Nefisa's Archives - June 2005

JUNE JULY AUGUST 2005

AUG 28- It's been a while since I wrote a review for an album I heard. And this is more than a review, so read it! I have listened to so much music this year, that it's impossible for me to find the inspiration and time to write reviews for each amazing album that passes my ears everyday. Today was a rare chance for me to do what I love doing when I hear good albums... tell people about them! When an album inspires good writing from me, I can be sure that it's a gem, that there's something deep and magnificent about it. This clearly applies to Colleen's new album 'The Golden Morning Breaks' so check it out in the CAKES (reviews) section. Hopefully more reviews to come... Peace, Y.

AUG 26- Nefi#18 Nadia Janjua just remembered a quote: "when we undertake change, we are the heroes of our own spiritual journeys" I felt it was important to share with you. Thanks noodles, and peace out all, y.

AUG 25- I'm aware I haven't updated in a while, I'm working on a few things though rest assured, and there will be plenty of new stuff on it's way, I'm not talking just about me... it all takes time though, that's just how things are. It's easy to expect, but harder to deliver... Well no it's easy to deliver, but it takes time sometimes. Nevertheless, you should all feel good, because right now, I know of so many people, myself included, who are working on things. Projects! Things that they love doing, and are putting together, because they feel it. Man I know someone putting together three or four projects in Chicago. I know a lady putting together an amazing thing in Tijuana.. No... I just thought about listing everyone, then realised it would be silly. Yeah, it would. Just know! Trust me! It goes on. And nothing is ever really an ending of course, we just keep doing it, doing things, making things with our hands and brains. Only for them to come alive, and once they're alive, we soon want more, something new, different, and it just keeps going. We're as greedy as we are appreciative. Each generation outdoing the last. I better go now... bank. bills. Hahaha, it's quite fun actually. Queuing up... with music. Today I'm feeling like some Chili Peppers... Something to really move to. Apologies for the meaningless update... More comes soon. Peace, Y.

AUG 17- Forgive me, but I've spent a long time doing some much-needed work to the flowers & trees mini-site, please do take a look around, especially at the new LIVE section which has diaries of some of my gigs and accompanying photos! I know it's not that important in the grand scheme of things, but it's something I felt needed doing, I have a lot of considerations to consider after all! I can't have all kinds of big-shots looking at my website if it's messy and disorganised, can I? No. I'm not afraid of change anymore either, so expect more things, anything. Many things. And don't rely on anything. I've just spent hours looking at this screen, now I'm going to go out and help my friend with some flyering in the streets of B-town. Oh he just called me! I told him I was on my way, but I'm lying, I'm right here typing, so I better go. Take care everyone. (Except you! Grrrrr! hahaah) peace and smiles to all, Y.

ps- why did I start this update with "forgive me"? hahahah.

AUG 13- I was speaking with the lead singer of Detroit based-rock group 'The Weakened' just half an hour or so ago. We both took a real liking to each others music, you should check their stuff out it's really honest and vibrant sounding. I tell you, there's something about musicians, real musicians, that makes the conversation between them so optimistic, so free-flowing and understanding. It's always good to speak to fellow musicians who live the life, because there's so much common ground there, even if the styles of music you create are a universe apart. I love that. The more you practice your art (art in the most open sense of the word) and the more you live it, the stronger you'll feel these things which I speak of. Peace, Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi

AUG 12- Two updates (the brief one below this wasn't updated when it should have been!) ... lifelong nefisa-friend michL bridge has just released a new collection of songs which I am quite addicted to at present. It's some of his best work to date no doubt, full of rich and lush sounds. I'd like you all to check it out when you can, it's called Marimba Love Garden, so get downloading!

On a totally seperate note... there's a scene in the film Magnolia in which all of the actors sing this great song by Aimee Mann. And the lyrics of that are in my head now, "It's not going to stop... It's not going to stop, 'til you wise-up" I really like it. There are fresh days ahead of us with the past burning up in the air like smoke, Peace to all, Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi

AUG 08- Positive, for those in the D.C. / Northern Virginia area... Peace, Y.

AUG 07- Rest in peace to you Mr. Robin Cook. You did your job well, and you took a risk on your career for the sake of your integrity, something that I don't see many (or any) other politicians doing in the shameful world of sheep. Because of your resignation, and more importantly because of how you acted afterwards, you can be sure that so many of us young ones will not forget you. You made me proud of you, and I'm just a kid. You've earned yourself a real legacy, despite, or maybe because of the fact that the determined people in power didn't heed your warning. You knew history would see the truth in time. History sees you too. Peace and respect to Robin Cook who has now passed onwards, Y.

AUG 04- This is a short but important link which was sent to me by my bro, renowned writer and true friend of nefisa, Lawrence 'Ytzakh' Braithewaite. For the last few years of my University I had come to adopt a view regarding self-education which is really similar to the approach mentioned here,, and now that I've graduated (and received a piece of paper) my views remain the same. Therefore, check it! I hope you get some benefit from reading it, even if it's only to challenge it and disagree, which is essentially what it's about. As I said it's quite short, so I'll end here. Peace, Y.

AUG 02- Welcome everybody... it's a new month and some new things have been added to this already very artistic site! You can never have enough art though. It spurs you on.. That's what we're here to do, encourage each other.

SO... my cousin, .. my brother, and fellow MC/Producer.... Diamondscepter, has been going through a lot recently. The fact that he's putting everything he feels into his music should be a lesson for everyone. I'm sharing one song with you, but in all honesty, everything of his that I've heard, that's about 4 songs in the last week or so, they've all been perfect reflections of his mind-state at this time. I chose this one because ... well who cares. I know you'll dig it, it's short and direct (as always with my cuz) and it's called 'Misty'... Enjoy.

As for me? Well as you know I got a live show in Brighton tomorrow nite (click) but I'm tired of going on about that! I have updated the ARCHIVES section of this website to include all of the front covers of nefisa since it's very beginning in 2002. They are pretty much in the order they appeared, although one or two may be incorrect! It's nice to look at, and realise how much this website has done, how long it's been going, and how much more there is to go. Nefi # one million is out there somewhere.

And there's a poem! This one was not a poem, but an e-mail to a friend of mine, it was more like brotherly advice. And then all of a sudden... I liked it. So I'm sharing it with everyone. It's about doing things! "When U see the future, don't get scared" is how I said it in the first song on my new album..and there are a lot of things out there that can stop us doing what we really want to do... but only a loser loses and gives in to those things. And winners overcome those things. One way or another, they do it. And man, you got to love the winners in life, they push u on and on. Go to the QUILLS (creative writing) section of the website to see the poem!

Enjoy this months official song, it was from the LIVE8 concert in London at the beginning of July. A wonderful day. That's English spirit. This is a multicolored country and I love it. Peace all, Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi

JUL 31- A huge review from one of the music-world's most respected magazines, The Wire, has surfaced (for my new LP, Flowers & Trees, if u didn't know!) Go to the album mini-site for more info! Also go there for more info on another live show this wednesday... Peace, Y.

JUL 29- Nefi-15 Julia Clark-Lowes is a busy girl... formerly of the band who you've probably heard of 'The Pipettes', Jules is now embarking on a new project with a much much......better group! They go by name of 'The Indelicates', and have got a website up now for you all to check out.... My personal favorite has to be the cover of Billy Bragg's 'A New England' which is pulled off with a lot of integrity. The other two original tracks showcase intelligent writing and slick production too, I'd say integrity is a key word linking all of them though, it's cool, so check it out!

Julia lives around the corner from me, as I said to her the other day, I can see her from where I live, if we shout we could talk... by shouting! ... And to all owners of my new LP 'Flowers & Trees' - if you're wondering who sang my lovely chorus on 'When U See The Future' or who that alluringly slowed down-voice belongs to on 'Dream' then... well take a wild guess!

Also, MORE LIVE MUSIC FROM YOSHI check the details! Peace to you all, Yoshi...

JUL 24- If you have anything to say about what's going down in London then feel free...feel as free as possible. peace, Y.

JUL 21- How long has it been since I properly updated NEFISA? A while, I know. I finished a book today in the blazing sun and I didn't know what to do when I closed it, except stare and feel the feelings which were so strong. Check out my review of Leo Tolstoy's classic 'Hadji Murat' in the CAKES (reviews) section. Peace all and watch out for more updates before the month is up, Y.

JUL 16- Yoshi live in Brighton once again. This time @ The Volks Tavern on Sunday (yes tomorrow) nite, it's not free entry, so sort yourself out with a bit of change and come on down, it's an all-day hip-hop event which starts at 4 in the afternooon and ends @ 2am, although I'll be in bed before then hopefully. I come onstage @ 10:30 so be there, or be not. Peace and love, Y.

JUL 12- Another update to the flowers & trees mini-site, peace and try to be cool in the heat. Don't let the heat make u do silly things! And don't get lazy! There's a world to be won! What do I mean? Well, many things...stay true. Y.

JUL 09- Humans diary number 22. I hope ur well. If you are then ur blessed.Y.

YOSHI LIVE - July 5th in Brixton (Ritzy Cinema, upstairs, free entry 8 onwards) .... and Wednesday July 6th in Brighton (PAV TAV, free entry)

JUL 03- I'm off to the LIVE8 concert in London! Adios, Y.

JUL 02- WELCOME TO JULY! As u can see, in a matter of three days I have some live dates, so that is top priority for anyone in the UK!

BUT, I also have a song to offer you today. Hop on over to the DRUMS (audio) section to hear it. This song is called 'Vaya Con Dios (Go With God)' and it's one that I did for the recent 'Hearing' CD, which is now available across the country and right here on nefisa in the SOUK (shop) section. I basically wrote it when I was losing love, love from a human being, and that material side of me (because romantic love is extremely material when u compare it to the depths of someone in a spiritual frame of mind) well, that material side of me was slowly easing away and drifting off... "back to nothing!" and I was beginning to replace it with a dedication to spiritual matters like my five-times daily prayer and just meditation and introspection etc..

I actually started writing the song during a conversation with my friend Ana, one of those people in my life who I can sit and just talk about the deepest things for a long time without either of us getting bored. Amazing. And the beginning of the song I think reflects that searching, that wandering which is inevitable when u are in the position I was when I wrote this... My world as I understood it had been taken away from me when I lost that human-love, and as I wrote this I was trying to find my place in the spiritual existence.. And the first half of the first verse, it's almost like a struggle between the monotony of saying and doing everyday things (the bragadoccio stuff you'll hear) and pushing for something different, greater. So I suppose that's why I started with the word "Mountainous regions...." because that grand vision is something I associate with depth, and my beliefs as a Muslim... For whatever reason. I was also thinking of what San Diego looks like from a plane, when ur landing there. It's full of mountains.. long before u see civilisation or the city, it's just mountains. Everywhere. It's wonderful.

Anyway, I could talk about a lot more, each line could go under scrutiny, but I won't do that! Anyway- after so much talk the song is bound to be a dissapointment now! As I say in the song, I try not to be someone who is constantly analyzing with a microscope. BUT feel free to drop your comments and questions right here (where u can also read the lyrics to the song) Also check the interview in which I spoke on other aspects of this song! (Such as the fact that it was produced by my man Victrola... who'll u may know is one of the friends of nefisa !

This months artwork ( www.nefisa.co.uk !!! ) may change sometime later in the month... haha, because it's not very nice to look at and I'm not sure how much everyone else gets it..., but.. actually no who cares. Haha, it stays. It's one of the few pieces of art that I've seen that really makes me LAUGH, and smile. I relate to it totally, and to me it's a representation of the intellectual critic who glides heartlessly from one piece of art to the next in full 'critic-mode', he's all theories and categories without any soul (as depicted by the hollow face perhaps?) and anything that doesn't fit into his categories, he cleans up with his vacuum, to make it all nice and tidy! So that it fits neatly into his narrow view-point! Hahah, and he just looks so pompous and stupid, that's why it's such a piece of genius by Mr. Dove (what a name by the way!) Anyways, in my experiences of reading a lot of opinions and autobiographies, I'd say a whole lot of 'artists' -myself included obviously- tend to see these kind of critics in this pompous way, so I just think it's amazing that someone has done such a clinical and humorous representation of that.

This months song (See top of the page) is by the wife of John Coltrane, Alice. I suppose it's her take, her version, of her husbands classic 'A Love Supreme'... It's got some beautiful orchestra and lovely words by Swami Satchidananda. They are true, even if many other things are also true in this world- those words are as true as ... truth ! It's beautiful, just listen.

Peace and love ("laow"!)
Y.Misdaq aka Yoshi.

JUN 29- Yoshi is performing once again, yes it's that time where u catch the merry music of the mental nomad. July 5th in Brixton (Ritzy Cinema, upstairs, free entry 8 onwards) .... and Wednesday July 6th in Brighton (PAV TAV, free entry) ... I wouldn't charge you, it's gotta be free.

To entice you further into my web of intrigue, I have placed something rather special in the 'Flowers & Trees' mini-site, yes.... a video! Only a short clip. Enjoy. Y.

JUN 24- Subpop is an incredible label dudes! They are putting out some wonderful music and nefi#18 ms. noodles better known to u as Nadia Janjua has written a review of one of their most interesting releases to date, Iron & Wine's 'Our Endless Numbered Days'. I've got this lovely album on rotation in my headphones thesedays (thanks for the reccomendation N!) and I can assure you it's worth checking.... Read the review in the CAKES (reviews!) section, and you might even find a few songs to listen to whilst you're there... Much more to follow.

ps- the new quotation in the cakes section is not from what most would consider an artist, but from one of the two single greatest NBA basketball coaches of all-time, 'Red' Auerbach who is... very old now! And very interesting because everything he has to say about the modern game I tend to agree with. interview!

PLUS- another big update to the FLOWERS & TREES website, orders still coming in everyday, we're approacing the 100 mark, so anyone wanting to get their free flower or piece of random piece of nature (this morning one customer asked for 'oxygen') then hurry up and buy soon! Here's all the info you need! Peace. Y.

JUN 22- You know it's funny. I have the most amazing poetry to give you, and I feel like showing it to you, and yet everytime I decide to add poetry to nefisa, I have to write something new. So instead of showing you the amazing, long, and beautiful poems I write from the past- I feel like I have to be 'more honest' about it, and just write something there and then which is fresh - even if to you, anything would be fresh because you don't know it! But TO ME, it would feel like I was cheating you, giving you something old. So with quite a lot of the poems in the QUILLS section, I just wrote them directly on the website on the same day / hour that I updated it. Or on a notepad file which is more often the case. SO, the same is true with the new poem today, which is a short one entitled 'Quit Shirking!' and which I composed only a few moments ago. I was motivated to write it after a brief encounter with a friend who I don't speak to no more, and so I started drawing a picture, it was quite good, but it hurt me so I destroyed it. Then I started writing many poems, I wrote three, all of which I deleted because they felt, well it felt like I was being stale, and so then I stopped and began thinking. At this point I realised how much time I used to waste thinking in this way, and I recalled how, only a few months ago, I was someone embroiled in thought, someone doing very little to make his dreams come true. I was at the mercy of other people. Anyway that's not relevant to this- I just thought since the poem is so short, you deserved a little background infomation into it ! I hope it affects you, even if you don't like it. (I don't think anyone should like it, I certainly don't!)

Peace to your heart, Y.

ps- big update to the flowers & trees website also. y.

JUN 18- Oh I was told I sounded quite pompous in the last update, and now that I read it again, I think I agree. Actually I haven't read it again. But I think the person who told me might well be right. A little self-satisfied wouldn't you say? "I'm so great because I don't watch TV!" What a great thing it is to have people remind you of when you could be better, or when you're not quite up to your normal high standards. I'm not even going to read the update below, but I know he was right. He was! I'm sure you'll read it though, of course you will! Right after I've finished writing this, you cheeky munchkins I bet you can't wait! Anyway, that's the update for today, headline reads: "Yoshi discovers small streak of pomposity and arrogance within himself and announces it to the world via nefisa!" Check back for some reviews coming soon. I haven't written a review in ages! These days are full of sun and freedom, say thanks. I do. Peace to friends and strangers old and new, Yoshi.

JUN 15- Yoshi live on television tonight! Do you have a TV? I don't watch TV anymore, unplugged my cables a while ago and haven't really looked back since, and so needless to say I certainly don't have satellite, or digital satellite or whatever the new thing is thesedays. SO, I'm asking all those who do have digital satellite and who receive 'the Islam channel', to record from 6 o'clock onwards! I will be performing one new song at a night of modern Nasheed music in London featuring well-known artists such as Mecca 2 Medina and, I believe, the Planets. Get your recorders out people, Yoshi wants to see what he looks like on screen dammit! Peace to all, peace for all. Y.

JUN 14- I'm listening to 'Stranger in Moscow' at the moment, one of the most amazing songs from many years ago that I loved. How nice. More updates to come, check back soon... ps- one new comment about my album has been added in the press section of the flowers & trees minisite, checkitout because the second half of it applies to artists and people who want to DO things, be busy with creative things, and I think that ties in with this lovely little website called nefisa. peace, y.

JUN 09- It was the best. Words fail me, that was just .. trust me. It was.

Also, this morning, and yesterday, quite out of the blue, saw some massive national / international coverage on me, Mr. Yoshi. Check the FLOWERS AND TREES mini-site to see about the new review and new interview.

Peace to all and keep on shining... if I'm doing things then we all should be doing things, inhale the life-force I blow in your direction and continue on ur journey whatever it is.
Yosh.

JUN 08- Anyone in Brighton tonight? In support of my new album I will be doing a live show @ The Royal Pavillion Tavern ("pav tav" to locals) I am onstage at 8:00pm and will be performing roughly until 8:30; I know it's short notice but most of my local buddies have been forewarned already, so now everyone knows! The place is at the bottom of North St. in Brighton, ask a taxi driver if you don't know it! 8:00 on the dot, entry is free. there's nothing like live...peace, y.

JUN 05- Welcome to the site friends. June is here and the new updates begin here too. I hope you like this months 'front cover' ( www.nefisa.co.uk ) -it's the front cover of a very good album from the 80's which I have. The image was a photograph from Bosnia Herzegovina if I remember correctly, taken during war-time, but it always struck me. I was amazed when I first saw it.

This months song is somewhat related. It's the very brief introduction to Outkast's 1996 'ATLiens' album, which was a really influential album for me when it came out, really pushed a lot of boundaries in hip-hop, and it definitely still sounds fresh to me. This intro however was just timeless, amazing, wonderful, both in message and the form of the music.

But let's get to the real good stuff! I saw an amazing thing a few days ago from a friend, and so naturally I had to share it with you all, it's by nefi # 18, Nadia Janjua, and it's called Shedding Winds. Go and check Nadia's gallery in the ORBS (visual arts) section to see that brilliant piece. I think it's amazing... And you can contribute to the discussion, ask Nadia a question, or give feedback if you want to... just go to the forum right here (no need to sign up if you want to stay anonymous- weirdo! ;) and speak ur mind.

Finally, I see websites all the time that I want to share with you, but as you may know, life is very busy thesedays with my album promotion, live shows (more info coming soon on my next show, in a few days!) and my other music and non-music-related projects.... so I will stop myself from 'saving' this link for another day and just let you check it out for yourself now. Here. Click Portraits to see some of them, Paul Robeson's is amazing, as is Ossie Davis' and Eleanor Roosevelt's, but I haven't seen/read all of them yet.

EVEN MORE FINALLY - There was an interview with me that took place a few weeks ago which was related to the project I did with Muslimyouth.net whereby I contributed two exclusive new songs to a CD they have made, and also performed those songs at a concert a week or so back..., you can check that interview out here ....

...and DONT FORGET that my second album is out and you need to check out the website if you haven't already, you should have this CD on your shelf and/or in your life; at least for a little while.

Peace to all for today,