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Ali Ata and More, World Artists You Should Be Listening to

Music has the power to completely transcend language and this is why I have spent the last few years trying to listen to much more world music than I had previously. Simply because we don’t understand the lyrics to a certain song or artist doesn’t mean that we can’t still get some value out of listening to them. In fact I have discovered some amazing music from around the world which occupies many of my playlists. If you want to start listening to some more world music then here are some of the artists which I would recommend.

Ali Ata

Ali Ata is a fantastic artist who sings in Arabic and he creates easy listening music which I generally like to listen to on a Sunday afternoon when I am cleaning up the house. Ali broke onto the scene in 2017 with his album A?k, featuring the big hit from that album of the same name. That record found good levels of success and in 2018 he released the EP Delikanl?, a slightly more melodic collection of songs from his first album and this year he followed that up with the single Sevmez Olayd?m as a precursor to an album which he’ll be releasing at the end of this year. Easy listening, great melodies and a wonderful voice.

Babasonicos

The Argentinean rock scene in the late 80s and early 90s was packed with some absolutely brilliant bands such as Soda Stereo and my favorite the Babasonicos. This band plays indie rock with a bit of twist, focussing heavily on guitar anthems such as ‘La Putita’ and ‘Irrresponasables’. The group are still touring and have just released their 9th studio album ‘Jessico’. The best album to get started with is called Infame, this will give you a great introduction as to what this band are all about.

Sigur Ros

Icelandic band Sigur Ros create some of the most beautiful music which you are ever likely to hear. The band is made up of 14 members and they often utilize a large orchestra for their pieces. The best way to describe this music is Scandinavian, filled with weird instruments and haunting vocals. This band has reached critical acclaim and have captured many awards for their incredible albums. If you want to see what the band is all about then check out their album Takk, a true masterpiece.

Tinariwen

This band from Mali has been going for a long time and they came to prominence in the last couple of decades thanks to their features on primetime music shows. The band’s style is guitar driven but what I love most about the band is that they present those amazing African rhythms with their vocal arrangements. The band sing in a number of dialects and they combine north and south African musical styles. Check out the album Amassakoul for the perfect introduction to this brilliant band.

 

Why not give these bands a try and open up your mind to different styles of music?

Is DCM Screening a Necessary For My Dog?

When discussing canine dilated cardiomyopathy, DCM for short, the question above is common among pet owners. Before we get into the answers of whether or not DCM screening is necessary for every canine once it reaches a certain age, let’s first cover some DCM basics.

DCM is a heart-related disease that affects how the organ pumps blood throughout the body. Dogs affected by DCM will experience a weakening of the lower-left ventricle muscles, which is the part of the heart that is responsible for pumping blood. When these muscles become weak, the heart natural enters an enlargened state.

When the organ becomes enlarged, it is more able to do its job, but this is just a quick fix and not one that can sustain a dog for the rest of its life. Your dog might be suffering from the early stages of DCM without you even knowing. This is where a DCM screening comes into play. But the real question is, is DCM screening necessary for all canine owners?

The short answer is “No”…

Not all pet owners need to worry about investing in regular DCM screening from your local veterinary professional. But some pet owners should definitely consider investing in a DCM screening once their pets reach a certain age. The main thing a pet owner needs to know is that DCM is much more likely to occur in some dog breeds than others. You really only need to be concerned if you own a dog that falls within one of the DCM-predisposed breeds.

A source from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University says that “breeds predisposed to DCM include the Doberman Pinscher, the Great Dane, the Boxer, and the Cocker Spaniel. Dietary carnitine deficiency may play a role in some cases of Boxer DCM, and taurine responsive DCM has been identified in Cocker Spaniels.”

When it’s time to have your dog screened for DCM

The main reason to have your dog screened is if you have a pup that is one of the breeds listed above. Another reason is if DCM runs in your dog’s family, but this is often difficult to know, especially if you brought your puppy home from the shelter or pound. Yet another reason for a DCM screening is if your dog is experiencing any of the common signs and symptoms of DCM, which we will talk about next.

Sign and Symptoms of DCM

The most common symptoms of DCM are coughing and wheezing. This is caused by the enlargening of the heart’s ventricles, which can eventually lead to congestive heart failure and a buildup of fluid in the lungs. Another symptom is pale gums, so give your dog’s teeth a quick look-over every now and then.

If the screening for DCM wasn’t so costly and complex, we would say that you should 100% go ahead and do it. But since the price tag of screening is quite high, only certain pet owners need to go through the process. So, if your dog has a genetic predisposition or is suffering from the common DCM symptoms, it’s time to schedule an appointment with the vet.

4 Under-the-Radar Waterfront Destinations in the US for Luxury Lake Homes for Sale

It’s not an uncommon dream to someday hope to own a waterfront property. Many people start browsing around for beach condos and luxury lake homes for sale, but never actually get there. Whether the reason for that is a lack of finances or unwillingness to commit to a new property, it’s time to start the search again. But this time, purchasing a waterfront property might actually be in the cards for you.

A common mistake is to begin a property search in touristic areas with high property values. This is a great way to become discouraged fast, and it’s why many people end the search before even seeing any properties in person. But guess what? Not all waterfront properties are outrageously priced, especially if you search around in these 4 under-the-radar waterfront destinations in the US.

South Manitou Island, Michigan

It’s commonly believed around the world that nice beaches don’t exist in the Midwest United States. Although nice beaches are hard to come by in the Midwestern states, it’s certainly not impossible to find a beach or two in this region. One of the prettiest beaches in the area can be found on Michigan’s South Manitou Island. To get to the island, you’ll have to take a ferry from mainland Michigan, but it’s within easy reach.

The main beach of South Manitou stretches 3 miles, and it is one of the most pristine 3-mile stretches of waterfront views you’ll ever see in the Midwest. Properties on the actual island aren’t the cheapest, but for a more affordable price, you can search for a waterfront property on the mainland. Of course, you’ll have to take the ferry whenever you want to get to South Manitou, but it’s fast and cheap to get there.

Colgate Lake, New York

One of the beauties of buying a waterfront property in New York is that you get to experience all the seasons of the year. This might not sound appealing to you, but trust us when we say that the changing colors of the leaves near Colgate Lake is a breathtaking sight. The beauty surrounding Colgate Lake is completely unspoiled, and the majority of the homes here are quaint and charming.

Matheson Hammock Park, Florida

So far we’ve covered two destinations that are prone to very cold weather in the winter months. This isn’t for everyone, and some real estate shoppers are hoping for a waterfront property that stays warm all year. This can be found at Matheson Hammock Park in Florida. Search for properties just outside the park so that you can ride your bikes to the calm beaches of Matheson Hammock.

Gooseberry Beach, Rhode Island

Owning a property near Rhode Island’s Gooseberry Beach has its perks. Anyone who has spent time at the water’s edge at Gooseberry describes it as a secret beach dream come true. If flies so far under the radar that there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find some seclusion while reading a book on the sand.