MosaicLogan

Some Music Links

2011-01-22T07:30:00.000-08:00

Toumast interview in english:

http://www.rfimusique.com/musiqueen/articles/133/article_8443.asp

Andy Morgan has a blog:

http://www.andymorganwrites.com/

MistakeReports.com

2010-11-26T06:38:00.001-08:00

http://archive.mistakereports.com/

Enjoy!

Infinity Guitars

2010-09-24T10:36:00.001-07:00

Sleigh Bells "Infinity Guitars" from Phil Pinto on Vimeo.

2010-08-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

Review of Tamikrest and Dirtmusic in London...

2010-05-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/90675

London's intimate Borderline is the perfect venue for the decidedly unconventional music of Tamikrest, joined on stage for most of the night by the more eclectic alt-rock blues trio Dirtmusic.

Robert Fisk Article at the Independent

2010-05-22T08:38:00.001-07:00

The distinguished Middle East correspondent of The Independent recalls the culinary highs and lows of an extraordinary career – from feasting with kings in Jordan to eating under fire in Afghanistan

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-tea-with-bin-ladenand-other-stories-1977311.html

Open this weekend March 16th and 17th

2010-03-13T08:35:00.001-08:00

Stop on by, the store will be open Sat 11-4 and Sun 11-3. Hope to see you there!

Cafe Maure, Rabat

2010-03-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

Now Open

2010-03-07T07:55:00.000-08:00

Mosaic Imports is now open for the year. We survived another Cache Valley winter. Our first day of 2010 yesterday was a success. We'll be open every weekend.

We now have Mustapha's Ras El Hanout in stock.
We also now have Frankincense Resin Incense in stock.

And a big shoutout to Geno and Janis for the Opening annoucement they sent out to their Cache Valley Wine Lover's mailling list.
_____________
Spring is coming and Mosaic Imports is reopening for the season TODAY. If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should. And if you did go last season, go again. Fun place with fun imports, mostly from Morocco. Mosaic-topped tables, beds, wrought iron screens, tagines, tea sets, spices, incense, Berber carpets and more. Stop by and have a tea, sit around and chat, and buy something unique.

Open Saturday 11-4 and Sunday 11-3, March to November. Find them at 710 West 200 North #10, in a storage bay behind the Cafe Ibis roasting bay. And check out the web site:

http://www.MosaicLogan.com

Geno and Janis

Gondwanasound Music Podcast...

2010-02-26T09:31:00.000-08:00

Ran into a cool PodCast while out on the web looking for the new Tamikrest album. RAWK.

http://gondwanasound.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2010-02-18T13_32_06-08_00

Playlist

http://www.gondwanasound.co.uk/

Artist Track Album Label Country

Amadou & Mariam M'Bif Balafon Dimanche a Bamako Because Mali

Gil Scott Heron The Revolution will Not be Televised Best Of.. Arista U.S

Mzwakhe Mbuli Change is Pain Change is Pain Rounder South Africa

Lesego Rampolokeng and the Kalahari Surfers Tapeworms End Beginnings Shifty / RER South Africa

Tamikrest Outamachek Adagh Glitterhouse Mali

Oumou Sangare Tiebaw Woroton World Circuit Mali

Organic Grooves Sutukung African Travels Six Degrees US

Tamikrest Tidite Tille Adagh Glitterhouse Mali

Phillip Jackson and Music Beyond Mainstream African Soul Rebels Feature African Soul Rebels Tour http://www.musicbeyondmainstream.com South Africa, Mali, Benin

Tamikrest Adounia Mahegagh Adagh Glitterhouse Mali

Website Refresh

2010-02-19T06:29:00.000-08:00

I've been pepping up the website a bit, check it out at http://www.mosaiclogan.com/ and send me your comments at brett@mosaiclogan.com. Can't wait to start getting the store open on the weekends, 2 months off has reenergized me. I'm working to get new interesting product in, so watch this space! As soon as the weather warms up a bit I'll start keeping regular hours at the warehouse shop again.

Interesting story about UTAH National Guard and Moroccan Air Force.

2010-02-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

Utah Guard Trains Morocco Military

Visit us at

www.africom.mil

RABAT, Morocco — Utah is in the sixth year of the State Partnership Program with the Kingdom of Morocco. Both countries benefit from the mutual exchange of ideas and culture. In 2009, Utah and Morocco supported six different missions to include medical missions, engineering missions, disaster response, and Pandemic Disease Control taught by Utah state medical professionals. ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/africom/4290200204/

Lanterns and such.

2010-02-12T14:05:00.000-08:00

I've been hanging lantern again lately. It's a pretty easy process, buy a bottle light, asemble it, hang the lantern and then wire the bottle light into the wiring. They really add a lot of charm to a room, remind me of the movie Casablanca at night, throwing shadows and colors around the room

New Broadcasts over a Radio Diffusion

2010-02-12T08:37:00.000-08:00

http://radiodiffusionontheradio.wordpress.com/

I've been rocking out to the weird wonderful sounds at Radio Diffusion, go grab Transmission 038.

Niger River Festival Radio Report

2010-01-31T07:07:00.000-08:00

http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/121/article_6713.asp

Niger River festival, 36 minute radio report

Rachid Taha interview

2010-01-31T07:01:00.001-08:00

Any F1 fans in Logan UT?

2010-01-11T16:30:00.001-08:00

So, are there any F1 Racing fans in Logan UT? I've been here for 2 years and haven't met any yet... email brett@mosaiclogan.com if your a Formula One fan....

world music

2010-01-06T13:36:00.000-08:00

Cool world music radio mp3 downloads.
http://radiodiffusionontheradio.wordpress.com/

Mosaic

2010-01-03T09:17:00.001-08:00

I will be at the shop today, Jan 03 (Sunday) from around 11 to 1. If you're out and about, stop on by.

Open by appointment

2009-12-18T09:05:00.001-08:00

Due to the cold weather the shop will be open by appointment. Please call Brett at 435 213 1322, or email Brett@MosaicLogan.com.

maghrebarts.ma

2009-11-25T11:23:00.001-08:00

http://www.maghrebarts.ma/

Cool looking site with info about the Arts in Morocco.

casanegra

2009-11-25T11:22:00.000-08:00

Well I'm really looking foward to seeing CasaNegra once I can find it anywhere. There's lots of links to info on the web.

http://www.casanegra.info/

Im hoping for a bit of North African Tarantino after watching the clips.

ASP.NET blog

2009-11-25T07:36:00.000-08:00

My friend Mike has posted a blog with quite a few ASP.NET tips. Check it out:
http://myfishingstream.blogspot.com/
Go grab WebDeveloper 2008 from Microsoft and happy coding!
http://www.microsoft.com/express/vwd/

Street Views from Marrakesh

2009-11-23T08:10:00.001-08:00

Saudi and the Hajj

2009-11-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2009/11/22/saudi-flexes-its-muscles-ahead-hajj

Interesting article about the Saudi military parade ahead of the Hajj. I've been reading a very intersting book about Mecca and the Hajj throughout history. It's a very interesting topic.

Baked Eggs Recipe

2009-11-12T12:21:00.001-08:00

Simple Breakfast food

http://thegoudalife.blogspot.com/2009/11/stuck-on-tangent.html

Take one ramekin. Add enough cream to cover the bottom. Add a tbsp of butter, a tbsp of tarragon (I didn't chop mine. You could... but who wants an extra, unnecessary step??) and crack two eggs in on top. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until egg whites are opaque.

Rachid Taha Album Review

2009-11-09T11:23:00.000-08:00

LINK

Rachid’s “Bonjour”is no ordinary greeting. It is not the standard “bonjour” uttered reflexively. Since the 80s, Rachid has been consolidating his musical world on the basis of the exchange, movement and circulation of people, ideas, cultures and sounds. ....

Congrats to Tinariwen~!

2009-11-09T06:36:00.000-08:00

UNCUT.CO.UK

Uncut is proud to announce that Tinariwen have won this year's coveted Uncut Music Award. They succeed Fleet Foxes, who won the inaugural award for the most inspirational and rewarding album of the year in 2008.

Great Holiday Gift Ideas!

2009-11-06T10:11:00.000-08:00

Come by this weekend and see our unique Gifts!

Open this weekend 11/7

2009-11-05T08:56:00.000-08:00

We will be open this weekend, Saturday Nov 7th 11:00 - 15:00 and Nov 8th 11:00-15:00, stop by and check out our selection. We have many things that would make great unique gifts this Holiday Season!

NEW WINTER HOURS at MOSAIC IMPORTS

2009-10-26T08:44:00.001-07:00

New Winter Hours :
Sat 11:00 - 15:00
Sun 11:00 - 15:00

Closed when it Snows, open any time by appointment.

Recording with Dylan

2009-10-26T08:43:00.000-07:00

http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/bob_dylan/special_features/12361

Pretty cool article about recording with Bob Dylan over at http://www.uncut.co.uk/

Common Ground Auction tonight

2009-10-22T08:56:00.001-07:00

Hope to see you there!
http://www.cgadventures.org/reach-for-the-stars-dinner/auction-items.php

Taha & Albarn

2009-10-16T06:44:00.001-07:00

Taha and Damon Albarn Rock the Casbah.

Baguette Recipe

2009-10-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

Make bread starter overnight, pinch of Yeast, pinch of Sugar, Warm Water and Flour

Mix with 4 cups Flour, Salt, 1 1/2 cup Water.
Need and let rise 3 times for a total of 3 hours.
Bake at 500 with Steam to make Crust.
Eat with stinky cheese.

Pizza Dough

2009-10-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

Pizza Dough Italiano

3/4 cup warm water
1 packet yeast
pinch of sugar
Place on warmer for 5 minutes until bubbly

2 cups flour
splash of olive oil
a bit of salt

Mix with Yeast mixture
Turn oven on to 200 then off
place dough in oven to rise, 20 minutes
roll and top pizzas
bake at 550 for 7 to 10 minutes

SAotV (Secret Archive of the Vatican)

2009-10-06T18:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I have no idea what to write about this. After seeing a review of Speed Caravan, I ran into a link for the Secret Archives of the Vatican. The artwork was pretty cool, then I listened to the music. Triphop electro beats pulsing through my brain.
http://fairtilizer.com/users/VinceMillett
I honestly don't know much about them yet, but wow, I think I have to go download everything I can find by them.
http://secretarchivesofthevatican.wordpress.com/
Check it.

Rachid Taha lyrics.

2009-10-01T06:19:00.001-07:00

http://www.4shared.com/file/136370369/37b5894f/467748F0d01.html

http://www.arabicmusictranslation.com/2009/09/rachid-taha-everybody-out-barra-barra.html

Rachid Taha Barra Barra (out,out) Lyrics Translation.

Tinariwen Doc on YouTube

2009-10-01T06:18:00.000-07:00

http://wretchfalafel.blogspot.com/2009/09/music-of-resistance-tinariwen-2009-dir.html

Belly Dance Workshop this coming weekend.

2009-09-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

Please don't forget to come by Mosaic for our Belly Dance Workshop this Saturday Sept 26th.

Petanque Pic

2009-09-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

Found this picture of a few kids playing Petanque in Corsica, thought it was pretty cool...

We're open for the Weekend.

2009-09-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

We'll be open on Saturday from 11:00 to 5:00 and Sunday from 11:00 to 3:00, hope to see you soon.

Cafe Clock in Fes.

Sunday Sept 13th, we're open!

2009-09-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

We had a great day at the Street Fair yesterday and now we're back in the store Sunday Sept 13th. Come on by and see what treasures you can find!

"How To" preserving lemons

2009-09-02T09:50:00.001-07:00

McArabia

2009-09-02T07:15:00.000-07:00

Morocco loving the McArabia

After surveying more than 4,500 meat recipes from 36 countries, the scientists found that cultures in hotter climates overwhelmingly favored recipes with higher concentrations of anti-microbial spices like garlic, cumin and pepper. The biologists posited that developing a taste for spice gave people in hot climates an evolutionary boost by making them less likely to eat contaminated food.
“The culinary preferences are similar in concentric bands around and parallel to the equator,” Miner explained. “When you’re on the equator you need a different kind of spice to make those proteins last longer in heat,” a fact that “hardwired the genetic food preferences.”

The Avenues Street Fair in SLC

2009-09-01T08:04:00.001-07:00

MOSAIC IMPORTS will be closed on Saturday September 12th, because we're going to the Avenues Street Fair in Salt Lake City. It will be our first booth at a street fair and we're looking forward to it. Please stop by and see us if you're there !
LINK

The new Mosaic Imports kitchen section.

2009-08-30T16:48:00.000-07:00

The new Mosaic Imports kitchen section.

Plus new photos from the store! LINK

The Petanque Court in Logan.

2009-08-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

ROCK THE CASBAH

2009-08-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hey Anta, Rachid Taha Lyrics

2009-08-25T06:10:00.000-07:00

http://www.allthelyrics.com/forum/arabic-lyrics-translation/73078-rachid-taha-anta.html

Hey anta - Hey you

Hey anta !Wajebni 3alemni
Hey you , Answer me , teach me
Hey anta !Fara7ni , khabarni
Hey you , Make me happy , Tell me
Hey anta !Wajebni 3alemni
Hey you , Answer me , teach me
Hey anta !Fara7ni , khabarni
Hey you , Make me happy , Tell me

Anta li shefte elbuldan , elbuldan
You , the one who has seen the countries , countries
Anta li l9it enas , enas
You , the one who has met people , people
Anta li 7fedte leklam , leklam
You , the one who has learned the words , the words
Ba3ed meni elweswes , elweswes
Take away the obsession from me , the obsession

( Chorus )

Anta li zert edeniya , deniya
You , the one who has visited the whole world , world
Anta li cheft ri7t ezin , ezin
You , the one who has seen how pure beauty is , beauty
Anta li gta3t elb7oor ,leb7oor
You , the one who has traversed the seas , seas
Anta li fta7t elbiban , biban
You , the one who has opened the doors , the doors

Efta7li 3aynia , 3aynia ( × 6 )
Open my eyes , my eyes ( Like make me open-minded or opened to the world )

( Chorus )
__________________
.oO0 1 (One) .. 2 (Two) .. 3 (Three) ... Viva L'alGeRie & MaghreB UniTed 0Oo.

Tinariwen BBC Sessions

2009-08-25T06:00:00.001-07:00

Tinariwen - 2009-08-21 - BBC Session
Tinariwen2009-08-21BBC SessionBBC Radio 3 FM World On 3

go get it

anchovies, anchovies, anchovies....

2009-08-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

An explanation of salt packed anchovies:

http://thepauperedchef.com/2008/01/the-mystery-of.html

The site of Augostino Recca in Sicily:

http://www.agostinorecca.com/html/uk/Home.htm

Recca Salted Anchovies

2009-08-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Mosaic Imports is proud to carry Recca salted anchovies imported from Sicily. Our first shipment is arriving and should be good to go this weekend. These anchovies are like nothing you've ever seen, whole fish, preserved in salt and packed into 1 kg tins. They keep forever and are wonderful in salads and sauces. Come by and pick some up this weekend!

Here's a link to some recipes: LINK

The Corsairs of Salé

2009-08-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

The View from Fes has a great short article about the Sale Corsairs.

It's a fascinating city with a very interesting history from the Age of Piracy.
Go check it out!

Tuareg Jeweler of Desert Video

2009-08-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

Harissa

2009-08-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

Mustapha's Moroccan Harissa.

Starting next week we will have Harissa in stock. Mustapha's harissa is the best, most interesting harissa that I've ever had. Tube harissa really doesn't compare. I've you've never had it, get ready!

Arabic / Berber music site

2009-07-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

Just ran across this site, thought I would share. A real treasure trove here:
http://folkmusicsmb.blogspot.com/

Mazza Cafe

2009-06-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.mazzacafe.com/

Hope to make it to Mazza this weekend when I go to pick up Christa and the kids. It's my favorite restaurant in Salt Lake City, and maybe my favorite restaurant in the States. If you haven't eaten there yet, check it out. Very tastefully decorated cafe with a small middle eastern twist.

vieux farka toure

2009-06-20T20:52:00.000-07:00

Just found out that Vieux Farka Toure (Ali Farka Toure's son) will be in SLC next Sunday. Not sure I'll be able to make it, but if you get the chance check it out. His debut album rocked, as did the remix UFOs over Bamako. I've just downloaded his latest and at first listen it's kiler:

http://www.emusic.com/album/Vieux-Farka-Tour%C3%A9-Fondo-MP3-Download/11463686.html

Thanks for the tip Temis!

Brett.

North African News Feed.

2009-06-17T11:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.mosaiclogan.com/newsfeed.asp

Started a newsfeed page with english language news from Moroccan (or North African) sources. It uses the Google Ajax RSS reader.

Magharebia

2009-06-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

I've been browsing this site for a number of months now, I like the simplicity and the fact that it covers news from a couple of countries.

http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/default

New Facebook Group

2009-06-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

I've created a Facebook group, hope to use this group to work towards my idea of Summer Fest at the end of the summer.

Check it out if you're on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=112662625119&ref=nf

Touareg Jewelry

2009-06-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

Mosaic Imports has recently started carrying Touareg silver jewelry. We have a good number of Touareg Crosses in different sizes and styles. They are sourced from Ann at tuaregjewelry.com go here to read her story and find out more about the clan she works with.

http://www.tuaregjewelry.com/about_ann.php

Brett.

New Tinariwen out at the end of the month.

2009-06-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

New Tinariwen due out June 25, will include another DVD. Can't wait....

HJNews Article

2009-06-10T09:24:00.000-07:00

http://hjnews.townnews.com/articles/2009/06/07/news/news04-06-07-09.txt

Here's the text of the Herald Journal article, big shout out to Brendon who did a great job writing it!

Herald Journal

2009-06-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

Things have been going very well at Mosaic Logan, and we're proud to have a full page article featuring us in the Herald Journal. Big thanks to Brendon, who's a great guy and did such a great job.

First Sale.

2009-04-22T15:03:00.001-07:00

Well, my first sale is behind me. I am very proud to announce that my first actual sale was a beautiful arabian derbouga drum to a high school student! He asked me if I'd seen the movie, The Visitor, which I had (and loved). It was a wonderful experience and has me quite excited about this project. In addition, I've been digging into my tiles, and created a webpage for some of the patterened tiles so far: http://www.mosaiclogan.com/tiles1.asp

That's all for now.

2009-04-17T09:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.mosaiclogan.com/mosaicproducts.asp?cat1=Carpets

Berber Carpets on online!

Mosaic Imports toward the finish line

2009-04-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

Now that the store is getting setup, the inspections have begun, hope to have my business licence in the next few weeks. Then we'll open her on up. I will be at the shop working on the weekends, feel free to stop by if you'd like. The good stuff will go quickly!

Warehouse

2009-03-02T15:19:00.000-08:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/mosaicimports
Before and after pictures of my Feb work at the warehouse.

Tinariwen concert posts.

2009-02-25T12:33:00.000-08:00

Two Tinariwen posts:

Tinariwen in Guildford

Another Post

Mosaic Imports comes to life.

2009-02-24T14:14:00.000-08:00

Mosaic Imports comes to life. Most of our paperwork is taken care of, our shipment is on the high seas and we've done lots of work to the space.

We're looking good for an opening date beginning April. Hope to see you then!

Brett.

Arab song translations blog

2009-02-14T07:41:00.000-08:00

Just ran into an interesting blog with some translations of arabic songs. Very interesting site. Thought I'd pass it along.
2 songs that Rachid Taha covers are included.

Arab Songs

Rachid Taha touring the States this Spring

2009-01-30T06:47:00.000-08:00

Well all signs point to a Rachid Taha tour of the States this spring 2009.
Rachid Taha at Duke
Rachid Taha in Louisiana
Milwaukee, WI

We saw him at the Paleo festival in Nyon Switzerland, and he put on one hell of a rock show, with a huge backing band, lots of brass, strutting around bigger than any other rock star around now days.

Mosaic Imports

2009-01-28T14:30:00.000-08:00

My Moroccan imports business in Logan Utah is starting to take root. I've agreed terms, prices and delivery with my good friend Karim. I've found a warehouse to rent and gotten approval from the city to do "warehouse sales" on the weekend from my warehouse. I've had business cards and price tags printed. I've built and updated a website.

Once I get the key to the warehouse, I have some renovation to do, mostly painting and hiding electrical things. Then by the end of Feb my delivery should arrive, and I can starting filling the warehouse. It's been a bit of an adventure, trying to get everything together, but overall pretty straightforward.

Here's looking forward to March!

The View from Fez

2008-12-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

I've run across a really nice blog, called The View from Fez, with a number of english speaking contributors in Morocco. It's a great place to browse and read some really great travel writing. Maybe one day I'll make it out of Utah again... sigh.

The View from Fez

U-Cef

2008-11-12T05:15:00.000-08:00

A very interesting album, urban-tribal fusion.

First there was Hollywood, then Bollywood and now Halalwood ... featuring: Damon Albarn, Natacha Atlas, Rachid Taha, Mirror System (Steve Hillage & Miquette Giraudy), UK Apache, Amina Annabi, Justin Adams and rap duo Dar Gnawa.

http://linksandleechs.blogspot.com/2008/11/u-cef-halalwood.html http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=72940758

Tracklist:
1. Hilal (feat. Mirror System)
2. Boolandrix (feat. Bizmatik & Said Damir)
3. Ouddamak (feat. Natacha Atlas)
4. Stick (feat. Damon Albarn)
5. Hamdou'llah (feat. Oum & Arabingi aka UK Apache)
6. MarhaBahia (feat. Said Damir & Pastel)
7. Ya Rayah [Urban Fix] (feat.Rachid Taha)
8. Mo' Rock'n'Roll (feat. Mbarka & Justin Adams)
9. Idman (feat. Dar Gnawa, Sweetman & Staiffy)
10. Kalzoom (feat. Amina Annabi)

I got balls...

2008-11-06T12:08:00.000-08:00


From boules
From boules

Wow, recieved my Boules from PetanqueAmerica yesterday and they're beautiful. They came with a nice little 'rules of petanque' foldout.

Yalla

2008-11-04T21:08:00.000-08:00

Yalla

Go Get it. It's exactly what I was looking for and reminds me of being in Cairo in 1992. So much has happened since then, go get this and dance around your room.

Posters

2008-11-04T10:38:00.000-08:00

I just mounted a couple of posters from the Market in Rabat. They're a bit dog eared, and I decided to schellack them to some boards. I think they'll turn out nice and I'll probably do a couple of the cheesy french ones that I have as well.

Tinariwen

2008-11-04T09:31:00.000-08:00

During my hunt for Tinariwen t-shirts on the internet, I ran across the fascinating blog of Andy, Tinariwen's manager. A really good read, sounds like a cool guy.

Blog Link

This is of course linked from their MySpace site.

Plus check out: MadNomad, Tamasheq

the good from Brazil

2008-11-03T12:19:00.003-08:00

Well, good news from the lost title chase in F1, at least everyone will shut up about Massa not being able to drive in the rain. So close...

Another cool African Blog

2008-11-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

Just ran across this cool African music Blog. Check It

The Dead Brothers

2008-11-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

Run over to Voodoo Records and grab some free samples of the Dead Brothers (link) and others. It's Voodoo-tastic! Great free disc of garage noise and other racket!

Congotronics

2008-11-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

Konono No.1. This is pure madness. It's not new, and it's not shiny, but it sure sounds modern. If you haven't found the Congotronics records, well, you're missing out.

Konono No.1

I just found out that Crammed Discs (the label that put out the Congotronics album) has a free sampler for download.

Go get it!

Crammed Crash Course

The Angels Sigh (3m 44s)
Kule Kule Reprise (3m 4s)
Samba do Gringo Paulista (edit) (2m 37s)
Es Tiempo (4m 14s)
Maxutu (3m 35s)
Delancey (Stefano Miele Remix) (5m 15s)

Wakaru (3m 24s)
Annuncialto (5m 26s)
Terno Chelipe (3m 9s)
Koupes (4m 19s)
Gnawa Power (4m 22s)

2008-10-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

Just ran into this trailer from JCVD. It appears Jean Claude van Damme is auditioning to play himself in a new biopic.

Speed Caravan

2008-10-24T07:12:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing since the summer that my favorite musician, Rachid Taha, has performed Killing an Arab in concert with the Africa Express tour. After much searching, found that he performed it on a disc with SpeedCaravan on their June 2008 CD, Kalashnik Love.

Review EMusic Speed Caravan on MySpace (with Music)

Now a little fun.

2008-10-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

By now we are able to play on the piste, with no real problems. It's just a hardpacked dirt surface with some small hills and valleys, but very playable. We dug out our old Boules (they'll do until next spring, when I plan to order a nice set Boules ). All the neighbors came by to see what I had built and learn how to play. That inspired me to create a nice little sign, with the rules of the game. Toss the Pig, Roll the Boules, Score the Points! Next we have surface, I'm planning to look for some decomposed granite next week and try to use that for the surface, so stay tuned !

From boule_3

Setting up the sideboards.

2008-10-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

Once the backstops were in and the court fairly levelled, it was time to put in the sideboards to mark the court. I grabbed some 2x8's and cut some landscaping timbers that I had laying around the house. I marks out the court nicely.

From boule_2

Backstops!

2008-10-23T10:14:00.001-07:00

I decided that since I needed a retaining wall on one end, I would go ahead and make backstops on both ends. I saw a cool idea on the web, where they had made backstops that doubled as benches, and decided to incorporate that. In addition, I decided that I needed a small fence on the corner that had been dugout, to keep the neighborhood kids from falling in.

I went to Lowe's and found some lumber that I liked. Strangley enough, the 4x4's for the backstops came from the my dad's home town of Philomath Oregon, where my Grandfather was a logger for his whole life.

I built the backstops and affixed them to the ground, on one end with 12 inch spikes and on the other end with concreted fence posts. Then I dug in my fence corner, it adds a nice bit of privacy.

From boule

Down in a Hole

2008-10-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

Since the court was now staked out and a basic plan had been made, next came the digging. Lots and lots of digging. I thought about renting a tractor to help, but decided that I'd just "put my back into it" and grabbed a shovel. I was sooned joined by the youth of the neighborhood. Turns out no one had any idea what I was doing. But I kept digging a little bit each day and within a few weeks, my digging was almost complete.

From downinahole

My little Petanque Piste in Logan UT

2008-10-23T08:39:00.001-07:00

This blog is about building my Petanque Piste! We've recently moved to Logan UT, where my wife is a Professor of French at Utah State University. We bought a small house, with a nice yard. On the back side of the house, there's an area where we weren't sure what we should do with. We were looking to avoid watering it, and we wanted to add something interesting to our yard, that we thought we'd actually use during those beautiful Cache Valley summer days. My wife's grandfather had a Petanque Piste in Menton where he lived before he passed away. Christa remembered many happy summer days with the adults drinking pastis and playing boule. So I told her I'd give it a try.

We chose the corner of the yard and tried to layout measurements. I knew I'd have to excavate, and didn't want to be digging too close to the foundation of the house. I decided on standard measurements so that the wood wouldn't be excessively expensive. After reading on the Internet, I decided on 10 foot wide by 40 foot long. This fit nicely into the space and seemed like it should give a nice distance without requiring too much in the way of finance to build.

From fence