STUDIOKITCHEN

Two Plus Two

Here is a quiz you can't bullshit your way through.
Either cook some food or listen to some music, I recommend both.
For your trouble, a half bottle of 1990 Y'quem delivered to a street address anywhere in the world assuming you are the first to get it right.
You have 30 days and 2 chances.

As Georges Perrier used to say "Open your eyes and listen".

Match the pair in Part A with the pair in Part B.

Part A.
1. Corn + Grapefruit.
2. Pineapple+ Basil.
3. Polenta + Ginger.
4. Scallop + Chicken Wings.
5. Sesame Oil + Lemon juice.
6. Elderflower + Watermelon.

Part B.
1. Miles Davis + Marcus Miller.
2. Pat Metheny + Lyle Mays.
3. Richard Wagner + Herbet Von Karajan.
4. Robert Fripp + Brian Eno.
5. Sting + Stewart Copeland.
6. Peter Gabriel + Youssou N'Dour.

Hints :
1. Seamless Integration.
2. Brilliant Juxtaposition.
3. Sharp Contrast.
4. Synergy.
5. Chemical Affinity.
6. Teleological.

Even if you fail, its a great workout for your brain and that's always a plus.

Siesta

It has been an incredibly stressful week for me, this is perhaps the longest I have gone without a single blog post. During these times when stress is bordeline toxic, I turn to meditation which usually involves a cookbook, music and a candle. In times of extreme stress, music alone will do just fine.
Siesta is minimalist, the most exciting phrase on the album cover is :

Miles Davis : Trumpet
All other instruments by Marcus Miller.

A very interesting movie to boot.
I am taking a break, will be back soon.

SIESTA   on amazon.

Part 1

Inter-diciplinary inspiration can be a leap of faith but if you pay attention to music, you begin to understand the same concepts of structure, development of an idea, it's composition, evolution and  similarities to proper cookery. The same selected ADD focus that food is treated with these days is in line with the problems of music appreciation. I am particular about food, not a snob, just particular. As far as music however, I might be a snob, the phrase "smooth jazz" bothers me intensely, I scoff at excerpts of the 1812 overture, people with "Amadeus" soundtracks, people who get "kind of blue" but dont get "Tutu". All this behaviour is like showing up to restaurants with your 2 quart Riedel glasses and sniffing corks. Arvo Part's music is deeply challenging, a basic appreciation of modern orchestral musicians like Benjamin Britten and John Tavener may be required but it is music that should be listened to in it's entirety and as the focus. If music was composed as a tasting menu, track #6 makes the best case of a theme, it's evolution, variations on the basic theme and cohesiveness. The third symphony is a brilliant landscape. If all this sounds abstractly pretentious, remember people are raving about meatball sliders and fried mayonnaise.
Nothing wrong with either, there is room for everyone.

PART on Amazon.