Search Results

In this poignant interview, Alina Bzhezhinska, the Ukrainian Harpist, explains how her last musical effort embodies resilience in the face of life's uncertainties... 1) Dear Alina, thank you so much for joining us here on the Balearic Breakfast Blog! "Child's Play", the opening track of your last studio album "Whispers of Rain", recently played by Colleen , seems to have a worried soul. Can you take us through this opening song and tell us what you wanted to convey?  Thank you so much for having me here, Artur. ‘Child’s Play’ is really the doorway into the world of Whispers of Rain . I wanted it to capture that uneasy feeling of uncertainty, a mix of nostalgia and apprehension. The track opens softly, almost tentatively, like someone stepping into unknown territory, and then, gradually, it layers tension and texture. It’s not meant to be dark for darkness’ sake; it’s about those moments in life where the familiar suddenly feels fragile, and you’re learning to navigate the unknown. I hope listeners feel that tension, but also a subtle sense of hope underneath. There are also voices of Tulshi’s kids in the background, and they bring hope and lightness... 2) "Whispers of Rain' is a beautifully mixed and engineered album. The soundstage, the sonic layers, the atmosphere, the way the harp's sound melts with waves of electronic sounds is astounding, and speaking about your collaboration with Tulshi on this album, you said "I loved the way Tulshi felt the music, we instantly had a strong creative connection. Our collaboration was built on trust, we each understood how to complement the other’s sound without overpowering it.” Can you remember on which track you absolutely felt that connection, and was it present during the recording, or did it reveal itself in later stages while producing the album?  The connection with Tulshi was almost instant. I’d say the track ‘Across the Sea’ really embodies that interplay; the harp and the electronics just seemed to breathe together. That feeling of trust and complementarity was there from the recording sessions, but it deepened in the production stage when we were shaping the textures and layering sounds. At times, it felt like the music was guiding us rather than the other way around, which is always magical for me in a collaboration. 3) This album seems to be a musical warning. How did you choose its title, and what is the main message behind it? The title Whispers of Rain came from the idea of subtle warnings and quiet awakenings. Rain is gentle but persistent; it can nourish, but it can also remind us of fragility and change. The album is a reflection on uncertainty, resilience and awareness. It’s not a lecture but a conversation through music about noticing what’s happening around us and maybe feeling compelled to respond in some way. 4) You have a brand new EP coming out in March. Can you present it to us? The new Live recording of “Whispers of Rain” , featuring the incredible Tony Kofi on saxophone, flute and hand percussion, is a continuation of my exploration with sound, intimacy and space. We’ve experimented with more textures while keeping the live improvisation our central point. It’s playful in some places and reflective in others, but always about dialogue between instruments, between musicians and with the listener. I’m excited to share it because it feels like a more personal side of my musical voice. 5) Those who follow you, and those who feel you through your music and who know your soul, deeply feel how much you're open and willing to change things (your charity engagement proves that), and how much your music speaks volumes about everything that is going wrong, be it in Ukraine or in other parts of the world... Do you still believe music has the power to change things? What does it take for an artist to be up there fighting the odds? Yes, I do still believe in music’s power to change things, but it’s never simple or immediate. Music creates space for empathy, awareness and reflection; it can stir people to feel, to think and to act. For an artist to ‘fight the odds’ it takes courage, consistency and humility. Courage to speak up through your work, consistency to keep creating even when it’s difficult. But there is always hope that we can create a better world. I am going to Ukraine next month to work at the Art Therapy camp with kids, and am also trying to put up a big concert, "Jazz for Peace" , with many great musicians getting together.  Watch this space! Thank you so much for answering these questions, dear Alina! The Balearic Breakfast Family wishes you all the best in your musical endeavours! Follow Alina Bzhzhinska on her Bandcamp to buy her music , and don't forget to visit her website too!

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 263rd episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on February 25th , 2026. ABOUT THIS EPISODE Colleen's ability to convey a rhythmical and positive message absolutely shines here. From the start, and quite quickly, we feel a marching force in the music and in the songs. The mixing is absolutely faultless and very precise (listen to the first 45 minutes of the show, and you'll get the idea!), beautifully executed, allowing the listener to blend in a musical sea en immerge himself in a positive mindset no matter his own mood. This morning’s Balearic Breakfast is now up on my Mixcloud with music from @citizens_of_vice @isitbalearic @nunorthernsoul @daniel_monaco_music @bordelloshop @statuesc56 @frombeyonduk @payfone_ldn @40_thieves_sf @summerloving71 @pete_blaker @moodymanc_ @afroterraneo @merecumberecordings @djdouggomez @protoexotica @joeclaussellsplaygroundd @nightmaresonwax @greenteapeng and more… Next Tuesday’s Balearic Breakfast will be a request show and the request line goes up on my socials on Saturday. Looking forward to your requests as always. And hope you can join me for a FREE @classicalbumsundays event in collaboration with ‘A Century in Sound’ filmmaker @nickdwyernz who will turn the tables and interview me about my experiences in Japan from 1989 onward and I’ll be spinning some of my favourite songs by Japanese artists at @spacetalk.ldn on Tuesday 31 March. And one more ‘free event’: this Friday morning I’ll be hosting a show on Worldwide FM from 10am to high noon and I hope you can join me there, too! Thanks for listening. Listen back to the 263rd episode of Balearic Breakfast: THE PLAYLIST ( 2026 ) Coyote – Muted Beauty ( 1973 ) Intruders   – Save the Children ( 1973 ) Jon Lucien   – Love Everlasting ( 1974 ) The Main Ingredient   – Euphrates ( 2020 ) Family of Swede   – Set You Free ( 2025 ) Nightmares on Wax ft Green Tea Peng   – I Remember ( TBR ) Statues   – Sign It Off ( TBR ) From Beyond   – On the Drums ( 2026 ) 40 Thieves   – Déja Vu (Payfone Remix) ( TBR ) Björk   – One Day (Field2Factory Two Suns and a Volcano Mix) ( 2025 ) Pete Blaker   – Keem ( 1975 ) Black Blood   – A.I.E. (A Mwana) ( 2026 ) Barrio B ft Ameh Fashi   – Lagos 11 ( 2019 ) Doug Gomez & Conway Kasey   – Ritmo Sagrado ( 2024 ) Joaquin Joe Claussell   – New Africa ( TBR ) Airto   – Toque de Cuica (Old Mervue Extended Edit) ( 1979 ) David Benoit   – Life is like a Samba ( 2026 ) Daniel Monaco ft Manuel Rodriguez   – Flamenca ( 1976 ) Donna Summer   – Spring Affair

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 262nd episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on February 17th , 2026. ABOUT THIS EPISODE You never really know what's going to happen during Balearic Breakfast, and even the blog has its own little surprises! While I was listening to the show, I asked Colleen if she could share with me a picture she published on her stories, and, voilà, here you are with two exclusive pictures! This episode, as positively as it ends, has a very interesting start as the first songs, and also a few of the other ones played later by our dear Captain, seem to share an idea of growth, of evolution, love being the main message as always... hence the title of today's post... Beyond Pain... Pain is a Teacher. It is the best and the hardest Teacher you will ever have. As hard as it hits, and the More it hits, you must remember it shows you things you have to change in your life. Pain allows you to grow in ways no other feeling can. Through your tears, you’ll understand your mistakes and also the harshness and the stupidity of this world of ours and of a lot of the people living in it. Of course, you have the right to protect yourself in the future, but do not lose, try not to lose the best of you, even if you know it’s somehow useless, vain, as you’ll never change Life’s Bitterness… Through your pain, try to see your next tomorrow, try to visualise your next sunshine, and, somehow, never forget who you were before the rain set in… Be Stronger, be more protective of your goldmine but, at the very same time, try, try with all of your might, through the unnecessary pain that has been inflicted to you, to stay grateful without showing forgiveness… Change is part of life, and only by acknowledging its painful power will you be able to become the adult you were always meant to be… This morning’s Balearic Breakfast is now up on my Mixcloud and features some of the records I picked up in Japan earlier this year – Japanese ambient, jazz, house and more. And the show also features the exclusive premier of ‘Language is Love’ by Ground – a project by Joe Goddard, MC Dynamite, Esa Williams, Chisara Agor and Dan Willis. They were so kind to make me my very own special dub plate (I just love the smell of acetate in the morning). This Friday I’m heading to Chelmsford to spin with my old friend Jimpster at Canteen and on Tuesday, 31st March I’m playing and discussing some of my favourite Japanese records in a Classic Album Sundays event with filmmaker Nick Dwyer at Space Talk in London (its free and starts at 7pm). The event is in honour of the London premier of Dwyer’s ‘A Century In Sound’ film series which tells the stories behind the 100 year culture of Japan’s listening cafes – often referred to as jazz kissa. We’ll discuss my own history with Japanese culture and music, and how Classic Album Sundays helped establish the listening bar ethos in the UK. Its free so come on down. I’ll be back with Balearic Breakfast next Tuesday and wishing you a Happy St Patrick’s Day and a lovely week. Thanks for listening. Listen back to the 262nd episode of Balearic Breakfast: THE PLAYLIST ( 1991 ) Shinsuke Honda – Zanshou ( 1983 ) Om   – Solar Wind ( 1976 ) Ryo Kawasaki   – On the Dot ( 1976 ) Kimiko Kasai   – This Masquerade ( 2025 ) Yukino Inamine & Akio Nagase   – Tsuki Nu Kaisha ( 2025 ) Chito Kawachi   – Heaven's Breath ( 2026 ) Antonio Ocasio ft Ed Ramsey   – A Lover's Dream ( 2024 ) Reuben Vaun Smith   – Lost in Space ( 2014 ) Temu   – Robots ( 1980 ) Sunshine   – If This is Free (I Don't Wanna Be) (xx) Ground   – Language is Love ( 2026 ) Esa Williams ft Nonku Phiri   – Nakupenda ( 2003 ) Jazzanova ft. Vikter Duplaix   – That Night (Wahoo Remix) ( 2026 ) Kyoto Jazz Massive ft Echoes of a New Dawn Orchestra   – Impulsive Procession (Opolopo Remix) ( 2026 ) Sunga ft Motoharu   – Sunday ( 2026 ) DJ Emma   – Joy ( 2026 ) DJ Fudge & Kiko Navarro ft Tia Collins   – Show You the Way ( 1996 ) Ten City   – All Loved Out (Serenade Mix) ANNOUNCEMENTS As you know, I went back to Japan earlier this year, and I haven't yet had a chance to play some of the records I bought. And actually, I also want to mention an event on the 31st of March, this March, in which I'm featuring some of my favorite Japanese records and a classic album Sunday's event with filmmaker Nick Dwyer. The London premiere of his A Century in Sound film series tells the stories behind the 100-year culture of Japan's listening cafes, often referred to as jazz kisas. And it's screening at the Barbican this weekend, but that's sold out. But the following weekend, A Century in Sound is screening at the Rio in Dalston , the Rio Cinema. I think it's on the 29th. Yeah, it's an amazing series. And I'm honored that Classic Album Sundays is actually featured in it. Nick has done an amazing job with it. And the films are gorgeous. The stories about all these great listening bars dotted around Tokyo and around Japan are just so beautiful. And yeah, the screening should be fantastic. And he's also hosting a lot of events. On Tuesday, the 31st of March, I'll be joining Nick at Space Talk, a listening bar near the Barbican on St. John Street . It's a free event, but get there before the start time at 7pm so you can get a seat. And Nick and I will talk about my experiences in Japan. And I'll play some of my favorite records by Japanese musicians, starting from the 1980s and my stint in Japan as a radio DJ in 1989. And all the collecting I've done over the three decades I've been touring in Japan as a DJ as well.

Without you, David, Our Lives wouldn't have been the same... Thank you for the inspiration, the Music, The Legacy... We Love you Enter the blog 00:00 / 04:41

Contact Artur, the Balearic Breakfast blog's webmaster, if you have any questions. Contact Contact Home Do you have questions regarding the blog? Don't hesitate to contact us here ! Send Message Thank you !

I created this blog to pay tribute to a show I love wholeheartedly, Balearic Breakfast, presented every Tuesday morning by Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy. Personal Note Home Hello there, I'm The Lioncub , I live in Paris (with Artur), and I created this humble blog to pay tribute to a show I love wholeheartedly: Balearic Breakfast, presented every Tuesday morning by Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy on her Mixcloud account. To me, this blog is an extension of Colleen's work. It is not an "official website" but rather a place where I will share videos, stories, memories, and articles about songs and artists featured during the show, but also Colleen's interviews and, more generally speaking, anything I feel has a deep connection with the show . The articles published in this blog are either written by me; reproduced in extenso (the interviews, the reviews, for instance) or rewritten by me from multiple sources found on the internet (Wikipedia, song facts, interviews etc.). Although I do my utmost to check the information shared, errors can occur. I do not, and will never, use AI to write the articles published in this blog (interviews are transcribed using TurboScribe and checked by me afterwards). If you have any questions, please get in touch with me via the contact form! You can also contact me on Discord (Artur(Paris)#0805). Opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own and do neither express the opinions of Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy nor of Adam Dewhurst. Last but not least, I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to : Colleen and Adam for their kind support and the trust they put in me... ; Every person working with Colleen on anything that is "Balearic Breakfast" related ; Every Artist who agreed to answer my humble questions here on the Balearic Breakfast blog (being able to talk to you about Music and about Colleen's influence in our respective lives is a tremendously humbling experience...) ; The Balearic Breakfast Family: being with you all every Tuesday is a pure moment of Joy... I love you guys. We all know how much this musical adventure means to us. So let's keep the Fire Burning. Long live Balearic Breakfast! The Lioncub