Must See: Fête Paradiso

Went to Fête Paradiso this weekend at Governors Island. It's a traveling Parisian festival with vintage carnival rides and carousel that are from late 19th and early 20th century. It is really a great way to spend a day with family or friends - enjoying the rides while getting nostalgia.

One of the biggest attraction is the bike carousel
the 19th century carousel is one of the only two built in the world.

20th century Music-Hall Ball Guzzler. See anyone familiar?

Beethoven?

Mascot?

Definitely a Must See in New York City!

More Pictures: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjH7E8Bc 

Fête Paradiso is open every weekend until September 29. The festival is at Governors Island. For more info - http://www.feteparadiso.com/

Tips: Hiking Alone

It is not recommended to hike alone, especially if you are unfamiliar with area you are planning to hike. But sometimes, you got that thirst for adventure that needs to be quench (like mine) so you go ahead and tackle that trail. Here are some tips when you are hiking alone.

1. Let your family/friends know your plans. Give someone a "heads up" that you are going for a hike. Give them the location of your hike as well as estimated time that you are going. And don't forget to let them know that you are back so they won't worry about you if they don't hear from you for awhile.

2. Check in on Social Media. Everyone or I should say, most people, have smart phones and data plans. So utilize it by checking in on Foursquare or posting status on Twitter or Facebook. That way, someone knows where you are and how you are doing.

3. Pack Essentials. Make sure you packed essentials that day before your planned hike especially since you are doing this alone. Ensure that you have water, snack bars, first-aid pouch, suntan lotion, light jacket and flashlight for a day hike. Make sure you have enough water to last you the entire hike plus extra especially during summer time when your dehydrate faster. Make sure your phone is fully charge as well.

4. Bring a Map/Trail Map. This is really important if you are going to hike an unfamiliar area. Plan ahead by searching online. If that hiking area has a ranger station, stop by and ask them for trails. Park rangers are always happy to give you suggestion on which trails to take and it is also nice to let them know that you are there.

5. Always follow the trail. Don't be too adventurous and leave the trail especially in unknown areas. Look for  trail markers on trees and/or rocks. If you hike through New York, most of the trail are marked with a rectangular shape painted green on trees. When I went to Sonora Dessert in Arizona, the trail was marked with stones pile on each other.

6. Bring a Hiking Pole. Hiking Poles are good to have because it provides stability especially on rough terrain. It is also good to have to probe the depth of mud or water and in case you encounter wild animals like snakes. If you do not have a hiking pole, find a long sturdy branch before you start your hike.

7.  Time your hike. Most nature parks close on sun down so timed your hike to ensure you won't get stuck on the trail when the sun sets. It will be harder to find the trail in the dark. This is also the reason why you need a flashlight just in case you do get stuck up in the trail at dusk.

8. Watch your step especially after rain when the ground is soggy or the rocks slippery. Take your time to prevent injuries.

Hopefully these tips are useful. Enjoy nature and the great outdoors but stay alert of your surroundings.

Album Review: Giuseppe Ottaviani - Magenta

Magenta is the color of summer 2013!

If you research “Magenta”, it will tell you that the color symbolizes universal harmony and emotional balance. And this is what Giuseppe Ottaviani intended to do with his second studio album. This 15-track album is filled with harmonious tracks produce with collaboration from fellow trance producers and vocalists. Let's take a journey into the sounds of “Magenta.”

"the colour Magenta represents universal love at its highest level. The album's concept is exactly that. Music intended to promote the very same essence the colour does." - Giuseppe Ottaviani

The album starts with “Rush”, a breakbeat filled uplifting track with hints of drum-n-bass vocalled by Lo-Fi Sugar. This was followed by “Love Will Bring It Around”, which features Eric Lumiere. The lead single of the album is filled with melodic percussion and piano melodies working harmoniously with Lumiere's amazing strong voice that would surely you put a smile in your face. “Stars” with Linnea Schössow brings in haunting vocals, dreamy melody and pulsing bass line - a forte of Ottaviani's production. He follows with “Illusion” with Stephen Pickup, a “GO!” alum, bringing in a more progressive sound.

Some electro comes into play in “Cold Flame”, the first non-vocal track of the album. The track is filled with distorted bass coupled with uplifting string melodies that borders the boundaries of trance and electro music. He then brings us back to uplifting and melodic vocal trance with “Gave Me” vocalled by Seri followed by “I Am Your Shadow” with Audio Cells and Shannon Hurley. This track is fast becoming one of my faves from the album due to its complete balance of spewing bass lines, uplifting melodies and the dynamic-haunting voice of Ms. Hurley. Ottaviani teams up with Faith once more for “Nothing Wrong”. This melodic track is a great follow up to “Angel”.

Ottaviani brought in some harder trance in “Feel The Music” and “Waterpark”. The build up on Feel The Music is amazing with high octane beats and techno riffs while Waterpark is filled with melodic synths and energetic bass line that would surely make you want to dance. He brought in his signature style in “Heal This Empty Heart” vocalled by Alana Aldea. While slowing things down in “Waiting On Someday” with features the voice of Vitamin B wrapped in melodic string riffs  and emotional chords. Haunting vocals courtesy of Audrey Gallagher came into play in the melodic track “Walk This World With Me”.

Ottaviani teamed up with two of the biggest producers in the latter part of Magenta. He collaborated with Egyptian duo Aly & Fila in producing “Brilliant People” which contains powerful bass line and a breakdown filled with beautiful piano melodies and haunting female chant. Then he teamed up with Ferry Corsten for “Magenta”, the title track to close out the album. This track has it all with symphonic strings, deep melodic grooves and synths and a melodic that you would surely get you humming.

The color magenta means universal harmony and balance. And Ottaviani surely shown that with this album. The Italian producer has provided us the tools to paint the summer... Magenta!

10/10

Tracklist:
01. Giuseppe Ottaviani ft. Lo-Fi Sugar - Rush
02. Giuseppe Ottaviani & Eric Lumiere - Love Will Bring It All Around
03. Giuseppe Ottaviani ft. Linnea Schössow - Stars
04. Giuseppe Ottaviani ft. Stephen Pickup - Illusion
05. Giuseppe Ottaviani - Cold Flame
06. Giuseppe Ottaviani ft. Seri - Gave Me
07. Giuseppe Ottaviani & Audio Cells ft. Shannon Hurley - I Am Your Shadow
08. Giuseppe Ottaviani ft. Faith - Nothing Wrong
09. Giuseppe Ottaviani - Feel The Music
10. Giuseppe Ottaviani ft. Alana Aldea - Heal This Empty Heart
11. Giuseppe Ottaviani - Waterpark
12. Giuseppe Ottaviani ft. Vitamin B - Waiting On Someday
13. Giuseppe Ottaviani with Aly&Fila - Brilliant People
14. Giuseppe Ottaviani ft. Audrey Gallagher - Walk This World With Me
15. Giuseppe Ottaviani & Ferry Corsten - Magenta

Release Date: May 27, 2013
Label: Black Hole Recordings

Listen:
Black Hole Recordings - http://www.blackholerecordings.com/music/albums/giuseppe-ottaviani-magenta-bonus-track-version/
SoundCloud - http://soundcloud.com/giuseppeottaviani/go-on-air-042
Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/album/6acEGvYOYZwVoMOpDcxEmO
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq5R-Uwn0feUR9Z0DhaNHIovBGH8MU8Os

Where to Buy:
Amazon - http://amzn.com/B00CWTAR8W
Beatport - http://www.beatport.com/release/magenta/1089217
FineNight - http://www.finenight.com/Magenta.html
iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/magenta-bonus-track-version/id645829821