Nefisa's Archives - September October & November 2004

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2004

NOV 30- I don't want to close the month on my poem, so here's a link that I'd like all to check and see and click on and check out. During my time working at Oxfam (and I still walk past it often or go in and say hi on my way to the post office when I'm mailing out copies of my album etc.) I came to really dig the fair trade foods. They tasted good, but they were also really important. SO here's this publicity type campaign thing they're doing, and some really cool musicians who I dig such as Youssou N'Dour, Thom Yorke and many many others are just...being photographed hehe. Okay so it's not that impressive to me either, but I guess what I'm trying to say is........ If you know anywhere that sells Fair Trade food, I'd gently suggest that you give it a try (if you normally buy a lot of your...coffee? or honey from mainstream supermarkets I mean) because this stuff is tasty, especially their honey and chocolate things hehe, and you'll know that the money you spend is not going to some company used to perpetuate the screwing over of the individuals who actually sweat to MAKE this food that goes in your mouths. Peace you and I'm out like November, y.

NOV 28- Oh. Yes it's been quite a few days hasn't it? I wrote this poem over a week ago. I have another one which I want to share but it's too scary and I need time to sit on that one. Wow. So, how have you been? Good, good, glad to hear it. And I like that top your wearing, yeah it brings out your ... well it brings out something from your personality doesn't it? Sure it does. Shut up. No really, shut up :)

The poem I feel is a bit too obvious to talk about therefore I won't. I don't know what it's about strictly speaking, but it's certainly very obvious whatever it is. It's called, "As does a proud father" and you can check it out in the QUILLS section. Alternatively you can just click the name of the poem I just gave and that will take you to the poem directly! BUT since I updated the quote in that creative writing section, I want you guys all to read that. It's from one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time. And I love my quotes. As I washed my hands a few days ago, no in fact it was yesterday, but because of my odd sleeping pattern it feels like two days ago, as I washed my hands yesterday I thought to myself "You love quotes don't you? You could put them all over your wall, and people would come in and see them and that would be some sort of 'thing' that you do, some sort of thing you'd be known for, but then, that would cheapen the whole thing completely wouldn't it?" My thoughts weren't exactly in those words, but those are the thoughts and the rough order they were in. I do like quotes, and that quote is one of the best on this site.

Oh yeah, and I'm shooting a film all this weekend, I'm acting in it as part of this film competition that a friend at University got me involved in. I am playing a Mexican who isn't a Mexican. I'm someone's subconscious also- but it's not going very well to be quite honest and I'm not feeling it at all thus far. I'll be done by Sunday night/nite and might let you know how it goes if it's of any importance in the grand scheme of things. In the meantime enjoy something.

Peace. Y.

NOV 23- Fight club is a bad film. It thinks it's very good, which is what makes it bad. Ha! Y.

NOV 18- There is an update in the paragraph below this! That concert last nite was pretty ill / interesting. Beans absolutely killed it with his interesting self and large stage-presence and I even chatted to the dude for a few minutes after the show, nice guy. I also met Rob Sonic who was very cool, he complained about the small showers in the UK (it's true, you Americans have no idea how good you got it with those long, non-box-like UK shower cubicles!) It's been a busy few days for me because I also saw the absolute genius Nitin Sawnhey with a few friends just a few hours ago tonight (actually technically last nite because it's just gone 00:30) and it was really stunning. He was accompanied by a tabla player, some great vocalists (Pakistani guy and Indian girl - I am assuming just by their faces and my vague familiarity with people of that region although you can always be totally wrong about this stuff!) and a seriously brilliant orchestra who go by the name of Britten Sinfonia. It was a brilliant nite and I wish I could say more.

I had forgotten how much inspiration I receive from sitting in such an environment and receiving such pleasant sounds, and I'm mainly thinking of the calming orchestra here as opposed to the more sharp and intense eastern vibes that were also on display. And so I wrote a poem a while after I came home. It's about.... well it's about something surely!?! See what you make of it and feel free to discuss in the humans forum. Feel free but don't feel obliged otherwise I'll feel bad! Really :) It hasn't got a title yet, maybe it will in the future though. Goodnite and good-nature, Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi.

NOV 17- I have nothing to update you with. Life is moving and I refuse to force anything. There is however an interesting conversation in the humans forum that fellow nefi's Ayla and Nadia are having along with myself. So if that tickles your taste buds (I don't know what I mean by that) then feel free to check it out, read and respond here, add your view if u want. I want.

On a seperate note I am goin to a concert tonight to see Mike Ladd, Beans and Rob Sonic (whose album I reviewed two months back) so I shall let u know if anything of note occurs. Peace, Y.

NOV 13- Peace and love and happiness to every Muslim brother and sister celebrating Eid today. It's been a great month for me spiritually and I do not intend on letting this great vibe get away from me now that Ramadan is over, so let's extend the calmness. I was about to curse a stranger in the street for a dirty look he gave me just ten minutes ago as I walked home from the Mosque, but then I controlled my mind (let alone tongue!) and stopped myself. Looking at the sun that came out (and is still shining into nefisa-central as I type!) on this lovely-cold English morning, I can't help but be grateful to the Creator and I can't help wanting to control and discipline myself in nothing but good ways. So let's extend the peaceful feeling inside of us for as long as possible mis hermanos y hermanas! (brothers and sisters!) Now I'm off downstairs for something I haven't experienced in 30 days; breakfast! Peace to everybody, Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi.

NOV 11- Click here (all internet speeds) if you want to watch the new video by bjork entitled "who is it?" it's pretty nuts. If you have the album as I do... well I think it's a bit of a shame that she decided to make the song more 'dramatic' and 'accessible' for the release/video, instead of just leaving it as it was, but I guess that's record label pressure. Anyway, it's still nice, but just a little less respect I have that's all. . now I have to go now now, serious things are happening and everythings something! peace, y.

NOV 08- Here is a wonderful book by an artist who is no longer alive. I reviewed it because I think it's amazing. You can read it too! Yes you can, just look for the little suprise at the end of the review... it is amazing though and you can check it out, along with a new quote (u like how I sneak in those new quotes all the time right??) in the CAKES (reviews) section. Peace-pie, Y.Misdaq

NOV 05- I wrote this last nite. Read it if you like, it might not apply to you, in fact in the literal sense it doesn't apply to anyone 'cos it's obvious, but a lot of my American friends all over the world seem to think that all is lost, and as my post just after the election below indicates, I really do think we gotta make the best out of this and look at it in the most productive way. So there it is.

On another note, it's fireworks night tonight in the UK, where we set fire to stuff and explode lots of expensive fireworks. Part of me always gets angry at fireworks because I know how much money they take to make and I think they could be spent on the poor people etc... you feel me? But at the same time, people should be entitled to entertainment and a break from their regular 9-5 routines too, so it's one I debate in my mind quite a lot. Anyway in a village just outside of my city, a place called Lewes, they burn replicas of a lot of people, Guy Fawkes obviously, Bush the 2nd last year and probably the year before got the burning treatment too as you would expect, someone told me they even burnt a replica of the current pope, which I think is pretty disgusting and quite confusing actually. I've never gone to the Lewis fireworks display, even though it's supposed to be the biggest and best, and people go every year to that one. Half of the people I know are going tonight! Last year I went up to the highest point in Brighton with my bro and a few friends and we saw just about every single firework in Brighton go off. It was pretty fantastic, so if I go again tonight I'll try and take some photos. Peace, Y.

NOV 03- Welcome back. I know what's going on in North America affects everyone, and let's just say from my point of view things could have gone better, but then, that was always going to be true whoever won- things still can be better. True, the world is going to have to be strong, and there's going to be a lot more conflict now, that's inevitable because of the people who will be running things and their motivations... but nothing has changed for us. We all have to firstly- join together in our communities, secondly- use those communities to form real bonds with each other. This result is a tidal wave that has been pre-destined by a force greater than we know, (and I'm talkin' "life" here, not republican tricks) and in order for us to survive the violence and pain that follows, the community is important. We got to hold hands, clench teethe and muscles and brace ourselves for the worst, all the time strengthening ourselves by learning from the stuff we see and evolving as humans. You can't change the world around you sometimes, so the best thing to do is change yourself. We are far from perfect, and as the previous quote I used on nefisa quite a while ago goes- "And if it is a despot you would dethrone, see first that his throne errected within you is destroyed. For how can a tryant rule the free and the proud, but for a tyranny in their own freedom and a shame in their own pride?" the logic therefore dictates clearly to me, from both my religion and my rational common-sense, that we need to be working on bettering ourselves and those close to us before we think the world is going to be so easily fixed by the replacement of one puppet for another. Let's be strong and broad-minded in how we see this, life will move on and it's up to us to move with it. Everything happens for a reason.

I find it quite hard now to be my usual perky self (I'm never 'perky', but when writing these updates I always seem to be... must be all those exclamation marks I use!!!! "Yay!") the truth is I'm as deflated as a lot of you are about a whole bunch of things, but that doesn't mean I don't believe what I just said in the previous paragraph is any less true. So anyway, it brings a smile to my face to announce that we....we.... we have a NEW MEMBER! Nefi-18 is going to take the place of our departed comrade Michl, and so it's quite fitting that it should be Nadia Janjua. Nadia is one very cool person from New Jersey who's inventive and natural architecturual style combines nicely with her generally creative attitude... all this has meant that she's already been a great contributing member of nefisa for some time with her throught-provoking writing in the humans forum, so it's a natural progression for me to want to give more exposure to the original ideas she comes up with in her own brain-world. Her first such idea is pretty big, an institute no less, and you can check it all out in the ORBS section. It's something!

Think about architecture for a second... conceptually at this very second in my mind, and previous occasions when I've thought about it, it's so perfectly and literally bridged that balance between art as a personal creative-force, and art as a force for social-change/progression. It's partly for that reason that I decided to add Nadia's amazing architecture to the ORBS section. Remember all you old-schoolers, that the ORBS section was just a painting section when Nefisa opened in 2002, then slowly it became a place for photography too, then installations, and now architecture. Visual art is visual art, and if it decides to assume many forms, and be effective in those forms, then I'm going to have a look at all of them..... now someone go find me a sculptor ;) hehe.

Also added is a new (old!) humans diary in the archives section entitled 'amrikki' which i wrote a while ago. As well as this months song- one which has been going thru my head a lot in the last week or so with it's beautiful lyrics and melancholy/uplifting mood... It's a work of genius from a genius band called Joy Division (recommended to me by my man and nefi#20, David! Cheers dude!) SO click here to download 'Love will tear us apart' and click here to read the lyrics and discuss it if you so wish. Similarly, Nadia's project is also up for your comments should you not be totally over-awed by their sheer complexity and detail, just click here to add to what I have already said!!! remember, the forum is an open place for anyone to post, the human-zoo! Keep enjoying life because it hasn't stoped being beautiful just because of an election. Peace, Y.

OCT 30- I like the way one talk is expanding in the humans forum. In other words- "My name is Y.Misdaq and I endorse this message."
ps- all you 'Guests' who wanna contribute, please leave your name or something else... it would be nice to call you something, even if it's donutwhore22. y.

OCT 27- American-human, use your vote- don't let us down; the rest of world needs you to do something. Y.

OCT 27- Once upon a time there was a musician who pioneered hip-hop. He did it in the 90's with his unique sound and talented ear. I listened to his music growing up, fell asleep to so many of the classic songs he produced, and over time they made me want to make music. He's now proving himself to be a true artist as well as a well-respected producer, straight-up and down, Ali Shaheed Muhammad has blessed hip-hop for a long time with his skill and talent, and it's more than a pleasure to review his first solo album, Shaheedullah and Stereotypes which you'll see in the CAKES section along with all this months other new releases. This one just dropped a week or two ago, and I'd reccomend all people check it out... no doubt! Peace and peace, Yosh.

so i went for a walk today and layed down watching the clouds feeling like some kind of child, last time i felt that peaceful was 1996 in june. i don't know how young or old i was then, but i was a lot younger than i am now in 2004. the clouds moved quickly today, sometimes they descended downwards into me, and they were ominous, other times they just glided above me, the local clouds moving faster than the international clouds which lay higher above moving ever so slowly in the opposite direction, or where they moving at all? perhaps it was just an illusion because the local clouds were moving so fast in that other direction,,, or perhaps i was moving. i was indeed, remembering back to something i had learnt about how the earth is spinning at such an amazing speed, i remember being astounded at the time, thinking that if it were to stop spinning then we would all fly off, and how amazing that we feel so secure. its not stupid of us, just funny. after all, we do have every right to build things and live with gravity, because we see it supporting us everyday. i imagined myself moving with those clouds, on the ground as i lay down. i imagined that the clouds controlled me, and made my body glide along in the same direction they were going, i would move along the earth and people would only stare. i can have that thought, i am allowed to think that, my mind is capable of thinking anything it wants, anything wonderful. i suppose my point is, this world is so beautiful that it's sometimes so impossibly fun to imagine that the afterlife will be a million times more beautiful, a million times more open and breathing. i suppose my point is, it's good to know that i haven't lost touch with that kid of '96 who stared up at the clouds that day on the grass. float. i got up with old spanish music in my headphones, dusted myself off and walked as the sunset, to break my fast with my brothers at the mosque.

25th October 2004. 2:08 am. Y.Misdaq.

OCT 23- Let's pray for better days... I do. I pray for better days. The time is 2:46 am. Hope everyone's feeling okay. I'm kinda drifting.. drifting away somewhere. I was gonna link to an update today, but I've had second thoughts... so ... no update? Yeah, no updates I'm afraid. Transition etc.. I been working on my own things all night and need to close these eyes. Peace, Y.

OCT 20- Video. Very unexpected is this... the guest is a comedian, the guy with the bowtie is a republican gerbil, and he's also pretty corny. It's interesting because this sort of thing hardly ever happens in America. That's why it's interesting!

OCT 18- There's a brand new album that just came out which will smash musical pre-conceptions. It's a bit mental, a bit rough around the edges, but it's from one of the most.. no it's from who I consider the most important hip-hop artist in the spotlight today, Mos Def. The album is called 'The New Danger' its a very brutal album that deals with serious stuff and displays a battered man expressing himself. Reality is grimey, but it can sometimes be beautiful too. I welcome you to go check it out in the CAKES section. Peace, Yoshi.

OCT 17- If there was a magazine that nefisa would sponsor- it would probably be adbusters. Here's an interesting article from their website about something everyone should check. badaboom. And if there was a radio station that nefisa would sponsor, it would probably be NPR. Here's an interesting article from their website about something everyone should check. badabing.
Peace in the streets, Yoshi.

OCT 15- Do you want to close your eyes and feel palm trees? Get away from that cloud? Feel warmth on your skin, when the wind works with the sun and breezes on your arm calming you. Well no, there's no magic remedy, so stop wishing. If you are lucky enough to own the album by Os Tribalistas called...'Tribalistas' ! Then perhaps you'll be in a better position to see those beautiful images next time you press play. For all others, check the review in the CAKES section and listen to the soundclips contained within it to see if it's something you'd like. PEACE. Yoshi.

OCT 13- Just to let everyone know that my friend Michl has decided to leave nefisa. We exchanged a couple of e-mails tonight and I think we both understand that this was the best thing for the two of us, and really there is no animosity at all. Michl is a guy who I can sometimes totally relate to, and on a few occasions, not, but regardless of that- it was his approach and the sounds he created that made me put him on this website- I wish him the best for the future sincerely and in all honesty, and as I said to him, he's welcome back on the boards anytime. "Thanks for all the sunshine and good sounds man, I'm glad we didn't leave it on a bad note because that wouldn't be fair to either of us- good luck to you, and I'll try to keep my eye out for you in the real world as well as online in the lovely future".

To everyone else, I supposed business goes on as always, the act of creation goes on, and whoever fills up Michl's place will have to be a very talented person. Watch this space. watch it! Peace and love, Yoshi.

OCT 12- A new review for you today. I wrote this one after getting to grips with William Shatners just-released album 'Has Been' check it out in the music section of the CAKES (reviews) ... And that's it! Except this! Kool Keith is the man! Many thanks to mi amigo Christian @ Urbansmarts for letting me link to that great interview...It seems everything that Keith says is pretty-much true.. -minus his out of control ego hehe. Peace, Yoshi.

OCT 10- I must have gone video crazy, and for all you low-speed internet having peoples I apologise for your lack of participation here...BUT... From the latest Roots album 'The Tipping Point' which I reviewed, there was one track which stood out for me, no suprise that the title was called, 'Star'... it's a remake of the Sly & the family Stone song of the same name I believe (I haven't heard the original) but the Roots version is a little more intricate (as hip-hop only can be) in tackling some of the specific mentalities of kids today, and how the poor people across America have been afflicted with the capitalist love for wealth...'everybody wanna be a star...' The video is beautiful in my opinion, part of me doesn't even want to show it because it's that nice and edited in the style that I've always wanted to do myself and some of my own projects, but no doubt it's something I think everyone should check in all honesty! Click here, and then click on the button at the top for the video - 'star' !!! Peace, Yoshi.

OCT 08- Prince's latest video from his new album Musicology has now been released (download here - stream on aol here). It's an interesting one, whilst I spoke about the brilliant song 'Cinnamon girl' in the review I wrote, I did not expect, and I think Prince's lyrics did not anticipate a video which was as ambiguous and confrontational as this one is. I think that's a bit of a shame to be honest, but really- the video is about violence begetting violence- and people's ignorant assumptions often having extreme consequences. Although I think (my interpretation, which I think is the right one) that the young woman actually ends up NOT 'pressing the button'... See what I mean and take your own interpretations by checking the video out! I think it makes the average MTV-watching American think a little bit, which- provided it gets airplay (which is in doubt by most Prince fans)- can only be a good thing, shame that once again, a western (and this time well-intentioned) artist can't seem to find the time to depict the prayer completely accurately, but it's not that bad! The song's personal to me, which is why I'm giving it publicity- peace, and I mean peace, and true Muslims mean peace! Y.misdaq.

OCT 06- There's a review today. During my recent time in America I met up once again with owner of the Wordsound record label Skiz Fernando, and good to his promise, since the brilliant interview he gave us in 2003, he has been working hard on that documentary about the history of his label, as well as a sort of mini-history to good hip-hop, the lives of artists and musicians, and lots of other great extras. It comes in the form of a limited edition DVD documentary film entitled WORDSOUND 50: The greatest thing you never heard, so go check it in the CAKES (reviews) section. It comes with as mentioned, lots of extra features and it's a must-have in my opinion, but that's just me, check the review and perhaps you'll catch the bug that this extraordinarily psychadelic and finely constructed documentary infected me with. PS- To all WordSound people- this update happened because of 'the mighty unseen force that makes all things possible'. peace, Y.

OCT 03- Welcome... who says welcome to October? But right now, listening to 'The Waters of March' I feel a certain optimism. Speaking of that song, you can now check the new ARCHIVES section below this text ('ghost of nefisa's past') to check most of the organised history of this website. I've spent a long time on that! Remember though, this isn't a website, its a fountain of water. And you are tourists here. You are all welcome to enjoy this fountain, take photos of it, remember it, and come back anytime. Of course there are some of you who take it for granted and abuse it, but what can I do about that? I'd rather you weren't reading this right now, but hey, it's a fountain! It's made to exist in the world, it's there, so therefore all sorts of people are going to be looking at it, I suppose I have to accept that. This month, I want you to go and listen to some of the old nefi-songs before they dissappear from the ARCHIVE section, I specifically reccomend everything. Right now 'Creole' with Mos Def is in my head as well as the track I mentioned up above, and last night I heard 'Cloudbusting' by my friend Kate Bush before I fell asleep.

There is also a slightly different new story for you to check in the QUILLS section. You can take from it what you will, as long as you bear in mind that anything is possible from all kinds of people all over the world. You should also bear in mind that people fail, that's partially what the story is about- the pregnancy of failure, and the birth of failure. There is also much more to come this month on nefisa. I hope you like the front picture, it was shown to me by 'brother O' only yesterday (I never decide on the months picture until the last moment), and if you think it's just a silly photo of a quilt or blanket, look again more closely at the man!! This months song is nothing, because I want you to check the old songs before web-space dictates their deletion! Also, I am one-by-one adding the relevant humans-diary updates that I beileve are beneficial to readers and contain little or no ego or madness on my part, I will be the judge of that though!

Peace to you all and be strong, as strong as you possibly can be. Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi.

SEP 30- Just a quick link-back to the good peoples at the Brighton hip-hop website 'specially my man Brainiac aka Dean who gave a quick shout-out for my album in their latest update, it matters all the more to me cos Brighton is where I was born and raised and hopefully there'll be even more local support in the future as I do more and more things with what skillz I've been given. Peace, Y.

PS- presidential debates tonight, at 2am UK time on BBC tv or radio, peace, yosh.

SEP 27- Two updates in one day? Have I gone mad? This is an amazing video that all with fairly fast connections MUST check, listen to the lyrics, and watch for the priceless expressions, and funniest of all for me, is the stuttering at the beginning of the video... "I ... I ..I want you to be on my team!" Oh dear. VOTE! And enjoy this, Wordsworth don't play around! Peace, Yosh.

SEP 27- ---- . and there's another piece of dirt. I say if you don't have much, educate yourself, be better than others in what you do, dare to dream and achieve it, go to a library or just read some books and learn from things. They say you should box! Incidentally tony b.liar the labour party are all in Brighton, and on my way down to the beach yesterday (where I went to do some writing and watch the sunset) I was diverted from my usual route by policemen. I had to walk in a side-road behind the Brighton Center (where the conference is held I believe, and where I, along with Dana, once worked for a while over a year ago) there was a large, see through metal-gate that seperated me from them, with all sorts of media people and politicians walking, securely, into the building. The policemen had guns, I stared at them as I walked past them, these fat guns, as the policemen stared at me, I stared at their guns. Then I saw him, right there in front of me, seperated by the lousy metal-gate- the second-man in charge of this entire country - John Prescott, that fat, dead looking face of his, and those unbelievable bags under bags under his eyes. "Is it really worth it when you know that the things you say and do are wrong? DO YOU KNOW that they're wrong??" Can all that stress really be worth it? There's this too. Y.

SEP 25- Ooh! Making a real change in your life and self-improvement is such a hard job, and yet so fulfilling! That's just something I wanted to share. Now...... Time for a NEW SONG! Anyone who checks the boards (including all you hundreds of anonymous guests and passers-by!) will no doubt have heard from mi amigo, and the 18th member of nefisa, Michl, who is one of those artists who just can't seem to stop making music. Fortunately it's always positive, fresh and happy. His latest track featured on nefisa is somewhat different in that respect, not to say that it's not positive, but the focus slightly shifts away from the usual sunny positivity, and to a much more abstract area, with a much more abstract sound, and also quite nicely- without any decipherable lyrics. For me it's by far his best work yet, most interesting, and also very cinematic... So check the ever-ascending 'Blue Skies' right now in the DRUMS (audio) section, you won't regret it! Adios & peace to all, Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi.

ps-I also want everyone to listen to this months beautiful song (just under the 'nefisa' logo at the top of this page) by Yusuf Islam aka Cat Stevens. I want you to listen closely to that beautiful song and then laugh out loud (lol-style) that the US government wouldn't allow him into the country... because... of.....because of his last name? Or whatever other foolish excuse there might be. Once you've finished laughing out loud- if you live in America - watch the Presidential debates in a few days time, and make sure that you're very sure about which administration, which man you would rather have leading your potentially great nation. Go to the polls in November, if for no other reason, go because I asked you nicely. Because I said 'please'! Peace, and I mean peace, Y.

SEP 23- And then it hit me! I'll explain what in a moment. But this is it! The major change to nefisa that I mentioned in the last update (when I was still in America) is not really an 'update' to the site... in fact you can think of it as an anti-update... a taking back of something, a removal. As time goes on things change, and as sad as I know it will make a few of you, and as 'dissapointed' as it will make many more, and as indifferent as it will remain to some who didn't even care anyway (and good for you, by the way, seriously!) I have decided to remove the humans diary. Here's my breath. Apologies if I made this seem like something bigger than it was, it's been in my head for a week or two and I thought I'd just do it now, didn't mean to make it seem like some huge event or anything! Peace and love, Y.

SEP 20- I'm off to England, almost finished packing, and will say my prayers on the plane. I hope to arrive safely and be alive this time tomorrow so that everything can continue unfolding, and I hope u all make the most of your time too. Peace, Y.

SEP 19- It's Brand New baby! I put a lot of thought into my latest review of Brand Nubian's classic 'Fire In The Hole' It's something I'd reccomend anyone with a slight interest in hip-hop or socially conscious, honest music pick up and listen to as soon as possible. Go see it in the CAKES (reviews) section. It's an album for people who care about the world, and the less fortunate, not for the spoilt rich kids who only care about themselves and their careers. It's an album showing MAN at his realest! How any man would react under certain pressures of life... I liked it a lot, and I'd reccomend it to you OVER and before any of this months other reviews, Bjork's 'Medulla', or 'Telicatessen' none of which gave me the raw mix of passion and mentals that this LP delivers so effortlessly. Hip-Hop is a beautiful thing, and this album reminds me of that. A lot of people think they know what hip-hop is because they heard a few songs or albums, but unless you've had a relationship with it YOURSELF, you'll never know it. You can't teach love.

PS- There will be a change coming on nefisa soon. One change. My vision..crystalization..clarity.

SEP 17- I wrote a lot in a few minutes and I don't think I made any spelling mistakes. What a chunk! Biscuit. Bundles of brain! Don't be so analog! What? YOSHI! ALSO, there's a new quote in the QUILLS (creative writing) section that I wanted to put up. I know, nothing big, but I like this one. Also, regarding the review I wrote, (in the update below this one) the artist himself didn't like the review because some of the dates I mentioned and his location were incorrect. He also told me that "that review thing you do is kinda crazy don't ya think? Considering you make no money and don't know what or why you're doing it." I told him not making money isn't a problem for me and that I did know what I was doing. It was fun! You know why? Because the vision I have is so crystal clear. People say all kinds of things, sometimes we have to let it slide and assume they were kidding, sometimes we have to dance. I danced away from that website anyways I won't go there again 'cos I just realised how much I have on my own plate with all these projects, but despite all that mess- let it be known- nefisa will always be about the spreading of positive messages because as I say on my next album (don't worry you got a few months to wait) "NOBODY CAN CONTROL MY TYPE!" Peace, Y.

SEP 13- New review! This album is called 'Telicatessen' and it's a piece of electronic hip-hop all about New York! Interesting stuff, checkitout in the CAKES (reviews) section. Adios muchachos, Y.

SEP 12- Humans diary has just been written in....scurry! y.

SEP 10- NEW SONG! Those that frequent the forums will be aware that my man Cordani (nefi#5) is about to release an LP. He just slightly beat me to letting the masses know about one of the amazing songs off that album, so I'm proud to offer it here in a somewhat more permanent place than the humans forum. The track is 'Como' and can be checked out in the DRUMS (audio) section along with Dan's other beats and all the other vast variety of nefisa-music. This one I like particularly cos it's the most extreme example to me of Dan Cordani's musical collage style, which I always dug. As well as this it's actually a bit of a banger, so enjoy! Peace, Y.

SEP 09- A review of Bjork's latest album, Medulla can now be found in the CAKES (reviews) section. It's a little late as the album was released last week, but I wanted to give myself time to listen to it properly. I put a lot of thought into it when I wrote it earlier today. so enjoy if you want! Yoshi.

SEP 06- hmmmmm; this makes sense... Update coming very soon by the way.... hmmmm, i dont know about this!.. y.

SEP 04- A NEW REVIEW of my album has been alerted to me! This one is on splendidezine, "a great website!" Although the reviewer made the totally incorrect assumption that I was 'Pakistani', (no offense to anyone intended, but I am proud of my AFGHAN heritage..maybe my lyrics misguided her though;) I still thank her for telling it like it is and giving me a honest, glowing and generous review. I don't know what to say; I guess I am indeed my own worst critic, but all of the reviews for my LP so far- every single one of them- has been very positive. That gives me a lot of confidence going into my next project... Oh and if you don't have that album, I'd just say this; it's gonna be a collectors item soon, and the stocks are not infinite! Get your groove on daddy! Peace and love, Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi (an Afghan musician!)

SEP 02- Wilkommen! September is here, and although I can't feel it in the heat of this Maryland climate, this has always been my favorite month of year as far as weather is concerned... Anyway, what do I have for you this month??? First up and most importantly, we got a NEW MEMBER! David has the honour of being nefi #20 (if there's such a thing as honour in the number 20... I don't know) but I do know that you should check out his profile! He's a cool dude who has been behind the scenes for a while now, living in my home-town of Brighton in the UK, we often exchange ideas on beats, flows and the always-evolving philosophies on music and creativity that we have. With the release of his first LP imminent, [more on that soon] I knew that the time was right to get him on nefisa and showcase an artist with talent; more importantly someone with the desire and willingness to get his music out there! That's something everyone should be supporting and applauding... Too many people aren't doing what they should or could be doing with their gifts, and I think the time comes when even I lose interest in those people; because life moves on and you have to look at the positives if you're going to stay sane- the positives being those of us who are doing something with their gift. David's first track on nefisa is a mixed showcase of both his MC skills and beat-making skills, "Do you want to see anymore?" is in the DRUMS (audio) section right now ! I'm liking the raw retrospective lyrics that at times take me back to that time in my life, although I'm sure the UK peoples might feel this more 'cos of the accent!! And as I always seem to say around this time- "Feel free to leave your feedback and comments in the forum if you have somethin' useful to say!"

There is also a humans diary update which I wrote just 24 hours ago, but wanted to put up today. So go check that out if you're interested! Actually, I just realised that I saved it on a different computer... so you can't check it. Maybe I'll put it up tomorrow....Well that's what you get for expecting too much!

There will be a few more reviews and other such good-things to come over the next few days, and before the month is up, I'll be back in my beloved Brighton and gearing up for an album release of my own, the start of University and a whole load of other creatively-pumped projects. I hope you enjoy this months picture on the front page, if you can spot me in that photo (because I am there) then I'll give you a smile. Also, this months official song is "Wild World" by the artist who was then known as Cat Stevens and now as Yusuf Islam. It's a really beautiful song, and deserves much listening attention. I hope everyone had a progressive August and is ready for September, you better be, it's always ready for u.... Peace and loves, Y.Misdaq (yoshi).