I recently came across the blog of a long time muse of mine, Labi Siffre. I was once in a second-hand shop in Manchester and the cover of his 1972 album, “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying” called out to me to buy it…

I had never heard of him, and the record was a little scratched, but I took it home and haven’t stopped listening to it since. I even hooked up the record player to the computer so I could make mp3s. Some time later, I saw him perform a sublime set of music and poetry - on race, religion, politics and people.

When I came across his blog, Into The Light, I saw a stream of poetry… This one really caught my attention:

as 123 as ABC

“life has no meaning without God” say many
but life has no meaning
full stop. period.

life is the muse, the inspiration
equalled only by existence
and these wonders inspire us
FIRE us to meaning

to not realize that is
profoundly
odd

and the customary way
to flee
responsibility

On Saturday, 10th March, three Yogic monks from all around Europe, arrive in Manchester, UK to sing and play music. They are coming to raise money for underprivileged children and hopefully ‘raise the roof’ as well. Read more…

Do you like Dharmasphere? Do you listen to music? Sure you do!

Roll up and join the Dharmasphere group on Last FM. We’ll get group radio once we have a few more members…

Last FM is a website that learns your musical tastes and plays you a radio stream of similar music - from highly commercial to highly independent artists. It has introduced me to some fantastic new bands.

If you’re interested to listen to my music, one of my albums is in there:
Ishta - Live in Manchester

07-07-2005. Manchester, UK.
It was the day of the recent London bombings and I was wandering a little aimlessly through the city centre, on my way to the recording studios. A strangely ethereal sound came wafting over the hustle and bustle of the square and I was drawn to come closer. Read more…

Image by A is for Angie

<Wow> I’ve just discovered last.fm and audioscrobbler - two related websites that track what music you’re listening to and let others hear that music, through an internet radio broadcast.

Here is some music I’ve been listening to recently:

And related music:

Last.fm has generated this list of artists that I might like. Hmmm…

Read more…