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Some reviews of the Breeze King’s fourth CD

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Some reviews of the Breeze King's fourth CD

The Breeze Kings “Can’t Stay Home”. Veritone 2012

I must admit this group intrigues me and sometimes the music they play comes to hypnotize me. I do not know well why this happens to me, but this is the true thing. Their music gives off a certain bewitching air that lets you breathe in the special atmosphere all along the ten songs included in this album entitled “Can’t Stay Home”. All tracks ooze a possessive troubling air that slowly catches you. It becomes a wrapping, exhausting and, sometimes, tough smell. The Breeze Kings are Carlos Capote harmonica and vocals, Jim Ransone guitar, Aaron Trubic bass and Trevor Roberts drums. All of them slowly weave a kind of spider web that catches you with no escape. “Can’t Stay Home” is their fourth album where you will discover the special creativity of an original and different band. Thanks to nine original songs that show a new proposal, completely different from their three previous albums. The Breeze Kings have grown in maturity and, I dare say, they will continue growing up in the future as they have been doing so far. It is not casual they have been voted on nine different times as the best blues band in Atlanta. VERY GOOD.

Vicente Zumel, La Hora Del Blues Radio Show, Barcelona Spain, October 2013
Winner of a 2013 international ‘Keeping The Blues Alive’ award from The Blues Foundation


Can’t go Wrong With The Breeze Kings’ Can’t Stay Home 

Breeze Kings singer Carlos Capote doesn’t waste any time getting down to business on the band’s new CD, Can’t Stay Home. He kicks off the opening song, “Mercury Blues,” singing “I’m tired. Tired of these same old blues.” That’s a classic blues theme: The protagonist is tired, discouraged, and facing overwhelming hurdles. And in true blues fashion, the Breeze Kings chronicle their journey as they overcome these obstacles. 

And what a journey it is. Broken-down cars, women who need help, women who need seducing, and a few sneaky women dot the landscape of Can’t Stay Home. Like their other CDs, this one is full of rollicking, danceable tunes. 

The Breeze Kings don’t just write great music – they craft clever songs, with creative wordplay. I really like the lyrics in “Too Cute.” Here’s one sample verse:

You can call me a doctor
By the way I’ll take care of you
Take two of me, and lay right down
Close your eyes and I’ll work my way ‘round.

It’s like that all the way through the CD – the songs are catchy, sexy, and always very singable. Carlos’ voice is as strong as ever, rising from a whisper to a shout with ease. You’d never know that he had a kidney transplant last year. His harp playing runs the whole gamut, from sweet, Stevie Wonderesque lines to gutbucket Chicago-style shrieks. In addition to innovative melodic solos, Carlos also plays a myriad of cool fills that function like “rhythm harp.” 

Guitarist Jim Ransone coaxes every tone imaginable out of his ax. He’s silky smooth one minute, nasty the next. His solos are full of nuance, a quality that the blues is not known for. After playing together for so many years, Jim and Carlos manage to stay locked in, but loose, ready for anything. 

On this CD, drummer Trevor Roberts and bassist Aaron Trubic provide the foundation for this musical architecture. They’re both big on talent – Trevor is a drum instructor, and Aaron is a cellist and recording engineer. 

Together, the Breeze Kings can inject a shot of the blues into any style of music. “Well For Water” features a Western swing drum beat, Hawaiian slide guitar and vocal harmonies. “The Other Track” is a haunting piece of country blues. And “Cooling Out” starts off with more finger-snapping than “West Side Story.” Keep cool, boy! 

It’s a new take on an old musical format. But no matter how many influences they bring to their songs, with The Breeze Kings, it’s always the blues. 

Andy Shaughnessy for  The Atlanta Blues Society  March 2013


The Breeze Kings continue to be one of Atlanta’s hottest blues bands, winning Creative Loafing’s award for Best Blues Band nine years, with their real-deal approach to ’50s era Chicago blues. Their fourth release, on Veritone Records, is Can’t Stay Home. The charismatic Carlos “Breeze” Capote returns on vocals and harmonica with Jim Ransone still firing on all cylinders while manning guitar duties. The dynamite rhythm section consists of Aaron Trubic (bass) and Trevor Roberts (drums). Lending support on selected tracks are Bob Page (piano), Norm “Tex” Ficke (tenor sax), and Dan Seifert (Hammond organ).

One of the strong suits of the band’s previous releases was their songwriting, and that still continues to serve them well on this new release, with songs like Ransone’s “Mercury Blues,” a car tune of a different sort….this one not particular fast or actually moving at all. Other highlights include “Well I Wish,” an updating of a familiar blues theme, and “Beehive,” a clever metaphorical character study of a woman who plays the field.

“Well for Water” is another standout, with its taut rockabilly boogie, and Ransone’s cool Hawaiian slide work. The closer, “The Other Track,” is an acoustic number has some nice slide guitar as well. There are also two instrumental tracks, Ransone’s jazzy “My Little Life,” and J.C. Davis’ aptly titled “Coolin’ Out,” both of which give the individual band members a chance to shine. Capote does an excellent job on vocals…displaying the right mix of grit and vulnerability when needed, and he can flat blow the back off the harmonica, too.

Can’t Stay Home is another fine release from The Breeze Kings, and hopefully, one that will help them gain a wider audience beyond Atlanta and the southeastern U.S. With their considerable songwriting chops and musical rapport, they deserve to be heard.

Graham Clarke, for BluesBytes.com, Feb 2013


Atlanta’s own Breeze Kings have a new CD out, “Can’t Stay Home,” on which they certainly live up to their names light and breezy is exactly how this CD feels, and that is a good thing.

Eight of the 10 numbers on the CD are written by members of the band, and they show themselves to be skilled songwriters as well as excellent musicians. Every number features impeccable musicianship as well.

It’s not really possible to pick favorites on this CD, either, as almost every song is a favorite. I am particularly fond of “Mercury Blues,” which lets every member of the band show up their skill from vocals to percussion to guitar and bass and which features some excellent piano work from guest Bob Page. Other favorites are “Well I Wish,” with great vocals and tasty harmonica, “Play You My Love,” “Beehive,””Well for Water,” and “Be My Rider.”

The two numbers not written by band members, “Coolin’ it” and “The Other Track” fit in nicely with the band’s style. “Coolin’ It’ has an enjoyable retro vibe and allows the band to shine, and “The Other Track” stands out for the great lap steel guitar by Ransome.

The only song on the CD that I had a small problem with is “Too Cute.” It’s a great, fun song by Aaron Trubic, but the sound mix for me is just a little off, a bit too muddy, especially compared to the sound on the other songs.

Nevertheless, the CD is great, breezy, fun entertainment.

Get “Can’t Stay Home,” either on Amazon or elsewhere online or at a show. You’ll be happy that you did.

The Breeze Kings play regularly all around town, and nothing beats the excitement of a live Breeze Kings show. So once you have the CD, take yourself out to see the group. I guarantee you will be impressed!

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Frigate: Optimizing for Lower CPU Usage in NVR Systems

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Frigate: Optimizing for Lower CPU Usage in NVR Systems

In the world of network video recording (NVR) systems, efficiency and performance are key. Frigate, an open-source NVR with real-time object detection capabilities, has become a popular choice for many, thanks to its robust support for machine learning and its ability to integrate with home automation systems like Home Assistant. However, Frigate’s impressive object detection features can be CPU-intensive, especially if deployed on hardware with limited processing power. This article explores tips and techniques to lower Frigate’s CPU usage, allowing you to optimize your setup for better performance and lower energy consumption.

Understanding Frigate’s CPU Demands

Frigate relies heavily on machine learning for object detection, typically utilizing models like YOLO (You Only Look Once) for real-time detection. This real-time processing can place a significant load on the CPU, especially when handling multiple camera streams or high-resolution video. Here are some factors that contribute to CPU usage in Frigate:

  1. Resolution of Video Streams: Higher resolutions require more processing power to analyze each frame.
  2. Frame Rate: The more frames per second (FPS), the higher the workload on the CPU.
  3. Object Detection Model: Frigate’s object detection models are computationally intensive, as they analyze each frame to identify objects.
  4. Processing Frequency: How frequently Frigate processes frames can impact CPU load; more frequent detection cycles increase CPU usage.

Techniques to Lower Frigate’s CPU Usage

Optimizing Frigate involves configuring its settings to reduce the CPU load without sacrificing too much functionality. Here are some of the most effective ways to achieve this.

1. Use Hardware Acceleration

One of the most effective ways to lower CPU usage is by offloading processing to a dedicated hardware accelerator. Frigate supports various hardware options, including:

  • Coral Edge TPU: A USB device that provides fast, efficient object detection. By using a Coral TPU, you can offload object detection tasks from the CPU, significantly reducing CPU usage.
  • NVIDIA GPU: Frigate can also leverage NVIDIA GPUs, which offer powerful hardware acceleration for video processing.
  • Intel Quick Sync Video (QSV): If your setup includes an Intel processor with Quick Sync support, you can enable this feature in Frigate to offload decoding tasks from the CPU.

Enabling hardware acceleration allows Frigate to process video feeds and detect objects more efficiently, lowering the CPU load by as much as 70% or more, depending on the hardware used.

2. Adjust Detection Frame Rate

Frigate’s default configuration may process video frames more frequently than necessary. Reducing the detection frame rate can lower CPU usage by decreasing the number of frames that Frigate analyzes each second. In the configuration file, you can adjust the fps value to find a balance between detection speed and CPU efficiency.





3. Optimize Camera Resolution and Frame Rate

High-resolution video streams demand more CPU resources. If high resolution is not critical for your application, consider lowering the camera resolution to 720p or even 480p, which will reduce CPU load. Additionally, reducing the camera frame rate to 15 or 10 FPS can further decrease the processing power required


4. Use Motion Detection Zones

Instead of monitoring the entire frame, define specific zones where motion detection is required. By focusing on these areas alone, Frigate reduces unnecessary processing, saving CPU resources.

Example:

yamlCopy codecameras:
  driveway:
    zones:
      car_zone:
        coordinates: 1280,720,0,720,0,0,1280,0  # Define the area for detection

5. Reduce the Number of Cameras or Disable Non-Essential Streams

If Frigate is monitoring multiple camera feeds, the CPU may become overwhelmed. Reducing the number of active cameras or disabling feeds that don’t require constant monitoring can free up processing power.

You can also specify roles for each camera, like detect or record, to control which streams require real-time detection. For cameras that don’t need object detection, consider disabling the detect role.

6. Lower the Detection Model’s Processing Requirements

Frigate allows you to choose between different object detection models. Some models are lighter and require less processing power than others, though they may not be as accurate. Switching to a more efficient model can lower CPU usage.

Alternatively, if detection accuracy is a priority, use the lighter model only during non-critical hours or for less sensitive areas.

Monitoring CPU Usage and Performance in Frigate

Keeping an eye on your system’s performance metrics can help you fine-tune settings over time. Frigate includes built-in monitoring tools to track CPU usage, memory consumption, and

Conclusion

Optimizing Frigate for lower CPU usage can be achieved with a combination of hardware acceleration, careful configuration adjustments, and strategic choices in detection settings. By applying these tips, you can ensure Frigate runs efficiently on your hardware, delivering reliable object detection without overloading your CPU. This balance allows you to enjoy a powerful NVR setup that meets both performance and energy efficiency goals.

Whether you’re using Frigate in a home or commercial setting, these optimizations can help you get the most out of your system while keeping CPU usage manageable.

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Ovestæ: A New Era of Sustainable Living

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Ovestæ: A New Era of Sustainable Living

In today’s world, where the need for sustainable living is paramount, innovative approaches and practices are emerging. Among them is the concept of “Ovestæ,” an approach centered around ecological balance, sustainable design, and green living. This article will explore what Ovestæ stands for, how it impacts sustainable living, and its relevance in today’s environmentally conscious world.

Understanding Ovestæ

Ovestæ, from the Latin root meaning “west” or “sunset,” symbolizes a transition toward a new era—a shift from traditional lifestyles to those that harmonize with nature. The term encapsulates the ideas of renewal, mindful consumption, and minimal environmental impact. It also emphasizes the importance of respecting natural resources and striving for a symbiotic relationship with the environment.

Principles of Ovestæ

At its core, Ovestæ is guided by a set of principles that encourage a holistic approach to sustainable living:

  1. Resource Conservation
    The Ovestæ lifestyle emphasizes conserving resources like water, energy, and raw materials. This principle promotes the use of renewable resources, reduction of waste, and embracing practices that minimize environmental impact.
  2. Circular Economy
    The concept of a circular economy aligns well with Ovestæ by focusing on reusing, recycling, and repurposing. It seeks to minimize waste by creating products designed for longevity, repairability, and recyclability.
  3. Eco-Friendly Architecture
    In terms of infrastructure, Ovestæ supports eco-friendly architectural designs that utilize sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies. The aim is to build structures that blend seamlessly with nature while reducing energy consumption.
  4. Mindful Consumption
    Embracing a minimalistic lifestyle, Ovestæ encourages reducing unnecessary consumption. It promotes buying locally, selecting eco-friendly products, and adopting habits that minimize one’s carbon footprint.
  5. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Protection
    Ovestæ advocates for the protection and preservation of biodiversity. It emphasizes creating green spaces, supporting local wildlife, and protecting natural habitats.

How Ovestæ Impacts Sustainable Living

Ovestæ has the potential to reshape how we think about sustainability on a global scale. Here are some key areas where Ovestæ has a significant impact:

  1. Reduced Carbon Footprint
    By advocating for energy efficiency, renewable resources, and reduced consumption, Ovestæ directly contributes to lowering individual and collective carbon footprints.
  2. Enhanced Community Engagement
    Ovestæ often involves community-based initiatives, such as urban farming, communal green spaces, and local markets. These initiatives not only promote sustainability but also build a sense of community.
  3. Economic Advantages
    Through its alignment with the circular economy, Ovestæ creates economic opportunities by emphasizing sustainable practices. This can reduce operational costs for businesses, create green jobs, and promote local economies.
  4. Environmental Health
    Ovestæ emphasizes eco-friendly materials, renewable energy, and the protection of biodiversity, all of which contribute to cleaner air, soil, and water. This, in turn, supports a healthier ecosystem and improved quality of life.

Ovestæ in Practice

Ovestæ can be seen in various aspects of life, from architecture and design to everyday habits:

  • Green Architecture and Building Materials
    New constructions under the Ovestæ approach use sustainable materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, and recycled metal. Energy-efficient designs, solar panels, and green roofs help reduce energy consumption.
  • Renewable Energy Usage
    Ovestæ advocates for the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. Many individuals and businesses are investing in these technologies to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
  • Sustainable Food Systems
    The principles of Ovestæ promote local and organic farming practices. Community-supported agriculture (CSA), urban gardening, and food cooperatives reflect the values of Ovestæ by providing fresh, locally-grown produce while minimizing food miles and supporting local economies.
  • Waste Reduction and Recycling Initiatives
    Implementing waste reduction strategies, like composting and recycling, is another cornerstone of Ovestæ. Many communities now offer zero-waste programs and resources to help individuals adopt these practices.

Benefits of Adopting Ovestæ

Embracing Ovestæ offers a multitude of benefits, from environmental preservation to personal well-being:

  • Positive Environmental Impact
    Sustainable practices reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, and help mitigate climate change, making Ovestæ a powerful tool in environmental preservation.
  • Improved Quality of Life
    By living in cleaner, greener spaces and reducing exposure to pollutants, individuals can experience better health and well-being.
  • Economic Savings
    In the long run, adopting energy-efficient solutions and reducing consumption can lead to financial savings on utilities and other living expenses.
  • Sense of Fulfillment and Purpose
    Many who adopt sustainable living practices report feeling a greater sense of purpose, as they contribute to the preservation of the environment for future generations.

Conclusion

Ovestæ is more than just a lifestyle trend; it’s a movement that encourages a sustainable, balanced, and conscious way of living. With the challenges posed by climate change, resource depletion, and ecological imbalance, the principles of Ovestæ offer a path forward for individuals and communities alike. By adopting its values, we take a step closer to creating a healthier, more resilient planet for ourselves and future generations.

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The Devil Raises a Lady Spoiler: A Dark Tale of Power, Intrigue, and Romance

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The Devil Raises a Lady Spoiler: A Dark Tale of Power, Intrigue, and Romance

What happens when a devil raises a lady? Well, if you’re delving into this fascinating and twisted world, you’re in for an intense ride of dark fantasy, unexpected plot twists, and tantalizing romance. The webtoon “The Devil Raises a Lady” (also known as “The Devil Who Raised Her”) has captivated readers with its unique storyline and complex characters. If you’re here for spoilers, buckle up, because things are about to get interesting!

A Lady in a World of Devils

At the heart of the story is Iris Elaine, a noblewoman who has faced nothing but cruelty and betrayal from her own family. Left to fend for herself, she makes a devilish pact—literally. She finds herself under the protection (and mentorship) of Ahriman, the Devil King. But this isn’t your usual story of a damsel in distress. Iris quickly learns that in the devil’s world, survival means mastering power, intrigue, and manipulation.

Spoiler Alert: Iris’s Journey of Growth

As the plot progresses, we see Iris grow from a broken, powerless woman to a formidable force. One of the most shocking twists is her relationship with Ahriman. Initially cold and calculating, Ahriman begins to see something in Iris that no one else has—potential. He guides her in the ways of power, but there’s an undercurrent of attraction that’s hard to ignore.

The Devil’s Intentions
Ahriman’s motives, however, remain clouded in mystery. Does he truly care for Iris, or is she just a pawn in his larger game? His stoic demeanor often makes it difficult to understand what he’s thinking. But as Iris begins to rise in power and influence, it’s clear that Ahriman’s teachings go beyond simple mentorship. Could there be a romantic connection brewing beneath the surface? Well, let’s just say the slow burn is real!

The Betrayal and the Twist

One of the major spoilers in the series revolves around Iris’s family. As Iris starts to reclaim her power and influence, her family members come crawling back, trying to exploit her newfound strength for their own gain. But Iris has learned well from Ahriman—this time, she’s not the victim.

In a stunning twist, Iris orchestrates her revenge against those who wronged her. With the devil by her side, she becomes a master manipulator, turning the tables on her enemies. The once timid lady transforms into a force to be reckoned with, someone who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Devil King himself.

A Love That Defies the Odds?

As Iris and Ahriman’s relationship deepens, we begin to wonder—is this love, or is it something more sinister? There’s undeniable chemistry between the two, but there’s also a lingering question of whether Ahriman can even experience emotions like a human. The complexity of their bond is what keeps readers hooked. Just when you think you understand their dynamic, the story throws another curveball, making you question everything.

The Devil’s Bargain

A crucial part of the story is the notion of bargains with the devil, and in this case, the ultimate question remains: What will Iris have to give up in exchange for everything she has gained? Power in the devil’s world is never free, and the price could be something that even Iris, with all her newfound strength, might not be prepared to pay. By the end of the series, you’re left wondering if the devil truly raised the lady, or if it was the lady who tamed the devil.

Final Thoughts

“The Devil Raises a Lady” delivers a gripping tale of empowerment, revenge, and dark romance. It’s a story where the line between good and evil blurs, and where love and power often walk hand in hand. For those who enjoy a mix of fantasy, intrigue, and a bit of dark romance, this webtoon is a must-read.

The spoilers above barely scratch the surface of the intricate plot and character development that make this story so compelling. Whether you’re rooting for Iris to overcome her past or intrigued by Ahriman’s enigmatic presence, one thing is clear—this story is a devilishly good time.

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