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!