Beyond Your Beauty

Sunrise in Taormina Mare from a few weeks back (my brother's photo from the window of our room). Far in the left you can see the mainland and the shores of Calabria. Apart from running out of money, I found it extremely difficult today to find any explanation for my return to Helsinki.

Amore Come Dolore

Stella

2011-10-22T19:04:00.004+03:00

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Stella

La Vita È Altrove

2011-10-22T17:21:00.004+03:00

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Drowning By Numbers

Amina

2011-10-12T16:49:00.002+03:00

The Wind Collector

2011-10-04T15:36:00.004+03:00

Don't know why this breaks my heart, over and over again. From a lovely mix here.

Afternoon High

2011-09-27T21:30:00.013+03:00

Photo by Christos Kontos

Hey all,

as a closer for the summer, here's a live mix from last month. Those of you living at these latitudes may find it a little difficult to really get into the original vibe now, but apparently, as if on cue, they're expecting a heatwave for the weekend so you might want to try this on then.

This is your invitation: feel free to step in, relax, cool off and have a coffee or a cold drink with a few carefully selected sounds from a small seaside café south of somewhere on a hot afternoon. Then later, maybe, get together somewhere by the sea, to see the waves roll in, to see the sunset, to watch the stars in the night sky. But for now, enjoy the afternoon high.

Sunfisher Live At Café Sueños
Listen / Download

Many thanks to Tero for making this downloadable and to Chris for the photography.

Lila

2011-09-26T01:41:00.005+03:00

Finale Tiepolo

Balm for wounds forgotten.

Climbing

2011-09-12T19:29:00.006+03:00

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Mountain melodies in the rain. Thanks, Ying Yangs!

Swimming

2011-09-05T15:58:00.009+03:00

It's a warm day here, probably the last one of the year, and as it happens it's also the last day of my summer vacation so I went to the beach for one last swim. It's funny how feeling the cool, cool water of the sea and the warm caress of the sun on my skin never fails to both fill me with unadulterated joy and help to balance the psyche. It felt a lot like this:

There's A Word

(The whistling bits are just pure genious, and I love it how Ernie Brooks' voice bears a little resemblance to Arthur's.)

I Giorni

2011-08-12T20:20:00.009+03:00

For the remaining of our days.

Please Turn

2011-07-29T00:17:00.003+03:00

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Please Turn

Tiger In The Rain

2011-07-17T17:40:00.004+03:00

It's my birthday today and this seems to fit the mood:

Tiger In The Rain

Where Are You Now

2011-07-13T16:17:00.003+03:00

[image]

Where Are You Now

Baker Beach

2011-07-02T00:29:00.004+03:00

Baker Beach by Hatchback

We Begin

2011-06-20T23:40:00.008+03:00

Impulse buy of the month, I should've known by just looking at the cover...

I'm off to somewhereshire to clear my head, I hope to catch you all down the trail after the summer solstice. Enjoy your Midsummer nights with a little ECM:

The Melancholy Of Departure

Desert Monsoon

2011-06-20T19:06:00.003+03:00

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Charm Of A Stranger

Lonely Days

2011-06-15T17:49:00.004+03:00

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Mario Basanov - Lonely Days (Drop Out Orchestra Dub Remix) by Needwant

Some Other Place

2011-05-31T12:40:00.003+03:00

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Some Other Time

(Credit to where credit is due.)

01:58

2011-05-31T01:58:00.001+03:00

Adesivo Della Fumatrice

2011-05-30T13:58:00.012+03:00

On eBay as well.

Comme Au Cinéma

2011-05-23T18:50:00.001+03:00

Primavera

2011-05-02T19:41:00.009+03:00

[image]

My head is full of magic, baby.

Awakening. Long walks. Learning to slow it down again. Welcoming the sun. The smell of rain. The smell of the sea. New shoes on my feet. Girls. Smiles. Isles. Rivers and other bodies of water. Badarou shades. The apparently ever-increasing amount of light. Frail in mind, strong in spirit. Per ardua ad astra. Feeling anxious and overjoyed at the same time. Proud but not disdainful. Liberation. Arthur Russell. Brazilian haze. Ibiza soul. Night mist. Extrasensual perception. Take me home with you.

This is a mix to celebrate springtime, arguably the best of all seasons. I know it comes a little late, but then again, spring itself was late this year here up north so maybe that gives some excuse for the delay. Hope you enjoy.

Quiet Days On Via Messenia

Laying On The Sofa

2011-04-26T14:29:00.000+03:00

Pass The Time Away

2011-04-14T17:00:00.002+03:00

[image]

Subterranean Desire

Descalços Caminhamos Sobre O Fogo

2011-03-25T16:48:00.006+02:00

[image]

We are safe and alive. We have nothing more to lose now. We have become immortal. We have the food of gods.

Ambrosia

Adesivo Del Vagabondo Con La Chitarra

2011-03-19T20:04:00.005+02:00

Many thanks to Test Pressing and Ying Yangs for this, I feel almost indebted.

As Above, So Below

2011-03-14T18:52:00.009+02:00

[image]

That what happens on one level of reality — physical, mental or spiritual — happens on every other. This is the principle of 'As above, so below', which is often clarified by the comparison of the microcosm and the macrocosm. The microcosm is oneself, and the macrocosm is the universe. The macrocosm is as the microcosm, and vice versa; within each lies the other, and through understanding one, usually the microcosm, you can understand the other.

As above, so below

In The Aïr Tonight

2011-02-15T18:56:00.002+02:00

[image]

The Tuareg are a group of North African seminomads, descendants of ancient Saharan peoples, who once controlled the caravan trade routes connecting the great cities in the southern edge of Sahara to the northern Mediterranean coast of Africa. They are sometimes referred to as the "blue men of the desert" for the indigo dyed cheche that they wear to protect themselves from dry desert air, sand and evil spirits.

The Kel Aïr were one of the Tuareg tribal confederations that ruled the area of the Aïr Mountains in northern Niger.

Kel-Air & Band Band - Tuareg

What Happened To This World Of Ours

2011-02-10T00:03:00.012+02:00

[image]

What Happened by John Gazoo

Each night I lie awake thinking
what happened to this love of ours
Girl, I've even started drinking
to help me through these lonely hours

How Can I Go On Without You?

All Loved Out

2010-12-01T18:05:00.013+02:00

[image]

As I've been feeling down and out with this, Beyond Your Beauty is now adjourned for the moment.

The saudade hasn't gone anywhere. The obsession for all these melodies that play in my head every time you're around is still here as well. But all that doesn't flow through me anymore, not as naturally as it used to. This post is probably not an ending by any means, though, and new ones will occur when I start feeling good about it again.

For now, I'd like to give thanks to my friend Chris from Plaid, to E, to Apiento and to Tony Watson for inspiration and for showing support, if only by a few words in an e-mail. The blog hasn't had that many friends due to its detached nature, so your kind thoughts have been more than welcome at the time.

This has been the second edition of Beyond Your Beauty. Thanks for following.

Until the next time.

Twice

2010-11-13T20:05:00.004+02:00

Annalisa

2010-11-09T15:06:00.003+02:00

[image]

Fade To Blue

Love And Affection

2010-11-04T22:28:00.005+02:00

[image via sophisticated simplicities]

Love And Affection

White Espandrillos

2010-10-21T21:49:00.005+03:00

[image]

Here is a mixtape I made for early mornings. It's full of warm, misty vibrations, and perfect to be played at the break of dawn. It's also suitable listening for returning home on a warm summer's night, after spending a wonderful evening with a friend at a place called Bistro Del Mar, and seeing the sun starting to rise in the horizon. And for having a late café com leite in the garden in the afternoon (knowing that the concept of 'morning time' can be subjective). And maybe even for taking a long walk on the beach at sunrise to see off the fishermen on their boats somewhere in the coast of Bahia.

I'll be going back to the French Riviera for a few days this weekend and I think I'll have the mix to travel with me.

White Espandrillos Mix

Inspired by my favourite pair of shoes. Recorded last night at Attorné-à-Loi's.

Wandering Eyes

2010-10-18T21:55:00.010+03:00

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a heavy heart.

And I wanted to ask you

Pura Minha

2010-10-13T17:57:00.006+03:00

[image]

Your name does you all justice.

Más Allá

2010-10-04T01:17:00.000+03:00

Clouds

2010-09-18T16:44:00.009+03:00

Floatations

Let's Get Closer

2010-09-16T17:38:00.004+03:00

Mr. Fingers - Closer

Only Over You

2010-08-31T14:28:00.002+03:00

I think you've given me arrhythmia. But I don't mind, really.

Essere

2010-08-30T18:05:00.001+03:00

On Retinae

2010-08-15T22:46:00.002+03:00

Keep On Rolling

2010-08-13T20:09:00.003+03:00

[image]

Making mojitos

Sleeping City

2010-08-09T22:16:00.003+03:00

Would you die for me?

The Love That Whirls

2010-07-29T18:56:00.006+03:00

[image]

When Your Dream Of Perfect Beauty Comes True

Barnoon Hill

2010-07-24T00:07:00.005+03:00

See You (Again) For The First Time

2010-07-05T11:03:00.012+03:00

[image]

I had a dream about you. It feels strange since I've never had one before, not even when you were around. Not when I thought I was going to lose my head over you, not when I turned my back on you and especially not when it all lost its meaning.

I don't see much sense wondering why now. What's left of the bittersweet confusion wears off by tomorrow, so I think I'll keep hanging on to the feeling we had in the dream, waiting for your phone call.

Tu me manques

White Mischief

2010-07-03T16:54:00.002+03:00

White Mischief

Welcome Aboard

2010-06-24T12:00:00.005+03:00

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It's that time of the year again!

Welcome Aboard

Find A Way

2010-06-21T00:14:00.006+03:00

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And I Will Follow You

Once It Was Alright

2010-06-16T11:39:00.004+03:00

[image]

Once It Was Alright Now

Coolin'

2010-05-31T18:51:00.002+03:00

In The Pool

Manifest Destiny

2010-05-29T01:41:00.010+03:00

[picture]

Walking home from a bar at 3 AM, deeply bittered and frustrated by your own inability to deal with the sensation of otherness.
Okay. Don't lose your head over this. Sit down. Deep breaths. The sun is starting to rise. Let go of your burden.

Manifest Destiny

Keys Redemptive

2010-05-26T20:16:00.001+03:00

[photo]

Rain Walk With Me

Casablanca

2010-05-25T00:53:00.004+03:00

[photo]

Hotel Babo

I Can't Get Used To

2010-05-15T21:29:00.002+03:00

[photo]

Those Who Get Used To

Kombolói

2010-05-09T21:50:00.003+03:00

[photo]

Worry Beads

Smooth And Manly

2010-04-27T16:36:00.005+03:00

[photo]

Smooth And Manly

Dripping In Gold

2010-04-20T11:44:00.006+03:00

[photo]

while I crave you

Touch

2010-04-13T19:36:00.002+03:00

Cono

2010-04-12T00:18:00.004+03:00

[photo]

Cono

I Was Alone That Night

2010-04-01T00:39:00.005+03:00

[a creative universe]

And Only Fourteen

Life goes in circles, you know. Everything that goes around comes back around for a purpose.

Ma Muse

2010-03-22T11:11:00.003+02:00

[picture]

Et Son Temps

Batucada Mobileira

2010-03-14T20:48:00.001+02:00

Mystery Man

2010-03-14T16:10:00.001+02:00

Airbrushed Dragon

2010-03-12T16:14:00.004+02:00

Still in love with everything this guy does.

Fresh Jam by sorcerermusic

Um Aposentado Marinheiro

2010-03-10T13:35:00.006+02:00

[photo]

Future career prospects

Syrup Feeling

2010-03-08T14:51:00.002+02:00

[photo]

Feel the need for fresh mango juice

The Lack Of Love Will Tear Us Apart

2010-02-15T21:05:00.001+02:00

Magic Hills

2010-02-06T16:52:00.004+02:00

[photo]

Magic Hills

Special thanks to Tony Watson for this.

Little Lion

2010-01-24T19:11:00.004+02:00

I like to look at you, little lion, walking under the sun

O Leãozinho

Gone For Too Long

2010-01-19T18:52:00.002+02:00

Gone

Cloudbusting

2009-12-21T13:55:00.000+02:00

Glow Energy II

2009-12-17T23:25:00.011+02:00

Elämä luo kauneutensa pimeydestä ja valosta

New Shoes: Glow Energy II

A guest mix from New Shoes, to help you through the dark days. Remember, it's never as bad as it seems.

[Playlist in the comment section]

Feels Like A 24 Hour Sleep

2009-12-11T00:02:00.002+02:00

Mistral

2009-12-08T11:45:00.006+02:00

The mistral is a strong, cold and usually dry regional wind in France, coming from the north, which accelerates when it passes through the valleys of the Rhone and the Durance Rivers to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea around the Camargue region.

...its arrival almost always clears the skies and dries the air. The mistral helps explain the unusually sunny climate (2700 to 2900 hours of sunshine a year) and clarity of the air of Provence. When other parts of France have clouds and storms, Provence is rarely affected for long, since the mistral quickly clears the sky.
-Wikipedia

Mistral

In Dreams

2009-12-01T16:17:00.001+02:00

Sun Shines Better

2009-11-25T18:38:00.003+02:00

Through the water, through the ice, through the sun

Thank you John

Mata Hari

2009-11-05T19:32:00.002+02:00

Who is she?

Where Were You

2009-11-03T19:54:00.004+02:00

Is This What I Want To Be

2009-10-14T23:17:00.008+03:00

I want you to tell me.

But first

Kiss Me

Terrace Of Unintelligibility

2009-10-12T17:07:00.007+03:00

Chanting the Baby Lion mantra,
to remain the fortress of stoic calmness that you are.

Make Love

2009-10-07T17:29:00.009+03:00

[A Separate Reality]

Make Love

Lost In Time And Space

2009-09-16T00:37:00.011+03:00

Lost Time

Colour Her Sunset

2009-09-12T21:55:00.017+03:00

The photo is from Noran Bakrie's collection.

I just had the same feeling again

Welcome to another fantasy flight. This is the slightly delayed sequel for Shoreline Antics Mix from July. It's full of funny feelings and contains a few essential tracks for cruising through warm evenings and endless summer nights.

Colour Her Sunset

Whirlwind

2009-09-10T00:13:00.001+03:00

Under Your Spell

2009-09-04T10:18:00.003+03:00

Under Your Spell

The Intro

2009-09-04T00:04:00.005+03:00

When you have insomnia you're never really asleep. And you're never really awake.

I play the Original Mix as an introduction to the events that have yet to occur. Listen. From where I'm standing, it all looks so ecstatical. I can almost feel it. So please, once more: come with me.

Je le te ferai bien.

Dubuque

2009-08-28T15:47:00.005+03:00

[pic]

George Winston - Dubuque