motel de moka

Image: Cover art from Kim Doo Soo / 10 Days Butterfly (PSF, 2007)

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I wander,
tempted by something I cannot gain.
Sadness! … I have for no reason.
Life! … I have for no reason.

~ Kim Doo Soo / Deja-entendu ~

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Kim Doo Soo’s breathtaking album 10 Days Butterfly has been haunting me ever since it came out at the very end of last year. The delicate arrangements and his beautifully poetic Korean lyrics (luckily translated to English in the liner notes) create a hushed, ghost-like atmosphere that lingers in the air like a dream. The opening track Deja-entendu starts off with just his soft voice, barely whispering, and delicate guitar playing. Along the way the song is carefully accompanied by synthesizer and cello, until halfway through the song the electric guitar gently kicks in and introduces the soft percussion.

The playlist continues with this calm and fragile mood and ends with Tin Hat Trio’s Emire of Light. A song dedicated to band member Mark Orton’s wife Lauren Elizabeth Orton who sadly passed away shortly before recording this wonderful album.

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Endless night, wanting but to hold you, not so far away
One more time, sweeter than the first time, sweeter endlessly
In my dreams, quiet as a photograph, next to you, smiling, waving
In my tears, knowing you would cry for me, wouldn’t you, miss me?
i miss you.

Same blue skies that cheered me on a new day, they’re not so far behind
Same tall tree that shaded us a short time, leaves me longing
In my eyes, gentle as a falling star, where you are, glowing brightly
In my dreams, quiet as a photograph, knowing you would cry for me,
now you’re watching over me, endlessly,
i’ll be dreaming of you.

~ Tin Hat Trio / Empire of Light ~

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1. Kim Doo Soo - Deja-entendu
   10 Days Butterfly (PSF, 2007)
2. Tenniscoats - One Swan Swim
   Tan-Tan Therapy (Häpna, 2007)
3. Eddie Marcon - Tora To Lion
   Live recording
4. Reiko Kudo - Summer Flowers
   Licking up Dust (Hyotan, 2008)
5. Taylor Ho Bynum & SpiderMonkey Strings - Supo Eno Part 4
   Other Stories (Three Suites) (482 Music, 2005)
6. LSD March - I Have Been Saving My Love for You
   Empty Rubious Red (White Elephant, 2005)
7. Vic Chesnutt - Fodder On Her Wings (Nina Simone)
   North Star Deserter (Constellation, 2007)
8. Spaghetti Western String Co. - Merton’s Woods
   Quiet Mob EP (Spaghetti Western String Co., 2005)
9. Tin Hat Trio - Empire of Light
   Book of Silk (Ropeadope, 2004)

Stream playlist