Farewell Harry

Sad news today: I learned that Harry Belafonte died ar 96. At this age, it may not be a tragedy, but it is very sad all the same. He was one of my favourite singers and a wonderful human being. I think sharing this song is a fitting tribute. Farewell Harry.

Bond 25's first footage

I haven't blogged in a while about the upcoming Bond movie (aka NOT Shatterhand) and I wanted to do it tonight as they released the first official behind the scenes video last weekend. Taking into account that I am very much biased as a Bond fan and that I love Daniel Craig's tenure so far (yes, even Spectre) as well as his take on the character, I find this bit of footage very promising. The aesthetic looks great, it has a feel of the early Connery movies and it oozes exoticism, sensuality and violence (Bond is all about Eros and Thanatos). I can't wait to watch. Now if only we knew the title...

Karribean Kola

Sometimes I buy things out of cheer curiosity, because I'm in an exotic mood or I want to make trivial discoveries from trivial experiences, or whatever. So last week, I found in one of the corner shops a soft drink called Karribean Kola, by a company called KA Drinks. Apparently their drinks are based on traditional Jamaican recipes. But what caught my attention was the cool blue colour, the weird spelling and the relatively low sugar content (for a soft drink). I thought it could go for a cheap Coca Cola substitute for the hot days of summer. After trying it, I'm not sure if I like it or not. It's very sweet and they went really heavy on the vanille flavour. It tastes more like a cream Soda than a cola. Still, it has a cool and exotic name.

It's NOT Shatterhand (but then what is it?)

As you know, I am a big fan of James Bond and I am very excited about the upcoming Bond film. There were rumours, back in February, that Bond 25, as it is known for now, would be titled Shatterhand. I blogged about it in this post. It has been told since then that it was most definitely not Shatterhand. Today, the title was supposed to be announced. Instead we learned in an interview with the cast, director and production, held in Jamaica in Fleming's residence (the legendary Goldeneye), that... well, we learned a fair deal of things, among them the official casting and a bit of the plot as well. Pretty much all exciting news, but they did not reveal the title, contrary to what they had announced. My hypothesis is that they had one up their sleeve, but found out, for one reason or another that it would not work, so they quickly withdrew it. I was disappointed, but I understand it may come up shortly (maybe tomorrow, who knows). So I am still quite excited... And I am really impatient to know the title of the next Bond movie! If it's not Shatterhand, then what will it be?

Jamaica Farewell

By any practical means (and that it might change notwithstanding) summer is here now: it is hot, it is sunny, it is nice... And that means for me listening to summery music. In other words, I often listen to Harry Belafonte these days. I listen to Belafonte as soon as it is hot outside since my twenties. My brothers and I spent many summer evenings listening to him. So tonight I decided to share Jamaica Farewell. Because summertime and the island of the West Indies have their own kind of melancholy.

Criminal slang

A few days ago, I finished The Martini Shot by George Pelecanos. Which means I have now read all his books. I am literally up to date with my Pelecanos. This shows how much I love him as a crime writer. But anyway, it was about something I wanted to blog about: I learned a new crime slang term reading The Martini Shot. In the novella that gives its title to the book, there is the mention of the expression "Jamaican roll." And no, it is not, as one would naturally think, a joint. Well, yes it is, I mean I have heard/read about it used as a synonymous for spiff and if you google it that is what you will find. Nevertheless, a Jamaican roll is also, apparently, a roll of dollar bills where phony money has been mixed with real one. I don't know where Pelecanos fount it and maybe he made it up, but I loved the term, so thought I would mention it here.