Smily’s featured Track

Good day all you wonderful people ❤

I have a new featured track for you all to enjoy. As you all know I am a bit newer to the Techno genre and have been exploring that field some in addition to the electronic genres I already love so much. Today I want to introduce you to a friend of mine that has been sharing great podcasts and mixes with me that I truly enjoy. Chris Porter. We started talking about him producing his own music and I was very delighted when he went for it and started making his own tracks. Let’s let Chris speak for himself. 😊

A bit about the Artist by the Artist

I’m Chris Porter, living in the Western Isles, Scotland. DJ for 8 years and most recently started producing. I have regular slots on radio stations like casafondaradio.com, studiosoundsradio.com and locally on anradio.scot.

I love a bass heavy sound driving a dance floor and just aim to play and share motivating, captivating Techno. Hardcore Drumcode fan boy 😂

A bit about the track by the Artist

The track is made from inspired ideas kind of subconsciously from my favourite producers. Trikk, Pan Pot, Pig & Dan, Adam Beyer, Harvey MacKay I could go on, I’m happy how it sounds although I will need to have it mastered and feel optimistic about future projects! 😁

To be honest I want to make techno sounds that haven’t been heard before but keeping a deep dark driving energy about it, hopefully I will keep to my word!

A bit about the track by Smily

I liked it the moment I heard it. It has a nice tech feel to it that close your eyes and dance to the way the music makes you feel kind of vibe. I think Chris is modest and has great talent in his field. This track isn’t mastered yet but still manages to sound really good.

Please listen to his track below and give it a share and a comment if you like it to show your support. You may follow Chris on Twitter as well @ChrisIPorter

Here’s the link to the track 😊

Listen to Porter – Non Conformity by -Porter- #np on #SoundCloud

Art inspired by Music

Hello lovely people ❤💕

Today I bring you something quite special. I want to introduce a beautiful soul to you that has great talent in art. Let me introduce Andromeda Galaxy aka GMoney. I met her via Twitter where we enjoyed sharing and listening to music. I loved seeing her art come across my feed as well.

Then one day she sends me a picture of a painting she started inspired by one of my playlists. She would paint while listening to the music and each time send me updates of the progress. Of course this felt like such a huge honor it blew me away. The art is finished now and I’d like to share some pictures of the art inspired by music and to let dear Andromeda share a bit about herself and her art. Please enjoy 😘🌈

A word by the Artist

G$

One of the messages in my state of being the visual artist Gmoney is to see the humor in life. My given first name starts with a G and I’ve been called Gmoney for different reasons by different people in a fun, honest way.

But for me and people who know me well it holds a kind of sarcastic joke. I mean you’d think I’m ballin with a name like that right? Fact is most of the time i have no money lol But I am known to be reliable, help people, take care of business and have great taste. I have no car, but sometimes people think I have wings, or a broomstick.

It’s been said about my word, you can take it to the bank. And somehow—I won’t say things always work out for me but—great things come through and I find money and good fortune in unusual places… by looking closely, being observant.

That’s another message in my artwork: pay attention, be aware, inspect the details. Because you will often see something new or see a familiar thing in a new perspective, when you’re paying close attention in life and also I hope when you look at my canvases.

Most of all, it’s about the music, for people who don’t listen to electronic dance music and who do. Painting is how I visually, synesthetically interpret the sounds and feels of our music through the lens of whatever is on my own mind. Even when I’m inspired by outside visions, the techno is always what moves my brush!

The way I keep it positive for myself is, under the name Gmoney I’m painting under a symbol representing success I will achieve in good time, including ample means to enjoy more of what’s amazing in life…including a very long list of EDM festivals I haven’t been to yet!!

One goal I have is to paint live to live music at all kinds of EDM events… to meet and talk with all different crews and DJs from all over the world. I want to ‘bring it to the next level’ by infusing the live energy of the crowd at a show into my visions and work.

Gmoney’s recording artist alter-ego is a creature of voice, sound and word: Andromeda Galaxy and on the hard side, the Androminator.

Final words by Smily

I feel such lovely energy coming from this beautiful artwork when I look at it. Can you imagine the happy feelings it would give you each time you look at this while it’s hanging in your home?😍 It’s absolutely gorgeous and I will forever be honored that my playlists helped inspire a wonderful artist. ❤

Enjoy this great art and be sure to follow her on Twitter @gal_andromeda and @fka_GS reach out to her you would like to contribute to her art 💋

Much love and Good Vibes to all of you and till next time 😘 Smily

Smily’s featured Artist

About the Artist by Smily

Hello Sunshines 🌞🌻

It is with great pleasure and honor I would like to present my first featured Artist article. Please allow me to introduce You Wish. 😊

I got to know You Wish aka Gabi years ago when I only just started getting to know how to work Twitter, and the lovely music you can find there.

He followed me and shared music with me (one of the first to do so) and we started to chat about music happily. I enjoyed his style of music and still do. I feel his personal style reflects his personality.  Filled with Happy Vibes, EDM with a touch of that Euro dance I grew up with and love so much.

I  knew we would get along great when he sent me a DM (hope you don’t mind me sharing this Gabi it’s too funny not to share) opening with…. Can I ask you a personal question?  I was wondering what in the world was coming next and then he sent a picture with a hand full of gummy bears asking:  Would you like some gummy bears?😂 Instant friends after this moment!

There used to be a station called RaveCave many of you may remember this. We’d all tune in to You Wish hour show and listen worldwide with many friends who all became dear to me. I still miss having our Twitter Rave parties. Lovely moments I’ll always treasure.

One week I had to go to Chicago for some personal business and I met up with Gabi in person. We had a lovely time it was like I’d always known him the brother I never had before. We laughed, talked about music and sang our favorite songs in the middle of the street.

I got to see his studio and heard some fresh music before release and even met his adorable mum.  We had a fun night out as he showed me some of his favorite places in downtown Chicago.  There were lovely views and fun places where we danced and had some nice meals too to be able to stay out and dance all night.  So many #PLUR vibes that night. I’ll never forget that lovely time.  It really is a great time meeting Twitter friends you have gotten to know and trust, especially to me when they have the same passion for music.

Iam honored to have him as my first featured Artist 😊

Here’s a few pictures of that time I wanted to share. It was hard choosing just a few since there were so many and most of them was us making silly faces. Good times, Good Friends.

Please be sure to follow him on Twitter @youwishmusic

And also check out his music on Spotify

And now let me give him a chance to talk. 😄✌☮

About the Artist by the Artist

My artist name is You Wish, my real name Gabriel Mican.  I’m artist & producer based in Chicago, USA. I classifies my style as Progressive House music with some Electro – all built around a love for a strong melody.

My music has a feel-good vibe that is captured on my 2016 release “Girl Like You” co-produced by house music pioneer Vince Lawrence, which debuted #1 on Dance Top 100 Releases as well as #3 Electro House Top 100 charts on Beatport.com! The track eventually hit #1 on the Beatport Electro House Top 100 chart, as well as #5 on the Beatport Top 100 New Releases charts! The track features Chaddy (of “The Streets on Fire” Chicago group), and also benefited of a Electro House remix by New Jersey producer Draco Savon. 

For me the early 1990s Euro-dance was a big influence back when I lived in Europe. Groups like The Prodigy and Faithless served as inspiration to become a music artist and producer myself. It was around that time that I got my hands on a Casio keyboard, a gift from my father! I became instantly in love with synthesizers! A passion which I share with producer and fellow Chicagoan Vince Lawrence whom I met in 2010. Acknowledged universally as the producer of the first House record “On and on” back in the late ‘80s, Lawrence saw right away the potential waiting to be explored in “You Wish”. 

Having lived in different parts of Europe (Romania, Monaco and France) and now in the USA, I knows first-hand the impact that electronic dance music has on people. Its message is that of love, unity and respect. It’s the sound of hypnotic synthesizers and hard kicking drums that brings fans together who share a common love for dance music. It is out of this love that my music label “Wish Music” was born in 2013. I wanted to build something that Chicago, the city that started it all, would be proud of.

Earlier this year on March 6th, my 5 track E.P. “Crazy Life” came in at #2 on the Dance New Releases charts (later on peaking at #1), #1 on Electro New Releases and #1 on the Big Room New Releases Charts on Beatport.com! It was an epic way to follow-up my previous release “Girl Like You”, especially for an independent artist with no major label support!

My newest release “Freak”, another Vince Lawrence Co-Production was released on November 27th. Fueled by hypnotic synths and a dark electro beat, ‘Freak’ tells the story of a sensual minx. The track it’s sure to bring out the “Freak” in everyone on the dancefloor!

 

I look forward to continue sharing my music with you.

You Wish

Smily’s featured track

Hello all you wonderful music lovers 😄

💖 As you all know I have a wide range in taste of music and today I am bringing you another featured track that’s something different from my usual dance and electronic tracks.

Melanie from JV agency reached out to me a few weeks ago to let me know about a new track she’d like me to consider for a featured track article. You may follow her @RogoffPublicity

I listened to the track and enjoyed it as a nice unique sound so I am glad to accept and share this track with all of you.

About the Artist by the Artist

FAULKNER are a bicoastal mono-genre band. An unfinished demo of their song “NY Anthem” fell into the hands of RZA, the Wu-Tang Clan mastermind & captured his interest, leading to their first major collaboration. As a result of their collaboration, “NY Anthem” is heard at the New York Yankees home games and US Open.

The upcoming album is an intense and emotive listening experience for all of “the rebels and the misfits” out there. The result is a stunning mix of stories and sounds with contributions from producers RZA, JP Bowersock (The Strokes) and Mark Needham (The Killers), recorded at Rick Rubin’s Shangri La Studio and East-West.

About the track by the Artist
 “The inspiration behind ‘Hot Streak’ is that magic moment of feeling untouchable like Nicky Barnes. Where for an hour the whole world falls into your hands and everything you touch turns to gold. ‘Hot Streak’ defines our live show energy seamlessly following our collaborations with RZA and Royce Da 5’9”. This is the first song we started off as a production duo with an infinite abelian melody on top of a pulsating uptempo rhythm.”
– Lucas Asher (Lead Singer)
About the track by Smily
This was the first time I did not work or speak directly to the artist which felt a bit different to me.
Speaking with their representative was also pleasant, Melanie is a kind person that loves music and is passionate about what she does. 😊
I realize though that I like the feeling of speaking with the artist directly as well, so you get to know them a bit and get a good feeling of where the music came from.
Maybe this is why when I read the description of the track by the artist I did not at all get that vibe from this track.
When I listened to it it took me to the music I love from the 80’s that feel good music but with a fresh new twist.
It makes me think of loyalty to your friends, having their back whether they do well in life or not.
But there’s to show you we can all enjoy music and get something different from it.  So what is your feeling when you listen to this track? Let me know I’m curious to find out!
Here’s the track
 If you enjoy it  give them a follow @faulknermusic
Until next time my darlings
Much love,
Smily 💙💚💛💜

Review – True Stories Avicii

Hello my lovelies ❤ I’d like to introduce my dear friend Chez @astateofchez She wrote a beautiful article about the documentary that just came out about Avicii. Please enjoy her article below.

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The intense scrutiny a mega star endures is part and parcel of the career path they have chosen. Some of us view it as such and dream that we too might live what appears to be ‘the dream’; the underbelly of this beast called Fame is laid bare by a brutally honest Tim Bergling aka Avicii.

If the film maker, Swedish native  Levan Tsikurishvili set out to create an atmosphere of uncertainty and unease then he achieved it monumentally. There are moments within even the first minutes of the film that tell you this will not be about the girls and the glamour of huge festivals and fans adulation, but rather the encapsulation of a young man’s life thrust from virtual obscurity by a possessive and power driven manager determined to make Avicii into a global phenomenon.

Avicii comes across on screen as a very young and naive yet brilliantly talented teenager who has one complete passion in life: Music Production. His memories of school and teenage years show a boy driven to perfect sounds and melodies, to write music that was contained all within his own mind, how he managed to put that amazing imagination onto a DAW and make it into the music thousands of people danced to is a process I doubt many could recreate. Where most artists would play a keyboard or guitar and find that idea played out, with Tim it was all contained within his head. It is simply the Avicii way.

The film is separated into three chapters, early years, the difficult years and the end of it all and as all encompassing as it is with Levan being with Tim every day for 4 years, I found that perhaps there were far more questions by the end of the film than what there were answers. Yes we were privy to the all conquering anxiety that filled Tim with dread and stress at every show, the perfectionist at work in a studio forgetting to eat meals that his friend and bodyguard Semi brought in, beseeching him to eat something. The stories from Tim’s own mouth how he felt the utter hopelessness of tour life and the happiness of fans left him nothing but anxious and unfulfilled save for a very few minutes even behind the decks where he was satisfied. The lurking underbelly was always close by and although it wasn’t given a name by Tim within the film one felt that while watching him tour the globe with the team and no Arash (Ash) Pournouri more often than not you drew your own conclusions.

I feel that if Avicii had thrown his former manager under a bus it would have been well justified by the end of the film. The mere fact he does not and leaves it up to the viewer’s opinion says more about the character of Bergling more than anything else. Towards the end after the endless hospitalizations for his pancreatitis, the ruptured appendix and gall bladder that was suggested back on his Australian tour he have removed (he waited until Ultra) you see a gaunt, sunken eyed Bergling wrestling with constant pain and prescription medications including Percocet which left him in a complete state of fog and yet the endless cycle of tour commitments were thrown at him from phone calls and schedules demanding his attendance. Some of the saddest facts of this Avicii branding was a young man unsure of what he could and couldn’t say in an interview because answers were pre determined by management. Again this was slightly touched on but it gave you a sense of someone completely at the mercy of a much more experienced and ruthless company man.

The film makes no mention of the two girls in Tim’s life, the appearance of Bettencourt is pixelled out in a hospital scene which gives me to believe permission to use their time together was not given. Tim does state his 8 months off towards the end was for ‘therapy’ and the prescription drugs of course for pain and anxiety is a classic addiction. The total honesty of Avicii in knowing death was an inevitability should he keep going with his schedule and total hatred of touring he wrote out his letter of retirement and surprisingly sent it to Ash for release. This is where to my thinking again the lines are blurred between artist and manager. He dutiful sent it there first yet there are times in the last chapter of the film that leads you to believe Pornouri had lost his complete control over Bergling yet it’s a veiled reference and only fueled by a late appearance of Ash who contritely says Tim is naive and unable to understand money. It’s a surprising cameo right there and moments after this are the words across the screen of the split between manager and artist.

Do I feel this gave us all what we hoped it would? No I don’t.

Do I think Avicii gave all he was allowed to give without legalities coming into it. Yes I do.

Tim has left quite a lot up to the fan and viewer of this documentary to determine how they think it all went to hell. I also believe that it shows a man still passionate about the music and making it to the best of his ability and his honest belief that it will not end. I do see Tim as a deep thinking, respectful young man who is trying to regain his life and control over it that was ripped away from him in becoming a global brand.

It made me want to sit down and have a deep honest discussion with a man who hates small talk and find out the rest of the story but for now this is all we will get and the music will have to do.

I hope he finds that balance in his life because he knows better than anyone, fame is fleeting.

Rating 9 out of 10

Article introduced by @smilydutchgirl written by Chez Harvey aka @astateofchez

Smilys featured Track 🎶 Earthquake by Merco

Hello all you beautiful souls 😘🎶

It’s time for my next featured track. This one is by Merco/DJ Merco who I had the pleasure of getting to know in the Netherlands. He’s a great producer and DJ as well as a nice guy.

First a note about this track and inspiration by Merco himself 😊

Short Description:

This winter I have been working hard on a very special Moombahton track. Here is my new release Earthquake! With a big bassline, lot’s of drums and a lovely vocal this track will give your upcoming summer some extra heat!

Inspiration:
For this song I got inspired by a Dutch music trend: big brass and baselines. I gave it my own ‘organic’ touch with real instruments to make it feel more real and not computer made. This song is different because it is in between a radio friendly song and a club track. I think this is a new way of making Moombahton songs!
Smily’s perspective on this track.
This is such a happy summer song. The kind of track you dance extra hard too when you are out with friends and it comes on or blast while you are traveling to where you need to go. It’s a song filled with good vibes and has that flirty romance feeling to it. I like it a lot it definitely gets the Smily stamp of approval😁
Not only do I like the way it makes me feel and the sound. When you listen closely you can hear it wasn’t just thrown together. A lot of good producing went into this. Great job Marco😊✌
 Please remember to listen to the track, share this article and give @DJMerco a follow on Twitter. These things help support the artist. 😁
Here’s the Spotify link
There’s other places to listen to this track as well.
Now I ‘d love to know how YOU like this track so comment here or tweet at me.
Keep smiling and dancing 💕💗💙
So much love,
Smily

Music much more music.

Hello all you beautiful souls 😘💜💚💛💙 I have been away from publishing articles for a while, but I’m back filled with inspiration to share so much more with all of you.

I guess I haven’t really been away, I’ve shared my music on Twitter and I started a new job where I’m learning a lot and I’m very passionate about 😊

So my plan is to share some tracks on my blog with a small paragraph of the artist view on the track and a small section with my feelings on the track. Then I’d like you to listen to it and give your feedback. Won’t that be a fun way to discover each other’s taste in music?

As you already may know I had the chance to spend ultra weekend in Miami together with my dear friend Chez from Australia who you know as @astateofChez on Twitter. I have lots of things I want to share about that wonderful weekend. The music, friendships, PLUR and Ravefamily we got to grow.

I look forward to putting out some new info and chatting with all of you 💜

Love always,

Smily 💙💛💚💜😘20170126_121020

Review – Markus Schulz – Houston TX

Hello all you beautiful souls!  Not very long ago it was my birthday and someone very near and dear to my heart surprised me with a ticket to go see my favorite trance artist, Markus Schulz.  I was extremely excited, and thankful for this present, it had been a while since I’d attended an event and I NEEDED to dance to some good music. Thank you so much for this perfect present ❤

I have seen Markus several times before and he never disappoints, so I knew it would be a magnificent show.  I was curious about the venue, and as I like supporting local and up and coming artists I was also excited to find out who would be in the opening show so that if I enjoyed their music I could support them.

Ready to dance the night away I put on a cute outfit, comfy shoes, sparkly make up and light up bunny ears to help me go down the rabbit hole 😉 of course! First of all the drive was easy which is a relief for someone as directionally challenged as I am even with a GPS I manage to get lost at times hee hee. 😀 The venue the show would be in was Stereo Live, and as I pulled up I was happy to find there was parking at the venue for $10 right in front of the building.  For safe parking I feel this is a very reasonable price.

As it was my first time at this venue I was not familiar with where to enter etc.  The ticket stated that the show started at 9pm, and I got there at 9:30 pm and there was nearly no one there yet. I asked the gentleman at the entry that check your ID and ticket why it was so quiet, and they stated that the time on the ticket was merely when doors opened up and the show would not be till much later.  I certainly did not mind as it would mean I would have a great spot at the front hurrayy!!

Stereo Live had a warm feeling, the building was clean, so were the toilets which is always nice.  I got a drink from the bar, went to the restroom and walked around a bit.  After a bit the music started and two opening acts played.  The first DJ played nice warm up music a deep/tech house feel and vibe. And the second DJ played some amazing trance tracks including some that had just been released that week, I was very impressed. I went to look to find who the opening acts were, it was not posted anywhere at the venue nor did the artist introduce themselves. I was unable to get this information which to me was unusual, I have never been to an event where it was impossible to find out who the opening act was. I later went on the Stereo Live Website, AND tweeted at them and never got a response.  So though I’d really like to support these artists, because they did a good job, I am unable to do so.

The opening acts were great, but I was ready to see Markus and finally at about midnight the show I came for started.  And what a show!  The combination of great sound and the lights and beautiful images on stage made for a truly magical experience.  A slow opening with galaxies floating by built up the anticipation and when Markus got on stage he made a great entrance, saying Trancefamily are you ready? As he dropped the beat.

His charisma was as vibrant as always, when someone loves what they do it just beams from their face and body language doesn’t it?!  It’s a gorgeous thing to see and it makes the whole experience all the more lovely.  He played a great variety of his own tracks new and classics, with and without lyrics.  The perfect balance in my eyes (or should I say ears 😉 ), and he also included some great remixes of tracks most serious trance lovers will get excited about. He pays attention to his fans, reads the energy of the crowd and plays off of it.  He smiled and waved at me happily which put a smile on my face. He also had several of his vocal artists there and they all sang live with the songs, there was no lip-syncing (being in the front I could hear it clearly) and they belted out their songs without any trouble at all.

My very favorite moment of the night was when I heard the opening sound of the track Free Tibet and realized he was going to be playing that.  I whipped out my phone and recorded part of that to share, not all of it because my dear people I also wanted to sing, dance and get lost in the moment.  And I sure did, during that track I was dancing while tears streamed down my face, I could feel the music deep within my soul and at that moment I felt so extremely happy, that moment all your worries are gone and you just appreciate the beautiful things in life. Isn’t that one of the magical things about music like this? I have uploaded a few video’s to You Tube so you can experience a little bit of the show.  I highly recommend you go see Markus Schulz next time he is performing near you.  I’m willing to travel hours to go see him, but that may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

After Markus finished and said his goodbyes, I went to drink water and use the toilet and then sat down a bit, at that time I realized that the two guys that opened did a session together to close the night out, that was the first time I’ve seen that happen at a venue but it was fun.  The last track they played especially – Dominator I was really happy with and I recorded it and posted it for you all to see.

All in all it was a lovely experience and I’d go again in a heartbeat. The only thing I’d like to see in the future is please let us know who the supporting artists are so we can support them as well.

Later that night or really the next morning when I got home I had received a message from my girl Chez from Australia, (follow her on Twitter @astateofchez ) that she spotted me on Markus Schulz snapchat, she screenshotted it and sent it to me so I included that in today’s pictures, that’s me the blonde in the front middle with the light in her face ha ha.

I had hoped to make some friends at the event, I talked to many people, but did not meet anyone I had that click with yet, so maybe next time!  It was all Good Vibes and a happy experience.  Please enjoy the pictures below.  Oh and if you’d like to see my video’s you can do so here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxbgLq_UnJSDlM1pfa97olw

Have a lovely week everyone ❤ keep smiling ❤ Love, Smily

A Passion for Music.

Hello wonderful people! Well here it is, my first “official”article on my very own blog.  I have had the pleasure of writing a few articles here and there for blogs and websites in the past, but have been thinking about starting my own blog for a while now. At first I wasn’t sure I could offer anything that other people may want to read as there are so many blogs out there already, many very interesting, educational, funny etc.

However I have been encouraged by producer/DJ’s I have had the chance to get to know as well as the wonderful community on Twitter filled with music lovers to go for it.  The more I thought about it the more I wanted to write my own blog.  I had to have a clear idea of what I wanted to do and most of all I wanted it to be fun!

As I enjoyed reading other blogs I suddenly KNEW what I wanted to do.  Obviously as most of you already know since I have a serious love of music that would be what I would focus on most, and now and then I’ll throw in some good food and travel articles to share.

When it comes to music I want it to be a place where EVERYONE that loves music is comfortable.  Those with hardly any knowledge that are just discovering things, and those who have been around the scene a long time.  A place where no one is judged for the genre of music they like.  There are so many genres and there is a lot of good music out there.  And not everyone is going to have the same taste in music.  My taste has a wide range, and others may only like one genre of music.  And that is okay!  Some may be underground, or not very well know, and other music may be mainstream and loved by many.  Whatever music you like, you are welcome here. It’s a judgement free zone, we are not all going to like the same music let’s face it.  And let’s be understanding of each other even if we do not always agree. Unless it’s country sorry you are out of luck here 😉 ha ha ha nooo just kidding! You are still welcome, just don’t count on reading any articles on it as it’s the only music that I personally do not care for in the slightest.

On this blog I will share my playlists, write about tracks and review events I have had the pleasure to attend, focusing mostly on a positive experience, the great parts of it. There are more than enough people out there that are really well versed in being a critic or finding faults in a show or a set.  I’d like to focus on the positives, the enjoyable moments. Those Good Vibes you feel from being at a great event. Of course if something goes horribly wrong I won’t sugarcoat it either.

I also will to continue to support the hard-working talented artists that do not have a wide audience yet that are just as talented if not more talented at times then some of the artists we hear on the radio.  The DJ’s/Producers I know personally and have met will be some of the first ones I will feature on my blog.  A bit about themselves, their dreams, goals and of course their music.

When I have the chance to travel and try delicious foods I will feature articles about that as well, so that you can all can travel along virtually.  I look forward to writing and connecting with you all here and through twitter. I will only write articles I enjoy and I hope I in turn will be able to bring a smile to your faces as you read them.

As always keep smiling!

Love, Smily

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