Handy hints for home-recording musicians- don't leave your microphone preamp switched on and leave it indefinitely- the same thing that makes it very hot will cause it to eventually burn out completely. Oops. Just pray to God the mic itself is OK- that's the expensive bugger.

How divine is Souad Massi ? Truly I am in love. Buy everything by her- if an Algerian woman singing in French and Arabic over North African/Gypsy/singer-songwriter music sounds like your bag, then she is it. And the sound of the oud is just the most luscious instrument. Other sounds of the moment- Fela Kuti, The La's, Donovan (quiet at the back !) and Muddy Waters.