time between updates, partially since you should have more spare time to spend with those close to you. So gather round your friends and family, raise a glass of your favourite beverage and turn these up!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours. May you make the New Year a great one!

4Tunes - Statements

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQuipta8wz4

Not to be confused with British pop group 4Tune, this group produces mainly instrumental down tempo music. If you like Spanish guitar, you’ll love this song!

Kaskade - My Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt2-KKXNwxM

DJ Kaskade always makes solid tracks, this one is My Time from his 2003 album It's You, It's Me. This vocal house track has dubstep sounds that give it a unique flavour. If you liked this, check out more Kaskade, as well as his other group Light Night Alumni who I’ve featured before.

Deeper and Pacific (feat. Daniela Ferraz) - Una Passion Perdida - Song ends about 4:05, it’s a YouTube upload thing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCbDzDL26zE

Soothe me and draw me into your lullaby. A book marked site on all computers I use, Dictionary.com defines emotion as an affective state of consciousness in which joy, sorrow, fear, hate, or the like, is experienced, as distinguished from cognitive and volitional states of consciousness. For me, I barely know how to capture the evocation of emotion this songs brings in me, if only to mirror the passion from the singer. Have you lost yours? How will you rekindle it for the New Year?

Madrid De Los Austrias - Mas Amor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssri96EBrgA

Madrid De Los Austrias is Austrian duo Michael Kreiner and Heinz Tronigger. The name literally means The Madrid of the Austrians. I really enjoy the use of different instruments, that comes together to create something beautiful.

Frontera - Rouge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j6QVLiXTMQ

Don’t know too much about this group, but when I heard it on 1.FM’s Chill Out Lounge internet radio station it really jumped out at me. This song completely fits into my main genre of music I’m discovering these days, what I like to call ‘intense chill.’ Give the song a try and you’ll see what I mean. Love all the different layers here.

Madrid de Los Austrias - Buscando (Karuan vs. Circus Remix)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOnLDM5NXc8

Saving the best for last, here’s a little more energy to send you on your way. With teasing guitar licks, this hip hop influenced remix will soon your head bobbing.

Make it a great year!

Jorai

Any last minute shopping plans?

Do you use any of those online coupon sites? One, two? More than three?
Wouldn't it be great for you to have a site to put all those together?

A friend of mine has created his own version, and is constantly upgrading the site.

http://www.alldailydeals.ca/


A drop down box allows our lovely fellow Canadians the ability to select the closest city or region. For ease of navigation, the site is segmented into Activities, Events, Food and Drink, Health and Beauty, Retail and Services, and Other.


Clicking 'Like' on this Facebook page for Toronto will save you another step of visiting the site, you can have it populate your Facebook news feed and pass it on to your friends when planning events.

What do you guys think?

Bernard Hopkins vs. Kelly Pavlik

Bernard Hopkins vs. Kelly Pavlik - Boxing

Just came across highlights for this fight (yes I rarely watch boxing and yes I realize this is from 2008). Of course, person who made it quite likely was a Bernard Hopkins fan, but something near the end of the clip really caught my attention. Skip to the 6:10 mark, Hopkins is face to face with his opponent, who minutes earlier both were still trading punches at each other after the final bell, the referee bravely trying to separate the two men.


The audio cuts in to Hopkins encouraging him with advice. Hopkins tells his defeated opponent not to be discouraged by this loss, not to let 'this loss destroy you.'

To me, that is classy. For me, I put myself in Kelly Pavlik's shoes and take Bernard Hopkins' advice to heart. Don't be discouraged by set backs, instead rise up and get at it again to come back better.


Enjoy.

Fun art type links you should click on and be inspired.

Greetings greetings, hope everyone had a safe Halloween weekend.

Some fun links to share, first of all we have LikeCOOL which calls itself the Coolest Gadget Magazine. Has some music videos, links to quality Flickr accounts, techy gadget stuff, most of all I like the cool art displays.

I first thought this was some bizarre Olympic structure, but then I quickly realized it was a massive climbing wall tower! This is going on my To Do list to visit and climb!

From the article:
"At 121 feet in length, "The Excalibur" at the Bjoeks Climb Center in Groningen, The Netherlands, is considered to be the tallest climbing wall in the world."
From the source:
"37 metres high, with an overhang of 11 metres."
http://likecool.com/The_Excalibur--Other--Gear.html

By climb, I mean is there an elevator somewhere for me?



Another site I've recently discovered, but unfortunately haven't looked beyond the first two index pages, is HipBip. Looks like they have a lot more architecture, cool gadgets and feature different artists. I literally laughed out loud at the angry pepper sculpture, then want to eat it. Oh Carl Kleiner, so talented you are!


http://www.hipbip.com/2010/09/carl-kleiner/

What do you guys think? Cool and hip?

Friday Chill Mix - Oct. 15, 2010

Welcome to another edition of JoraiMix Radio! Dear friends I appreciate your support in my musical journey, from Metallica in bluegrass to the powerful vocals of trance goddess Jan Johnstone, to the crying guitar of Gary Moore. I encourage your journey, as you expand your own horizon.



Today we start off with Marc Antoine, contemporary jazz/jazz fusion guitarist. Like this Chill Mix the song starts off slowly introducing the notes then expanding the range. Marc started off at a young age when his parents bought him his first guitar at age 11. Unfortunately disaster struck when he was 18, while playing with his dog Marc fell through a glass door. The surgeon that operated on his hand told him his chances of playing guitar again were slim to none. Marc refused to be deterred, and over the next three years embarked on a vigorous rehabilitation program



During one of my growing attempts at creating something edible in my kitchen I heard a most delectable song on Jazz FM 91.1, Canada's only not-for-profit radio station dedicated to jazz. The crisp clear vocals captured my attention immediately; whose owner I discovered later belonged to bilingual chanteuse Brandi Disterheft. Brandi is a Canadian bassist and composer that grew up in Vancouver . Twilight Curtain is truly a beautiful song you can enjoy over and over, appreciating all the differing layers of instruments and their flowing interaction. From the same album, we present Brazilian and Parisian influenced Combien de Chances. Somber and playful at the same time, this song gives you many chances to swing to the beat. Like the dancers, you can hear the notes from the instruments split off, and then come back together with measured aplomb.



Marc Antoine - Madrid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgaPz0BhTWU

Brandi Disterheft - Twilight Curtain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVBqmCfYBgo

Brandi Disterheft - Combien de Chances

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COB40c3HM4s

What do you guys think?

Jorai

Quick music update - The Space Agency

A self-described psychedelic, garage and surf group, I feel they provide a modern touch of a classic rock style. Give it a try.


http://www.youtube.com/user/thespaceagency#p/u/10/atUprRwWruc


Also 'Yosakoi Bushi' off their MySpace page is grooving too. Probably my favourite song I've from them so far. Almost mix of surf, electro and Japanese sounds. Find it here on their MySpace.
http://www.myspace.com/thespaceagency

What do you guys think?

Friday Chill Mix - Aug. 20, 2010

Welcome to another edition of JoraiMix Radio! My friends I most humbly beg your favour in neglecting your discriminating audiophonic tastes for these past warm weeks. I was swamped taking care of my house with nary a moment’s breath to research and write.

Allow me to present you with a little known fact: I actually grew up listening to music of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s so I am passionate about this era as well.

Santa and Johnny are two brothers from Brooklyn. They got into music after their father, who was drafted in World War II, heard a steel guitar on the radio, he wrote to his wife, "I'd like the boys to learn to play this instrument." The rest as they say is history, groovy groovy history. Once it starts, you’ll quickly recognize ‘And I Love Her’ as a cover one of the classic Beatles’ songs. This instrumental cover features a few different instruments different from the original, can you pick them out? Their biggest single, and used in many movies and commercials since, is another instrumental song called ‘Sleep Walk.’ With calming chords comforting the crying guitar, this gorgeous track is the perfect soundtrack for an after dinner stroll in the park.

As always, my predilection is to finish off a bit more energetically. We’ll source The Chantay’s hit song ‘Pipeline’ from 1963. The Chantay’s were formed in 1961 when five high-school friends decided to start their own band. As you can tell from the name, Pipeline is a manically appropriate title for a for surf song. Surf’s up!!!


Santo & Johnny – And I Love Her
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x43guk3aRQ4

Santo & Johnny - Sleep Walk (1959)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekk1qkH3T54

The Chantays – Pipeline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7c2ZKamzS4

What do you think?

Jorai

July 2010. A few things.

Been super busy of late, renos, cleaning, dust everywhere! Cleaning. Weeding. Thank goodness for shop vac we bought a few years ago. Did I mention cleaning?

Been a great few weekends and parties, thanks to my immediate family, family and friends for the help and support! I don't take it for granted!


A picture. Toronto city night, July 9th




Also music, one of my passions. Amazing Guitar work!
Buckethead - Night of the Slunk


Buckethead - For Mom (acoustic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJud5kqFEDU

Nun Chuka Kata was actually the first Buckethead song I heard, about 7 years ago. A burnt CD was lent to me from an acquaintance in summer school. Had this electro-type song on a CD full of death metal

Friday Chill Mix - May 21, 2010

Friday Chill Mix - May 21

Long weekend here in Canadian, celebrating the life and death of the Queen Victoria and current monarchy.

The forecast for this weekend is AWESOME.

DJ Junior Jack and his moody opening start us off, but quickly elevate into a brighter mood. Make sure you have the bass up for this eargasmic track. The juxtaposition of the differing cadences of the lead guitar and bass, accompanied by the ear catching drums is enough to get you moving. The end bit is a big strange to me, but no doubt on the album feeds into another song.

Skalpel are nu-jazz DJs and musicians from Poland. Their musical style is a distinctive blend of hip hop beats, laced with samples lifted from the rich seam of Polish jazz records of the 1960s and 1970s. I copied that line from Wikipedia. What I really like about them is that you can really imagine the artists playing instruments, but feeling so relaxed at the same time. ‘Break In’ has more of a vintage jazz sound, while my favourite ‘Theme From Behind The Curtain’ has more of a trip-hop feel similar to bands like Vpey or Portishead. Delicious.

We’ll end off with the French house duo Cassius and their energetic foot-tapping song ‘Rock Number One.’ I love the changing tempo here and sensual vocals. Give these a try.

Junior Jack – Alone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrEV27Mu5XA

Skalpel - Theme From Behind The Curtain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vPJ8DEdd-o

Skalpel - Break In
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFscgjr22jU

Cassius - Rock Number One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHYMsCDJa-g


What do you guys think?
Have an amazing weekend!

Friday Chill Mix - May 7

“When the music hits you feel no pain.”


Next Tuesday, May 11th marks the 29th anniversary of Bob Marley’s death. He died at the young age of 36 from cancer. We celebrate his life and his message of love. Bob Marley remains the most recognizable figure in reggae and one of the most when it comes to the message of peace. On the topic of reggae, I’ve included a favourite group of mine, Thievery Corporation featuring Sleepy Wonder on vocals. Enjoy these songs and love the ones you love.


Bob Marley - Forever Loving Jah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUqHHYfpGvU


Thievery Corporation - Radio Retaliation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjYg5Mw_qo0


Bob Marley - Could You Be Loved?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnrKAGmAvv4





Make it a great week!

Some instrumental rock I've been listening to lately

Some instrumental rock I've been listening to lately

Explosions In The Sky - A Song for Our Fathers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JkksFySAiE
Watch at about 3/5 of the way through it gets loud!

Explosions In The Sky - Wall Of Sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44iRH4uZGt0&feature=related


This Will Destroy You - Quiet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F836tdz1Meo

This Will Destroy You - A Three Legged Workhorse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BSHAXpNey0




Kilowatts - Monument
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCdt317YVxQ
More electronic stuff, make sure your bass is high.


What do you guys think?

Friday Chill Mix - Apr 9, 2010 (Don't miss this one)

Seize the weekend!
Am I ever excited about this one, you can’t miss this one, you NEED to listen it. I even used caps locks there for an important word.

I debated placing this one first or last, but here it is first in line because I’m so emphatically passionate about this song so let’s fire it up! First up is Flash’s delicious song Right Here, make sure you turn this one up proper. Make sure you are properly seated for this delightful bit of dubstep, for when the bass drops you are guaranteed an eargasm. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. From the dreamy vocals to the baby crib twinkling, this is one for sure you’ll get an intense chill from.

Flash - Right Here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZrSGp6RKPk





Next up is Jose Padilla’s Que Bonito. Jose is a resident DJ in Café del Mar bar on the island of Ibiza, Spain. Que Bonito is Spanish for ‘how pretty’ or ‘how beautiful’ and I think the name is apt for how Jose wove all the different layers together into a beautiful tapestry we can enjoy. Google some images of Ibiza, close your eyes, listen to this song, imagine you’re basking the warm sun on the beach in Ibiza. No need to thank me for the free vacation trip I’ve given you!

Jose Padilla - Que Bonito
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEqAc70TQ4E



We end off two from Miguel Migs, a Californian DJ and producer. In Mesmerized the uploader filmed some footage from Toronto’s lovely transit system, used a relaxing house song as the soundtrack. I find this a most odd juxtaposition of opposition, as anyone that has commuted in Toronto during rush hour knows people are hardly relaxed then. So Far, a song featured on Hed Kandi (hence the picture) compilations. The smooth vocals and positive lyrics always give me a boost to my day, hope you guys enjoy these!

Miguel Migs - Mesmerized
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazmZCN3SUM


Miguel Migs – So Far
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6wypu_Re7A



What do you guys think? Add a comment!

Light as furniture as light!

Light as furniture as light!

Quick link here:
http://design-milk.com/get-out-outdoor-lighting-adopt-the-lounge-attitude/

I do adore the second picture onward. I like the idea of lighting as usable furniture; it really saves a lot of space. Maybe your new foot rest can warm your feet as well?!

I did email Modoluce and they were very quick to respond to me. Unfortunately they only have an affiliate with a company in the States and not here in Canadia. That other company was quick to email me back as well so I may be doing business with them in the future.

Chill mix coming up for the weekend, this one will be a great one!

Heh, iPhone

Sunday Mar. 28th, switching themes constantly to run down the battery to zero so I can do a full recharge. This madness pops up!


Theme is Drawn2Me. 5 Icon Dock and 5 Column Springboard through Cydia. The Categories app as well through Cydia, so all my icons are in folders and I only have one page on my springboard.

The 3.1.3 patch does fix this, but forces you to at max have a tethered jailbreak. If you're coming pre-3.1.2 to 3.1.2 or 3.1.3 then you'd lose all your jailbreaking if you have done so already, not good. Shame on Apple for restricting themes, that is something I would pay money for. Shame on you for forcing a sterile boring interface on us. Thanks to the dev team for imparting on us this freedom of expression and beauty.


Why should you jailbreak your iPhone?

Friday Chill Mix - Mar 12

Friday Chill Mix - Mar 12

The weather is warming up so let’s start planning out our beach trips and BBQs. Good thing I have just the thing needed to take us there.


Let’s whet our listening buds first with Bonobo’s curious song Flutter. With notions of Thievery Corporation’s employment of the sitar, this British DJ mixes a variety of layers for your listening pleasure. It’s been a while since I’ve raved about an artist like this, so I encourage you all to check out more of Bonobo’s material on YouTube and support him how you can. BONOBO!!!


Now turn up the bass in your headphones and kick up your feet, unless you’re still at work then you have my empathy. Belgium group Sweet Coffee is up next with a sultry song. Don’t miss the deliciously smooth jazz found in the second part of the song.


We head back to Bonobo with the song ‘Pick Up’ which seems to bring a bit more funk to a St. Germain sound. It sure helped pick up my step as I head into the weekend.

Click below to give it a try.


Bonobo - Flutter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2pG8EtH6CM

Sweet Coffee - In Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv2gwhk_vAw

Bonobo - Pick Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A49i2ptrqE


What do you guys think?
Have a great weekend!

Combating Pests In Your Backyard With Stars Wars Technology

Ok, were you thinking lightsabres? Because that'd probably require a lot of effort. While you may get your dream of Biggest Nerdiest Loser this endeavor likely would be quite counter-productive in regards to maintaining a state of unbittenness. Yeap, I like that word I just made up too. Your friendly neighborhood mosquitoes are drawn to the carbon monoxide and lactic acid (produced by muscle metabolism) in your breath and your feet.
At times to the I delight in vagueness and conversation topic jumps to the consternation of others. Let's have a generic update hidden in the second paragraph. Yes it has been near two years since I have made an entry, but I've occasionally checked it again and a few people have discovered this blog e-stalking me. I have not 'blogged' yet I have, and constantly do. Some of that is spamming friends with amazing music I've discovered, some of that is a more formal introduction and collection of the aforementioned. I may post some of those later on. I haven't bothered to update my Blogspot in near two years, and I'm doing that on a creative outburst. (I actually wrote 3/4 of this one night then finished it now. Bad Jorai, bad.)

The first two videos illustrate the pesky insect's flight mechanics, pretty boring stuff. Our violence craving society skips immediately to the third video which promises Star Trek or Star Wars, whatever it is, it promises to dole out some delightful destruction of devastating proportions.


http://intellectualventureslab.com/?p=653

Graphic content?
Can destruction be art? Can you believe 'Alex' wondered why mosquitoes had to die for this human promoting cause? Do we need a kinder, gentler laser gun hand? More importantly, why didn't they shoot one that had just sucked blood because we love explosions and car chases?

If this is somewhat mass produced for commercial purposes, what about other animals whose diet the mosquito makes up a large part of their diet? Won't someone please think of the dragonflies?