We are all, like cassettes, thoughts wrapped up in awkward packaging

But enough about me.

The young Bob Dylan looking curdled over there is a clever thing. I used to repair snapped home-recorded cassette tapes with sellotape. You could never hear the join (amidst all the normal crackles). I suppose it was preparation for later days working with reel-to-reel, quarter inch tape round my neck like a stethoscope, razor blades and those little yellow crayons. (Don’t worry, I went digital a long time ago. But happy days they were…)

The artist is Erika Iris Simmons, aka iri5, in Atlanta. If you click on the pic it’ll take you to her Ghost in the Machine series of musician portraits.

Erika says this about her series of portraits:

“In this series I showcase a number of portraits of musicians made out of recycled cassette tape with original cassette. Also included are portraits made from old film and reels. The idea comes from a phrase (ironically) coined by philosopher Gilbert Ryle, a description of how your spirit lives in your body. I imagine we are all, like cassettes, thoughts wrapped up in awkward packaging.”

We should really have some actual music here. So try this.

What is the most relaxed you have ever been? Who is the most relaxed person you know? Neither can compare with Jaqee.

Perhaps it’s the cool blue she wears, or the enthusiasm surrounding her. What can I say – I love this.

I first saw Jaqee (Jaqueline Nakiri) on the Africa Is a Country blog, and I’ve been meaning to spread the word for a while. So consider yourself told. She’s Ugandan but lives in Sweden. There’s more of her on YouTube if you have a look. There are other good musical offerings at Africa is a Country too.